Tens of thousands of stargazing tourists from as far as the US will descend on Western Australia’s Ningaloo coast over the next week, as the state experiences “a most spectacular” total solar eclipse for the first time since 1972.

The McGowan government has poured $22 million into preparing the area for the onslaught, including improving road access to Exmouth, deploying extra emergency services and helping small businesses prepare for the increased demand.