Tourism WA has announced that $19.3 million has been committed in the State Budget to support preparations for the Total Solar Eclipse (TSE) next year.
This allocation takes total funding for the event to $21.1 million, assisting it to draw a significant amount of international and domestic visitors to Western Australia to witness the natural phenomenon of the Sun, Moon and Earth in alignment at 11.27am on 20 April 2023.
In a statement, Tourism WA said Exmouth had been identified as the best land-based place in the world to view the eclipse, with the Exmouth Peninsula set to experience full darkness.
“Other locations around WA will see a partial solar eclipse, including Perth witnessing a 70 per cent eclipse, Geraldton about 80 per cent, Carnarvon 95 per cent, Karratha 97 per cent and Coral Bay 99 per cent,” Tourism WA said.
“While the actual eclipse is relatively short, we expect visitors to stay in the region for around five days.”
Tourism WA said it would be organising a major event in the region to support the success of the TSE for visitors and local businesses, and to highlight the State’s potential as a dark sky tourism destination.
The Department of Jobs, Trade, Tourism and Innovation is leading the whole-of-Government approach to the management of the TSE event.
A cross-Government working group has been established, including representatives from 13 State Government Agencies and one Federal Government Agency, to plan and manage this special natural event.
Minister for Tourism, Roger Cook said that beyond the benefits for the tourist industry, these astronomical events had the potential to inspire the next generation to learn more about the universe, and take up science, technology engineering and maths studies and careers.
