5 unmissable Broome markets to visit

Leah McLennan Leah McLennan
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Consider this your ultimate guide to the best markets in Broome.

From breakfast bao buns to boab tree necklaces, you’re sure to find something delicious, something unique to the Kimberley, or perhaps even some rare vinyl records at these Broome markets.

1. Courthouse Markets

Open: Every Saturday and Sunday in the dry season (May to October) from 8am to 1pm.

Get up early if you want to catch the cool weather and brekkie at the Courthouse Markets. Held every Saturday and Sunday, this welcoming market serves up a huge range of global foods, artisans and beautiful products.

Start your day with a mango smoothie, a hot brew from the Kimberley Coffee Company, fresh doughnuts or plenty of Asian treats, before perusing the local honey, fresh papaya and local gubinge powder (a native fruit with a huge hit of vitamin C).

Centrally located near the heart of town, the stalls are spread around the attractive old Courthouse, an elevated building with wide verandahs and grassy lawns that once served as Broome’s courthouse and police station.

Throw down the picnic rug and listen to the live music, or potter around the stalls with handmade crafts, boutique fashion, and necklaces incorporating pearls, sandalwood and Staircase to the Moon designs.

a stall of handmade crafts in Courthouse Markets in Broome, Kimberley
Find a collection of unique handmade arts and crafts. (Image: Greg Snell)

Address: Broome Courthouse, 8 Hamersley St.

2. Town Beach Night Markets

Open: Every Thursday night (June to September) from 4pm to 8pm.

Keep your Thursday night free for dinner at the buzzing, much-beloved night markets at Town Beach. As the sun begins to set, the market comes alive with the smells of street food from around the world, twinkling lights and a breezy vibe, thanks to the great selection of local live music.

If you can tear yourself away from the food stalls, there’s Aboriginal artwork, handmade jewellery and beachy home decor to take home.

people lining up outside a food stall at Town Beach Night Markets, Broome
Get in line for some tasty treats at the Town Beach Night Markets.

Location: Town Beach Reserve on Robinson Street.

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3. Staircase to the Moon Night Markets

Open: Check the official calendar for exact dates. From 4pm to 8pm.

When the full moon rises over Roebuck Bay its reflection ripples across the tidal flats creating a stunning ‘staircase’ illusion. When it does, between April and October, night markets magically pop up at Town Beach over one of the nights of the Staircase to the Moon.

Bring your beach towel and camera and head down early to fill your tummy with all the food stall eats while you’re waiting for that big old moon to rise.

full moon at Staircase to the Moon Night Markets
Build your own picnic dinner from the market and settle in to witness the Staircase to the Moon. (Image: Tourism WA)

Location: Town Beach Reserve on Robinson Street.

4. November Christmas Market

Open: Usually the last Sunday in November from 4pm to 7pm.

Christmas in the tropics comes with benefits: sun, sea and a cocktail in hand.

At the Broome Christmas night market expect fashion, art, photography, homewares and of course, plenty of amazing global food and even a visit from the old man himself.

Town Beach Reserve has loads of grassy picnic areas and is a lovely spot for a stroll as the sun sets and the ocean breeze rolls in, with live music humming in the background.

a couple buying gifts at November Christmas Market, Broome
Kick off your holiday shopping at the November Christmas Market. (Image: QED Photography)

Location: Town Beach Reserve on Robinson Street.

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5. Derby CWA Market 

Open: Every Saturday from 7am to 12pm.

Just over a two-hour drive from Broome, Derby is the western gateway to the legendary Gibb River Road. But before you strike out on your 4WD adventure, pop by the Country Woman’s Association Markets on a Saturday (during the dry season) and pick up an iced coffee, some mangos for the road and Bushy’s Boab Seed Coffee.

Go old school and take a break from Instagram by picking up some homemade postcards.   

Location: CWA Cottage on Clarendon Street.

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Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

    Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

    From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

    Why Silversea?

    Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

    Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

    silversea cruise ship pool deck
    Take a dip in the pool deck.

    1. Koolama Bay

    ​​Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

    Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

    King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise
    Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

    2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

    Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

    Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

    welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise
    Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

    Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

    The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

    aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise.
    Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    4. Horizontal Falls

    Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

    With each tidal shift,  the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

    Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide.
    Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    5. Montgomery Reef

    As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

    The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,  turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

    Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

    aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef
    Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

    6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

    Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

    One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions, guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

    Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

    aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion
    See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

    The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

    Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

    Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

    Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys
    Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

    5 Unmissable Broome Markets to Visit - Australian Traveller