Broome’s Chinatown is the vibrant cultural, retail, and dining heart of the town, buzzing with activity along the Carnarvon Street café strip.
Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing mango smoothie or coffee at Dragonfly Café, a creative Southeast Asian-inspired meal at The Aarli (touted as one of the best brunches in Broome), or fresh Vietnamese rice paper rolls at Mr. Saigon, Chinatown has a wide variety of excellent dining options.
Take a stroll through Johnny Chi Lane and Little Johnny Chi Lane, two tucked away arcades marked by their distinctive red-painted wood entrances, where you’ll find boutique stores and unique souvenir shops. Cross over to Dampier Terrace, Broome’s pearling hub, where elegant pearl showrooms showcase their shimmering wares. For a deeper dive into the pearling industry, join a pearl harvesting tour with Willie Creek Pearl Luggers or visit the Cygnet Bay Showroom to learn about the craft.
Continue further up the street to Streeters Jetty, a historic site that once played a pivotal role in Broome’s pearling industry as a landing point for pearl luggers bringing their treasures ashore.
For art lovers, make a beeline to Short St Gallery. This intimate space highlights the works of talented Indigenous artists in a historic rustic building. Nearby, Magabala Books is a treasure trove of literature by Indigenous authors and a great spot to find handmade earrings and unique souvenirs.
On a more practical note, Chinatown is also home to one of Broome’s two main supermarkets, Coles, as well as the town’s only post office, making it a convenient stop for both shopping and essentials.
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