WA govt to close Horizontal Falls tours

Western Australia’s peak tourism body has slammed the state government’s decision to phase out tours that travel through Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley, estimating a loss of millions of dollars.

Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures will continue to traverse through the falls until its licence expires in March 2028, the state government announced today.

Other licensed tourism operators will stop passing through Horizontal Falls at the end of 2026.

The state government said tourism at the Horizontal Falls was set for a refresh, with a balance to be struck between promoting the region and protecting the environment.

The move has been criticised by Tourism Council WA, with the advocacy body calling on the state government to commit to keep all existing access and tourism experiences in the state’s national parks.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said traversing Horizontal Falls and diving with whale sharks were two iconic experiences that drew international attention.

“It is impossible to measure just how many visitors will decide not to come to WA or visit the North West without this drawcard,” he said.

“While hopefully multi-day cruises staying one night in Talbot Bay will continue, it is the loss of day tours to traverse the Falls which will have the most immediate and significant impact.”

Tourism Council WA estimated a $15 million loss in and 58 full-time jobs to be cut from closing the Horizontal Falls day tours.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the move was a positive change based on mutual respect, understanding a shared vision to showcase the state’s natural values.

“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,” he said.

“We want people to experience Indigenous culture as an essential, vibrant part of visiting jointly managed national and marine parks across Western Australia.”

Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna said the state government has worked closely with traditional owners and tourism operators to strike a balance.

“The Horizontal Falls is such a special and important tourism attraction for our region that creates local jobs, attracts visitors from around the world and generates visitor spend in our community,” she said.

However, Mr Hall said it would be difficult to create commercially viable Aboriginal tourism experiences at the Falls without travelling through the gap at Horizontal Falls.

“Sustainable nature-based tourism in national parks needs to protect the natural environment, promote cultural heritage, and create jobs and tourism business opportunities on country for traditional owners and local destinations,” he said.

“It is difficult to see how this can be best achieved by closing down a world-renowned nature-based experience.

“We need a new approach from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions with an emphasis on sustaining and creating nature-based tourism experiences, especially commercially viable Aboriginal tourism experiences in joint managed national parks.”