Cape Leveque is an unreal area north of Broome WA along the Dampier Peninsula. It is a road trip my partner and I have completed three times over now, we just love this area of WA and the Kimberly. There is nothing quite like how the red dirt meets the ocean combined with the magical WA sunsets that are particularly spectacular in this area. Each time we have stayed in slightly different areas. When doing this trip we camp in our rooftop tent, and most sites are caravan appropriate. The highway up to Cygnet Bay is all sealed road, I would recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle to take any of the roads that come off this.
Here are my favourite gems…
Broome
Starting your road trip in Broome. Broome town is bustling with lots of things to do and places to eat. The town is a hub for the Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia. Home to the iconic Cable Beach where you can watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean or even ride a camel along the beach. To get up close and personal with the dangerous crocodiles that inhabit this area, visit the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. Markets are available outside the old court house over the weekend, selling a range of local art and food and showcasing tours available in the area. The courthouse markets are definitely worth popping by.
With so much to do Broome is somewhere I would definitely recommend spending a couple days to explore properly. Depending on the time of year you may be able to watch the staircase to the moon, as the full moon rises over the ocean the reflection over the ripples in the ocean appear as a staircase. The best viewing places for this is the Mangrove Hotel bar or town beach.
Willie Creek
The first stop out of Broome is the pearl farming site of Willie Creek. A picturesque site with dazzling blue waters of the creek it is the perfect spot to stop for lunch a coffee or partake in one of the pearl farm tours. There is a restaurant and show room available here as well as private camp-sites on the property which require prior booking. You may be able to spot some salt-water crocodiles swimming along the creek. The farm tour takes you on a boat up the creek and explains the extensive history of pearling in the Broome area.
James Price Point
A jaw dropping sunset site where the iconic red dirt cliffs meet the iridescent blue ocean waters. During the right seasons whales can been seen breaching along this stretch of coast. It is a free camp first in best served, while popular there are plenty of sites along here that it doesn’t feel too overcrowded.
You can fish off the beach here, swim, relax and lap up the unbelievable to scenery. Off the highway it is a dusty track which is reasonably well maintained. Easy enough to access however would still recommend taking a 4wd down this road. Some areas of the track are soft and road conditions are susceptible to changes with the seasons.
Beagle Bay
Call into Beagle Bay on your way further north to visit the iconic Pearl Church, donation entry to the community who maintains the church and other sites in the area. The church is beautiful and decorated with multiple large pearl shells. A small community with local school and small general store in the town. Originally an indigenous missionary site as are many communities up along the Dampier Peninsula. You can read more about the history in this area inside the church and around the town.
Pender Bay Escape
This is definitely on my list of all-time favourite camping sites, booking prior to arrival is essential and costs approx. $25 per night per person. Includes facilities of a flushing toilet and showers as well as water taps at camp sites. It is simply serene and has the most picturesque views of Pender bay, camping atop the cliffs you are able to swim and fish down on the beach with a small area of the beach where boats may be launched. A very peaceful place to unwind and relax.
Smithy’s Seaside adventure
Further around the bay from Pender bay escape is Smithy’s, we loved our stay here also. This facility also offers flushing toilets. A different view out across the bay the campground is situation closer to the beach, you can still see gorgeous red cliffs that line the bay however the site itself is not atop cliffs. No prior bookings available here first come first served basis. At the time we stayed here payment was collected in cash.
Cygnet bay pearl farm
A property run by the Cygnet Bay Pearling Farm. A wide range of accommodation and camping options available ranging from glamping tents, cabins, powered sites and caravan sites. Full facilities including showers, toilets, camp kitchen and restaurant with waterfront views for the sunset and a swimming pool. The camp sites are amongst native bush which makes them feel all that bit more private. A stretch of beach is available for swimming (at own risk due to crocodiles). You are also able to fish along this beach or up some of the creeks.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm offers many tours around the pearl farm covering the history of pearling in the region and the complex process of growing pearls. Other tours including the iconic Horizontal Falls and tours to Lombadina also operate out of this site.
One arm point // ardyaloon community
The perfect day trip from Cygnet Bay! A 20 minute drive north is the community Ardyaloon at One Arm Point. This is an indigenous community that is open to visitors for day trips. You can collect a pass from the visitors centre and take a tour of “The Hatchery” the oldest hatching site of trochus shells. There is a range of coral and sea life to see up close here. Locally run and operated it is a great way to support the community by doing a tour at the small cost of $10. It is important to be respectful of the community and their rules while being here. Be aware that sometimes the community may be closed for a variety of reasons check with reception at Cygnet Bay prior to making the trip.