Broome Historical Museum
67 Robinson St., Broome, Western Australia, 6725
Run by volunteers, this museum aims to preserve Broome’s heritage and history by giving sweeping overviews of life in the area, from the Australian Aboriginal era to World War II and beyond. Exhibits here include information on Broome’s pearling industry, a history of domestic life in the isolated town, and the impact and effects of cyclones in the region.
The basics
Located near the town center, the Broome Historical Society & Museum sits in front of Town Beach. The museum complex comprises three buildings: the main building (housed in Broome’s former Customs House), the sailmaker’s shed, and the Rae Val Annexe. Among the objects on display are tools used by sailmakers in the early 20th century, Australian Aboriginal artifacts, and photographs that show how Broome has changed over time. Some tour packages include stops at the museum in combination with other top city attractions.
Things to know before you go
Admission tickets are required, but children under 16 enter for free.
Kids can ask the front desk for a quiz and return once completed for a reward.
Travelers sometimes underestimate the time required to see all the exhibits; week-long passes are available should you want more time.
The Sailmaker’s Shed has earned a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Commendation for restoration and should not be missed.
How to get there
The museum is within walking distance from central Broome, which is already relatively small. (For context, it’s a 30–minute walk from Broome International Airport.) You can take the Broome Explorer Bus, which runs hourly seven days a week and goes directly to the museum. If you’ve missed the bus by a hair and don’t want to wait around, you can also take a taxi to get from point A to point B.
When to get there
The museum is open daily year-round. However, opening hours differ according to the time of year, generally with longer weekday hours from May to September. If you can, try to visit when the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon occurs, typically on nights when there’s a full moon between April and October. The phenomenon is celebrated with a night market selling local and international food, jewelry, clothes, homeware, and more.
Staircase to the Moon at Town Beach
A visit to the museum isn’t complete without also checking Town Beach, located across the street. Town Beach is known for its calm, swimmable waters, landscaped picnic and barbecue areas, and Staircase to the Moon events. Simply put, when a full moon rises over the exposed Roebuck Bay mudflats at low tide, it creates the impression of an illuminated staircase climbing to the moon. Town Beach is one of the best places to see the phenomenon.
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