Eclipse chasers are set to travel from around the world to be in Exmouth to see the total solar eclipse next month, with a small spot on Exmouth Cape being one of the few accessible vantage points globally.
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The important thing about this event is that widely speaking, it is known as a hybrid solar eclipse. However, in this West Australian town, visitors will witness a total solar eclipse.
At about 11.27am AWST on April 20, the sun, moon and the Earth's discs will all align for this significant one minute, 16 second event.
Known as the annular solar eclipse, the best viewing point will be between the Exmouth townsite and Learmonth Airport.
Up to 50,000 visitors are expected to descend on the little town of 2700 people.
Astrotourism WA founder and Stargazers Club WA organiser Carol Redford said while every year there were eclipses where the moon partially or totally covered the sun, this one is "when the moon is just at the right distance that it only just covers the disc of the sun, and what happens is the light that is coming from the sun still comes through all the mountains and craters on the side of the moon".
While Exmouth seems a long way to travel for 76 seconds of totality, it will actually be the longest total eclipse until October 17, 2172.
The eclipse will be also be visible from Onslow and across the Shire of Ashburton. Onslow, an "Astrotourism Town" with a Dark Sky Trail, will experience a 99 per cent eclipse.
Coinciding with the event is the Dark Sky Festival from April 19-21 in Exmouth, Carnarvon and Onslow.
It will feature a mixture of free and ticketed events, including stargazing, science and astronomy activities, as well as live music and dark sky dining opportunities.
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Exmouth will be the festival hub, with smaller events in Onslow and across the Shire of Carnarvon, including Coral Bay.
Visitors will be encouraged to explore the region as part of their total solar eclipse stay, which happens to also be the peak season for whale shark swimming at Ningaloo Reef.
There are various tours you can book to enjoy the experience.
Ningaloo Discovery will run dedicated solar eclipse tours in the weeks surrounding the eclipse, and a special solar eclipse whale shark tour on the actual day.
Sky & Telescope and Insight Cruises have a five-day sailing tour from/to Fremantle, aboard P&O Cruises' Pacific Explorer on an Indian Ocean eclipse adventure from April 17-22.
In partnership with the Australian Geographic Society, Coral Expeditions has a 13-night Solar Eclipse Expedition from Darwin to Broome on Coral Adventurer, where passengers can watch the eclipse from isolated Ashmore Reef.
Meanwhile, TravelQuest's Bali to Broome Total Solar Eclipse Cruise will spend 16 nights at sea to see 72 seconds of totality in the Timor Sea.
There will also be 20 public stargazing events in each of the designated astrotourism towns in WA and people in Perth can enjoy a live stream from Yagan Square.
GETTING THERE...
Air: REX flies to Monkey Mia and Carnarvon and Qantas to Geraldton and Exmouth.
Drive: Coach, tour, hire car and self-drive options are available. From Perth, it's nine hours to Carnarvon, 11.5 hours to Coral Bay and 12.5 hours to Exmouth.
Fly + Drive: Avis and Hertz offer significantly reduced relocation fees for one-way rentals between Perth and Exmouth.
Note: Anyone viewing an eclipse must never look at the sun's bright face without proper eye protection. A special-purpose safe solar filter that complies with Australian Safety Standards is essential. More at arpansa.gov.au and search for eclipse.
