4 Stray Katz: Sunsets and steamy nights at Broome

Broome, WA

Thursday 14^th- Tuesday 19^th September

Other than the boring but necessary jobs, cleaning, washing, grocery shopping, catching up on blogs and trying to fix the things that got damaged and broken along the Gibb (the gas pipe to the oven and stove top snapped off and Daniel was unable to get the necessary part after trying a number of different options – we’ve just decided to use the butane cooker outside for the rest of the trip), we spent our time in Broome:

Watching the sunset on Cable Beach (we actually did this 3 times as it is so nice down there). On of the times our friends took their bbq down and, after a swim, we cooked dinner and ate while watching the sky turn a multitude of gorgeous colours.
Driving out of town to Coconut Wells with some of our new friends and enjoying the 2 experiences this place is known for. The first was at high tide when the sea water gushes through an opening in the sand dune and creates a lagoon behind the dunes. The water was such a beautiful shade of blue, but it was super salty so we all had tingly skin after swimming. The second experience was at low tide. After having lunch and relaxing in the shade for a few hours we headed up the beach to the point where the outgoing tide had exposed heaps of little rock pools that we all had a great time exploring.
Wandering around the Town Beach Night Market listening to the live music and enjoying the chilled out vibe.
Having dinner with our friends and watching the footy (disappointingly Melbourne lost to Carlton) at the Divers Tavern. The place was packed with avid footy fans and the atmosphere was great, especially in the last few tense minutes of the game. When Carlton kicked their winning goal and the siren went the whole place erupted with Carlton supporters loudly shouting their team song.
Learning about the pearling industry and looking at an old pearling boat before enjoying a delicious ginger beer at Matso’s Brewery while looking out across Roebuck Bay.
Eating barramundi tacos with Rex and Courtney. Rex had gone out fishing with a mate and brought back a big barramundi so they invited us over for dinner- the tacos, with fresh guacamole and homemade tomato & coriander salsa, were incredible.
Swimming in the caravan park pool- the kids spent so many hours in here with Flo and Artie (Rex and Courtney’s kids) that their faces got all dry and sore from too much chlorine. That didn’t stop them though, they were there as soon as the pool opened at 7am and spent every spare minute that we were at the caravan park swimming and making up games in the pool.
Exploring some of the Dampier Peninsula to find possible areas to camp once we leave Broome – we found a few incredible spots and are looking forward to spending time on some of the beautiful beaches up the peninsula.

It is certainly heating up and we really noticed the change in the climate from the Gibb River Road. It was so much more humid in Broome with the air turning damp and steamy by about 5pm each evening. The mornings were also really misty- you could actually see the moisture in the air as the sun rose. On one morning Daniel went for a run along Cable Beach and the mist was so thick he couldn't even see the ocean as he ran along! Looks like were in for some hot and sweaty times as the humidity is here to stay, and it is only going to get hotter the further north we go!

One of several evenings out on Cable Beach to watch the sun set over the ocean.

Walking out to Coconut Wells as the tide was rushing in to make the lagoon.

The lagoon made at high tide at Coconut Wells

Exploring the rock pools near Coconut Wells

Some of the many hermit crabs around the rock pools

The rock formations were very interesting- this one had small cascading waterfalls .

Sunset on Cable Beach - the seagulls were all waiting patiently hoping for some of our snacks!

We had a perfect view of the camels walking along Cable Beach - though that also meant we were in the perfect position to smell them as they walked past!

Emilia and her new friend Flo, they had so much fun together.

We had dinner down on the beach with Courtney, Rex, Flo and Artie. After a swim we watched the sunset while we ate dinner - it was such a beautiful evening.

Daniel did a time lapse of the sunset - so pretty.