9-July
Some background on Broome:
Broome (*Rubibi*) is famous for its beautiful beaches, but its history is a wild story of ancient culture, fortune-seekers, and wartime drama. Long before Europeans arrived, the Yawuru people lived here for over 30,000 years, managing vital trade routes across the Kimberley.
The Pearling Boom & ‘Japtown’ (1880s):
Broome became a rip-roaring frontier town during the pearl rush. It grew into a unique multicultural melting pot of Chinese shopkeepers, Filipino deckhands, and local Aboriginal workers. Because Japanese divers made up the bulk of the dangerous diving workforce, the town centre was originally known as Japtown.
Wartime Air Raid & The Name Change:
On 3 March 1942 World War II hit home when Japanese fighter jets bombed Roebuck Bay, destroying 16 flying boats (the wrecks are still visible at very low tide). Following the raid and the internment of Japanese residents, the town distanced itself from the name Japtown, renaming the historic merchant district **Chinatown** after the prominent local Chinese shopkeepers.
From Pearls to Tourism:
When plastic buttons threatened the pearl industry in the 1950s, Broome pivoted successfully to cultured pearl farming. By the 1980s, British billionaire Lord Alistair McAlpine fell in love with the town, investing millions to restore historic buildings and transform Broome into a world-class holiday destination.
We hopped on the bus to see Cable Beach, a spectacular 22km stretch of white sand and turquoise water about 10 minutes from town. We walked around to enjoy its beauty and also see while the Shire of Broome is actively upgrading the foreshore. After that Jen went to see a museum while I brought our last shopping home. In the afternoon we joined the Pearl Luggers Tour to learn all about the pearl industry that started here many years ago when they used the oyster shells to make buttons.
It was very interesting and we even got to taste some of the oyster meat and see how they open a real oyster to harvest the pearl.
Here are some pictures of the day:
