Everything You Need To Know About Gantheaume Point, Broome, WA

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If you’re looking for a beautiful place to catch a sunset and feel the energy of Northern Australia’s natural beauty, then you’re going to want to head to Gantheaume Point near Broome.

This stunning headland is located at the Southern end of Cable Beach, and looks out over the shimmering turquoise Ocean facing the sunset.

It’s not only sunsets that attracts people to Gantheaume Point, but it’s prehistoric history, which can be found etched into the stone at the bottom of the red cliffs, where dinosaur footprints have been preserved in the reef rock and are viewable only at low tide.

There is no doubt that Gantheaume Point is a gorgeous and stunning place to visit, but you might be wondering how to get there, what there is to see and do there, and what makes it special.

So if you’re keen to find out, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Gantheaume Point.

What Is Gantheaume Point Famous For?

What makes Gantheaume Point special is that it has unique characteristics and an ancient history that dates back thousands of years, dating back to the jurassic period.

The point was initially observed by French Explorer Nicolas Baudin in 1801, who, from a far-off vantage point, mistakenly identified it as an island.

It wasn’t until Phillip Parker King took a closer inspection of Gantheaume Point and realized the mistake.

Soon after, explorers discovered many dinosaur tracks and plant fossils embedded into the rocky headland here at very low tide.

Not only is Gantheaume Point one of the best paleontological sites in Australia, but it’s naturally beautiful too. The striking red sandstone cliffs that overlooks the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean is an awe-inspiring natural spectacle.

The pindan (red-soil country of the south-western Kimberley region of Western Australia) is something you’ll see a lot of in Broome, actually the whole Kimberley region, but, when you’re in Broome, the most striking place to see it is at Gantheaume Point.

While Craig was taking photos, the girls and I were scrambling over the rocks, barefoot and pretending we were dinosaurs.

And if you can time your visit on a really low tide, you will be able to see dinosaur footprints deeply etched into the rock – evidence on who could not resist this divine view millions of years ago too.

In places the rock becomes soft, powdery sand, lovely to smush between your toes – ancient, healing energy.

It’s such a pretty place to come.

Where Is Gantheaume Point, Broome?

Cable Beach, Broome - Western Australia — walking along Cable Beach

Gantheaume Point is about a 9km distance from Broome town centre of Broome. It’s located at the southern end of famous Cable Beach, and is notable by a red rock cliff face overlooking a white sandy beach.

How To Get To Gantheaume Point

If you’re game for a long walk on Cable Beach, we recommend setting out early in the morning to walk from Broome and return. It’s only 7.8km each way so very doable.

Craig and I did it when we lived in Broome ten years ago, but were not up to doing it with the kids this time around. Make sure you leave early or the heat could be a problem for you.

We recommend starting from either Cable Beach Club Resort for the Cable Beach side, or the Mangrove Hotel if you’re in Broome town center. From there, the route unfolds along the picturesque Gantheaume Point Road, off Gubinge Road and finally to the headland.

If you want to drive, you can drive to The Broome Turf Club and walk down from the top of the cliff from there.

Alternatively, you can catch the morning bus out to Gantheaume Point Beach and walk back.

During the tourist season from May to October, the Broome Explorer bus provides convenient access to Gantheaume Point.

Things to Do at Gantheaume Point, Broome

1. Earthing

So you might already know that I’m a fan of earthing. If you’re not sure what that is, it’s essentially walking around in bare feet on the grass or dirt, preferably wet, as a way to restore your body through the energy of the earth.

My kids are frequently told to kick their shoes off and connect to the healthy energy of Mother Earth whenever we head out into nature. My Mum freaks out they’ll get a cold if I let them do it during the middle of winter, but that’s an old wives tale.

In case you didn’t know, earthing is my secret jet lag cure. It’s what helped me return to normal within a short time frame after our monster 30 hour trip back to Perth from the USA.

You can read more about the powerful benefits of earthing here if you’re interested in it.

2. Catch a Spectacular Sunset

Gantheaume Point sunset over the ocean — Gantheaume Point sunset

Gantheaume Point is beautiful no matter the time of day, but it’s especially spectacular at sunset, which is well worth the short drive on the unsealed road.

We recommend packing a picnic and a bottle of wine and sneaking down there for sunset without your shoes.

There won’t be nearly as many people as there are watching this magnificent act of nature at Cable Beach. You’ll be able to find a rock ledge far from anyone else and sit and admire it.

3. Look Out For Dinosaur Footprints

One of the notable features of Gantheaume Point is the presence of real dinosaur footprints, preserved in the coastal rocks for millions of years.

Scientists have discovered seven different dinosaur footprints from Gantheaume Point along to James Price Point which sits on the Dampier Peninsula.

Look out for casts of the footprints left behind by sauropods, ornithopods and even a stegosaurus.

It’s said the tracks date back to the cretaceous period (between 145 million to 66 million years ago).

It’s believed that at the time dinosaurs roamed in this area, the Point would have been made up of marshes and swamp forests, which is why you can sometimes see fossils of plant life here too.

Footprints can be seen at low tide around Gantheaume Point and Reddell Beach.

Don’t miss a chance to walk among these ancient imprints and feel the connection to the distant past.

4. Check Out Gantheaume Point Lighthouse

Additionally, the point is home to the Gantheaume Point Lighthouse, which was commissioned in 1905 and stands as a testament to the maritime history of the region.

This 47ft open-braced steel tower was replaced in 1984 by another tower which was built in a style true to the original.

5. Take a Dip in Anastasia’s Pool

Below the lighthouse is a small pool filled with therapeutic warm water.

It was built by one of the early lighthouse keepers who wanted to give his arthritic wife a chance to bathe safely in waters here.

Best Time To Visit Gantheaume Point

The best time to visit Gantheaume Point is between April and November, when the weather is dry and cool and the tide is more regularly low, offering a better opportunity to see the prehistoric dinosaur footprints embedded in the rocks.

However, Gantheaume Point is beautiful all year round, and even if you visit outside of this time, you’re going to fall in love with its natural beauty.

The best time of day to visit is definitely sunrise or sunset when there are fewer crowds. As you can guess from this guide, sunset was our favorite time of day to visit as you can experience the warm glow fade behind the horizon.

Tips for Visiting Gantheaume Point

Wear sunscreen. There is very little shade at Gantheaume Point so be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Carry plenty of water, especially if you plan to hike to Gantheaume Point.
Don’t let your kids wander at the bottom of the cliff. Be aware that rocks can fall at any moment.
Check the tide times before you visit! You don’t want to get stuck there at high tide.

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