McAlpine House

Description

McAlpine House is an historic master pearler’s home sensitively transformed to provide boutique hotel accommodation for just 16 guests.
The serene Broome bungalow offers old world charm, elegance and serenity. Each of the eight guest rooms has its own style and private outdoor escape, while lush tropical gardens, lattice verandahs and swimming pool offer enchanting dining settings and intimate nooks. The property also features a gym-equipped pergola, bird aviary and library.
Dedicated staff with a terrific knowledge of the local region ensure your stay is special and your needs are met – whether it’s preparing a gourmet picnic to savour Broome’s spectacular setting suns and rising moons, or arranging a customised tour into the stunning landscapes of the Kimberley.
Broome’s history and its eclectic culture are alive and well in McAlpine House. Made from corrugated iron and timber with spacious, latticed verandahs, the house is in the traditional and unique architectural style of Broome. It served as Lord Alistair McAlpine’s residence for 10 years, during which time he planted an extensive garden with aviaries housing exotic birds – including his prized Eclectus Parrots, which still reside at the house today.

A one-of-a-kind property.

Australian Traveller

Location: Broome and The Kimberley

In the 1880s, the beautiful waters off Broome gave the town more than a sublime setting – they supported a thriving pearling industry, in turn drawing pearl divers from Japan, Malaya and the Philippines. The pearls are still here, so too is a vibrant multicultural population which boasts a blissed-out, colourful lifestyle.
Local attractions include fiery red ochre cliffs, 22km-long Cable Beach, dinosaur footprints at Point Gantheaume, Sun Pictures (the world’s oldest outdoor movies) and the Staircase to the Moon (for three days after the full moon from March to October, reflections stretch out across shiny mudflats creating the beautiful illusion of a long silver staircase).
From Broome, venture north into Cape Leveque to experience an authentic Australian outback adventure by four wheel drive, take a scenic flight over extraordinary rock formations and magnificent waterfalls, or cruise through the inland waterways that permeate the region.
Broome is a gateway to the Kimberley – one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. Covering an expanse of nearly 423,000 square kilometres and with an estimated population of just 30,000 it has fewer people per square kilometre than almost any other place on Earth.
One of its many highlights is the dramatic Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu), famous for its giant ‘beehives’ of domed rocks.

Activities offered by the property

Facilities in the hotel include a guest-use gourmet kitchen, 24-hour liquor licence and bar, restaurant catering, swimming pool, library, BBQ facilities and Chinese tea house.
McAlpine House can arrange any tour you may wish to join, but is especially pleased to offer the ‘Children of the Lugger People’ tour.
It’s led by Neville Poelina, a third-generation pearlshell diver who followed in the footsteps of his Timorese father to become one of Broome’s most acclaimed pearlshell divers. His tour offers a rare opportunity to see Broome through the eyes of a true Kimberley personality, one whose family has lived and worked in the famous pearling town for generations. The tour also embraces the rich and ancient Aboriginal culture of his mother’s Nyikina people. You’ll journey to the soul of Broome and discover the melting pot of Aboriginal, Asian and European influences that imbue this special place with its own exotic flavour.

Seasonal considerations

McAlpine House is open all year. Seasonal fluctuations are reflected in their rates, with peak season being from June to October in the dry season.

Dining

Breakfast is provided daily.

Suitable/best for

Couples
Honeymooners
Small Groups
Solo Traveller

Individual room description

Described as living history with modern luxury, McAlpine House boasts historic warmth coupled with modern features. Offering a choice of home-style lodge accommodation in eight air-conditioned rooms, McAlpine House has two authentic Pearlers rooms, two Library rooms (both upstairs), three Garden suites and the McAlpine suite which takes you to another place in history, with its 19th century four poster bed, unique timberwork and latticed, enclosed poolside verandah.
All are tastefully furnished with Javanese furniture and named after Lord McAlpine’s favourite birds.