BROOME: SCENIC & PREHISTORIC CRUISE- Wine & Gourmet Platters

The star of this Broome outing is a secluded beach where you can stand in 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. The tracks are not always obvious at first, which is exactly why the guide matters. Miles and Myles have a gift for pointing out the marks in the rock and explaining Broome’s prehistoric past without turning the visit into a school lesson.

I like the mix of land and water, and I like that the day includes more than dinosaurs. You cruise Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek, watch for birds, marine life, and possibly snubfin dolphins, then settle in with sparkling wine and gourmet platters. The main consideration is physical: you must wade through shin-deep water to board and leave the boat, and reef shoes are compulsory.

Key details at a glance

• Walk through ancient dinosaur tracks: Reach a secluded beach and learn how to spot footprints that can be difficult to see without a guide.
• Cruise aboard the Brahminy Kite: This purpose-built shallow-water vessel reaches creek inlets and coastal areas a larger boat may not.
• Wine and food are part of the outing: Enjoy sparkling wine and gourmet platters while cruising Dampier Creek.
• Look for birds and dolphins: The route includes wildlife viewing in Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek, with snubfin dolphins sometimes seen close to the boat.
• Transfers make the day easy: Complimentary pickup and return are offered from 21 Broome accommodation locations.
• Allow five hours door to door: About 35 minutes each way is spent on the bus, leaving roughly three hours aboard the vessel and on shore.

Why the dinosaur footprints are worth your time

Broome is often sold through its beaches and sunsets, but its oldest story is written into the rocks around Roebuck Bay. The dinosaur tracks here are about 120 million years old, dating from a time when large reptiles moved across the ancient Kimberley coast.

You will not simply stroll up to a sign and see a neat row of prints. The marks can be subtle, especially when rock, water, and light play tricks on your eyes. A skilled guide makes the difference. Miles is particularly passionate about the dinosaur side of the tour, and his enthusiasm helps you understand what you are looking at rather than politely nodding at an indistinct hollow in the stone.

That is one of the strongest reasons to book this experience instead of trying to find the footprints alone. The guide adds scale and meaning. You learn to read the shape of the track, the direction of travel, and the setting around it.

The beach itself is part of the appeal. The scenery combines red earth, rock, and blue ocean, with a sense of space that feels far removed from Broome’s main accommodation strip. You get time for photographs and a guided walk, but the pace is not built around a long hike. Walking distances can reach about 300 metres.

From your hotel to Roebuck Bay

The day begins with complimentary transfers from a wide spread of Broome accommodation. Pickup locations include Cable Beach resorts, caravan parks, hotels, and properties closer to town. You receive a text message the afternoon or evening before with your exact pickup time.

Plan for the bus to arrive up to an hour before the cruise departure, depending on your accommodation. The drive to the waterfront takes about 35 minutes. That transfer is useful in two ways: it saves you from arranging transport, and it gives you a quick look at Broome on the way out.

Erica has been praised for using the transfer time to point out food choices and useful parts of town. That kind of local commentary can be handy early in your stay, especially if you are still deciding where to eat.

At the operating base, Broome Weddings and Events, you have access to a private beachside setting with a licensed bar before and after the cruise. You can buy coffee, cold drinks, or frozen cocktails there, but these extras are not part of the $138 tour price.

Boarding the Brahminy Kite

The boat is the Brahminy Kite, a modern vessel designed for shallow water. That design matters in Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek, where the route includes tidal creeks and inlets rather than only open sea.

Before setting off, the crew gives a safety briefing. You then spend time cruising through Roebuck Bay, with commentary on the area, its wildlife, tides, and past. The guides are a major part of the experience. Bec, Miles, Myles, and Erica are among the team members singled out for friendly, lively presentations.

The boat is comfortable, but this is not a silent sightseeing cruise. You are there to listen, look, ask questions, and move between different parts of the route. The commentary covers Broome’s culture, natural setting, marine animals, and prehistoric story.

You should also be realistic about boarding. Reef shoes are compulsory because you wade through shin-deep water to get on and off the vessel. Bring your own pair, or hire them for $10 or buy them for $23 on the day. Bare feet or ordinary sandals are not a safe substitute.

Roebuck Bay by boat and on foot

The Roebuck Bay portion is broken into several stages, which keeps the day moving. You cruise, stop for photographs, walk on shore, and return to the water for more wildlife watching.

The first boat section gives you a feel for the bay and the shallow-water setting. The guides explain what you are seeing rather than leaving you to guess at distant birds or movement in the water. This is a useful format if you want more than a scenic ride.

The shore stop is where the dinosaur tracks become the focus. You walk along the secluded beach with the guide, pause for photographs, and learn how the footprints appear in the rock. The beach is attractive in its own right, but the interpretation is what turns it into a worthwhile stop.

After the walk, the boat returns to Roebuck Bay for another wildlife section. Dolphins may appear, and the route includes marine life viewing and bird spotting. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so you should treat a dolphin sighting as a welcome extra rather than the reason to book.

The tour has received especially strong praise for its guides, food, drinks, and the way the dinosaur story is explained. That pattern makes sense. The footprints alone may not impress you immediately, but a good explanation gives them their proper weight.

Cruising Dampier Creek with bubbles and lunch

Dampier Creek is the relaxed middle section of the day. The boat moves through creek inlets while you look for birdlife and marine animals. The setting changes from open bay views to a more sheltered route, giving the cruise some variety.

This is when the sparkling wine and gourmet platters are served. The food is not just a small snack added as an afterthought. It forms part of the experience, giving you time to sit back while the scenery passes.

The exact platter contents are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. You can expect gourmet shared food and sparkling wine, with the option of other drinks at the licensed base before or after the cruise.

The atmosphere is informal and social, with good Aussie music also noted as part of the outing. Guides keep talking, but you are given room to enjoy the food and water without constant instruction.

Dampier Creek is also a good place to watch the water closely. Birdlife is a central part of this section, and snubfin dolphins have been seen near the boat. You might spot movement along the creek edge or birds feeding in the shallows. The shallow-draft boat gives you access to places that are central to the character of the bay.

The final return through Roebuck Bay

After Dampier Creek, the boat returns through Roebuck Bay for another period of sightseeing and wildlife viewing. This repeated passage is useful because conditions and animal activity can change while you are out on the water.

You may get another chance to see dolphins, marine animals, or birds. You also have time to absorb the wider view of the coastline, now with a better understanding of the tides, creek system, and older stories of the area.

There is a final break at the base before the return transfer. You can walk, take photographs, browse the setting, or buy a drink. The private beachside vista, gardens, and Simpson Beach backdrop give the day a pleasant finish rather than ending abruptly at the boat ramp.

The bus then returns you to your accommodation. The full experience lasts five hours, including transfers, while about three hours are spent aboard the Brahminy Kite and on shore.

Is $138 good value?

At $138 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon in Broome. You are paying for several elements bundled together: hotel transfers, a guided coastal tour, a boat trip, the dinosaur beach visit, sparkling wine, gourmet platters, and about five hours of organized activity.

I think the price is fair if you want a complete outing and do not have your own vehicle. Transport alone can make independent planning less convenient, and reaching the dinosaur tracks without interpretation would reduce much of their impact.

The value is strongest for you if you enjoy variety. In one half-day, you get prehistoric sites, coastal scenery, wildlife, a guided walk, a shallow-water cruise, and food and wine. If you only want a boat ride, cheaper options may exist. If you only want to see dinosaur tracks, this includes more than you need.

The food and drinks also change the tone. This is not a rugged expedition with a packed lunch in your backpack. It is a comfortable sightseeing experience with a little ceremony, though you still need to handle the water entry and walk on uneven coastal ground.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the cruise to adults, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a broad introduction to Broome’s coast. You do not need a strong interest in dinosaurs. The history, wildlife, scenery, tides, and food give the outing several points of appeal.

It is especially suitable early in a Broome stay. The transfer commentary can help you get your bearings, and the guides introduce places and subjects you may want to explore later.

Children are classed as ages 0 to 14, but the physical notes matter more than the age category. Every participant needs to manage the shin-deep wade, the boat boarding, and up to 300 metres of walking. Parents should also consider whether their children will enjoy a guided history and wildlife outing lasting five hours.

This is less suitable if you need a completely dry boat trip, have limited mobility, or dislike shared food and group commentary. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring a reusable water bottle, even though drinks are served during the cruise. Broome can be warm, and a five-hour outing is long enough to make hydration important.

Pack sun protection and clothing that can handle a little water. Reef shoes are compulsory, so arrange them before departure or budget $10 to hire a pair from the operator. Buying them on the day costs $23.

Keep your phone handy for the pickup message sent the day before. The exact time depends on your hotel, and pickup may be up to an hour before the stated cruise time.

If you are driving to the venue instead of using the transfer, arrive at the time given in the message. The expected arrival is about 35 minutes before departure.

The tour runs in English with a live guide. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Broome plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Broome Scenic and Prehistoric Cruise?

Book it if you want one well-rounded half-day that combines Broome’s prehistoric coast with wildlife, scenery, drinks, food, and local commentary. The guides are the key reason this works so well. Miles and the wider team give the dinosaur tracks context, while the boat route adds a completely different view of Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek.

Skip it if you want a quiet, self-directed outing, cannot wade into the water, or have no interest in spending five hours with a guide. For most visitors who want an easy introduction to Broome beyond Cable Beach, the $138 price buys a generous mix of experiences, and the dinosaur beach is the part you are unlikely to reproduce on your own.

FAQ

How long does the Broome Scenic and Prehistoric Cruise last?

The experience lasts five hours, including accommodation transfers. About three hours are spent aboard the Brahminy Kite and on shore.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes. Complimentary pickup and return are available from 21 listed Broome accommodation locations. You receive a text message with your exact pickup time the afternoon or evening before the tour.

Do I need to bring reef shoes?

Yes. Reef shoes are compulsory because you wade through shin-deep water when boarding and leaving the boat. You can bring your own, hire a pair for $10, or buy them for $23 from the operator.

What food and drinks are included?

Sparkling wine and gourmet platters are included while cruising. The base also has a licensed bar where you can purchase other drinks, frozen cocktails, or barista-made coffee before or after the cruise.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children are defined as ages 0 to 14 for this activity. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is still required, with up to 300 metres of walking and shin-deep water during boarding.

Is dolphin or wildlife viewing guaranteed?

No specific wildlife sighting is guaranteed. The itinerary includes opportunities to look for birds, marine animals, and dolphins in Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek. Snubfin dolphins have been seen close to the boat.