While the colder weather starts to bear down on much of Australia, holiday makers considering an escape from winter need look no further than the West Australian pearling town of Broome.

With daily temperatures currently hovering between 25 and 30 degrees, and discounted air fares recently released for travel between Perth and Broome, there are several reasons to visit – and here are just a few of them.

Broome-time
Broome time is the name locals give to the relaxed and laidback feel of the pearling town, which is nestled between the outback and the ocean. Visitors will find plenty of indulgent resorts, a warm tropical climate and pristine natural environment, the perfect combination for a holiday escape.

Kimberley wonders
Broome is the natural starting point for exploring the spectacular Kimberley region.  Experience the world's only Horizontal Waterfalls at Talbot Bay, have an authentic Aboriginal experience on the Dampier Peninsula, take an epic 4WD journey along the Gibb River Road or explore the Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park.

Cable Beach
Iconic Cable Beach, with its 22 kilometres of soft white sand and stunning Indian Ocean sunsets, draws its name from the long undersea telegraph cable connecting north west Australia to Indonesia in 1889, opening up communication to the world. The beach is popular for its sunsets over the Indian Ocean and its iconic camel rides.

Flavours of Broome
Broome's multicultural heritage – Aboriginal, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian and European – along with its coastal location, has influenced the variety of cuisines on offer throughout the town. Taste the many flavours of Broome at the Courthouse Markets on a Saturday or Sunday morning with Thai, Chinese and Filipino cuisine on offer (try Lumpia – the famous Filipino spring rolls); sample pearl meat at a pearl farm; take a culinary journey through Japan at Cable Beach Club's Zensai; enjoy local seafood at The Wharf; and head to Matso's Brewery to sample beers.

Gems of the sea
Broome is the home of the Australian South Sea pearl with jewellery showrooms lining the streets of Chinatown. Learn more about the famous pearling industry on a pearl farm tour to Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm on the Dampier Peninsula is the oldest operating pearl farm in Australia – it's been owned and operated by the Brown family since 1946. It produces Australian South Sea Pearls and in 2004, harvested the world's largest fine quality round pearl.

Cultural calling
It's said that 57 languages are spoken in the shire of Broome – it's one of Australia's most multi-cultural towns. The town's Aboriginal heritage is very strong and taking a tour with local Yawuru man Bart Pigram of Narlijia Tours is a fantastic way to learn about their rich culture, which has existed for thousands of years. Chinese, Malay, Japanese and Filipino people arrived in Broome in the late 1800's to prosper from the town's Mother-of-Pearl industry, and by around 1900, around 3,000 people of Asian and South-East Asian origin had arrived, including Chinese merchants that led to the establishment of Chinatown. The original green, white and red corrugated iron huts are still in use today with many home to pearling showrooms, while visitors can also pay tribute to Japanese pearl divers at the striking Japanese cemetery – the largest one in Australia.

Dinosaur footprints
Prolific in the Kimberley region, dinosaur footprints can be been found along the Broome coastline and can be viewed at low tide.  As recently as September 2016, a woman collecting shells discovered dinosaur footprints on Cable Beach. Scientists have said that the largest dinosaur footprints in the world measuring 1.7 metres are located north of Broome.

Moon magic
Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon which occurs when the full moon rises over the exposed mud flats at extremely low tide, giving the illusion of a staircase reaching for the moon. This occurs along Roebuck Bay in Broome three times a month from March to October and is often complemented by local markets at nearby Town Beach.

Star gazing
Join Greg Quicke (known around Australia as Space Gandalf after his appearance on ABC TV's Stargazing Live programs) from Astro Tours to experience some of the best stargazing skies on the plant.

Wildlife
Broome's Roebuck Bay is really significant on a global scale. It's one of the world's most important places for migratory shorebirds; and is home to Australia's largest population of snubfin dolphins – as well as other marine life such as dugongs and turtles. From July to October, the waters around Broome are home to the world's largest pod of humpback whales – estimated at up to 40,000. The best way to see them is with a whale-watching tour.

Kimberley cruising
Broome is the perfect starting point for a Kimberley cruising adventure to remote waterfalls and coastal retreats. Passengers visit breathtaking ancient rock art, spot giant boab trees and learn about the region's amazing geology.

World War II history
On very low tides in Broome, visitors are able to walk out from Town Beach on Roebuck Bay and see the remains of Dutch Catalina flying boats, which were bombed during the Second World War in March 1942.

Watch the stars under the stars
Broome is home to the world's oldest operating picture gardens Sun Pictures which has been operating for just over 100 years! While you no longer have to lift your feet as patrons did in the early days due to tidal flooding, its location under the flight path of Broome International Airport means audience members now lift their heads in surprise as a plane roars overhead. The building has been restored, but retains its 'knockabout' character with its weathered tin capturing the essence of 'old Broome'.

Tidal trickery
The dramatic rise and fall of up to ten metre tides in Broome means beaches are washed daily and attractions reveal themselves at low tide. The tides are also the reason behind the Horizontal Waterfalls – Australia's only – which are accessible from Broome with several tour operators.

Celebrity connection
Famous visitors to, and fans of Broome include Miranda Kerr, Jerry Hall, Kylie Minogue, Elle McPherson, Tom Cruise, Orlando Bloom, Missy Higgins, Rove McManus and Tasma Walton, Barry Humphries, Cate Blanchett and some of the Kardashian family.

Epic events
A range of events take place around Broome throughout the year with highlights including the Shinju Matsuri Festival, Taste of Broome and the Broome Racing Season.

This year, Shinju Matsuri (August 25 to September 2) will welcome celebrity chefs Adam Liaw and Marion Grasby with events including a long table dinner on Cable Beach, a pearl meat cook-off, an open-air Yum Cha dining experience, float parade, art exhibitions and a concert.

Taste of Broome is a multi-arts performance, cuisine and culture based event focused on Broome's unique Indigenous multiculturalism. Learn the history of Broome through the songs, stories, pictures and people with three shows in 2018 – July 12, August 9 and September 9.

The Broome Racing Season runs from June to August, with race events most weekends, culminating in the Broome Cup on August 18. The Broome Turf Club is located next to the Indian Ocean, and has a red dirt racetrack – go for the colours alone!

How to get there
Qantas and Virgin run daily services to Broome from Perth, with flights taking around 2.5 hours. Qantas also runs direct services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (seasonal) and Darwin.

Qantas has just announced special discounted fares from Perth to Broome, following the addition of an extra Friday to Sunday service. The special discounted fare of $199 during high season (August 17 to October 16, 2018, and June 21 to August 17, 2019) and $179 during low season (October 17, 2018 to June 20, 2019) will be available when booked 60 days in advance.

The special fares increase to $229 in the low season and $269 in the high season when booked 45 days ahead of travel. The new service provides 500 discounted seats per week in the high season and 600 in the low season.