The Shire of Carnarvon has introduced new fees at the Quobba Blowholes campsite, a well-known tourist site in the Gascoyne region, in a move aimed at supporting the area’s long-term sustainability.
Located approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Carnarvon, the Quobba Blowholes are famed for their spectacular natural water displays, where waves crash into the rocky shoreline and send water jets several metres into the air.
Previously free to access, the site will now incur charges starting Thursday. Visitors will pay $10 per vehicle for a day pass, $30 per night for camping, or may opt for a $100 annual membership for unlimited access.
The site made international headlines in 2021 when then four-year-old Cleo Smith was abducted from her family’s tent at the Blowholes campsite. She was found alive 18 days later following an extensive police search.
In an official statement, the Shire of Carnarvon explained the reasoning behind the new fee structure, emphasizing the importance of preserving the site’s natural beauty and ensuring it remains viable for future generations.
“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 added that it will continue working closely with the Blowholes Protection Association and the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage (DPLH) to manage the ongoing use and protection of the reserve.
The proposal to introduce fees was unanimously supported by councillors during a special council meeting held earlier this month. The council voted to endorse both a business case and an operational plan for interim management of the site for the 2025–26 financial year. They also directed Shire CEO Mandy Dexter to continue engagement with the DPLH on the Blowholes Reserves Management Plan.
Shire President Eddie Smith, speaking at the meeting, stressed the need for responsible management practices to address current environmental challenges.
“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.”
The new fee structure will come into effect on Thursday, May 22.
Related Topics
- Stars Set to Shine at USA Cycling Road Nationals 2025 in Charleston
- New Heights Festival Returns in 2025 as Two-Day Event with Camping and Family Packages
- Rising Star Matthew Brennan Stuns the Cycling World with Unstoppable 2025 Season