# Staircase to the Moon Broome | When, Where & How to See It Canonical: https://bookfromowner.com.au/guides/wa/north-west/broome/staircase-to-the-moon/ Type: AttractionGuide Location: Broome, Australia's North West, Western Australia Last updated: 2026-06-01 > The complete guide to the Staircase to the Moon in Broome — what causes it, exact dates for each month, the best viewing spots at Town Beach and the Mangrove Hotel, the Staircase Markets, photography tips, and what to know before you go. ## Quick Answer - Best for: Photographers, couples, natural phenomena hunters - Price range: Free (markets open alongside) - Vibe: Surreal, still, genuinely spectacular - Distance: Town Beach, 2km from Broome centre ## Featured Properties - Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa: 4.5/5 (968 reviews) Book direct: https://www.cablebeachclub.com/ Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa — Broome - Broome Caravan Park: 4.2/5 (589 reviews) Book direct: https://summerstar.com.au/caravan-parks/broome?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-website Broome Caravan Park — Broome - Beaches of Broome: 4.4/5 (293 reviews) Book direct: http://www.beachesofbroome.com.au/ Beaches of Broome — Broome ## FAQ Q: When is the Staircase to the Moon in Broome? A: The Staircase to the Moon occurs on specific nights between March and October, when the full moon rises while the tide is low enough to expose Roebuck Bay's mudflats. It typically happens over two or three consecutive nights per month during this season. The exact dates and moon rise times change every year, because they depend on the alignment of the full moon cycle with the Kimberley tidal cycle. The Broome Visitor Centre publishes an official annual schedule — this is the most reliable source of exact viewing dates and times. Q: Where is the best place to see the Staircase to the Moon in Broome? A: The two main viewing spots are Town Beach foreshore (the dedicated viewing platform with the Staircase Markets running alongside) and the Mangrove Hotel deck on Carnarvon Street (an elevated view over Roebuck Bay, with a bar and restaurant). Town Beach is the community gathering spot and gives the closest view of the mudflat reflection; the Mangrove Hotel is less crowded and allows you to sit with a drink. Both face east over Roebuck Bay, which is the only side from which the Staircase is visible — Cable Beach, which faces west, does not offer any view of the event. Q: Is the Staircase to the Moon free to see? A: Yes — watching the Staircase to the Moon from Town Beach or any public foreshore viewpoint is entirely free. The Staircase Markets that run alongside at Town Beach are also free to browse; you pay only for food and any craft or produce you choose to buy. The Mangrove Hotel is a licensed venue and charges normal bar and restaurant prices if you choose to watch from there. There are no tickets, no admission fees and no booking required for the viewing itself. Q: Is the Staircase to the Moon good for children? A: Yes — it is one of the best family experiences in Broome. The Town Beach markets give children something to do before the main event (eating from the stalls, browsing, the general atmosphere), and the phenomenon itself — the moon rising over the dark bay, the light stepping across the water — captivates children and adults equally. The foreshore and markets are flat and accessible. Bring a light layer for children after sunset and plan to arrive early so the family can eat at the market stalls before the viewing platform gets crowded. Q: What if it is cloudy on the Staircase to the Moon night? A: A full overcast will prevent you from seeing the Staircase, as the moon needs to be visible to produce the reflection. Partial cloud can produce dramatic effects — the moon breaking through cloud onto the bay can create a theatrical lighting effect of its own. If your viewing night has cloud cover, the Staircase Markets at Town Beach are still worth attending; the food stalls, craft vendors and community atmosphere make for a good evening regardless of the sky. If your schedule allows two consecutive Staircase nights, book both as insurance against cloud on the first. Q: Can you see the Staircase to the Moon from Cable Beach? A: No. Cable Beach faces due west and overlooks the Indian Ocean; the Staircase to the Moon occurs to the east, over Roebuck Bay. To see the Staircase you need to be at an east-facing viewing point over Roebuck Bay — Town Beach foreshore and the Mangrove Hotel are the two main options. If you are staying exclusively on the Cable Beach side, you will need a short drive or taxi to Town Beach on Staircase nights. ## At a Glance - What it is: Full moon reflecting off Roebuck Bay's tiered, exposed mudflats — creates an optical illusion of a staircase to the moon - Season: March to October (approximately); dependent on full moon + low tide occurring after dark - Best months: Typically March–May and August–October — the low tide aligns best with evening hours - Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours per viewing night - Primary viewing spot: Town Beach foreshore, Broome — dedicated viewing platform and Staircase Markets - Alternative spot: Mangrove Hotel deck, Roebuck Bay — elevated view, less crowded, bar on site - Dates source: Broome Visitor Centre publishes exact viewing dates and times annually - Cost: Free to view; Staircase Markets alongside (food stalls, craft) ## Featured - 1. Town Beach foreshore and Staircase Markets — The main event — foreshore platform, market stalls, the community atmosphere - Why people love it: The Staircase and the market happening together — the food, the craft, the crowd all turned east watching the same sky — is the quintessential Broome community experience. - Don't miss: Arriving an hour early to eat at the market stalls, then claiming a spot on the foreshore platform and watching the whole community turn east as the moon rises. - Good to know: The viewing platform fills up in July and August — arrive at least 30 minutes before moon rise or you'll be behind the front row. The markets can get crowded; go early for the best food selection. - 2. Mangrove Hotel deck — the elevated alternative — A bar, a view, fewer people — the locals' choice - Why people love it: The elevated view over the bay, a cold drink in hand, and the option to sit down — the more comfortable way to see the Staircase on a night when the markets are crowded. - Don't miss: A table on the elevated deck with a drink ready as the moon rises over the bay — book ahead and arrive before the deck fills. - Good to know: The deck fills on peak Staircase nights — book ahead, especially in July and August. The view is great but slightly more distant than the Town Beach foreshore platform. - 3. Roebuck Bay lookout — the quiet alternative for photographers — Less crowded, east-facing, good for photography - Why people love it: For photographers who want space and no crowd behind them, the quieter Roebuck Bay foreshore positions offer the same phenomenon with room to work. - Don't miss: Scouting a quiet foreshore position in daylight on the afternoon before, then setting up a tripod and shooting the moon rise with no one standing in your frame. - Good to know: These are informal spots with no facilities — no toilets, no food, no parking right at the water's edge. Scout in daylight; don't rely on finding a good unobstructed position after dark. - 4. The food and market scene at the Staircase Markets — Arrive an hour early — the markets are the equal of the phenomenon - Why people love it: The Kimberley barramundi at the food stalls followed by the moon rising over Roebuck Bay — that's the full Staircase night, and the market half is as good as the astronomy. - Don't miss: Arriving early for the food stalls — fresh Kimberley barramundi and a browse through the Pearl and Aboriginal art vendors before the moon rises. - Good to know: The best food stalls sell out early — arrive at least 90 minutes before moon rise to eat, browse and still get a prime viewing position before the platform fills. - 5. Photography — how to capture the Staircase — The shot everyone wants — it's achievable with the right preparation - Why people love it: It's one of the rare natural phenomena where a prepared smartphone photographer can come home with an image they're genuinely proud of — the light does most of the work. - Don't miss: Setting up — even just a braced smartphone — before moon rise and capturing the staircase in its first 30 minutes while the moon is still low and the effect is most pronounced. - Good to know: Flash photography is useless and ruins other people's shots — turn it off. Camera shake is the main enemy; even resting a phone on a solid surface beats holding it by hand. - 6. Understanding the date schedule — and what happens if it's cloudy — The dates move each month — check before you plan - Why people love it: Planning around the date schedule rather than hoping for a coincidence is what separates visitors who see it from those who don't — the Visitor Centre makes it easy. - Don't miss: Picking up the annual date schedule at the Broome Visitor Centre on the first day of your trip and building your itinerary around it. - Good to know: Do not assume the Staircase is visible every full moon during the season — the dates depend on the tidal alignment, not just the moon phase. Check the schedule; don't guess. ## What travellers say - [positive] What a recent visitor said: - [positive] What a recent visitor said: - [positive] What a recent visitor said: