The Pearl Luggers museum on Dampier Terrace is built around two restored pearling luggers — the traditional wooden sailing vessels that once formed the backbone of Broome's pearling fleet. The museum tells the story of the pearling industry from its 19th-century origins through the dramatic period when Broome's 400 luggers made it responsible for 80 per cent of the world's mother-of-pearl supply.
Former pearl divers give guided tours of the boats, explaining the mechanics of the dive and the dangerous life aboard. The museum covers not just the technical history but the human story: the hierarchy among crews of different nationalities, the brutal working conditions, the frequent fatalities, and the extraordinary multicultural community the industry created. This is the best starting point for understanding what Broome was and why it looks the way it does.