Plan Broome freight before the wet, not during it
The businesses that get through the wet season with stock on the shelf are the ones that plan their freight in October and November. Once heavy rain arrives, road conditions in the north west can change quickly and with little notice.
The Bureau of Meteorology treats October to April as northern Australia’s wet season, with the monsoon typically arriving in late December and running to around March (BOM). For Broome freight, December to March is the stretch to plan hardest for.
This guide covers where to check conditions, how to time orders around Jolly & Sons’ fixed Broome schedule, and what to ask your carrier before the season starts.
General information, not advice. Always check current conditions with Main Roads WA and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Where to check road and weather conditions
Use official sources only. Social media and word of mouth often run behind what’s actually happening on the road.
- Main Roads WA Travel Map (travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au). Live road closures, flooding alerts and detours across WA. Some roads reopen only to certain vehicle types, and the alert lists which ones, so check whether heavy vehicles can get through.
- Main Roads Customer Information Centre on 138 138, if you’d rather ask a person.
- Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au) for cyclone, flood and severe weather warnings.
- Emergency WA (emergency.wa.gov.au) for emergency warnings during cyclones and floods.
Sources: Main Roads WA Travel Map, Main Roads WA cyclone media statement.
Time your orders around a fixed schedule
A fixed schedule is your best planning tool in the wet. When you know which days freight leaves, you can work backwards and order early enough to absorb a delay.
| Route | Departs | Arrives | Delivered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth to Broome | Tuesday | Thursday | Thursday or Friday |
| Perth to Broome | Friday | Monday | Monday |
| Broome to Perth | Thursday | Monday | Monday |
| Broome to Perth | Monday | Wednesday | Thursday |
The full timetable and booking cut-offs are on our frequently asked questions page.
Three habits make the biggest difference:
- Aim for the earlier departure. If you need stock in Broome by a set date, book it on the departure before the one you’d normally use. If weather holds that truck, you still have the next one.
- Bring critical stock forward before December. Parts and supplies that would stop work if they ran out are worth landing in Broome before the monsoon months.
- Plan around the holiday period. Christmas and New Year fall in the middle of the wet. We prepare a separate schedule for every public holiday, so check it early and book before the break.
If your site can’t receive freight when it lands, ask about holding it in storage rather than delaying the booking.
Questions to ask your carrier before the wet
Your carrier’s wet season plan matters as much as your own. Ask these before December:
- How will you tell me if a departure is held or a road closes, and how quickly?
- Can I see where my freight is during a delay, without phoning around?
- If freight is held, where is it kept and is it secure?
- Is your public holiday schedule published yet?
- Do you have a depot in Broome, or does my freight sit with a third party during disruption?
How Jolly & Sons answers these. We run our own depot at 5 McDaniel Road, Minyirr. Every consignment is tracked by GPS and barcode scanning, and customers can check status through our online customer portal (Transvirtual). Separate schedules are prepared for every public holiday.
If you’re reviewing your carrier ahead of the season, our guide to what to check before you switch Broome transport companies covers coverage, capacity, reliability and quote speed.
Wet season freight FAQs
When is the wet season in Broome? The Bureau of Meteorology treats October to April as northern Australia’s wet season, with the monsoon typically from late December to around March.
Where can I check if roads to Broome are closed? The Main Roads WA Travel Map shows live closures and flooding alerts. You can also call Main Roads on 138 138.
Does freight still run to Broome in the wet season? Scheduled services continue, but weather and road closures can delay departures. Check current conditions with Main Roads WA and ask your carrier how they’ll notify you of delays.
How far ahead should I order freight for the wet season? It depends on how critical the stock is. Book on an earlier departure than usual, and bring critical stock into Broome before December.
What days does Jolly & Sons run freight from Perth to Broome? Departures leave Perth on Tuesday and Friday, arriving in Broome on Thursday and Monday.
Book your pre-wet freight now
Jolly & Sons is a third generation, family owned freight business with more than 60 years in WA transport, and a depot in Broome. If you’re planning stock for the wet season, send us your consignment details and we’ll quote it.
Email transport@jolly.com.au, use the Get a Quote form, or reach us through our contact page.
