This part of Western Australia is renowned for its incredible landscapes and a timely escape from the cold and wet during the winter months (June to August), but is it worth visiting Broome and up North in the wet season (November to April)?
Due to its tropical monsoonal climate, Broome and Northern WA wet season brings with it the chance of tropical cyclones and storms. That said, Broome and up North in the wet season are a rather spectacular experience, and as long as you stay informed on weather alerts, there’s still plenty to pack into your itinerary for a memorable holiday.
So, what do you do when the wet season hits Broome and Western Australia’s North West? Watch the frangipani and poinciana trees begin to blossom on the streets of Broome, stand witness to the magical turtle nesting and hatching season at Eighty Mile Beach, or take to the skies on a scenic flyover of Carnarvon’s quiet coastal hamlets.
We’ve got the ultimate list of things to do in Broome and up North during the wet season, just for you!
The wet season in Broome officially starts in November, but from about October comes the annual exodus of tourists and visitors from this otherwise quiet town. Take advantage of the quiet during the wet season in Broome and explore it without the crowds!
Snubfin Dolphins, Broome Whale Watching
Meet the local Snubfin dolphins and try and spot a turtle or two while out on a tour with Broome Whale Watching. The crew will take you out on a 3+ hour eco cruise through Roebuck Bay, during which you’ll enjoy some morning tea and learn about the wildlife to be found in Broome’s waters. There’s also a chance to spot some migratory shorebirds or a cheeky dugong!
Swimming at the beach in Broome between November to May is not advised due to the Irukandi Jellyfish, so get out on the water on a fishing charter with Absolute Ocean Charters and soak up the scenery while you head offshore in search for Blue Spot Emperor, Crimson Snapper and Golden Trevally.
Heading to Kununurra after your Broome adventure? Flyover the Bungle Bungle Range in the world heritage listed Purnululu National Park with Aviair anytime of the year. The 2 hour scenic flight will show you sights like Lake Argyle, Carr Boyd ranges and the Ord River, all from their comfortable and air-conditioned aircraft.
Fly over King Sound, visit the famous Horizontal Falls and explore Cygnet Bay with Air Kimberley’s Mitchell Falls Wet Season scenic flight day tour. Available from February to May, this tour is a fantastic way to explore Broome and its surrounding attractions – and see Mitchell Falls in the wet season when they’re in full flow.
Learn all about Broome’s pearling history at the Broome Historical Museum (hello air-conditioning!) and take a walk into the past. Discover tales of shipwreck legends and missing diamonds and see how Broome developed into the multicultural district it is today.
Take a walk along the self-guided Jetty to Jetty trail and discover the beauty, culture and history of the Roebuck Bay foreshore and Broome's pearling past. Top tip: Try to do this in the morning when it’s cooler!
Image: Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
Be sure to snap (ha, get it?) a pic when walking through the giant fibreglass crocodile head at the entrance to Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park (open year-round, 7 days per week!) before watching the famous crocodile feedings.
Is a trip to Broome really complete without jumping on a camel ride on Cable Beach? Glide across the pristine sand, get to know your friendly furry guide and take in the sweeping views at sunset. There are three different tour operators to choose from and they operate all year round.
Okay, you can’t actually see the dinosaurs, but you can hunt down dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point with the help of a handy app! You can also see casts of the actual footprints at the Broome Museum and Broome library!
If spectacular light storms are your thing, the wet season in Broome also comes with tropical thunderstorms that will light up the sky, eventually giving way to breath-taking sunsets.
If you simply must go for a dip in the Broome wet season, Coconut Wells fills up during high tide, turning rockpools into a turquoise lagoon where you can splash about and while the day away in the cool waters.
Witness the amazing natural phenomenon when the full moon rises across exposed tidal flats, creating what is crowned the ‘Staircase to the Moon’. Check out the off-season dates to view this natural wonder:
October 2024: Friday 18th 6.47pm, Saturday 19th 7.54pm
November 2024: Saturday 16th 6.37pm, Sunday 17th 7.44pm
March 2025: Saturday 15th 6.40pm, Sunday 16th 7.12pm, Monday 17th 7.45pm
Don’t miss the Broome Courthouse Markets that run every Saturday from 8am-12pm during the wet season! Stroll through, meet the locals and shop for fashion finds, arts and crafts and tuck into some yummy finds from the local food trucks.
Eighty Mile Beach without the crowds, is there anything better? Let your stress melt away during the wet season and have the 220km stretch of beach all to yourself when staying with us at Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park.
Note: The onsite restaurant closes for the wet season (end October – May), so be sure you have your meals planned!
Flatback turtle nesting, Eighty Mile Beach
Flatback turtles are endemic to Northern Australia and Eighty Mile Beach is their nesting ground. From October through February, female flatback turtles heave themselves onto the beach to dig a deep nest and lay hundreds of eggs. Eight weeks later (from November to March), little turtle hatchlings start to appear to make their scramble to the water!
Both events are amazing to witness, however it is important to understand that all marine turtles are protected. If you are lucky enough to see a nesting turtle, please do not approach or disturb the nest. For the safety and conservation of the turtles, refer to the Turtle Watching Code of Conduct for more information on how to observe these marine creatures.
Renowned for its fresh produce, Carnarvon is a great coastal town to base yourself when exploring Kennedy Range National Park or Mount Augustus National Park. Also known as the ‘fruit bowl of Western Australia’, this is where you stop off to fill yourself up with local fruits and produce.
Carnarvon Space Museum
Spend hours at the Carnarvon Space Museum & OTC sifting through space memorabilia, exploring the interactive displays, and learning about Carnarvon's little known space history and role in Australia's satellite history and the Apollo II Mission.
Take a stroll out to the Carnarvon Fascine, a stunning bay at the end of the main town centre with picturesque waters and a kid’s playground. Grab a coffee, walk among the heritage-listed buildings and enjoy the view in a peaceful setting.
History buffs will enjoy sinking into this one, check out the Old Mile Jetty Precinct and see the heritage listed One Mile Jetty landmark from afar (currently closed to foot traffic). Explore the surrounding heritage precinct, learn about the history of Carnarvon through the centre’s interactive displays, and visit the Railway Station Museum.
Carnarvon Fruit Loop, Annabel Claire Photography
Who doesn’t like a fruit loop? In the case of Carnarvon, the famous “Fruit Loop” drive takes you along the North and South River Road where you can visit plantations, taste scrumptious fruits and find seasonal local produce. Common fruits you can find across the wet season months of October to March are scrumptious bananas, ever-sweet pawpaw, and for those that enjoy a bit of spice, fresh chilli!
Hit up Bumbak’s Ice-cream and Preserves - a must-visit in Carnarvon. Cool off with their mango ice-cream, mouth-watering smoothies and sample award-winning preserves! Our tip: BRING CASH
For a full breakdown of Carnarvon's produce, check out the Seasonal Produce Calendar.
Top tip: Go on a hunting mission while exploring plantations! Keep a look-out for the famous Humpty Dumpty water tank.
Also on South River Road, find the Instagram-famous Cactus Garden Carnarvon (free parking over the road) and stroll through the garden of over 350 cacti, some towering over 5 metres tall!
Coral Coast Helicopters operate year-round, even in the wet season! Jump on a scenic helicopter flight and be rewarded with stunning views of the Gascoyne River, Plantations, Miaboolya Creek, Beach and Mangroves, the One Mile Jetty, Town Beach, the Wooramel Flats, Bush Bay, Oyster Creek, the Township and the Fascine.
The whale watching season in the Coral Coast begins in June and stretches to November. See the gentle giants of the sea from up top, jump on a scenic whale watching flights off the coast of Carnarvon during October and November.
If you’re looking for adventure, they also do adventure flights. Explore the blowholes, snorkel Neptune’s Cave, or visit Steep Point, Australia’s western most point. Check out their adventure tours here.
Exploring Tom Price in the wet season gives you a chance to see incredible sunrises, sunsets, gushing waterfalls and impressive lightening shows. Though temps in the Pilbara can reach over 40 degrees Celsius from January to March, so make sure you come prepared. Top tip: Carry double the amount of insect repellent!
Tom Price Tourist Parks
We recommend caravanners book a powered site at Tom Price Tourist Park to keep the A/C running, or book into any of our roofed accommodation types which all have A/C. Our shaded swimming pool, available to all guests, is another perfect place to cool off from the Pilbara heat.
If visiting Karijini in the wet season, make sure you have checked road conditions, closures and weather warnings before you go. For information on access to Karijini National Park including road conditions and park closures, keep up to date here: https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au/
If you are planning on caravanning, keep in mind that much of Karijini National Park access is via unsealed gravel roads. We highly recommend 4WD or AWD vehicles on these roads as they may be corrugated. Particularly during the wet season with regular flooding, road conditions can vary and may not be suitable for caravans or trailers, so leave them safely behind at Tom Price Tourist Park when you go exploring.
Karijini National Park, Annabel Claire Photography
If Karijini wet season conditions are looking clear, explore the open gorges of this ancient landscape and marvel at the pristine natural pools in each gorge (though beware they may be freezing temperatures and too cold for swimming). Waterfalls that flow year-round in Karijini National Park include Dales Gorge Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls, and Hamersley Gorge Spa Pool.
The last tours of the Karijini National Park season tend to happen during the final weeks of September and into the beginning of October, so plan ahead if you want to experience things like Class 6 (restricted area) canyoning with Space Chameleon Adventure Co., or full day gorge tours with Go West Tours.
Though visiting the North West of WA during the wet season can be a unique and incredible experience, it’s important to stay informed and prepare for tropical cyclones during this time.
Travelling and camping in areas that may be impacted by a cyclone is very dangerous. If you are travelling during cyclone season, always stay up to date with weather forecasts and warnings.
Make sure someone knows your travel plans, including when you will be travelling between destinations. Let them know when you have arrived safely.
It is not safe to travel by caravan, motorhome or camper through an area that may be impacted by a tropical cyclone. These structures do not provide safe shelter.
If a cyclone threatens, you will be asked to leave the area before the cyclone arrives.
Plan to evacuate safely well before the cyclone impacts the area. Roads and tracks will become impassable and you could become isolated. It is extremely dangerous to try to cross flooded roads.
Note: You are not able to tie down or anchor your caravan at our parks. Our staff will endeavour to keep you informed if there is a cyclone alert, however you can also stay up to date with Emergency WA https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au/
For more information on cyclones in WA visit: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/cyclone
Stay informed about Pilbara wet season travelling and what to do during floodwaters at: https://www.eastpilbara.wa.gov.au/shire-services/transport-parking/wet-season-travelling.asp
Last, but certainly not least, a top reason to visit Broome and up North in the wet season is because there are some great deals on accommodation and experiences.
Turn the OFF Season ON!
At Summerstar Tourist Parks, we’re offering ‘Turn The Off Season ON’ accommodation specials* with $25/night powered sites, $23/night unpowered sites, as well as low season rates on roofed accommodation at our four most northern parks in Western Australia this October-March.
Check out the accommodation specials available at Capricorn Holiday Park in Carnarvon, Tom Price Tourist Park, Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park and Broome Caravan Park and use our special promo codes to book your North West wet season holiday today.
*Terms and conditions apply so visit our specials page for full details.
