West Australians Embrace Local Easter Getaways as Fuel Costs Remain High
More West Australians are choosing to spend their Easter holidays close to home this year, opting for local staycations to avoid the financial strain of petrol prices that continue to hover above the two-dollar mark. This trend reflects a broader shift towards domestic tourism as households tighten their budgets amid ongoing economic pressures.
Crown Perth Experiences Booking Surge Despite Federal Advice
Crown Perth is completely booked out for the Easter long weekend, with a significant spike in last-minute reservations over the past week. This surge comes even as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged Australians to proceed with their usual Easter plans during a national address on Wednesday. "Enjoy your Easter. If you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need—just fill up like you normally would," he stated, seemingly downplaying the fuel crisis affecting many families.
Andrew Cairns, executive general manager at Crown Perth, noted that while Easter is traditionally a busy period, recent days have seen an exceptional uptick in bookings. "We probably have seen a spike and an uptick in last-minute bookings," he explained. "First and foremost, it’s convenience—you don’t have to spend hours travelling. We’re coming towards the tail end of the sunny and warm weather, so people like to take advantage of that as well."
Families Prioritize Convenience and Safety in Holiday Plans
James Sayer, a resident of Mandurah, booked a two-night family staycation at Crown Towers, citing concerns over international conflicts and potential fuel supply shortages. "With the conflict in Iran and possible fuel supply shortages, it was a situation where we didn’t really want to go way up north or way down south," he said. "We also wanted to stay local and didn’t want to travel overseas."
His wife, Caryn, highlighted the practical benefits of staying close to home, including proximity to their business in Mandurah in case of emergencies. "Yesterday we did Flight Club and went to the Burswood movies last night," she shared. "We’ve got our business down in Mandurah, so if there are any issues at home we are still close enough that we can shoot back home, but we’re still far enough away that we can be in holiday mode."
Cyclone Narelle Disrupts Tourism in Gascoyne Region
The devastation caused by Cyclone Narelle has severely impacted tourism in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region, with towns like Exmouth and Carnarvon experiencing a wipeout of tourist activity. Exmouth, a popular destination for fishing and snorkelling, has suffered significant infrastructure damage, and its local airport remained closed as of Friday. Premier Roger Cook has urged travellers not to cancel their plans outright but to consider rescheduling instead.
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia reported that power has been restored to 80 percent of Exmouth, but nearby Onslow—another fishing hotspot—has also been badly affected and is closed to travel. "Water supplies are continuing to reach Onslow, however it is restricted due to damage to a water main east of the town," Mr Papalia said. "Normal output will resume once Water Corporation completes repairs to its southern bore-field infrastructure and restores high voltage power. Current estimates indicate this work will be finalised early next week. Importantly, there are no concerns currently regarding fuel or food supplies across impacted communities."
Fuel Anxiety Influences Holiday Decisions Across the State
In Kalbarri, the Visitor Centre manager, Natalie Moir, observed that fuel anxiety is deterring potential holidaymakers. "They just don’t want to get stuck anywhere," she remarked, underscoring the widespread apprehension about travel costs and availability.
Conversely, at the southern end of the state, Albany’s Dog Rock Motel reported being fully booked despite its four-hour drive from Perth. Bry Fairhead, the motel’s reception manager, attributed this to the recent fuel excise cut. "I think the fuel excise cut has really relaxed people a little bit," he said. "It’s not too many families that are coming down, more just couples."
This Easter period highlights a complex landscape for Western Australian tourism, where economic factors and natural disasters are reshaping holiday patterns and prompting a renewed focus on local destinations.
