Tourism Council WA has congratulated the State Government on extending the world-famous Horizontal Falls experience until at least 2028 and investing $5 million in facilities to enhance experiences.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall congratulated Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC), the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, tourism operator Journey Beyond, and all the accredited tourism businesses operating in Horizontal Falls for their excellent consultation to develop sustainable and culturally appropriate experiences.
Mr Hall said the experience includes arrival by cruise or seaplane to the pontoon in Talbot Bay and then traversing the wide gap of "Horizontal Falls" during the twice-daily tidal movement, and observing the fall in the narrow gap at Garaan-ngaddim.
"Horizontal Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world - by traversing the falls, visitors experience the awesome nature of this unique environment," Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said the move would provide certainty for fifteen licenced tourism operators, with Horizontal Falls traversal day tours generating $15 million and 58 full time equivalent jobs in the region.
"Horizontal Falls, together with swimming with whale sharks, are bucket list experiences for WA and this provides the opportunity for Tourism WA to show off WA's very best experiences around the world to attract people into Perth, the Coral Coast, the Kimberley and beyond," Mr Hall said.
"This is a world-class experience and it's fantastic to see it remain open to the public as the Marine Parks natural and cultural tourism experiences evolve."