More rooms needed for an extra 25,000 solar eclipse chasers in 2028

Kimberley tourism operators must urgently prepare for an influx of up to 25,000 stargazers for the 2028 total eclipse or they will go elsewhere to watch the astronomical wonder, a marketing consultant’s report concludes. The East Kimberley will be the best place to see the total solar eclipse on July 22 2028 as it tracks south-east across Australia through the Northern Territory, outback Queensland and NSW before finishing in Sydney. But the exciting tourism opportunity also comes with challenges as the eclipse will occur at the peak of the dry season, when accommodation is usually booked out. A report commissioned by the Kimberley Development Commission and the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley projected there would be an extra 25,000 people travelling to the Kimberley for the eclipse, converging mostly on Kununurra and its surrounds. Fourteen-thousand of those were expected to stay overnight, while a further 8570 would be day trippers or fly-in, fly-out visitors. Another 4550 tourists were expected to come from cruise ships. The report said now there was an understanding of the potential number of visitors for the eclipse, there was an urgency to prepare for the event. “(The eclipse) occurs at the peak of the tourism season where in normal circumstances accommodation capacity is already stretched to its limits,” it said. “With an understanding of the potential visitation numbers, identifying the accommodation capacity in the East Kimberley and additional accommodation requirements will be important to establishing how the demand will be met. “It is critical that work begins on educating the Kimberley tourism sector and the broader community on the challenges and opportunities they will face as the demand builds for the eclipse. “If this is not actioned urgently, then momentum for the Kimberley over other destinations to witness the TSE28 (total solar eclipse 2028) will be lost.” The report noted the experience of Exmouth last year, which had projected about 50,000 people would arrive in the Coral Coast town, which was the only place on land to see the total eclipse. However, only 18,000 people visited because of uncertainty over flight availability and accommodation options. The report recommended that a consultation and governance committee be set up immediately to advocate and plan locally for the 2028 eclipse. The Kimberley Development Commission in Kununurra has taken on the task of steering the planning for the major tourism event. KDC chief executive Chuck Berger said preparing for the eclipse would involve lots of organisations and government agencies. “You’ve got the tourism industry, the local shire, and potentially the need for infrastructure investment ahead of time, so roads and other facilities,” he said. “As you get closer to the event, steps need to be put in place to manage a large number of people as well.” He said health staff, police and emergency services would all need to be aware of what was going on. “Our role right now is to just try and help establish a good framework for how all of that’s going to happen over the next couple of years,” Mr Berger said. He said the challenge of providing accommodation for an extra 25,000 visitors during the peak tourism season was a “great problem to have”. “It means it is a big economic development opportunity for our region,” Mr Berger said. He said the Kimberley had a clear advantage over other destinations as it was the most desirable place to view the eclipse. The North West will provide the longest duration of eclipse totality and the greatest possibility of clear skies in which to view it. At Mitchell Falls, 539km north-west of Kununurra, the totality will start at 10.49am and will last for five minutes and 9.8 seconds. Kununurra will experience totality occurring at 10.59am for two minutes and 49.8 seconds. Other places with accommodation in the path of the eclipse are El Questro and several station stays on the Gibb River Road, including Ellenbrae Station. Purnululu National Park, and Doon Doon and Glen Hill stations will also be prime viewing spots.