14 Jun 2013
What's Hot
Photogenic Western Australia showcases 1001 Extraordinary Experiences
Tourism WA’s latest marketing campaign launched by former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist showcases the best 1001 experiences travellers can have in WA. After receiving nearly 6,000 photo submissions from people in 27 countries, the best 1001 extraordinary experiences have been selected and made into a stunning quick frame film which features more than 300 different locations around Western Australia. The top 5 photographed places in WA were Cable Beach, Broome, Coral Bay, Esperance and Perth.
W: westernaustralia.com/1001
From red dirt to red wine, Geldof experiences the extraordinary contrasts of Western Australia
Global Philanthropist and music legend Sir Bob Geldof recently made a whirlwind tour of Western Australia’s beautiful Kimberley and Margaret River regions. Sir Bob surprised guests at the Airnorth Kimberley Moon Experience– a community celebration and black tie gala set on the banks of the Ord River in Kununurra. Keen to see the Bungle Bungle Range in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park, Sir Bob also experienced a scenic flight over the spectacular beehive like formations. He then squeezed in a day trip to the Margaret River wine region in WA’s south west where he wined, dined and explored some of the region’s forests and beaches before returning to Perth.
Skydive into the Heart of Perth
Skydive Express - Perth City has flung open their doors, spread their wings at 12,000ft and commenced operations as the only skydiving company operating in the heart of the newly transformed Perth CBD. Operating out of Jandakot Airport and landing into Langley Park, the new drop zone will make first time tandem skydiving an easy activity for Perth locals and tourists alike and stand out as one of the best city skydiving experiences in the country.
W: skydive.com.au
Celebrity Line Up announced for 2013 Margaret River Gourmet Escape
Margaret River Gourmet Escape, presented by Siemens, is thrilled to announce that internationally acclaimed chefs Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Alex Atala and Sat Bains and favourite Australian culinary icons, Neil Perry and Matt Moran will lead a star studded line up of personalities at the three day culinary adventure from 22 – 24 November 2013. The Margaret River Gourmet Escape will deliver a program showcasing the best of Western Australia and the Margaret River Wine Region through a lauded line up of over 25 international and Australian food and wine personalities and special events set in unique locations, attracting food and wine lovers and holiday makers to the region. Check out our new video for a taste of what to expect at this year's event.
W: gourmetescape.com.au
Trip Advisor’s 2013 Travellers' Choice Awards: Perth rated 5th in top 25 South Pacific destinations
Perth has rated 5th in the top 25 South Pacific destinations – up 8 spots from last year in the fifth annual awards recognising 412 outstanding destinations in 38 markets across the globe, including lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Europe, India, Mexico, the Middle East, South America, the South Pacific, and the United States. The Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards honour top travel spots worldwide based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from Trip Advisor travellers.
W: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au
Lifestyle and Culture
2013 Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent bigger and better
The world’s greatest white water event, Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent (3-4 August), has introduced new components to the two-day event. New additions include a One Day Event (a modified course for those not ready for the full 2 day adventure), Be Active Women of the Avon (a pre-training course designed especially for women planning to tackle the course), Pamper Camping (a new luxury camping option featuring hot showers!) and Fashions on the Mud Fields (with prizes being awarded to those wearing the most funky and stylish gumboots). Registrations are now open and close at midnight 19 July 2013.
W: avondescent.com.au
Cabaret Soiree 2013 is back DownStairs at the Maj 15 August to 5 October
Proudly part of the 2013 City of Perth Winter Arts Season, the popular Cabaret Soirée season is back DownStairs at the Maj every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 15 August to 5 October 2013, with a sizzling line up of national and local cabaret acts paying tribute to some of the great legends of the music world and more.
W: hismajestystheatre.com.au
Food and Wine
Cygnet Bay Bistro now open
Visitors to the beautiful Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome, now have another reason to visit Australia’s oldest pearl farm at Cygnet Bay. The popular cafe has expanded to include full breakfast, lunch and evening menus. Cygnet Bay Bistro is licensed, so you can also enjoy a cold beer or refreshing glass of wine with your meal. Try a delicious Cygnet Bay Pearl Meat tasting plate, and choose from the wide selection on the lunch and dinner menus. Relax in the alfresco dining area, enjoying the sea breeze during the day and the spectacular Kimberley moon and stars in the evening.
W: cygnetbaypearls.com.au
Simmo's ranked among world’s best ice creameries
The best ice cream in the world can be found right here in WA. Simmo's Ice Creamery in Dunsborough has been ranked one of the best dessert destinations on the planet and certainly the tastiest in Australia. National American newspaper USA Today listed the South-West favourite among ice-cream parlours in Florence, Nice, Sao Paulo and New York, along with cafes in Ireland, Denmark and South Africa. It said the 20-year-old family business boasted 71 awards and 60 different flavours, making it a "heavyweight in the dairy world".
W: simmos.com.au
Trip Advisor accolade for Laurance of Margaret River
The combination of great wines, a family friendly environment, fresh local produce and a world class venue and gardens has proven to be a winning formula for Laurance of Margaret River, recently awarded a 2013 Certificate of Excellence from the world’s largest reviewer Trip Advisor. This prestigious award places Laurance of Margaret River in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide with the Certificate of Excellence only awarded to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from Trip Advisor travellers.
W: laurancewines.com
Tours, Attractions and Accommodation
Crown Resorts Win 'Australia's Best Hotel' Award and 'Best Hotel Renovation' Award at 2013 International Hotel Awards
Crown Resorts has taken out the top honours at the 2013 International Hotel Awards for the Asia Pacific region with both Crown Towers Melbourne and the recently refurbished Crown Metropol Perth celebrated as the country's best. Situated on the banks of the Swan River overlooking Perth city, Crown Metropol Perth was named 'Best Hotel Renovation for Australia'. Crown Resorts are planning their expansion with Crown Towers scheduled to open in 2016.
W: crownhotels.com.au
Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa launches ultimate experiences packages
Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is synonymous with the ultimate Broome getaway. Thousands of guests retreat to the Club every year to escape the winter blues and indulge in all the Resort has to offer - beach walks, lazy days by the pool, sunset cocktails, the Chahoya Spa by L’OCCITANE and their three restaurants. New packages to help plan your ultimate Broome getaway are ‘Luxury @ The Club’, ‘Broome Family Fun’, ‘Chahoya Spa Indulgence’ and ‘Cable Fishing Adventure’.
W: cablebeachclub.com
Another 18 Kimberley Freshwater Apartments now available
Kununurra's newest and only 4.5 star accommodation option, Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments is the perfect place to stay when you visit the spectacular East Kimberley region. Located amongst beautiful tropical gardens and overlooking Celebrity Tree Park and Lily Creek Lagoon, Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments provides the ideal relaxing environment for your stay in Kununurra.
W: freshwaterapartments.net.au
New Kimberley Wild Tour for 2014: Darwin to Broome and Broome to Darwin
Ready for 2014, Kimberley Wild is thrilled to launch their new 4WD 10 Day Kimberley Trail tours. Highlights include the Gibb River Road, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Bell Gorge, Manning Falls, El Questro Wilderness Park, Zebedee Springs, Lake Argyle, the Bungle Bungle Range (including the exclusive Bungle Bungles Safari Camp) Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge, Kununurra, Katherine, Nitmiluk Gorge, Edith Falls, Mitchell Falls Explorer (optional) OR Lake Argyle & Ord River Cruise (optional). All of these amazing destinations are experienced from the comfort of custom-built luxury vehicles designed especially for travel in the Kimberley. Explore with experienced guides who are experts in the nature, history and unique landscape of the Kimberley.
W: kimberleywild.com.au
Special family and couple packages on offer at Darby Park Serviced Residences Margaret River
Treat your family or loved one to an affordable Margaret River getaway with one of the new packages on offer at Darby Park Serviced Residences. With forest views and a spa bath, packages include family passes to Amaze’n and tubs of Millers icecream in the freezer on arrival! The offer is valid until 1 December 2013 and subject to availability over peak season dates.
W: darbypark.com.au
Kimberley Quest 8 day ‘Cruise, Fish and Taste’ expedition in July 2013
Featuring Australian Masterchefs Rhys Badcock and Nathan Brindle, Kimberley Quest is running an 8 day ‘Cruise, Fish and Taste’ expedition from 23 – 30 July, which will allow you to experience the wonders of this breathtaking region by boat and also the flavours that go with it. Highlights include hands on cooking classes working with seafood caught along the way, including barramundi, mud crabs and oysters, a helicopter flight over the Mitchell Falls, swimming, fishing, exploring, bush walking, scenic tender excursions and nature viewing. Beginning on the Hunter River, guests are flown in on a light plane, joining Kimberley Quest the day after an overnight in Broome.
W: kimberleyquest.com.au
Feature: What would you name the world's largest fish?
Tourism WA has adopted a whale shark and is giving you the chance to name it.
Whale shark research and conservation organisation, Ecocean, has tagged Tourism WA’s adopted whale shark for research purposes and naming rights are on the table.
You can suggest a name by visiting Tourism WA’s Facebook page and completing an application form. A shortlist of names will be polled on Facebook and the entry with the most votes will become the name of the adopted whale shark.
Australia’s Coral Coast Chief Executive Officer, David O’Malley commended Tourism WA’s support of Ecocean’s research into the behaviour and habits of the world’s largest fish and encouraged people to enter the competition.
“It’s great that Tourism WA is able to support Ecocean’s important research and conservation efforts to ensure that swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef remains a sustainable experience for future generations to enjoy, Mr O’Malley said.
“Ningaloo Reef is one of the most reliable and accessible places in the world to swim with whale sharks and we want to ensure this continues to be the case.
“Ningaloo is currently experiencing an excellent whale shark season, with tour operators reporting a 99 per cent success rate of sightings on their tours.
“Exmouth and Coral Bay whale shark operators are likely to offer tours until late July.”
Visit Tourism WA’s Facebook page to enter your favourite whale shark name and visit australiascoralcoast.com for further information on swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef.
Events
Tourism WA’s 2013 Events Calendar is now online at tourism.wa.gov.au/events
Country Cups - Opening to the Broome Race Season
1 June to 17 August
Set amongst large shady trees only a short distance from the famous Cable Beach, the Broome Cup displays competitive thoroughbred horseracing and thrilling entertainment to ensure a fun day for all. The tropical ‘dry season’ in Broome adds to the ambience of this unique annual event.
W: wacountrycups.com.au
Truffle Kerfuffle- Southern Forest Food Festival
22 June
Manjimup’s famous black truffles and local produce will be celebrated at the third annual Truffle Kerfuffle. Manjimup produces around 70 per cent of Australia’s truffle harvest. The event will feature master classes by local and celebrity chefs, a local farmers market, truffle hunting demonstrations by the local truffle dogs and a prestigious gala dinner.
W: trufflekerfuffle.com.au
Van Gogh, Dalí and Beyond: The World Reimagined
22 June to 2 December
This exhibition, to be held at the Art Gallery of WA, features more than 130 masterworks from The Museum of Modern Art in New York, brings together 96 artists who reimagined the way we view the world through art. These outstanding paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and media works offer innovative interpretations of the traditions of Landscape, Still life and Portraiture to reflect the dynamic changes of modern art in the twentieth century.
W: momaseries.com.au
Revelation Perth International Film Festival
4 to 14 July
The Revelation Perth International Film Festival introduces new, ground-breaking national and international films, live music and powerful performances to audiences of all ages, tastes and backgrounds. Like the films it presents, the event maintains an endless energy and enthusiasm for the industry.
W: revelationfilmfest.org
Goldfields Kidsfest
6 to 7 July
Families and children of Kalgoorlie will be entertained at the inaugural Goldfields Kidsfest. Children will be able to participate in interactive and educational workshops including arts and crafts, science, dance, cooking and circus skills.
W: goldfieldstourism.com.au
Wyndham Stars on the Bastion
6 July
The stunning Five Rivers Lookout set on top of the Bastion Range provides the perfect setting for the Wyndham Stars on the Bastion. The event begins at sunset, providing guests with extraordinary views before they are treated to a night of fine dining and entertainment by some of Australia’s top country music singers.
W: wyndhamstarsonthebastion.org.au
Mowanjum Festival
11 July
The festival is a celebration of Indigenous culture and the people of the Kimberley in particular the Worora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul people which incorporate dance, music, song, story and art. It will feature a concert with up to 150 Indigenous performances and afternoon workshops which include boab nut carving and didgeridoo playing.
Act Belong Commit Avon Descent
3 to 4 August
Each August for more than 40 years, competitors from across Australia and the world have tackled the white water rapids of the Avon and Swan rivers as part of the Avon Descent. This iconic homegrown WA event takes competitors on a gruelling 124km course in a variety of water craft.
W: avondescent.com.au
Nameless Jarndunmunha Festival
6 to 10 August
Now in the 42nd year, the Nameless Jarndunmunha Festival is an annual event held in Tom Price. The week-long festival is a cultural and social event which brings together the whole community with a grand ball, art workshop and exhibits, stalls and sideshows, entertainment, competitions, street and fashion parades, a fireworks display and an outdoor concert.
Gascoyne Food Festival
15 to 17 August
The Gascoyne Food Festival is a celebration of the abundant, fresh produce grown in the region. The event includes a growers market, cooking demonstrations, live music, ticketed long table lunch with celebrity chefs, and networking opportunities for industry.
Murchison Astrofest 2013
17 August
The Murchison Astrofest is an overnight camping festival which combines astronomy and Aboriginal culture. The main focus of the event is the international science project, Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and participants get the chance to meet and discuss the project with astronomers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The event also features Aboriginal bush food demonstrations, guided walks with a Wajarri Bush Professor, local art produced by Wajarru and non-Aboriginal artists, a meal prepared by a local chef, celestial night tour, telescopes no hand to view the moon on Mars, lie didgeridoo music, sing-alongs and a bon fire.
W: murchisonastrofest.com.au
CinéfestOz
21 to 25 August
In its sixth year, CinéfestOz showcases the best of Australian and French films over a five day event. The festival draws a diverse audience and attracts filmmakers and actors from around Australia. Combined with great food, wine and music the region offers, CinéfestOz has become a must-attend event for film followers, filmmakers and film lovers.
W: cinefestoz.com
North West Festival
24 August
In its second year, this unique music event is sure to entertain and excite the people of the Pilbara region. The North West Festival will showcase various artists and offer a fun-filled evening of extraordinary music in an extraordinary setting.
W: northwestfestival.com.au
Chevron City to Surf for Activ
25 August
The largest sporting community event in Western Australia, the Chevron City to Surf for Activ incorporates a 4km walk/run/wheelchair, 12km walk/run, 21.1km half marathon and 42.2km marathon. The marathon discipline offers Australia’s richest prize pool and takes in some of Perth’s iconic locations, journeying along the banks of the Swan River, through picturesque Kings Park and finishing at City Beach, overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean.
W: perthcitytosurf.com
For more information about Western Australian, including events, visit westernaustralia.com.
To add an event to the Tourism WA events calendar, email event details to calendar@westernaustralia.com
For images, visit Tourism WA's image library: imagegallery.tourism.wa.gov.au
Media contact: Tara Oosterhuis - media@westernaustralia.com
