Willie Creek Pearl Farm offers a modern take on the pearling industry that has enticed people to Broome for more than a century. Learn about the lustrous and beautiful South Sea cultured pearls produced here and follow the process from seeding to the final buff and polish. Jump on a cruise, embark on a self-driven four-wheel drive tour or enjoy magnificent views from the Willie Creek Pearl Farm helicopter.
Begin your visit at Willie Creek Pearl Farm by watching a fascinating presentation at the shaded outdoor theatrette. Your guide will explain the process of how a pearl is made before handing out oyster shells and expensive pearl specimens for you to examine. After light refreshments, head to the estuary where the stunning South Sea cultured pearls are farmed and find out how the oysters are seeded.
Tours also include a Willie Creek boat cruise, which will lead you past the breathtaking banks of the waterway that opens up into the Indian Ocean. Note the gorgeous contrasting colours of the red earth and the aqua-hued waters, which are fringed with tropical vegetation.
At the end of the tour, browse the Willie Creek Pearl Farm showroom and perhaps pick an item for yourself or a loved one. The store sells pretty pearl-inlaid pendants, luminous pearl earrings and classic strands of coveted South Sea cultured pearls.
Relax with a cool drink, light snack or sweet treat at the Willie Creek Café, located on site. The café is open daily from mid-April to September.
Reaching Willie Creek Pearl Farm is an experience in itself and there are several ways to get there. Traverse red, dusty outback trails in a rented four-wheel drive, admire the views from an air-conditioned coach or take in a spectacular aerial perspective on a helicopter trip.
Willie Creek Pearl Farm is located 36.5 kilometres (22.7 miles) north of Broome. The café and showroom are accessible to the public for free, but it is recommended that you join a tour of the farm to fully experience this destination. Tours operate daily and can be booked online, at the farm’s tourism office in town or with your hotel. Choose from a variety of tour packages with different transport options.