Carnarvon shire introduces fees for Blowholes campsite to protect the area going forward
The Shire of Carnarvon says it introduced fees for a popular Gascoyne campsite to support the sustainability of the area.
The Quobba Blowholes, about 70km north-west of Carnarvon, is a popular tourist attraction due to water shooting several metres in the air as the waves crash into the rocks.
The previously free of charge site will from Thursday cost people $10 per vehicle for a day pass, $30 per night for a campsite, or a local membership of $100 for unlimited use for the year.
The campsite was at the centre of global headlines in 2021 when then four-year-old Carnarvon girl Cleo Smith was kidnapped from her family's tent in the middle of the night before police found her 18 days later.
In a statement, the Shire of Carnarvon said the move to charge fees was done to ensure the site would be protected going forward.
'This initiative is designed to ensure that the Blowholes Eco Reserve is well cared for and preserved, while supporting its long-term sustainability and the future of this magnificent natural treasure,' the statement read.
'The shire will continue to collaborate with the Blowholes Protection Association and the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage regarding the ongoing tenure of the Reserve and other associated matters.'
The matter was discussed at a special council meeting earlier this month, which saw councillors unanimously endorse the change.
The decision, according to the council, was to endorse the business case and operational plan for the interim management of the area for the 2025-26 financial year, as well as directing chief executive Mandy Dexter to continue to engage with the DPLH regarding the Blowholes Reserves Management Plan.
Shire president Eddie Smith told the meeting the plan would ensure an element of sustainability for the area.
'This business case is to actually ensure the management of the Blowholes reserve going forward almost immediately is done in a sustainable, ecologically approved way which hasn't happened to date,' he said.
'We have increased erosion, all sorts of things happening up there so it is to ensure that the legislation that covers camping areas is adhered to.
'It puts us in a better position going forward in managing that whole area.'
Fees for the area will commence on Thursday, May 22.
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West Australian
20-05-2025
- West Australian
Carnarvon shire introduces fees for Blowholes campsite to protect the area going forward
The Shire of Carnarvon says it introduced fees for a popular Gascoyne campsite to support the sustainability of the area. The Quobba Blowholes, about 70km north-west of Carnarvon, is a popular tourist attraction due to water shooting several metres in the air as the waves crash into the rocks. The previously free of charge site will from Thursday cost people $10 per vehicle for a day pass, $30 per night for a campsite, or a local membership of $100 for unlimited use for the year. The campsite was at the centre of global headlines in 2021 when then four-year-old Carnarvon girl Cleo Smith was kidnapped from her family's tent in the middle of the night before police found her 18 days later. In a statement, the Shire of Carnarvon said the move to charge fees was done to ensure the site would be protected going forward. 'This initiative is designed to ensure that the Blowholes Eco Reserve is well cared for and preserved, while supporting its long-term sustainability and the future of this magnificent natural treasure,' the statement read. 'The shire will continue to collaborate with the Blowholes Protection Association and the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage regarding the ongoing tenure of the Reserve and other associated matters.' The matter was discussed at a special council meeting earlier this month, which saw councillors unanimously endorse the change. The decision, according to the council, was to endorse the business case and operational plan for the interim management of the area for the 2025-26 financial year, as well as directing chief executive Mandy Dexter to continue to engage with the DPLH regarding the Blowholes Reserves Management Plan. Shire president Eddie Smith told the meeting the plan would ensure an element of sustainability for the area. 'This business case is to actually ensure the management of the Blowholes reserve going forward almost immediately is done in a sustainable, ecologically approved way which hasn't happened to date,' he said. 'We have increased erosion, all sorts of things happening up there so it is to ensure that the legislation that covers camping areas is adhered to. 'It puts us in a better position going forward in managing that whole area.' Fees for the area will commence on Thursday, May 22.
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