Broome Quick Facts
Age
Originally founded in the late 1880s as a pearling port, the town was named after Sir Frederick Broome, the Governor of Western Australia from 1883 to 1889
Population
Made up of only 14,000 people with 70% of those being born in Australia.
Climate
Broome has a semi-arid climate. The dry season runs April through November with highs of 30°C with the wet season making up the remainder of the year and witnessing highs of 35°C and 75% of all rainfall.
Famous For
Broome has a deep history based on pearls. Many have been part of the exploits over the years, beginning with the harvesting of oysters for mother pearl in the 1880s to the large present-day cultures pearl farming enterprises.
Aboriginal Influence
The Yawuru Native Title holders and other Aboriginal residents of the Broome area create a large component of the area's population. A total of 84 Aboriginal communities are located in the Shire of Broome.
Did you know?
Fossilised Megalosauropus broomensis dinosaur footprints dated as early Cretaceous in age are 30 m (98 ft) out to sea at Gantheaume Point. The fossil trackway can be viewed during very low tide