These are great Suzy. You've got some nice resolution of the proms there too, really liking those!
A good description of the context as well. I got in a friendly discussion with the road block crew at Charles Knife Rd and we agreed that nowhere did it say that you couldn't walk (or bike) up the road. So everyone was basically free to pick a spot wherever they liked so long as they didn't drive there. Mine was a little hillock a few hundred metres in and up, off the road. Perfect. Dunno about the early birds thing. The best spot, arguably, is where everyone else isn't - all depending on what kind of eclipse experience you're seeking of course. How early you get there I've been finding less crucial. FWIW - I booked my flights to Perth in January and the rental car a week before the eclipse. Zero issues. I had booked a camp site at Carnarvon a year out expecting lots of drama later, didn't happen when I called them in March to make some enquiries. They still had plenty of sites. I didn't even go to Exmouth either though. The servo south of the town was as far north as I got. I had heard it was crowded and expensive there, no thanks.
Designated viewing areas for events like this are frankly ridiculous. I still remember how officials went on about using those back in 2012 for the Cairns eclipse, located along the coast - rather than going where the weather prospects were most promising, which was way inland. Authorities will keep you safe but absolutely cannot be trusted to give you the best eclipse experience.
I'm also looking forward to 2028, and already have a site organised: My own backyard
