Under the leadership of William Dampier, the first scientific expedition to Australia by the British was carried out in 1699 aboard the HMS Roebuck. Embarking on a voyage of discovery, the HMS Roebuck explored North-Western Australia and was finally shipwrecked and named after this ship is Roebuck Bay, a bay found in Western Australia close to the city of Broome. Roebuck Bay is unique in that instead of the warm light brown sandy beaches one is accustomed to associating the coastal belt with, the bay near Broome is characterised by beaches with red sand, making it a stunning visual.
Located a few minutes away from resorts in the area such as Oaks Broome, Roebuck Bay is an interesting place to visit for, historically, the Bay was important to Jukun and Yawuru tribes for a number of social events such as settling disputes that had arisen between members, agreeing on marriages and for meetings. In modern times, the Roebuck Bay is habitually visited by tourists residing in Broome resorts and other attractions in the area include the Broome Bird Observatory. This combined with the natural allure and diversity of bird species in the area, bird watching enthusiasts are often quite delighted.
Being surrounded by grasslands and woodland, the red sand is highlighted even more. While the sand derives its distinct red hue due to the pindan soil, the Bay is intriguing for many other reasons as well. For instance, at the base of the Broome Sandstone cliffs located on the northern shore of Roebuck Bay, one may find fossil footprints of dinosaurs known as ichnite. It is also a haven for nature enthusiasts as eleven species of mangroves can be found in the Bay. Additionally, species of marine fish, prawns, Green Turtles, dolphins and Dugongs find the natural environment created by the Bay beneficial and somewhat necessary to sustain the growth of such species in the area.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
