How to Spend the Ultimate Long Weekend in Western Australia

In northern Western Australia, a mere four-minute drive separates Cable Beach and Broome, destinations renowned for their access to the Kimberley and the Indian Ocean as well as their immersive cultural and natural experiences. Here’s how to explore the best of the region over a long weekend. 

Stay in a sleepy bungalow

From tropical bungalows modelled after the lattice-clad huts traditionally used by Broome’s pearling masters to oceanside studios with timber floorboards and corrugated iron accents, every stay at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa captures the Kimberley Coast’s personality. 

It’s a theme that extends to the art peppering the suite walls, with original works from home-grown icons, including Sidney Nolan and John Olsen. During your downtime, choose between the resort’s Kimberley Pool – complete with a waterfall and spa – or the tranquil grown-ups’ Ocean Pool, where a lime and mango rum daiquiri, poolside, is all but mandatory. There are a couple of adults-only villas which feature a dedicated host, courtyard and private plunge pool to elevate your stay. 

Experience the best of nature 

There is nothing on earth quite like sunset at Cable Beach. Watch as the sky turns from gold to deep orange, violet and ruby red from the sands, or grab a blanket and a camera and head to Gantheaume Point for unforgettable views over the water.

Go on a Narlijia Experience guided by Yawuru man Bart Pigram, who provides an insightful walking mangrove discovery tour into Roebuck Bay that reveals the ancient secrets of the land. If you’re there at the right time, you’ll be able to join Bart on the shoreline to witness the natural phenomenon known as “Staircase to the Moon”, where a full moon rising over the exposed tidal flats of the Kimberley and Pilbara coastline creates the optical illusion of “stairs” heading up to the night sky.

Eat through the region’s cuisine

Broome’s multicultural food scene, influenced by the generations of international pearlers seeking their fortune, is on vibrant display at the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa. Italy meets Western Australia on the white-linen tablecloths of the Cichetti Club. Here, dishes include Exmouth prawns served with fried garlic and gremolata or WA cray tails that nestle against a chilli, white wine and pomodoro sauce. The lamb massaman curry at Thai hotspot Kichi Kichi promises to set your tastebuds alight, while a 350-gram Margaret River scotch fillet paired with a glass of Vasse Felix shiraz at the Sunset Grill is the ideal way to watch the light fade from the day.

Discover the rich culture of the West

Join First Nations guide, Johani Mamid, for an Authentic Gathering Experience from Mabu Buru Tours, in Broome, where you’ll partake in a traditionally cooked damper with billy tea and coffee and watch Pintirri dancers perform a sacred cultural dance into the sunset. Or dive into First Nations history with Robert Dann, a Nyul Nyul man, who shares stories of the Dreaming on a Kimberley cultural adventure. You’ll enjoy bush tucker, learn about traditional medicine and handle Nyul Nyul artefacts. 

Unwind at a world-class spa

The L’Occitane-partnered Chahoya Spa is world-class, with seven private suites, a double Vichy shower room and a long list of stress-melting treatments from facials to massage. The Chahoya Dreamtime package – in which L’Occitane shea products infused with local Kakadu Plum are used in a full-body massage, exfoliation and wrap – is worth booking in advance. There’s also a full-service hair salon offering blow-dries and cuts and the Buddha Sanctuary, an ornamental garden featuring a 3.5-metre hand-carved crystal Buddha statue, where guests can meditate.