The Home of the WA Pearl

It has been more than 30 years since the alluring Australian South Sea Pearl brought the Banfield family, owners of Willie Creek Pearls, to Broome. The Western Australian family business has grown to include the multi award-winning Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour, historical Pearl Luggers Museum Tour and seven stunning pearl jewellery showrooms across Broome and Perth. Three generations of family work in the business today, providing a personal touch across each location.

A Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour is a must-do experience while visiting Broome. This is the home of the Pearl of Western Australia, where the Willie Creek Pearls’ team sustainably produce the best pearls in the world; Australian South Sea Pearls. Gain an exclusive insight into the journey of the pearl in modern farming, from shell to showroom.

Experience the beauty of the Kimberley region as you journey along the rich, pindan track to the farm, via 4WD or an air-conditioned coach with guided commentary. Upon arrival, you are greeted by the magnificent scenery at Willie Creek Pearl Farm, where the tides and nutrient rich warm waters combine to create ideal conditions for the Pinctada maxima oyster, the world’s largest pearl producing oyster, to thrive.

The tour takes you through the journey of the pearl, starting in the Pearl Oyster Nursery. Here, you will learn all about the delicate operations involved in seeding the oysters, before you experience a beautiful cruise on the calm, tranquil waters of the farm’s namesake, Willie Creek, to get a closer glimpse of the oyster long lines — and if you are lucky, the resident crocodiles as well. Next, relax and enjoy a delicious serving of homemade damper and refreshments on the deck outside Harvest Café while you soak in the atmosphere and stunning scenery. Each tour includes a Pearling Masterclass, which features a live pearl harvest where an oyster is opened, and a pearl revealed. The most fascinating aspect of pearl farming is that you never know what is inside until the oyster, after two years of meticulous care, is finally opened in a breathtaking moment, and the pearl discovered. For those unable to travel to Broome, Willie Creek Pearls brings the pearl harvesting experience to you in the heart of Perth, at their Elizabeth Quay showroom.

A world-class attraction highlighting a unique and authentically Australian product, experience for yourself why this business was recently awarded a gold and bronze medal at the 2022 Australian Tourism Awards.

Further expanding their operations Willie Creek Pearls is collaborating with Marine Biomedical to utilise the marine environment in the development of life-changing medical products. Marine Biomedical is using patented technology PearlBoneTM to transform pearl shell supplied by Willie Creek Pearls into a natural bone substitute for orthopaedic trauma medicine. The collaboration demonstrates the incredible potential of using natural marine derived organisms as a substitute for synthetic materials, and is set to revolutionise the global medical sector.

Book online at visitbroome.com.au/members/willie-creek-pearls