Roebuck Bay

Situated at the doorstep of The Continental Hotel, Roebuck Bay is one of Broome’s most beautiful natural attractions.

It’s a place of eye-catching contrasts. Dusty red sand and brilliant burnt orange rocks give way to stunning turquoise water. Green mangroves hug the coastline. And while the differences in colour are incredible, the bay takes on a whole different personality at low tide. 

Roebuck Bay is known for having some of the biggest tidal differences in the world. Occurring twice a day, the waters retreat out towards the horizon, at times receding over a kilometre from the shore, revealing an expanse of mud flats.

 

How to see Roebuck Bay

Roebuck Bay is beautiful from any angle. Whether it’s from the footpath looking out over the mangrove trees, or wading in the water off the rocks along the shoreline; staring out across the waves at Town Beach Jetty, or looking back at the land, from out on the mud flats at low tide.

The Roebuck Bay Lookout is particularly impressive. This scenic viewing platform provides expansive views of both Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek. Complete with Aboriginal artwork and interpretive signage, it’s a place to learn more about the land and water around you.

 

Things to do at Roebuck Bay

Witness the Staircase to the Moon

A fleeting experience, the Staircase to the Moon only takes place two or three nights a month, throughout March and October—making it all the more special. 

This stunning natural phenomenon occurs at low tide when the water of the bay retreats. As the moon rises over the horizon, its light reflects off the exposed mud flats, creating a staircase-like effect.

Roebuck Bay is the perfect place to catch it, whether at the Roebuck Bay Lookout, along the foreshore, or at Town Beach.

Relax on Town Beach

Town Beach swaps the striking red dirt for clean white sand, soft green grass, and shady trees. It’s the perfect place to take a dip in the ocean or throw down a towel and relax in the sun. The nearby Water Park provides a welcome escape from the heat for kids and adults alike.

Explore the Markets

From June to October, 4pm–8pm, Broome’s Thursday Night Markets bring Town Beach alive. Stroll along the foreshore and discover local art, craft, home-made clothing, souvenirs, and fresh food and drinks from the town’s favourite vendors.

Visit the Broome Historical Museum

From its traditional owners, the Yawuru people, who have lived on the land for thousands of years, to the town’s colonial settlement in the 1880s when it was first founded as a pearling port, Broome has a rich history.

The Broome Historical Museum lets you dive into its past with a treasure trove of photographs, artefacts, and stories. Read about its vibrant multicultural stories, the town’s ups and downs, and understand the tapestry that makes Broome so unique.

Uncover Broome’s military history

Broome holds a significant title in Australian history, as being one of only a handful of towns that were attacked during the Second World War. 

A chance raid by nine Japanese Zeros occurred on 3 March 1942, saw at least 22 marine and military aircraft destroyed. The remains of some of these aircraft can still be found in Roebuck Bay, submerged below the water. When the tide is at its lowest, you can walk directly from Town Beach, out 1,000 metres across the mud flats, and come face-to-face with these pieces of history embedded in the sand. 

At Town Beach, the installation 9 Zeroes 9 Stories is a striking public artwork that tells the story of these raids, and remembers the 88 lives that were lost—a reminder of how the war reached across the oceans to Australia.

Catch a movie at Sun Pictures

Tucked away in Chinatown, just a short walk from Roebuck Bay, sits Sun Pictures. One of Broomes’s best-loved buildings, it’s also the world’s oldest operating open-air cinema.

Sun Pictures first opened its doors in 1916. It was heritage-listed in 1995, and is still going strong today. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in a unique part of Broome’s history.

Films are scheduled for two showings a day, where you can sit out under the stars in its refurbished deckchairs, and catch all the favourite current blockbusters.

See a different side of the bay at the Broome Bird Observatory

The Broome Bird Observatory is found on the eastern side of Roebuck Bay. A working research and education facility, it’s a fascinating place to learn more about the rich and diverse bird life that calls Broome its home.

Browse the Clive Minton Discovery Centre that brings the local habitats to life, or book in for an exclusive birdwatching tour that takes you out to the shores, and learn all about the birds that inhabit the sand.

If you’re a wildlife lover, we also recommend driving 20 minutes inland to visit the Malcolm Douglas Wildlife Park. Home to some stunning birdlife and Australian favourites, such as kangaroos and emus, this is also the perfect time to get an epic, up-close look at the huge Saltwater crocodiles of North Australia! 

 

Stay with us

Ready to explore Roebuck Bay? The Continental Hotel is just metres from its shores. Contact us today to book a room, or view our room options to find out more.