Broome operates on a different calendar than the rest of Australia. While Sydney and Melbourne measure their year in school holidays and cricket seasons, Broome measures it in tides, moon phases, and the binary question: can you swim without getting stung?
27-33°C daytime, 12-20°C at night
This is when Broome performs. Cable Beach — all 22 km of white sand backed by red pindan cliffs meeting turquoise water — is at its best. The camel rides at sunset (AUD 75/person for 30 minutes with Red Sun Camels) are the town's signature experience and they run daily.
The Staircase to the Moon occurs 2-3 nights per month between March and October, when the full moon rising over exposed mudflats at Roebuck Bay creates a shimmering optical illusion. Free to view from Town Beach. Night markets run on Staircase nights. Check the Broome Visitor Centre for exact dates — this phenomenon alone is worth timing your trip around.
Willie Creek Pearl Farm (38 km north) operates March-November, offering tours of the South Sea pearl cultivation process for AUD 95/person including transfer. The showroom sells pearls at farm-gate prices.
Sun Pictures — the world's oldest operating outdoor cinema (since 1916) — screens movies nightly under the stars. AUD 18 per ticket. Heritage-listed, genuinely charming, and a perfect evening activity.
Dry season accommodation: AUD 250-500/night for mid-range hotels. Book 3-6 months ahead for peak months (June-August).
Temperature: 30-35°C, humidity building
Still good weather, 30-40% lower prices than peak dry season. Most tours and attractions operate. October can bring early storms but they're brief and dramatic — the sky turns purple over Cable Beach in a way photographers dream about.
The box jellyfish season typically starts in October. Swim only within stinger nets at Cable Beach's southern end.
Temperature: 33-40°C with high humidity and monsoonal rain
Broome's wet season is hot, humid, and dramatically beautiful. Afternoon storms are spectacular. Waterfalls appear on the pindan cliffs that are dry the rest of the year. Accommodation prices drop 40-60%.
But: many tours don't operate. Willie Creek Pearl Farm closes. Box jellyfish (Irukandji) make ocean swimming dangerous outside netted areas. Roads to the Dampier Peninsula can become impassable. The Staircase to the Moon doesn't occur November-February.
Who it's for: Budget travelers who can handle heat, photographers chasing storm light, and anyone who wants to see Broome without crowds.
| Factor | Dry (May-Oct) | Shoulder (May, Oct-Nov) | Wet (Nov-Apr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 27-33°C | 30-35°C | 33-40°C |
| Swimming | Safe (stinger nets) | Caution (Oct on) | Stinger season |
| Staircase | Yes | Partial | Nov-Feb: No |
| Camel rides | Daily | Daily | Weather dependent |
| Prices | Peak | Moderate | Lowest |
| Pearl farm | Open | Open/closing | Closed |
June to September for the full experience: Cable Beach at its best, Staircase to the Moon, pearl farms, outdoor cinema, and comfortable evenings. Book accommodation early.
May and October for value: nearly the same experience at lower prices and fewer crowds.
Skip November to March unless you specifically want the wet season experience or steep discounts.
Broome is remote — Perth is 2,200 km away. Make the effort count by visiting when the town is at its best. The camels, the staircase, and the 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints aren't going anywhere. But your timing determines whether you'll see them at their finest.
Seasonal
Seasonal
Seasonal
