Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 9 . PERTH & WESTERN AUSTRALIA
from the deep-water jetty near Town Beach 2km (1 1 ⁄4 miles) south of town, or
join one of the charter boats running day trips such as FAD Game Fishing Charters
(& 08/9192 3998; www.fadcharters.com.au), for a day trip. Cyclones, rain,
high winds, and strong tides can restrict fishing from December to March.
Australia’s First Family of pearling, the Paspaleys, sell their wonderfully elegant
jewelry at Paspaley Pearls, Carnarvon Street at Short Street (& 08/9192
2203). Linneys (& 08/9192 2430) and Broome Pearls (& 08/9192 2061) are
other reputable jewelers nearby.
Don’t leave without taking in a recent-release movie at the wonderful Sun Pictures
outdoor cinema, Carnarvon Street near Short Street (& 08/9192 1077).
Built in 1916, these are the oldest “picture gardens” in the world, where the audience
sits in (saggy) canvas deckchairs. Films are even screened through the rain in
the Wet. Tickets are A$12 (US$7.15). Open nightly except Christmas.
WHERE TO STAY & DINE
As well as in-hotel dining, head over to the Cable Beach Club Resort, Cable
Beach Road (& 1800/199 099 in Australia, or 08/9192 0400) for Broome’s
greatest range of menus. There’s The Club Restaurant for elegant fine dining;
the Boardwalk Café for snacks; all-day dining inside or on the terrace at the
casual colonial-style Lord Mac’s; and the poolside Club Barbeque on Wednesday
and Thursday nights or Walk in Wok on Friday and Saturday nights for
stir-fries. The last two both close in the Wet.
The Kimberley Klub This stylish Outback-style lodge within walking distance
of town might be aimed at the backpacker market, but all budget travelers
will like its clean private rooms furnished simply with a double or twin beds
and two bunks. You share the clean shower/toilet facilities, and can rent towels
for A$2 (US$1.30) for the duration of your stay. The air-conditioning is coinoperated
at A$1 (US65¢) for 4 hours, although you are unlikely to need it in the
Dry, thanks to some clever airflow work by the architects. The rooms are spartan
(no TV, no tea and coffee, no fridge, no sink), but you will spend most of
your time around the rock-lined pool and the large, rustic open-sided dining
area. The crowd is friendly, so this is a great spot to socialize and meet other travelers.
There’s a TV lounge, Internet access, a small volleyball and badminton
court, pool tables, table tennis, a book exchange/library, and a communal
kitchen, and the staff organize activities such as quiz nights. You need to like
loud music to stay here, but it’s lights-out at 11pm, so everyone gets some sleep.
Excellent value for the money.
62 Frederick St., Broome, WA 6725. & 08/9192 3233. Fax 08/9192 3530. 50 quad-share dorm beds, 24 private
units. A$75 (US$49) double. A$23–A$25 (US$15–US$16) dorm bed. AE, DC, MC, V. Free pickup from
Greyhound Pioneer terminal. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; tour desk; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C.
Mangrove Hotel The best views in Broome are across Roebuck Bay from
this modest but appealing cliff-top hotel a 5 minutes’ walk from town. It’s worth
hightailing it back from sightseeing just to watch dusk fall over the bay from
The Tides , a lovely outdoor restaurant, where tables and chairs are set out on
the lawns under the palms and along the cliff edge. It’s popular with locals for
fresh, affordable food, and Charters restaurant inside is also one of Broome’s
best. There’s no faulting the clean, well-kept, roomy deluxe rooms with sea
views. Sixteen extra-large “Executive Suite” rooms, featuring dataports, were
added in 2002; there are also three suites with kitchenettes, separate bedrooms,