Preview: The Evolution of Perth – What's New and What's to Come

01 Apr 2019

The Evolution of Perth – What's New and What's to Come

Western Australia's capital city has experienced a transformation that has everybody talking - even The New York Times listed Perth as one of the '52 places to go in 2019.'

Visitors to Perth can enjoy a raft of new and revitalised attractions, accommodation, and food and drink offerings, as well as cultural, entertainment and sporting precincts.

The city now offers some of the best value hotel and short-stay accommodation in Australia, with a large number of new and refurbished properties that have opened across the city.

Since 2012, 35 new or redeveloped hotels have opened in and around Perth, adding more than 3,657 new rooms to the local market, with names such as The Westin (represented at ATE), COMO The Treasury (represented at ATE), Crown Towers (represented at ATE), DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge (represented at ATE), InterContinental Perth City Centre (represented at ATE), Alex Hotel, Aloft and Tribe among the mix.

By 2022, it is expected that a further 12 new hotels will open, including the Ritz-Carlton, which will be its first Australian property in 10 years, DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront and EQ West.

Perth's state-of-the-art 60,000 seat Optus Stadium (represented at ATE) opened to applause in January 2018 and continues to host sell-out crowds. The sporting and entertainment precinct will welcome several exclusive events in 2019 and beyond, including two Manchester United friendly matches (July 13 and 17), Bledisloe Cup (August 10) and T20 World Cup 2020 matches.

Situated adjacent to Perth's Swan River and overlooking the city, Optus Stadium is surrounded by parkland, nature playgrounds and public art. The new Matagarup Bridge provides pedestrian access from the city to the stadium, while private ferry transfers are available with Captain Cook Cruises (represented at ATE).

Spearheading the development of Perth's new city hubs, waterfront precinct Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016. The development has quickly become a focal point for visitors and locals, with its ever-expanding range of attractions, overlooking the iconic Swan River. This includes several dining options, Aboriginal experiences with GoCultural Tours (represented at ATE), Willie Creek Pearls (represented at ATE), Perth's iconic Bell Tower (represented at ATE) and Perth city walking tours with Two Feet and a Heartbeat (represented at ATE). A number of major developments are also taking shape, including the Ritz-Carlton, which has a prime riverfront location and is set to open in October 2019.

Yagan Square is the first significant site in an Australian city to be named in honour of an Aboriginal person, and is the connecting point between Perth and Northbridge. As well as being a place of meeting, celebration and connection, the public precinct is home to a market hall of eateries. Along with the new Kings Square space, the cultural hub forms part of the Perth City Link project, which has reconnected the CBD with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years.

Located in the city's revitalised east end, Hibernian Place is another new precinct for Perth – home to the 368-room five-star Westin Perth (represented at ATE). Opened in 2018, the lively hub combines a curated mix of hospitality operators, such as late-night bar Goody Twos and rooftop venue Hadiqa, while the heritage-listed Hibernian Hall has been transformed into the Westin's flagship restaurant, Guy Grossi's Garum.

The historic State Buildings has become one of Perth's most popular wining and dining precincts since opening in 2015. Situated at the centre of Perth city, the former Old Treasury, Lands and Titles buildings have been beautifully restored. As well as being home to luxury boutique hotel COMO The Treasury (represented at ATE) – visitors will find a selection of dining experiences, local retailers and a wellness centre.

The redevelopment of Fremantle's Kings Square is due for completion in 2020, transforming Perth's port city into a vibrant and cultural commercial hub. The project will see new retail and dining experiences, five-star green star commercial spaces and a revamped city square with new public facilities.

Along Perth's coastline, Scarborough Beach is on its way to becoming one of Australia's best beachfronts. A $100 million foreshore redevelopment saw its first milestone in early 2018, with the opening of an eight-lane, 50-metre Scarborough Beach Pool. Nearby, City Beach has also undergone a coastal revitalisation with new dining options, lush lawns and a revamped surf-life saving club.

A short ferry ride from Perth, Fremantle or Hillarys with Rottnest Express, Rottnest Fast Ferries or SeaLink (all represented at ATE) – Rottnest Island is experiencing a welcomed revival. The opening of 'glamping' resort Discovery – Rottnest Island (represented at ATE) offers visitors a contemporary and environmentally conscious accommodation option. There are also plans for a major expansion of Hotel Rottnest (represented at ATE), which will see it double in size, adding 80 rooms to its current offering of 18.

In addition, the island playground has welcomed several new tours, including a crayfish 'catch and cook' experience on board Rottnest Cruises (represented at ATE); water scooter and glass bottom sea kayak tours; scenic flights with Swan River Seaplanes (represented at ATE); and skydiving experiences with Skydive Geronimo (represented at ATE).

Complementing Perth's urban attractions is a range of nature-based experiences, located right on the city's doorstep. At 400 hectares, Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the world's largest inner-city parks. Explore the park's 3,000 species of unique flora and picturesque parks by foot, or on a tour with Segway Tours WA (represented at ATE). Uncover the Swan Valley - a 25-minute drive from Perth city - on the new Swan Valley Explorer hop-on, hop-off bus service, operated by ADAMS Charters (represented at ATE), or experience it on a luxury Rotorvation Helicopters tour (represented at ATE). Swim with wild dolphins at Shoalwater Marine Park with Rockingham Wild Encounters (represented at ATE), cuddle a koala at Caversham Wildlife Park (represented at ATE), walk through Australia's largest walk-through aquarium at The Aquarium of Western Australia (represented at ATE), or cruise the coastal city of Mandurah's scenic canals with Mandurah Cruises (represented at ATE).

Cementing its status as the western gateway to Australia, Perth welcomed Qantas' direct flights from London to Perth in March 2018. The daily non-stop flights became the world's first regular passenger service directly linking Australia and Europe. In addition, All Nippon Airways (ANA) will commence a daily direct service between Tokyo, Japan and Perth on September 1, 2019.

For further information on Perth's revival, and any of the new developments, please contact Tourism WA's Destination and Events PR team.

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Contacts:

Michelle Kosonen, PR & Famils Manager

Tourism Western Australia

Michelle.Kosonen@westernaustralia.com

08 9262 1708

Jayde Little, Public Relations Manager

Tourism Western Australia

Jayde.little@westernaustralia.com

08 9262 1769

Emily Andrews, Public Relations Executive