In the far north-west of Australia, lies the pearling capital of the world, Broome. To this day, the town remains a melting pot of cultures, rich in history and tales of those drawn there over the last century by the ‘lure of the pearl’. Long gone are the treacherous days of hard hat diving and their place remains a thriving cultured pearling industry.
Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Broome, Western Australia. Photo: Willie Creek Pearls
The Australian South Sea Cultured Pearl is produced by the largest oyster in the world, Pinctada maxima. This species of oyster is native to the north west of Australia and thrives in its warm, nutrient rich waters and extreme tides. It’s these factors combined that ensures the size and health of the oysters in the region is superior to anywhere else in the world, hence the stunning pearls they produce and also unequalled in value or quality.
Pinctada Maxima Oysters. Photo: Willie Creek Pearls
Over 20 years ago, the Banfield family, originally wheat and sheep farmers from Tincurrin moved to Broome and began running tours to Willie Creek Pearl Farm. Willie Creek Pearl Farm lies on the picturesque tidal estuary of Willie Creek itself, just 38kms north of Broome. Thousands of visitors head to Willie Creek Pearl every year to discover the journey of the Australian South Sea Cultured Pearl, from shell to showroom.Like many natural processes, the birth of a pearl takes time. But when the process is complete, the result is stunning. Oysters make pearls in response to an irritant, such as a grain of sand making its way between the mollusc’s shell and mantle. This causes them to produce nacre, a protective coating. Layers of nacre coat the irritant, eventually forming an iridescent gem – the pearl.
Live Pearl Harvest at Willie Creek Pearls Elizabeth Quay. Photo: Willie Creek Pearls
The placement of an irritant in an oyster is known as seeding. After seeding, the oysters begin a turning program at the bottom of the ocean. For three months, they relax on the calm ocean floor before being elevated to the surface where they are suspended in panels to float in the warm, nutrient-rich waters. They are monitored regularly for two years before harvest.The Banfield’s family journey into the pearling and the tourism industry eventually led them to come full circle to their roots in farming, when a large commercial pearl farming sea lease was purchased in 2015. To this day they remain passionate about all parts of the industry, from farming stunning pearls, through to education and jewellery production.Just last year, in addition to their two existing pearl jewellery showrooms in Perth, the Banfield family opened their newest location in the heart of Perth at Elizabeth Quay. The showroom not only showcases a stunning selection of Pearl jewellery, but also offers a taste of Broome through its three unique and immersive pearl experiences.
Pearl meat tasting at Willie Creek Pearls Elizabeth Quay. Photo: Willie Creek Pearls
Overlooking the beautiful Swan River, you can take a journey back in time and discover the unique history of pearling in Western Australia, and be captivated by tales of the ‘old days’ in Broome. You’ll then learn how the industry has transformed and why the finest pearls in the world are still produced here to this day. You’ll hold your breath as a Pinctada maxima oyster from the waters of Willie Creek in Broome is opened right before your eyes to reveal a stunning pearl. You can even taste the rare delicacy of pearl meat! Willie Creek’s range of pearl experiences at Elizabeth Quay includes an exclusive “Harvest your own Pearl” option, where you can keep the pearl harvested. The pearl could be valued anywhere from $500 to $5000 dollars! A truly unique Western Australian gem that will be treasured for a lifetime.To find out more about Willie Creek’s Perth Pearl Experiences, click here.
