Broome

The retail scene in Broome has come a long way from the days when pearls merchants hawked their rough treasures on the street corners. Now pearl showrooms thrive, clothing shops sell designer wares, and galleries highlight the best of the region’s art and culture.

Thanks to Broome's unpolluted waters, South Sea pearls are among the most desirable in the world. At least 12 pearl showrooms line the streets of Chinatown, selling prefect keepsakes at a range of price points.

Chinatown is also Broome’s retail hub. Shekki, on Carnarvon Street, is the town’s beach wear authority, stocking a large range of swimsuits, summer ensemble and cool cottons from brands like Seafolly, Jets, Sunseeker, Baku and Ginja. Down the road Betty’s Frocks places emphasis on quality clothing for the mature woman, with brands such as In Your Dreams Day and Night, Verge and Mela Purdie. Around the corner on Short Street, Shimmer showcases a unique range of jewellery and high fashion items from labels like Charlie Brown, Fossil and DKNY. Chinatown is also home to The Paspaley Plaza – an open air mall with 22 specialty stores.

As the southern gateway to the Kimberley, Broome is a great place to shop for indigenous art. Old Broome Lockup Gallery sells art by local Aboriginal painters, along with photography, carvings, didgeridoos and music. The Gecko Gallery specialises in Central Desert and Utopia art. Housed in a century-old house, the Short St Gallery – Broome's first gallery – focuses on contemporary indigenous Kimberley art. While the Murranji Gallery boasts a huge collection of images from the northwest. More local arts, as well as crafts, incense, candles and hemp clothes can be found at the Courthouse Markets or the Town Beach Markets during the Staircase to the Moon.