Planning for Abrolhos tourism

A draft Visitor Master Plan has been prepared for the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park. It considers existing visitor use, identifies future opportunities and incorporates feedback from participants in a workshop led by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

The plan will guide visitor infrastructure development within the national park, and proposals will be tested when a draft management plan for the national park is released for public comment later this year.

The draft management plan is being developed by an interagency planning team of DBCA and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) staff with input from other key agencies and stakeholders.

Visitors to the Abrolhos value its remoteness and are attracted to its unique sense of place and character. The archipelago situated 60 to 80km off the mid-west coast of Western Australia supports a range of natural, cultural heritage, tourism, economic and social values.

It has some of the most important seabird breeding areas in the eastern Indian Ocean and provides habitat to a range of other significant and unique flora and fauna.

Over 60 vessels are known to have been wrecked at the Abrolhos, most notably the Batavia, wrecked in 1629.

The western rock lobster fishing industry, Australia’s most valuable commercial fishery, and aquaculture operations are also important.

Visitation is low as access is only available via recreational boat, charter flight or commercial tour (either on a boat or an aircraft).

Click here to read the Progress Update on the visitor planning for the Abrolhos Islands.