Solar eclipse to attract thousands to 'middle of nowhere' in 2028

The 2028 total solar eclipse is expected to attract an extra 25,000 visitors to the East Kimberley. (AP: Eric Gay) Excitement is building ahead of the 2028 total solar eclipse, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors to WA's north. The state government has allocated $24.6 million to fund new infrastructure ahead of the event. The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley president says he hopes the funding will have a long-term positive impact. Link copiedShareShare articleDoon Doon, in Western Australia's East Kimberley region, is a small roadhouse with a dozen transient staff and known for its oversized burgers. But in just over two years' time, it will be put on the global map as the best place to admire one of the longest eclipses this century. The 2028 eclipse in the East Kimberley will be one of the longest this century. (Supplied: NASA) The region, 3,000 kilometres north of Perth, will be in complete darkness for more than five minutes and is expected to attract around 25,000 extra visitors from across the world. Doon Doon roadhouse manager Shayne Stewart said he found out about the astronomical phenomenon just after the Exmouth eclipse in 2023, when the phone started ringing with booking requests for 2028. Shayne Stewart says the eclipse will put Doon Doon on the world map. (Supplied: Shayne Stewart) Mr Stewart said the eclipse would shine a light on Doon Doon and the nearby Aboriginal community of Woolah. "They have had contact from people in Japan wanting to go to the school," he said. The exposure will bring some challenges for the small roadhouse and community, with fewer than 100 people between locals and staff welcoming thousands of visitors to "the middle of nowhere". But preparations for the event were already underway, he added. "We don't want to sit back and not do anything and have people lined up out the door from here for the next 3km trying to get fuel or something to eat." The caravan park is set to be expanded from 25 unpowered sites to 100. Kununurra Visitor Centre chief executive Vivienne McEvoy said she had been responding to enquiries about the eclipse for a decade. She said both big groups and families had started planning their travels to see the eclipse "first, not last". Vivienne McEvoy says the visitors' centre has been receiving enquiries about the eclipse for the past decade. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio) "If they wait until they see it in Sydney, then photos and all the amazing stuff that happens around an eclipse have already been posted on social media," Ms McEvoy said. While the visitor centre and local tourism businesses are thinking ahead, discussing how to secure affordable airfares and accommodation, they are struggling with the impact of the Middle East war and the uncertainty it creates for both the present and the future. Purnululu National Park in the East Kimberley is one of WA's tourism hotspots. (Supplied: Gary Annett) While Ms McEvoy said she could not predict what the cost of fuel would be in two years, plans were being established to keep visitors safe. The WA government has set aside $24.6 million in this year's budget towards the 2028 eclipse. Ms McEvoy said it was important to keep visitors safe in the beautiful but unforgiving Kimberley environment. "It's about keeping people safe where they think they can travel down a little goat track in their two-wheel-drive vehicle," she said. Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley president David Menzel said he hoped the funds would provide long-term community benefits. David Menzel hopes funding for the eclipse will bring long-term benefits. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio) Mr Menzel said upgraded campgrounds and tourism facilities were needed in a region with all the cards to attract international tourism, and only needed the right marketing and infrastructure to support it. "We've got one dry season to prepare for this influx of visitors," Mr Menzel said. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop StoriesProperty investors targeted in 'ambitious' budgetTopic:Government and Politics

Solar eclipse to attract thousands to 'middle of nowhere' in 2028

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