Women say outback contest 'not just bikinis and beauty'

Francisca Henriquez never thought she'd be walking down a catwalk in outback Western Australia.

The 31-year-old, recently crowned 2026 Miss Cable Beach, said she was naturally a shy person.

But gliding down a pub stage in front of a packed crowd in Broome brought out her "alter ego".

"All my friends, all the people I love were there to support me and scream my name,"

she said.

"I really love that energy around me."

The Miss Cable Beach contest has been running for more than three decades, and continues to draw crowds and numerous entries.

While core aspects of the competition have held firm, organisers argue the event has evolved since its 1991 inception.

Events coordinator at Divers Tavern Saoirse Meally said participants were given more opportunities to share their personality and style, with the addition of more questions and a resort wear round.

"It's not just all about the bikini and appearance, it's about what's inside the girl too," she said.

"Girls of every shape and size can get on that stage."

Ms Meally said she had seen women "completely come out of their shells" after competing.

"After they've done it, they're on a high for a week," she said.

"Their perception of it completely changes."

Hailing from Chile, Ms Henriquez has called Broome home for four years.

She first entered last year with hopes of purchasing her mother a plane ticket to Broome using the $10,000 prize money.

The contest surprised her.

"For sure it's about beauty, but also something deeper about how women feel about themselves," she said.

"How they can go on stage and say, 'this is my body and I'm proud about it'."

While the money might have spurred her entry, Ms Henriquez said it was something she would look back on in years to come.

"I can see how proud I feel about myself," she said.

She said this year's prize money will go towards her next visa application, and dream of staying in town.

For men looking to strut their stuff, a "Mr Cable Beach" event runs alongside the women's final event.

Body positive or objectification?

Across Australia, the landscape of bikini competitions has shifted away from casual pub contests to competitive fitness events.

But in Broome, traditions like Miss Cable Beach and the Roebuck Bay Hotel's Wet Tee competition have remained.

Some feel conflicted as to whether these events still have a place in today's society.

Professor of Body Image and Health at Flinders University Ivanka Prichard said her immediate thought when it came to a bikini contest was one of concern.

"Given that a bikini competition would imply that someone's body is on display, potentially objectified," she said.

"We know that when we objectify, particularly the female body, that people feel worse about themselves."

Professor Prichard said she had a mixed opinion on the events.

"But if it's done carefully and there are a range of options for those competing, then I think that could be a positive thing," she said.