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Tour boats will be banned from traversing Horizontal Falls in the KimberleyTour boats will be banned from traversing Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley

The West Australian government will ban boats from traversing the Horizontal Falls, 250 kilometres north east of Broome in Talbot Bay on the Kimberley coast.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

March 16, 2024

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

The ban will come into effect for all tour operators from 2026, except for Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures which will be allowed to continue operating until its licence expires in 2028.

Tour operators will still be able to access the waters and airspace surrounding the falls after the ban is in place.

Accident and sacred area

The move follows an accident in May 2022 when a boat crashed into rocks, seriously injuring some passengers, and a push by the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation to stop the boat pass tours on a sacred area.

‘This decision reflects the government’s dual responsibilities to respect the cultural views of traditional owners and the need to protect and support WA’s tourism industry,’ Environment Minister Reece Whitby said.

One of the world's great natural wonders

The Horizontal Falls are a powerful tidal flow rushing through two narrow, closely aligned gorges, creating a horizontal waterfall effect.

They were described by Sir Richard Attenborough as one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

Read more about:

shore excursions

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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