World-famous Horizontal Falls to allow more tourists, with cultural focus

The Western Australian government, tourism stakeholders, and Traditional Owners have formalised a landmark management agreement for the Horizontal Falls, securing the site’s future as a premier destination while pivoting toward a culturally-led tourism model in the Kimberley.

Under the new framework, visitor capacity is set to increase, albeit within a strictly regulated environment that prioritises the ecological and spiritual integrity of the Garaan-ngaddim site. The deal concludes months of intensive negotiations aimed at balancing the economic vitality of the region’s tourism sector with the longstanding land rights and cultural sensitivities of the Dambimangari people.

“This settlement marks a definitive shift from treating natural wonders as mere commodities to recognising them as living landscapes where heritage and hospitality must coexist.”

While the expansion of tour permits offers a significant boost to the local economy, the operational shift necessitates that all commercial activities remain subordinate to the cultural protocols established by the Traditional Owners. This precedent-setting arrangement is expected to serve as a blueprint for sustainable tourism management across Australia’s north-west.