It's on this seemingly Martian landscape, with bare feet firmly planted in ancient red soil, that you can tilt your head skyward and gaze upon the even more ancient light that is our galaxy.
Welcome to Broome, a geographically unique location for stargazers as it allows one to see constellations from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
"What I've learned from looking up at the stars and the planets is they're all in the right place – so we must be too". This is Greg Quicke, owner and operator of Greg Quicke's Astro Tours based out of Broome, and a man deeply connected to the cosmos.
Astro Tours, Broome
Greg's path to becoming an astronomer is somewhat unconventional, yet completely rational. A long-time resident of Broome, Greg began as a bush mechanic before his curiosity lured him into pearl diving. It's there his passion for the sky above blossomed. "Being a pearl diver was my first astronomical step. Living life by the tides, which are governed by the moon!".
Greg has been delivering intensely practical astronomy to the curious minds of Broome and its visitors since 1995 – and what an idyllic place to do so, with virtually zero light pollution the night sky seems bigger, brighter and more brilliant. "Broome is a different place, everything that happens here seems to be bigger," he says, "tides are bigger, colours are bigger, barramundi are bigger – it's almost like people's hearts are bigger in Broome too."
Equipped with his big telescopes, lasers and good sense of humour, Greg takes visitors on a two-hour mind-bending cosmic journey that's equal parts astronomy and philosophy. His hope is that with this experience, stargazers will develop an ability to see things for what they really are – that the stars, our planet and everyone on it are exactly where they're supposed to be. So just relax and enjoy the ride!
And his advice for people who want to learn more about our universe? "Just take yourself under the stars and look!" It seems the more you look, the more you'll discover.
If you want to begin your cosmic journey to the Broome region, why not follow the Ardi Cultural Drive which explores the Bardi and Nyul Nyul country of the Dampier Peninsula? Over the course of six days, you'll see some of the region's most iconic sights including Cable Beach and Cape Leveque where you can join the local Bardi people for spear fishing, crabbing and bush tucker experiences.
Greg Quicke, Astro Tours, Broome
On day three of your journey, heading from Cape Leveque to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, why not jump on a scenic flight for a bird's eye view of the stunning Buccaneer Archipelago or a boat ride to Horizontal Falls where you can play castaway on your own private beach?
Over the next two days, the region is your oyster (literally) with pearl farms, bushwalks with locals, four wheel drive adventures and camel rides on the beach all well within your reach. And if you can't decide, just look up at the stars and the answer will surely reveal itself to you.
Published March 2023.