New festival planned to enrich the Total Solar Eclipse experience in Western Australia

A new Dark Sky Festival is planned for Exmouth and surrounding areas from 19th to 21st April 2023 to enhance the Total Solar Eclipse experience for locals and visitors with existing bookings and create further vibrancy around the TSE for regional communities.

The April 2023 event is described as a Hybrid Solar Eclipse. However, due to its location, Exmouth will experience a Total Solar Eclipse with thousands of international and domestic visitors expected to travel to Western Australia to witness the sun, moon and Earth align at 11.27am on 20th April 2023.

The three-day Dark Sky Festival will include a mixture of free and ticketed family-friendly cultural experiences, including:

• stargazing;

• science and astronomy activities;

• live musical performances; and

• unique dining opportunities.

Exmouth will be the primary festival hub, with surrounding smaller events in Onslow and across the Shire of Carnarvon to encourage visitors to explore each region as part of their TSE stay.

WA Tourism Minister Roger Cook advised "this new Dark Sky Festival is all about creating an incredible experience for visitors who have already booked accommodation in Exmouth, Carnarvon, or Onslow for the Total Solar Eclipse in 2023.

"The Dark Sky Festival will be a celebration of the dazzling night sky; ancient Aboriginal culture; otherworldly, amazing landscapes; and the world-class gourmet dining that is available to visitors all year round in these regions.

"This event will boost the local economies of Exmouth, Carnarvon, and Onslow by encouraging travellers who are already in the region for the Total Solar Eclipse to stay longer and spend more, and - most importantly - it will showcase these towns as magnificent tourism destinations to drive visitation in the future."

Supported by the Western Australian Government, the Dark Sky Festival will be delivered by Tourism WA working in partnership with the Shires of Exmouth, Carnarvon, and Ashburton.

Event managers Mellen Events - in a joint venture with culinary events company We Are Gather - have been appointed by Tourism WA to develop a series of experiences for the festival.

An event organising committee - led by Tourism WA - will bring together regional stakeholders and local governments to ensure the Dark Sky Festival complements existing local activities and supports local community involvement.

For more information go to ningalooeclipse.com/.