WA tourist hotspots open for business for Easter despite double impact of cyclone and fuel fears

Tourist operators say fuel is available in holiday hotspots and they are confident the clean-up from cyclone Narelle will not impact the Easter break with bookings higher than 2025. A survey of more than 50 visitor centres and tourism associations found only a few were reporting fuel shortages or self-imposed limits. Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said bookings were up five per cent compared with Easter last year, and two per cent have booked in the past week despite the double hit of the cyclone and fuel crises. “Easter looks like it will be stronger than last year in many destinations,” he said. “Major tourist destinations and road trip routes for the coming season are reporting fuel is available. We understand fuel is available for those travelling into Western Australia from the Northern Territory through Kununurra, or South Australia via the Eyre Highway.” He’s urged tourists to keep their bookings. “When visitors stay away it only compounds the economic damage of the cyclone,” Mr Hall said. “We’re expecting Exmouth, Kalbarri and Geraldton accommodation to be open for the Easter long weekend. We’re also expecting to see the famous whale shark dive tours operating from early next week.” Mr Hall urged the State Government to continue to prioritise fuel distribution to regional WA. Karratha mayor Daniel Scott agreed there’s no fuel shortage there, but he’s worried the rising price of fuel will restrict holiday budgets. “We are worried about the economic impact,” he said. “We do get quite a lot of tourists that come north and now we’re concerned that there’s going to be less of them due to the fact that people will make that financial decision that they just can’t afford to drive up the coastline.” Insufficient fuel supply was blamed for the decision to cancel the Karijini Experience next month. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas suggested “non-absolutely essential” events should be postponed to reduce fuel consumption, including a car rally in Pemberton this weekend. “You would think we could put that to one side until this danger has passed,” he told ABC Radio. He’s also called for construction work on Perth Park in Burswood to be paused. “If there’s some form of scaling back or rationalisation that’s possible to help others get through I think that should be in place,” he said. Premier Roger Cook said he won’t order event organisers to postpone. “We want people to do the right thing, we don’t want people to undertake activities that would deny someone else the fuel supplies that they need,” Mr Cook said. “(But) we continue to focus on the distribution. That’s my biggest priority, to get the fuel to farmers that they need, but as far as more drastic measures we’re not at that point yet.”