Staying in Exmouth

April is a hot autumn month in Exmouth, with an average temperature varying between 25.6°C (78.1°F) and 35°C (95°F)

Expect it to get very hot outdoors and make sure you’re SunSmart whilst enjoying Eclipse activities in regional WA. Whilst sunscreen will be available for purchase at shops in the region, be prepared with your own supply; consider reef safe sunscreen when swimming, wear a hat and don’t forget to stay hydrated.

Free Town Shuttle

To assist visitors to move around safely, a shuttle service will operate around the town site, travelling in a loop and dropping passengers at a series of designated destinations. See shuttle stop locations in map below.

Shuttle stops:

• Town Centre
• Talanjee Oval
• Ningaloo Centre
• Town Beach
• Yacht Club – Temporary stop to run only on the 19th & 20th during yacht club event hours
• Welch Street Campsite
• Murat North

Shuttle will operate approximately every 15 minutes during Eclipse week; Monday 17th April through Friday 21st April. The scheduled hours of operation is as follows:

Mon 7am – 7pm
Tues 7am – 7pm
Wed 7am – 11pm
Thur 7am – 11pm
Fri 7am – 11pm

Accessible buses are available. Please speak to your bus driver to assist in coordinating passage.

 

Taxis & Rideshare

Like many other remote and regional areas in WA, there are limited private taxis and no ride-share operators in Exmouth and the surrounding towns. There is one taxi company with three taxis and there is no Uber.

Exmouth Taxis: www.exmouthtaxis.com

Carnarvon Taxis: www.carnarvontaxis.com.au

Onslow Taxis: taxisinaustralia.com/western-australia/onslow-wa/

Roads

Please be mindful that, due to the volume of attendees expected, longer than usual travel times should be considered and note the impact of changed traffic conditions in your planning.

Traffic management will be in place on major roads between Geraldton, Exmouth and Karratha to assist in managing the increased travellers expected on the roads.

This includes variable message signs, reduced speeds, portable traffic signals and signs advising which sites can be accessed for temporary parking.

Be prepared, visit Main Roads’ Travel Map  to plan your journey.

Boat Ramps

Skippers should be aware of the on-water closures in place for the event to ensure safety. There will be an exclusion zone for motorised vessels at Town Beach from 17 to 21 April and also at the Viewing Site on 20 April 2023.

Be patient at the boat ramp and be ready to launch when it’s your turn. Large numbers of craft will be launched and retrieved each day during the event.

Exmouth Boat Harbour is managed by the Department of Transport and officers will be on hand to assist.

If you’re a water user, it’s time to get on board with planned changes to water safety rules in WA.

New rules are coming that will make life jackets compulsory and see a range of important safety measures introduced.

Wheelchair and Mobility

Dark Sky Festival sites; Federation Park, Talanjee Oval, the official viewing site and most program activities are accessible by wheelchair and mobility aids – that includes walking aids, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and people with prams. Please note that beach access can vary and may not be suitable depending on the individual’s access requirements.

Facilities and Parking

Dark Sky Festival sites;
Federation Park, Talanjee Oval and Town Beach as well as the official viewing site have accessible toilet facilities on site.

Please note that limited accessibility parking is available at Town Beach; vehicles must display ACCROD passes.

There are accessible buses within the fleet of free town shuttle buses. Please speak to your bus drivers to assist in coordinating passage.

National Park Acces

With greater than usual visitor numbers arriving to the region during the Eclipse period, measures will be in place to help protect the pristine environment in Ningaloo’s world heritage listed area.

Controlled access will be in place for Cape Range National Park between 17 and 23 April 2023. Capacity limits apply and traffic management will be in place.

Some areas will also be closed on the day of the eclipse or over the eclipse period. Closures are as follows:

• Charles Knife Canyon – closed 20 April 2023 and limited access from 17-23 April
• Shothole Canyon – closed from 17-23 April
• Sandy Bay track – closed from 17-23 April

Visit Explore Parks WA for further details: Explore Parks WA (dbca.wa.gov.au)

 

Visitors to Exmouth are encouraged to book and secure accommodation before travel – it’s booking up, but there are different accommodation options still available. Demand for all accommodation, and hotel/motel rooms in particular, is strong, so be prepared for prices to be higher than usual.

For further information on all other accommodation, availability and bookings, visit Ningaloo Visitor Centre, Exmouth.

Visitors are encouraged to contact providers directly, particularly where rates and availability may not be available online.

Additional accommodation opportunities may be released progressively in the lead up to April 2023 – so keep in touch with private providers and key central websites such as visitor centres and local shires.

Camping

There is no free camping in the regions – and illegal camping will not be permitted. Camping includes sleeping in, on or around a vehicle, tent, caravan or swag including at roadside parking and stop areas that do not display 24hr stopping signs. It is an offence to camp anywhere other than in a registered/designated camping location and this will be strictly enforced.

For more information, the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions has some good tips for campers.

The Shire of Exmouth has opened a new campsite – the Welch Street Overflow – with 1,000 sites to specifically accommodate Ningaloo Eclipse viewers, with fully self-contained and serviced camp site options available. Find out more on the Shire of Exmouth website.

While the regions are always well-prepared for traditional peak tourist seasons, the Solar Eclipse will attract unprecedented numbers of visitors, particularly to Exmouth. The State Government has provided local capability funds to help local eateries and grocery stores expand their cold and dry storage capacity.

Local stores and eateries are also planning ahead with options including the scheduling of extra deliveries.

Food trucks will operate at key events and campsites to provide visitors further food options to enjoy.

Visitors may want to bring some of their own food and water supplies. The weather will be hot and staying hydrated will be a priority.

Responsible use of alcohol

Locals and visitors alike are urged to serve and consume alcohol responsibly – at all times.

There will be restrictions on the consumption of alcohol in key event areas, including the viewing site in Exmouth. More details will be provided in the weeks ahead. Please check the relevant websites and local signage for particular rules that apply in each area.

Thousands of extra visitors in the regions for the Solar Eclipse will produce significant extra waste and everyone is asked to play their part in minimising the amount of waste, and disposing of waste responsibly. With assistance from the WA Government Local shires have been working hard to ensure there is additional capacity in the waste management systems.

The natural marine and land environment throughout the region is exceptionally diverse, beautiful and precious. A range of measures are in place but we all have a duty to protect, care and conserve this pristine environment.

Please dispose of your rubbish wisely or store it responsibly to take it away with you. Visit the Keep Australia Beautiful website for more.

To assist in planning your journey and Eclipse experience in Exmouth please refer to the below maps.

Reginal Essential Services Map
Exmouth Essential Services & Eclipse Venues Map
Welch St Campsite Map

Health and Safety is everyone’s responsibility to ensure your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others please follow the advice. Visitors should remain health and safety conscious at all times.

In the event of an emergency call 000.

Only attend the ED in the event of an emergency.

Exmouth Hospital: Lyon street, Exmouth

Exmouth Police Station: 32 Maidstone Crescent, Exmouth

Exmouth Pharmacy: Ross Street Mall Ross St, Exmouth WA

Emergency Contacts:

Call 000 for life threatening emergencies

Visit: emergency.wa.gov.au

Call: 13 DFES (13 3337)

FaceBook:  @dfeswa

Twitter:  @dfes_wa

Bureau of Meteorology

Weather Warnings 1300 659 210

bom.gov.au/wa/warnings

Main Roads 

Call: 138 138

travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au