Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

On the remote Dampier Peninsula, 200 km north of Broome, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is Australia's oldest operating pearl farm and a fascinating window into the Kimberley's pearling history. Set against stunning turquoise waters and red cliffs, this working farm offers immersive tours that reveal the painstaking art of cultivating South Sea pearls, alongside indigenous culture and spectacular coastal scenery.

Highlights & What to See

• Pearl Farm Tour – a guided walk through the farm's operations, from seeding to harvesting, with close-up views of the oysters and a chance to hold a lustrous pearl.
• Pearl Masterclass – learn to grade and value pearls, then create your own piece of pearl jewellery to take home.
• Aboriginal Cultural Tour – join a Bardi-Jawi guide on a beach walk to learn about traditional bush foods, medicines, and the deep connection to sea country.
• Helicopter Scenic Flight – soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago's labyrinth of islands, tidal waterfalls, and hidden bays for an unforgettable aerial perspective.
• King Sound Sunset Cruise – drift on a pearling lugger replica at golden hour, sipping bubbly while watching the sun sink into the Indian Ocean.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a full day, arriving by 4WD from Broome (allow 2.5 hours). The half-day tour is a good introduction, but the full-day experience lets you combine the pearl tour with a cultural walk and a scenic flight. For a deeper immersion, book one of the farm's eco-accommodation options – a night here means you can also kayak the mangroves at dawn and enjoy the farm's restaurant serving fresh Kimberley seafood.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Broome – the pearling hub of the Kimberley, with Cable Beach, Chinatown, and the Sun Pictures cinema.
• Horizontal Falls – a tidal phenomenon accessible by seaplane or boat from Cygnet Bay; book a tour that includes both.
• Lombadina Aboriginal Community – a short drive south, offering cultural tours and a famous bakery with damper and mud crab.
• One Arm Point – visit the Bardi community's aquaculture centre and see the iconic 'staircase to the moon' at certain tides.
• Kooljaman at Cape Leveque – a wilderness camp with red cliffs, white sand, and spectacular snorkelling, about an hour north.

Please check official sources for current details.