Pearl Luggers

Pearl Luggers is a heritage tourism attraction in Chinatown, Broome, Western Australia, located on Dampier Terrace. It preserves two original fully restored pearl luggers and interprets the town's pearling history dating from the 1880s. Operated as a museum with guided tours, it displays diving equipment, photographs and artefacts illustrating the multicultural pearling industry. The site is notable for its authentic vessels, shore-based exhibits and connection to Broome's economic and cultural development.

Visitors can expect a guided tour-based experience on a compact outdoor site in central Broome. The attraction centres on two original pearl luggers displayed on land, with access to decks and interpretive displays of diving helmets, pumps, shell and historical photographs. Guides explain pearling techniques, lugger operation and life of the crews. The setting includes shaded exhibit areas, a retail area for pearls and souvenirs, and photo opportunities around the vessels.

Represents Broome's pearling industry which developed from the 1880s and became the world's major source of mother-of-pearl and South Sea pearls. The luggers on display are original vessels used for pearl diving operations, illustrating lugger design, diving technology and the evolution of the industry from natural shell collection to cultured pearl farming.

Interprets the multicultural heritage of Broome's pearling community, including Aboriginal, European, Japanese, Malay, Chinese and Torres Strait Islander contributions to the industry, and its role in shaping the town's identity, architecture and economy.