Businesses in WA coastal town Carnarvon struggle amid tourism decline
Carnarvon, 900 kilometres north of Perth, is the only major town between Geraldton and Karratha.
It has generally hosted thousands of caravanners and other travellers on their way to tourist destinations in WA's Pilbara and Kimberley.
But many businesses said this year's trade was so poor it could force their permanent closure.
Jo Bumbak, who has sold preserves and ice creams using produce from the local area for 26 years, said this would likely be her final season.
"There's businesses I've spoken to that said they don't even know if they're going to reopen their doors," she said.
"I'm one of those businesses."
Ms Bumbak said the length of stay for most caravanners visiting the region had declined, and state government-imposed liquor restrictions were a major factor.
"I've heard of people who get all their stuff in Geraldton and bypass Carnarvon altogether," she said.
"That's kind of a bit unfair because it's not the Carnarvon people who have made these decisions."
Michelle Pinna, who has run the Norwesta Cararvan Park in Carnarvon for more than a decade, said the decline was noticeable.
"Normally by Mother's Day I'm full, and it was certainly a lot emptier this year," she said.
Ms Pinna said good weather in Perth may have stalled the season, but there were larger issues to be fixed.
"It's always a stopover on the way to Exmouth, on the way to Coral Bay, but it is such a beautiful place."
Many business owners also said the town's ongoing struggles with crime had hurt its reputation.
"I know it's not just Carnarvon that has these issues," Ms Pinna said.
"There's other big towns ... that have big problems, probably worse than Carnarvon.
"I just think that Carnarvon does get a bad rap."
Ms Bumbak called on the Shire of Carnarvon to check in with businesses to see how it could help.
"A lot of the business people are feeling exactly the same way," she said.
"That they have been let down by the shire and by the state government."
Shire chief executive Amanda Dexter said tourism in the town had been "on the low side", citing the ongoing impact of COVID and liquor restrictions as factors.
She said the shire had been working to improve the attractiveness of the main street, holding workshops and promoting local businesses.
"We've talked a lot about stimulating the town centre," she said.
"How we could possibly get people to linger a little longer and maybe spend a little bit more money?"
However, when it came to crime and the impact of liquor restrictions, Ms Dexter said the shire's hands were tied.
"We lobby and work with the government as much as we possibly can … but many of these things are not in our hands," she said.
"We're often a toothless tiger."
The WA Tourism Conference will be held in Carnarvon next May, bringing industry, government and academics to the region.
Ms Dexter said she hoped it would bring a boost to the town.
"We're hoping that we get to help the tourism community understand what Carnarvon has to offer and how wonderful it is," she said.
"From that exposure get some real advertising and some real feedback out to … WA and the nation, and then be able to encourage more people to come and share this incredible place that we have."
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