Camping at Broome

We were in Broome in early July this year - and the place was packed - went to the tourist bureau and they told us that all parks were full but the overflows were open - we had previously been told about this so were prepared - we were recommended by someone at 80 mile beach to go to the Pistol Club overflow - so glad we did - best spot - plenty of room - a bush like setting - lovely people - and even though there were heaps of people I niver once had to wait for a shower or toilet - bit of a queue for the washing machines but that is the same everywhere. The bonus with the Pistol Club is on Thursday nights you get to watch the guys do their skeet shooting thing - lots of fun. Not far out of town and close to The Boulevard Shopping centre and the jetty, as well as the Cable Beach road.
jules

What about further north up the beach near Willie Creek or Quondong Point?

Must say I haven't been there for 20 years now so will find out what gives next year. Will probably spend some time on 80 Mile beach

Brian, does that go for locals as well?
What sought of fee are they talking about charging?
Do camels have to pay?

Regards

Mark

Brad /Mark
A lot of peple I spoke to were going to 80mile beach or barn hill but as posted also there's always cape levique if you dont mind the road in.
Yes the locals too have to pay to to use the beach! $5 a day or $50 a month I heard, it will cripple Broome as the winter season keeps it ticking over for the rest of year.
Was at 80 mile beach last week and they are also hiking prices up for next season due to fuel, transport etc.
And they also banned dogs as from last week!
Brian wa

Brian

I take it one can still access the beach itself at 80 Mile beach. And where have they banned dogs from?

I remember being in a queue at Roebuck Bay CP in 1982! They gave us power and we were able to use the toilets for free while waiting to get in. In those days Broome was an idyllic place and we spent four months there.

In 1984 we also spent time in Broome and I did some work for Lord McAlpine and thers as the Cable Beach Resort was starting to develop.

These days I avoid caravan parks and crowded tourist areas if I can but will go a have a look next winter out of curiosity to see how much Broome has changed.

It is strange that every now and then the tourist industry or the WA government comes up with some crippling idea to stifle business and then they have to retract it again( eg camping by the roadside).

Yes you can still access the beach no problem , its the caravan park that have stopped dogs due to inconsiderate owners ruining it for responsible owners!
We stayed there almost 3 weeks, the fishing is fantastic and there are still some nice shells to be found if yuo go further up or down the beach. All vehicles have to off beach between 7.oopm - 7.00am.
Regarding cable beach you can still acess on foot for free! kind of them that I thought
Brian

Thanks for the info, Brian

Brad,

Same as Gerry said, we also stayed at Roebuck Bay CP and found it a great spot. Friendly admin people and they let you pick your own spot if not booked out.

We were lucky enough to be there in May, so they weren't busy. had a good spot on the western end among the trees with plenty of grass.

I didn't find Broome too expensive as rumours have it. And it is a place you could spend a week at, contrary to the beliefs of others. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Geoff.

Hi Brad (again)
Should have mentioned that Port Smith, south of Broome, north of Bidyadanga (LaGrange) is also a nice place for a tent/caravan. They even supply you with a steel hook for searching out muddies in the mangroves. Good fishing there. Have fuel as well, tho not cheap. Mini golf course, and other attractions. We liked it.
Gerry

Hi Thomjor,
You're probably being a bit unfair, tho you are right about it being overcrowded. This is in part due to Native Title restricting further land releases.
As far as cost goes, 15 years ago when there was only one supermarket there, it was cheaper to go to Derby and shop at Woolies, but Broome now has heaps of competition wrt supermarkets, and costs are not much more than Perth. Fuel costs are very high, but that is par for any town a long way from a refinery. I have found that CPs there are similar cost to places I have stayed at Darwin, Alice, etc. Hotel/resort accom is on a par with other resort towns. Remote Kimberley sites can cost a lot more for camping. Kooljaman and Middle Lagoon are not cheap, and facilities limited, but the experience is fantastic.
As far as being overrated, if you take the toursist brochures with a grain of salt, and don't expect lush palm trees beyond the town centre (it is tropical savannah country, after all), then it's a great place. If you are expecting a copy of Cairns, then you will be disappointed.
Still one of my favourite spots to stop off at when travelling thru the north.
Gerry

I certainly don't like the idea of $5 per day for going onto Cable Beach. Why do they have to charge so much if the only problem is clearing rubbish left by a few inconsiderate pigs!
Why not a dollar per day and employ someone with a quad bike and trailer to patrol the beach the same as some metro beaches do?
That would keep the beach clear as there's not that much rubbish around that I've ever seen and it would employ someone else for the season.
Or is that what they don't want to do, employ someone.
Broomes not all a rip off though.
Get gas bottles filled at the Home Hardware in Guy Street where they charge for only how much you use, not by the original weight of the bottle!
For those wanting to leave vans in storage there are a couple of places which won't rip you off as well.
We generally go to the Cable Beach caravan park on Middleton Road as although they ain't cheap, they're friendly and the facilities are good. In July we stayed for 3 weeks before going to the Bungle Bungles and GRR etc. and couldn't get back in when going back to pick up our caravan so went to Roebuck Bay park instead. Never again if we can help it as the woman in the office had a face that would have turned lemons sour and an attitude that went with it.
Must have been all those old folk like us that did it!
It is very commercialised but we still like it and will try the camping out of town towards Cape Leveque next time.
Have a good trip.
Alan H