Children playing on a white sand beach in Broome, Western Australia

Explore Broome

Broome with Kids

Broome is genuinely good for families — but it rewards a little planning. Here's what actually works, age by age, from the beach to a bookable experience.

Free & Low-Cost Family Activities

Several of Broome's best experiences cost nothing. The ones below are publicly accessible and suitable for most families — though what works depends on your children's ages and energy levels.

Town Beach Water Playground

Best for toddlers and primary-school age

The Town Beach foreshore has a water playground that's a reliable hit with younger children on a warm morning. It's in a shaded, grassed area close to the beach and car parking. Check current operating status and seasonal hours with the Town of Broome before visiting — hours can vary.

Access

Free. Town Beach, end of Robinson Street. Toilets nearby.

Local tip

Go in the morning before the heat builds. Bring a change of clothes.

Cable Beach

All ages

22 kilometres of white sand — plenty of room for children to run, dig and explore. The northern end near the car park is the most popular family area. Sunset here is a genuine shared experience for all ages.

Access

Free. Parking at both ends of Cable Beach Road. Toilets and kiosk at the main car park.

Local tip

Tides affect how much beach is available and how far the water is from the car park. Check our tides page before you go.

Dinosaur Replica Tracks at Gantheaume Point

Good for school-age children and up

A concrete replica of 130-million-year-old sauropod tracks is set into the rock platform at Gantheaume Point, accessible at low tide. For children who've been learning about dinosaurs, seeing the scale of the prints in person is memorable. The cliff-top viewpoint is accessible at any time.

Access

Free. The rock platform requires a low tide and a careful scramble — not suitable for prams or very young children. The cliff-top viewing area is accessible at all times.

Local tip

Check tide times before visiting. The replica tracks are visible at most low tides. The original tracks require a very low tide and are not always exposed.

Chinatown Heritage Walk

Better for older children and teenagers

Broome's Chinatown is a genuine piece of living history — pearling-era buildings, multicultural heritage and interpretive displays. Older children and teenagers who are interested in history will get more from it than very young children. Heritage walk maps are available from the Town of Broome.

Access

Free. Self-guided. Mostly flat footpaths — pram-accessible.

Local tip

Combine with a stop at one of the Chinatown cafés for a break.

Broome Markets

All ages

The Courthouse Markets (Saturday mornings, dry season) and the Staircase to the Moon Markets (specific full moon evenings, March–October) are free to enter and have a good atmosphere for families. Food stalls, local produce, art and live music.

Access

Free entry. Food and purchases at your own cost.

Local tip

The Staircase Markets are evening events — factor in tired children if you're also planning to watch the Staircase to the Moon.

Birdwatching at Roebuck Bay

Best for children with an interest in wildlife; peak season August–October

During migration season, the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay attract tens of thousands of migratory shorebirds. Watching from the foreshore at low tide is free. Binoculars help. The Broome Bird Observatory (north of town) runs guided walks — check their website for current fees and programs.

Access

Free from the public foreshore. Do not walk onto the tidal flats.

Local tip

Low tide is essential. Check our tides page for timing.

See our full Free Things to Do in Broome guide

Family Tours & Experiences

The tours below are from our verified directory. Age restrictions, child pricing and booking requirements are drawn from operator information — confirm current details directly when booking.

Camel Rides at Cable Beach

Cable Beach camel operators

30–60 minutes depending on tour

Generally suitable for children who can sit independently and hold on. Confirm minimum age and weight requirements with the operator when booking.

A camel ride along Cable Beach at sunset is one of Broome's most iconic experiences and genuinely enjoyable for children who are comfortable around animals. Riders sit in a saddle on the camel's back — children typically ride with or near a parent. Confirm the operator's current minimum age and any weight requirements before booking.

Camel tour operators are listed on our tours page. Confirm child pricing, minimum age and any restrictions directly with the operator.

Operator website currently unverified — confirm details directly when booking.

View tour details

Snubfin Dolphin Cruise

Broome Whale Watching

3.5 hours

Children from 2 years. Infants under 2 — confirm with operator. Optional boom net swim.

A morning wildlife cruise through Roebuck Bay — snubfin dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and turtles. Gourmet morning tea included. The boom net swim is optional. Courtesy transfers from Broome accommodation included. Children from 2 years welcome; family of 4 pricing available.

Child pricing

Children (2–14 yrs) from AUD $106.92. Family of 4 from AUD $537.84.

Swimming waiver required before arrival. Confirm infant policy directly with operator.

View tour details Check availability & book

Dinosaur Adventure Cruise

Broome Adventure Cruises

6 hours including transfers

Children (1–14 yrs) welcome. Includes a five-course tapas meal — confirm suitability for young children with the operator.

Cruise the Kimberley coastline to a secluded beach where 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are preserved in rock. Wildlife spotting en route — snubfin dolphins, turtles, rays. Returns to a waterfront venue for a five-course tapas meal. Transfers included. The meal component may suit older children better.

Child pricing

Children (1–14 yrs) from AUD $162.40.

Confirm child menu options and any dietary requirements when booking.

View tour details Check availability & book

Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour

Willie Creek Pearls

5 hours including transport

Suitable for most ages. Confirm child pricing and any minimum age requirements when booking.

Air-conditioned coach from Broome, a boat cruise on Willie Creek, a live pearl harvest masterclass, homemade damper at the Harvest Café, and a visit to the jewellery showroom. The boat cruise includes wildlife spotting — barramundi, brolgas and saltwater crocodiles are sometimes seen. A full day out with varied activities.

Child pricing

Check current pricing on the booking page. Concession rates available.

Coach departs from Broome accommodation. Allow 1 hour travel each way. Confirm child pricing and any car seat arrangements directly with the operator.

View tour details Check availability & book

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm Harvest Tour

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

1 hour

Children (3–12 yrs) AUD $23. Infants (0–2 yrs) free.

A one-hour land-based tour at Cygnet Bay on the Dampier Peninsula — live oyster harvest, pearl grading, and the history of the Bardi Jawi people and Australia's pearling pioneers. Short enough to hold younger children's attention. Note: Cygnet Bay is on the Dampier Peninsula, approximately 200 km from Broome — factor in travel time if combining with other activities.

Child pricing

Children (3–12 yrs) AUD $23. Infants (0–2 yrs) free.

Arrive 15 minutes before your tour. Land-based experience. Confirm current operating status before travelling.

Cygnet Bay is on the Dampier Peninsula — a separate day trip from Broome, not a local activity.

View tour details Check availability & book

Horizontal Falls tours involve seaplane flights and jet boat rides through narrow gorges. These are high-energy, high-cost experiences — check minimum age and weight requirements directly with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures before booking. Not typically suited to very young children.

Horizontal Falls tour options

Beaches, Tides & Swimming

Broome's beaches are beautiful and the tides are dramatic. Understanding both makes for a much better family visit.

Broome has a tidal range of up to 9 metres — one of the largest in Australia. At low tide, Cable Beach extends far out and the water retreats significantly. At high tide, the beach narrows and the water comes in. Tides affect where you can walk, how far you need to carry gear, and whether low-tide areas like Gantheaume Point's rock platform are accessible.

Cable Beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers during the dry season (typically April to October) — check current patrol flags and follow lifeguard advice. Conditions vary. Do not swim outside flagged areas, and always check current beach safety advice before entering the water.

Broome's waters are home to marine wildlife including saltwater crocodiles, which can be present in coastal and estuarine areas. Always follow current signage and official advice. Do not swim in unfamiliar waterways, estuaries or areas without current safety information.

For families with young children, the Town Beach water playground is a reliable alternative to ocean swimming on days when conditions are uncertain or the tide is inconvenient.

Broome tides and beach safety guide

Where to Eat with Kids

Broome has a good range of dining options and most venues are relaxed about families. The following are from our dining directory — we've noted what makes them reasonable choices for families, but we haven't verified specific facilities like highchairs or children's menus. Confirm directly if these matter to your family.

Matso's Broome Brewery

Brewery & restaurant

Large outdoor beer garden with plenty of space. Relaxed atmosphere. Good for families who don't need a formal setting.

Town Beach area

Kiosk and casual options

Several casual food options near Town Beach and the foreshore. Convenient after a morning at the water playground.

Chinatown cafés

Cafés and casual dining

A number of cafés in the Chinatown precinct offer casual meals and good coffee. Useful for a mid-morning or lunch break during a heritage walk.

Browse our full Eat & Drink in Broome guide

Getting Around with Kids

Broome's main visitor areas — Cable Beach, Chinatown, Town Beach and the Broome town centre — are spread across several kilometres. Most families hire a car or campervan. Taxis and rideshare are available but not always immediately on demand.

Broome has a local bus service (Town Bus) that connects the main areas. It's useful for older children and teenagers travelling with adults, but less practical with prams, large amounts of gear or young children who need flexibility.

If you're hiring a car, confirm child seat availability and fitting when you book — not all hire companies carry infant or booster seats as standard. If you're joining a tour with coach transfers, confirm pram storage and child restraint arrangements directly with the operator.

Getting Around Broome — transport guide

Practical Family Planning

Sample Family Days

A relaxed Broome day — no bookings needed

Works well for most ages, including toddlers

7:30–9:00 amTown Beach water playground and foreshore. Bring breakfast or grab something from a nearby café. Check current playground operating hours before going.
9:30–11:00 amChinatown heritage walk (better for older children) or a relaxed browse of Chinatown's cafés and shops.
11:00 am–1:00 pmLunch in Chinatown or back at your accommodation. Rest break during the hottest part of the day.
3:00–5:00 pmGantheaume Point — cliff-top views and (if the tide is right) the replica dinosaur tracks. Check tide times before going.
5:30–7:00 pmCable Beach sunset. Arrive early for a good spot. Bring snacks and water.

Tide timing affects Gantheaume Point — check our tides page before planning this day.

A day with a bookable experience

Best for children 4 and up; adjust the tour to your children's ages

7:00–10:30 amSnubfin Dolphin Cruise (3.5 hours, departs Entrance Point). Morning wildlife cruise — dolphins, dugongs, rays. Gourmet morning tea included. Transfers from accommodation available.
11:00 am–1:00 pmReturn to accommodation. Lunch and rest break.
3:00–5:00 pmCable Beach — afternoon swim (check patrol flags and conditions) or a walk along the waterline.
5:30–7:00 pmCable Beach sunset. Stay on the beach or head to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

The Snubfin Dolphin Cruise accepts children from 2 years. Confirm infant policy and the optional boom net swim with the operator when booking. Book ahead — this tour is popular in peak season.

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