WHAT’S HOT
WA set for bumper wildflower season
One of the greatest flower shows on Earth has begun in WA – with carpets of everlastings blooming along the mid-north coast of the State. Thanks to the heavy rainfall over the past couple of months, this season’s wildflower show is expected to be one of the best on record. Recent reports indicate that the carpets of everlastings have started to bloom in the Coral Coast and Golden Outback regions. With more than 12,000 species, 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else in the world, the flowers will colour the landscapes from coast to forest and city to outback.
The WA Wildflower Guide contains information on where to see the best wildflowers on offer, and includes 11 self-drive trails to help visitors plan their trip. The WA Visitor Centre will soon launch a Wildflower Tracker app, which will provide travellers with one easy-to-use wildflower information and sightings reference. Updated regularly, the app’s interactive map shows exactly where the wildflowers are blooming around the State.
Australia’s best culinary talent return for WA Gourmet Escape
Australia’s best culinary talent are set to headline this year’s Western Australia Gourmet Escape, taking place across Perth, the Swan Valley, Margaret River and for the first time, Rottnest Island, from November 17 to 21. Tickets are now on sale for over 30 events featuring more than 30 of Australia’s most loved and respected culinary stars. Returning favourites include Curtis Stone, Rick Stein, Shannon Martinez, Colin Fassnidge, Matt Stone, Guillaume Brahimi and Guy Grossi. Industry icons Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer will feature alongside a new wave of wine talent – Curly Haslam-Coates, Erin Larkin and Samantha Payne, and artist dameeeela. Exciting new events in the 2021 program include Rottnest Sunset presented by Leeuwin Coast at Pinky’s Beach Club, Art Gallery of WA (AGWA) Rooftop Wine, Dine & Disco, Grazie Mille Presented by Essteele at Swan Valley’s Sandalford Estate and The Vineyard Party at Margaret River’s Leeuwin Estate. These will be complemented by the festival favourites Gourmet Beach BBQ and Ultimate Dining Series, alongside classics with a twist such as The Village and Swings, Beats & Bites. To view the full program of events and access tickets visit gourmetescape.com.au.
Swim with ocean giants at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef
Swimming with humpback whales in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park on WA’s Coral Coast has returned for 2021, with tours now underway in Coral Bay and Exmouth until October 30. Visitors to the region can not only experience the magic of swimming with one of the world’s biggest mammals, but may also have a face to fin encounter with the world’s biggest fish, with some whale shark swim operators still offering tours this month. Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s premier destinations for swimming with the gentle giants of the ocean – humpback whales, whale sharks, and manta rays (with tours operating year round).
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the World Heritage listing of the spectacular Ningaloo coast, which was officially announced by UNESCO on June 24, 2011. The 604,500 hectare marine and terrestrial area near Exmouth is home to a diverse range of wildlife, one of the world’s longest near-shore reefs and over 500 species of fish and marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and dugongs.
High-stakes schedule for 2022 Margaret River Pro
The 2022 World Surf League schedule has positioned the Margaret River Pro as a mid-season decider, determining the finals fate of the world’s top professional surfers. The global surfing event, which will take place in the Margaret River region in WA’s South West from April 24 to May 4, is one of only two Australian events on the prestigious 2022 Championship Tour schedule. The tour consists of 10 events in seven countries with the first two events held in Hawaii, followed by stops in Portugal and Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia. The Margaret River Pro will be the fifth and last stop on the first half of the tour, after which the field of 36 men will be reduced to 22, while the women’s field will drop from 18 to 10, based on their performances in the first five tour events. Only these top-performing surfers, together with two men’s and two women’s wildcard competitors, will advance to compete for the coveted World Titles in the final five events. Adding to the importance of the WA event, the surfers that make the mid-season cut will also automatically qualify for the start of the 2023 World Championship Tour. For the full 2022 World Surf League Championship Tour calendar, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
CinefestOZ returns to the South West
Set against the stunning backdrop of WA’s South West region, the CinefestOZ Film Festival is set to return in 2021 – from August 25 to 29. This year’s five-day event will showcase 270 exciting live events and screenings, including 17 world premieres, four Australian premieres and 34 WA premieres at over 35 incredible venues across the region, including local wineries, galleries, cinemas and small bars. The dedicated schools program Cinesnaps will inspire local students to develop an appreciation for the filmmaking process, while the Indigenous film program IndigifestOZ will support and promote Aboriginal filmmakers. The CinefestOZ Film Prize is also Australia’s richest film prize of $100,000, and leading the jury to vote on this year’s award is internationally award-winning Australian filmmaker Nadia Tass. The finalists include Here Out West, Nitram MIFF@CinefestOZ, River, and The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson. The full festival program is available to view online, and tickets are now on sale for all ticketed events.
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Margaret River region artists open their studios
A record 140 artists from across the Margaret River region will open their studios to the public for the annual Margaret River Region Open Studios. From September 11 to 26, visitors and art enthusiast will have the rare opportunity to visit private art studios and meet established and emerging artists for a unique behind-the-scenes creative experience. Along with painters, sculptors, illustrators, ceramicists, printmakers and glassmakers, this year’s event will also feature a number of more unusual creators including a milliner, hand-woven rug maker, two tattoo artists and a handcrafted bookmaker. Renowned local artists participating in this year’s event include Leon Pericles, Rebecca Cool, Rachel Coad, Lauren Wilhelm, Christian Fletcher, Fi Wilkie, Gerry Reilly and Ian Mutch, plus more than 40 artists new to the event. The event is free to attend and bookings are not required.
Kimberley Writers Festival returns
The Kimberley Writers Festival will return to the town of Kununurra in WA’s magical Kimberley region this August 20 to 22. This unique festival – set in one of the world’s last true wilderness areas – allows guests to meet award-winning Australian authors, as well as illustrators, editors, musicians and special guests, in a relaxed and informal setting. Talent confirmed for this year’s event include Dervla McTiernan, one of Australia’s best crime authors; acclaimed author and screenwriter Christian White; professor and author Cindy Solonec – a Nigena (Nyikina) woman from the western Kimberley; and break-out author Holden Sheppard. New events for 2021 include Tale by the Riverbank – where guests will enjoy readings from emerging local writers on the banks of the mighty Ord River while enjoying a Kimberley breakfast. Visit the website for the full festival program and ticket purchases.
Gascoyne Food Festival
The annual Gascoyne Food Festival has returned this month to celebrate the produce of the Gascoyne region, located in WA’s Coral Coast. Recognised as one of Australia’s top ‘food bowls,’ the region offers an abundance of tropical fruits, succulent seafood, beef, goat, lamb and a vast array of temperate climate fruit and vegetables. Various events are being held across the region throughout August and September, including Australia’s Biggest Barbecue at the world’s biggest rock, Mount Augustus on September 4; Dirk Hartog Island’s Island Life Festival, featuring fresh local seafood and gourmet cuisine produced by chefs Russell Blaikie and George Cooper, held from August 26 to 30; Canapes on the Gascoyne at Brickhouse Station in Carnarvon on September 10, and; Flavours of Shark Bay at Monkey Mia on September 18.
Fine Vines celebrates Margaret River wines
The Margaret River region in WA’s South West will welcome a new wine-lovers festival this spring. Fine Vines Festival will take place from October 15 to 24, bringing together a selection of more than 35 unique events that celebrate the people, passion and places that have made Margaret River the world-class wine region it is today. Over the 10 days, guests can expect to get exclusive access to the region’s growers, winemakers and venues – including behind-the-scenes visits to vineyards; incredible wine degustations, such as the Vasse Felix Heyetesbury Chardonnay Dinner and Leeuwin Estate Art Series Lunch; In Conversation sessions with key sommeliers and wine producers, and; museum and vertical tastings at some of the region’s most iconic venues. Tickets to Fine Vines Festival events are now on sale via the website.
FOOD & WINE
New Spinifex Brewing venues in Broome and Perth
Spinifex Brewing Co is WA’s first part Aboriginal and veteran-owned craft brewery, based in Broome in WA’s North West. This month will see the opening of Spinifex Brewing Co’s first exclusive tap venue – Wildflower Tapas Bar, located on the redeveloped Town Beach foreshore precinct in Broome. The venue will feature six Spinifex beer pouring taps, which will rotate through the beer, cider and ginger beer range. The WA brewery, which creates craft brews infused with native Australian botanicals such as Gubinge (Kakadu Plum) and Lemon Myrtle, has also proposed to open a 120-person small bar on the waterfront in North Perth. Spinifex Ale House is slated to open in March 2022, and will be uniquely constructed out of repurposed shipping containers.
Strike-ing new venue at Perth’s Forrest Chase
B. Lucky & Sons, a mysterious bar and entertainment venue, will be making its WA debut this month, sitting alongside a new Strike Bowling venue on level one of Forrest Chase in Perth’s CBD. The new venue features an old-school cocktail bar, arcade games, bowling lanes and escape rooms. On arrival, guests will be transported to downtown 1970s America, complete with an old-school laundromat, an old TV repair shop and barbershop. The bar looks like an old American gas station counter, and when guests enter the Strike bowling zone, they’ll be greeted with 10 bowling lanes, two karaoke rooms, two escape rooms and four part rooms. Across the hall is B. Lucky & Sons bar and arcade sitting within the façade of an old-fashioned pawn shop.
Perth welcomes a new brewery on the Swan River
Long Neck Brewery is the latest venue to be added to Perth’s burgeoning urban craft brewery scene. Located right on the picturesque Swan River at Point Fraser on the eastern edge of Perth CBD – in the former Ku De Ta venue – it is Perth’s only craft brewery located over the water, and offering direct boating access. Long Neck Brewery pays homage to the State’s native black swans, and offers craft beer brewed on-site, along with seltzers and ciders. The food menu offers share style mains and pizza, with a focus on fresh local produce.
Fremantle’s new hospitality venues
The eclectic port city of Fremantle, located less than 30 minutes from Perth’s CBD, has seen the opening of a raft of new hospitality venues over the past year, with another two venues recently adding to the mix.
Jetty Bar & Eats is a new 120-person waterfront venue overlooking the Swan River. The latest project from one of Perth’s hospitality veterans Miles Hulls (Little Creatures, Alex Hotel plus many others), the bar and eatery is designed to look like a low-key shack on the water, but the interior delivers with a cool, timeless and timber-clad fit out. The food menu is fusion Mediterranean cuisine, with a focus on seafood and seasonal produce, and the drinks menu has a Greek wine focus.
Nieuw Ruin is the much-anticipated new Fremantle venue from the team behind Foxtrot Unicorn in Perth’s CBD. The new small bar and eatery, located in a beautifully restored 150 year old cottage, offers ‘good food, good cocktails and weird wine,’ and boasts a 300-bottle wine list featuring boutique and independent producers. Award-winning head chef Blaze Young leads the all-woman team in the kitchen. The menu focuses on fresh and local WA produce, offering small snacks at the bar to generous dinners at the custom-built communal tables.
Cable Beach Club’s latest restaurant experience
Le Rhum Bar is the newest restaurant offering for the iconic Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, located in the tropical town of Broome, in WA’s Kimberley region. Executive Chef Sooveer Baichoo serves up a harmonious blend of international flavours with influences from Africa, Asia and European cooking – with a five-course degustation on offer. Complementing the dining experience is a range of unique cocktails, allowing guests to truly immerse themselves in the tropical surrounds and unique cuisine.
Bungalow Neighbourhood Social Dunsborough
Bungalow Neighbourhood Social is a new bar located in an old sixties wood working warehouse, which has since been transformed into a lush tropical setting in the beachside town of Dunsborough in WA’s South West. The Californian beach house styled bar offers a laid-back vibe, whilst serving up sourdough fermented pizzas, natural wine, local beer and tropical spirits.
Russell Blaikie joins Prendiville Group
One of Perth’s top culinary talents Russell Blaikie has recently joined Western Australian hospitality family business the Prendiville Group as the Director of Food. Blaikie, who closed his much lauded Must Winebar in December after 19 years of service, will be delivering innovation in food and developing a range of new hospitality concepts across the Prendiville Group’s portfolio of WA venues – which includes Cottesloe Beach Hotel, Samphire Rottnest, Norfolk Hotel in Fremantle, Mangrove Hotel in Broome, and Sandalford Wines in the Swan Valley.
SHOP 1875 opens at State Buildings
A reimagined corner store that takes inspiration from the early 20th century Australian milk bar has recently opened at Perth’s historic State Buildings. SHOP 1875 serves up wholesome sandwiches and toasties, house-made vanilla slice, classic lollies, seasonal fresh salads and Nitro coffee on tap; and features carefully reclaimed Jarrah and Oregon timber counter and shelving, salvaged from the iconic heritage building.
The Orchard Long Table Dinners
To celebrate the start of spring, The Orchard Perth in Chittering Valley will host an inaugural Long Table Dinner on September 18. Taking place in the orchard’s packing shed, guests will indulge in a gourmet four-course meal, sourced from local Chittering seasonal ingredients, matched with wine or beer. The Orchard Perth is a beautiful citrus orchard located in the Chittering Valley, just 45 minutes north of Perth, and plays host to a range of fun, family-friendly events and activities throughout the year, including Fruit Picking & Tractor Tours, Gourmet Picnics and seasonal events.
TOURS, ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION
Optus Stadium’s new rooftop viewing platform
Construction has now started on the latest attraction at Perth’s world-class Optus Stadium – a new 42-metre-high viewing platform that allows visitors to walk several metres beyond the edge of the stadium roof. The platform, located on the western side of the stadium roof, projects around five metres beyond the edge of the roof, allowing tour groups to access one of the best views of any stadium in the world. Adding to the popular rooftop walk at Optus Stadium, the new platform will also allow the more daring participants to lean out from a rail-less platform towards the playing field, and offer spectacular 360-degree views over Perth. The new visitor experience will add to the already successful HALO rooftop tours, and the other experiences available through The Ozone – including behind-the-scenes tours and Aboriginal experiences. The new platform is scheduled to open in 2022, and will be accessible to all ages and abilities.
Disconnect with New Leaf Connect Tours
A new tour operator in WA’s Coral Coast region is offering guests the opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with the expanse of the Mid-West region. New Leaf Connect offer a range of different tours, including half and full day, seasonal tours and multi-night adventures. Explore the history of twin towns Dongara and Port Denison, discover edible produce from the local region and sample award-winning rum and gin at Dongara’s Illegal Tender Rum Co distillery on a Taste of Irwin tour, or go inland to see a working cattle station on a multi-night station or farm stay. Current seasonal offerings include a range of wildflower themed tours, taking guests to some of the region’s top wildflower hotspots. Custom trips and private transport are also available.
Dirk Hartog Island Adventure Tours
Dirk Hartog Island Life Adventures is a new tour offering day trips to explore one of WA’s most unique national parks – Dirk Hartog Island, located off the coast of Shark Bay in WA’s Coral Coast. Guests will jump aboard the vessel 100% Wild Adventure from Denham, taking in spectacular ocean views before landing on Dirk Hartog Island to enjoy beach walks, kayaking and exploring the Homestead, before heading off on a guided tour. Explore the island’s pastoral history, or book a four-wheel-drive tour to the west side of the island to view the spectacular landscape, and visit the blowholes and Surf Point marine sanctuary. Tours operate on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, departing from Denham Commercial Jetty, and start from $185 per adult.
Bettenay’s Margaret River new toasty fireside experience
Bettenay’s Margaret River has recently launched a new Toasty Tastings by the Fire winter experience to warm up its guests. The guided tasting includes four premium estate wines, a nougat-inspired liqueur, followed by toasting French-style nougat over an open fire whilst enjoying a hot chocolate infused with Nougaretto liqueur. The Toasty Tastings by the Fire experience is available on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, at 11am and 1.30pm, and costs $25 per adult and $12 per child. Located in the heart of the Margaret River wine region, family-owned winery Bettenay’s was established in 1989, and produces small batch wines alongside French-style soft nougat using locally sourced honey. Bettenay’s also offers on-site boutique accommodation with vineyard and lake views
New boutique accommodation in York
The historic town of York, located just a 1.5 hour drive east of Perth in the picturesque Avon Valley, has recently welcomed the opening of Wheatbelt Luxury Escapes – two new exclusive boutique accommodation offerings, Talbot Lodge and Mansfield Cottage. Surrounded by secluded landscape and sweeping views, Talbot Lodge is located just 20 kilometres southwest of York. The two bedroom rural property features two lounge areas, a cosy fireplace, chef’s kitchen, cathedral ceilings with plush furniture and luxury linen, plus walking trails and petting farm animals. Mansfield Cottage is located on the outskirts of York, and is a beautifully restored heritage property that offers two bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, open plan entertainment area and a cosy outdoor fire pit.
Bannister 22 hotel opens in Fremantle
The team behind two of Fremantle’s iconic boutique hotels – Hougoumont Hotel and Warders Hotel – have just added another property to their Fremantle portfolio, Bannister 22. Formerly Quality Suites Fremantle, the hotel is located in the heart of Fremantle, across from the Hougoumont Hotel on Bannister Street and metres from Fremantle’s iconic cappuccino strip. The property features 29 rooms, which includes 17 suites, with seven offering spacious balconies with views of Fremantle.
Home Valley Station opens for 2021 season
Home Valley Station, one of the iconic tourism offerings on the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley region – one of the world’s last true wilderness areas – has reopened for the 2021 season. Having closed last year due to COVID-19, it is now under new management – Balanggarra Ventures, a subsidiary of traditional custodian group Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation. The Home Valley tourism facility sits on the 249,000 hectare Home Valley Station, which offers 36 rooms, campgrounds, a swimming pool, a general store and the Dusty Bar and Grill – and is on the country of the Balanggarra and the Wanjina-Wunggurr Wilinggin people. Home Valley Station will offer cultural tours and other activities, and is the perfect base to explore the stunning and rugged landscapes of the eastern Kimberley region in WA’s North West.
New Sunday Island Aboriginal tour
Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours is a new Aboriginal tourism experience operating from the Dampier Peninsula, located 200 kilometres north of Broome in WA’s North West. Guests will join Roseanna Angus – a Jawi woman whose family lived on Sunday Island during the early mission days – to discover Bardi Jawi culture and the Dreaming stories connected to Sunday Island and the turbulent waters that separate it from the mainland. Departing from Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, the tours will retrace the ocean journey from Bardi Country on the mainland through the network of islands and tidal passages that make up Jawi Country, and through the whirlpools and eddies between Jooloom and Jayirru to learn how these massive tidal currents were used by the Jawi people to hunt, fish and trade. Explore tranquil, unspoilt locations and learn about the cultural and environmental significance of the marine reserve. Tour prices start from $350 for adults and $250 for children.
James Brown awarded Australian Farmer of the Year
Third-generation Broome pearl farmer, James Brown of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, was recently awarded Australian Farmer of the Year 2020-21. James and his family have owned and operated Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm – Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm, located two hours north of Broome on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula – for over 70 years, and are pioneers of Australia’s pearling industry. Now Managing Director of the farm, and CEO of Pearls Australia, James has lived in Cygnet Bay for most of his life, and has been a driving force in the Australian pearling industry, through his dedication to advancing Australian pearls as a premium product around the world.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm can be visited on a day trip from Broome by road, air or sea, and offers a range of different pearling experience tours, as well as accommodation options including a genuine pearling shack, glamping safari tents and campgrounds.
Great Southern Outback new Holland Track tour
Great Southern Outback Tours & Accommodation are launching a new tour of WA’s South West and Golden Outback regions. The Holland Track Woodland, Rocks & Trails 11 Day Tag-Along Tour will take guests off the beaten track, through the towns of Broomehill, Katanning, Nyabing, Newdegate and Hyden (Wave Rock) to Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Norseman to celebrate and commemorate John Holland and his team who cut the Holland Track to the new gold discoveries at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in 1893. The four-wheel-drive tag-along tour will take place from August 30 to September 9. For further information visit greatsouthernoutback.com.au.
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
Lost & Found
September 9 to 12 | Bunbury & Ferguson Valley | WA’s South West
Bunbury and the Ferguson Valley wine region in WA’s South West are set to host a new four-day festival this spring. Lost & Found invites visitors and locals to get lost in the bustling port city of Bunbury and the neighbouring Ferguson Valley wine region. Both regions will host a range of events, from long table dinners in barrel halls and rocking hoedowns, to vertical tastings, wine workshops, sparkling brunches and live music events spanning more than 20 venues.
Shore Leave Festival
September 24 to 27 | Geraldton | WA’s Coral Coast
The inaugural Shore Leave Festival will take over the Coral Coast city of Geraldton, showcasing the region’s seafood, culture and adventure. The festival will offer a jam-packed program of events including seafood markets, a long-table Abrolhos Islands dining experience, walking tours and family-friendly activities. Foodies will also enjoy celebrating the Mid-West region’s premium produce, including the internationally-renowned western rock lobster, as well as other local seafood, meat, fruit, vegetables, grains and beverages.
