Lap Around Australia: Camel Riding in Broome

Camel Riding on Cable Beach

Can there be anything more iconic as an image of Broome than camel riding on Cable Beach at sunset? (Other than the staircase to the moon obviously). Jess and Barb were keen to do it. John not so much .... well someone needs to take the photos right?

We ended up booking the 30 minute pre-sunset camel ride rather than the more popular one hour sunset ride. Why? Well it was half the price! And we got to have a camel each as it wasn't so busy. Win Win!

We walked down to the beach in the afternoon to the meeting place just beyond the north rocks on Cable Beach. When we arrived we were introduced to the camels who were sitting quietly in a line all ready with their saddles on. Some of them didn't look too happy, but we happily petted the nicer tempered ones.

See? MY camel can smile!

Who couldn't love a camel with a smile like this?

Climbing up onto the camel and then hanging on while the earth moved and it stood up was an experience! As was the rolling motion of the camel's gait once it got going. These majestic animals leave hardly any footprint in the hard sand as they walk along. Barb's camel, Eli was one of the youngest males in the group at 12 years, and apparently camels can live fifty to seventy years. They don't carry people or heavy loads until they are over seven. Jess's camel Jabul was a bitey camel of unpredictable temper. Eli who was walking in front of Jabul had to wear extra protection around his rear to prevent Jabul biting him on the rump!

It was rather fun walking up and down the beach, but we both felt that 30 minutes was plenty. Any longer and it might start to be uncomfortable.

Daughter ...

... and mother ...

... with big grins. And the camel too.

John faithfully came along to take photos of the experience, and on our last night in Broome John and Barb also took the sunset camel riding shots. I know that's cheating a bit, but you've gotta see it!
After our camel ride we went to Zanders to have our "two for one" cocktail and have a look at our free pearl earrings that were part of the camel ride deal.

Checking John's camera skills ...

... over their two for one cocktails

Lord McAlpine, of the UK construction company,
rejuvenator of Broome in the 1980s

Camels by sunset

John taking photos of ... camels by sunset

Sunset through not a wine glass but back and front wind screens

Back to Barb and Jess's camel day, being Thursday evening we went to have a look at the night markets we'd seen advertised around town. They turned out to be pretty low-key but had great street food like the Mindil Beach markets in Darwin and some live musical entertainment. It was a great way to end the day.