Broome Hovercraft Tour, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Airing Date: Nov 4th, 2002
Just a two hour flight from Perth, Broome is absolutely sun drenched for most of the year. In spring time, temperatures average a burning 33 degrees and the tides are ideal for hovercrafts.
The Spirit of Broome hovercraft provides a fast paced journey across the local waterways. Rides are highly energetic, with high speeds and 360 degree turns.
The Spirit of Broome runs three hour tours from around 5am daily, incorporating a local history lesson as passengers speed right around the bay. In March 1942, WWII came to Broome. Nine Japanese zero fighters swooped in the bay and opened fire on 16 flying boats. The boats were destroyed, and the wreckages are still visible at low tide.
The WWII boats have sat at the bottom of the bay for decades, but the bay has even older treasures. Broomes famous dinosaur footprints have been around for 130 million years. Of the 14 different species of dinosaur that roamed this area, nine have been identified and named, but the other five left no evidence.
The landscape of Broome is gorgeous and the bay tide can rise by up to 9.5 meters a day. The action starts at low tide when migratory wader fly into Roebuck Bay to feed before heading off to Siberia.
The Staircase to the Sun Sunset Flight is a one and three quarter hour scenic flight that catches the last of the days light. Before sunset the flight makes a couple of quick stops, but when the sun goes down it lands on a sandbank for nibbles and drinks. The drinks provided are non-alcoholic but passengers are welcome to bring alcohol.
The facts:
Self contained apartments a Seashells Resort in Broome start from $150 per night. Seashells special stay 7 nights pay for 5. Conditions apply. Valid until 31 March, 2003.
Seashells Resort Broome
1800 623 999
The three hour Spirit of Broome Deluxe Breakfast flight costs $120 per adult and $65 for kids.
Spirit of Broome Hovercraft
Tel: 08 9193 5025
Broome Tourist Bureau
Tel: 08 9192 2222
