Travel Guide Broome

An ancient pearling port on the Indian Ocean, Broome's rugged, isolated coastline is rich in tales of shipwrecks, pirates and buried treasure.The discovery of Pinctada Maxima, the world's largest pearl oyster, in the waters off Roebuck Bay in 1880 kick-started Broome's pearling industry. This pearl field, the largest in the world, stretches from Exmouth Gulf in the west to Cairns. Pearl fishermen came from Japan, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands to form a colorful community. The establishment of a submarine cable from Broome to Java in 1889 marked an important milestone in the city's expansion, enabling rapid international communication of the pearl trade. It was this cable that gave rise to the name of the famous Cable Beach.At the beginning of the 20thcentury , Broome produced 80% of the world's mother-of-pearl. Its fleet peaked in 1913 with 403 registered vessels. While the pearling industry flourished for the tycoons, it often proved fatal for divers, exposed to the dangers of decompression, attacked by sharks and threatened by cyclones. In the heyday of pearl fever, divers were adventurers who gambled with death every time they went underwater. They descended in groups of six to depths of around 80 m, connected to the surface by a simple hose. The invention of the plastic button in the 1950s sealed the fate of the mother-of-pearl industry.Today, only four pearl boats remain. A small industry was revived with the breeding of cultured pearls. Broome is still home to descendants of former pearl fishermen of Asian origin, who often also have a good deal of Aboriginal blood. Broome, located on the land of the Yawuru people, is home to a permanent population of around 18,000, and welcomes up to 45,000 people during the tourist season. Around 40% of the region's permanent population is Aboriginal.In the high season, around the end of August, Broome's event of the year takes place: Shinju Matsuri, the Pearl Festival. Broome's ethnic Chinese community is abuzz with lanterns, dragons and culinary specialties. The polo tournament in May is also a very jovial occasion!