Published on Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 1:43:45 PM
Visitors and residents of Carnarvon will be treated to a week of eclipse-related festivities as part of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovations, Dark Sky Festival in celebration of the total solar eclipse occurring in April 2023. The April 2023 Rocks Carnarvon Festival will take place in Carnarvon from the 15 to the 22 April 2023 and is anticipated to attract up to 5,000 people throughout the week.
The festival will showcase Carnarvon’s unique culture and history through the creation of inclusive and cost-free activities to accompany the eclipse. The highlight of the festival will occur in line with the total solar eclipse on 20 April 2023 with a day-long music festival. The Main Street of Carnarvon will be restricted to traffic, allowing for the stage to be set overlooking the Fascine, and pedestrian access to food and market stalls.
Additional events will be hosted throughout the week with support from our collaborative partners Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum and Gwoonwardu Mia:
- Astrotourism WA will deliver a community stargazing and astronomy event
- Gwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal tour guides will discuss the Aboriginal Night Sky stories with bush tucker
- The official opening of Dr John Goldsmith’s Astronomy Photography Exhibition at Carnarvon Library and Art Gallery, coupled with a week of youth focused astro-themed art activities
- Carnarvon Camel Lane Theatre will host a series of movies and the new release movie Avatar
- Carnarvon’s Visitor Centre will become the hub for all eclipse-related tourism and host the Saturday Gascoyne Craft and Growers Markets, Vortex gaming truck, food vans and merchandise sales
- Gascoyne life size trivia board game in the Civic Centre courtyard
- Beyond the Milky Way, a virtual reality experience at Gwoonwardu Mia open seven days prior and post day and night over the solar eclipse
- A Night at the Museum hosted by the Carnarvon Space Museum
“This is a very exciting announcement for our community,” said Shire of Carnarvon President Eddie Smith. “With thousands of international and domestic visitors expected to travel to WA for the total solar eclipse, the Rocks Carnarvon Festival will assist in easing some of the pressure on Exmouth. The festival will entice visitors to spend more time in Carnarvon and showcase everything our community has to offer.
The festival has been made possible by funding from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation as well as Major Sponsor Lotterywest and Community Partner Horizon Power.
A community information session will be held in Carnarvon on 01 December 2022, to encourage ongoing engagement from the community and businesses to add activities to the program.
For further information, please contact:
Harriet Murphy
Manager Economic Development
P: 0436 382 300
E: murphy.h@carnarvon.wa.gov.au
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