By Giulia Bertoglio

ABC Kimberley

Topic: Community and Cultural Events

The 2028 solar eclipse will bring 25,000 visitors to East Kimberley.

In short:

The 2028 solar eclipse will attract thousands to Western Australia's north.

The state government has allocated $24.6 million for new infrastructure.

What's next?

The Shire president hopes the funding will have a positive impact.

Doon Doon is a small roadhouse in Western Australia's East Kimberley.

Doon Doon will be on the global map for the 2028 solar eclipse.

The 2028 eclipse in East Kimberley will be one of the longest this century.

The region will be in darkness for over five minutes and attract 25,000 visitors.

Doon Doon roadhouse manager Shayne Stewart found out about the eclipse after the 2023 Exmouth eclipse.

Shayne Stewart says the eclipse will put Doon Doon on the world map.

A big event for a small place

The eclipse will shine a light on Doon Doon and the nearby Aboriginal community.

People from Japan want to visit the school in the area.

The small roadhouse and community will face challenges with thousands of visitors.

Preparations for the event are already underway.

The roadhouse does not want people lined up for fuel or food.

The caravan park will be expanded from 25 to 100 unpowered sites.

Present and future challenges

Kununurra Visitor Centre has been receiving enquiries about the eclipse for a decade.

Big groups and families are planning to see the eclipse first.

Vivienne McEvoy says the visitors' centre has been receiving enquiries for a decade.

Visitors want to see the eclipse before it is posted on social media.

The visitor centre is thinking ahead but struggling with the impact of the Middle East war.

Purnululu National Park is one of Western Australia's tourism hotspots.

Plans are being made to keep visitors safe during the eclipse.

The WA government has set aside $24.6 million for the 2028 eclipse.

It is important to keep visitors safe in the Kimberley environment.

Visitors need to be careful when traveling in the area.

Beyond the eclipse

The Shire president hopes the funds will provide long-term community benefits.

David Menzel hopes funding for the eclipse will bring long-term benefits.

Upgraded campgrounds and tourism facilities are needed in the region.

But the clock is ticking.

There is only one dry season to prepare for the influx of visitors.

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