WHAT'S HOT

 

Give the gift of a WA travel experience

Give the gift of travel this festive season, thanks to a new campaign encouraging locals to support the WA tourism industry by gifting a WA adventure or experience this Christmas. The campaign encourages people to book or buy vouchers for WA tourism experiences direct with local operators or travel agents. Gift buyers can choose from accommodation, tours and attractions catering to a range of interests including food and drink, nature and wildlife, and Aboriginal culture. Discover the range of WA travel gifts available by visiting gift.westernaustralia.com, or for tailored gift bundles of experiences visit wanderwa.com.au. 

 

Affordable airfares to Kununurra, Broome and Exmouth

Diving into the wonders of World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, experiencing the magic of the Kimberley or slipping into Broome time will now be more affordable for travellers, thanks to the release of 40,000 reduced airfares between Perth and Exmouth, Kununurra and Broome.

Qantas is offering more than 17,000 discounted airfares between Perth and Exmouth from November 2021 to December 2022. One-way tickets are priced from $159 (low season) and $169 (high season) on flights from Friday to Monday each week. Qantas operates daily services year-round between Perth and Exmouth, with additional flights during peak periods.

More than 12,000 discounted one-way Virgin Australia fares are available from $249 between Perth and Kununurra from March 2022 to September 2022. Virgin Australia will operate four flights per week to Kununurra from March 28, 2022, increasing to five flights per week from May 8, 2022. There will also be more than 11,000 discounted airfares between Perth and Broome, priced from $199 one-way on flights from March 2022 to October 2022. Virgin Australia operates daily services year-round between Perth and Broome, with additional flights during peak periods. The Virgin and Qantas special fares can be booked online or through travel agents, with tickets on sale now.

 

Colours of the Kimberley on show

Western Australia's awe-inspiring Kimberley region will be showcased across the globe thanks to a partnership with Showroom-X – a collective of Australian fashion brands – and the #WeWearAustralian campaign. The azure waters and red pindan sands in Broome, and the otherworldly landscapes in Kununurra provide the perfect backdrop for over 180 renowned Australian brands. The campaign was shot in some of the region's most incredible locations such as Gantheaume Point, Reddell Beach and Cable Beach in Broome; and Mirima National Park (the 'Mini Bungles'), and Lake Argyle in Kununurra. The campaign is being led by WA-raised Creative Director Ken Leung who has previously worked with global labels such as Uniqlo and DKNY.

On the campaign shoot, Creative Director Ken Leung said:

“Being West Australian is a luxury. I have the time and space to be creative and I'm more creative here than anywhere else in the world. We have an abundance of breathtaking landscapes and unique flora and fauna to inspire us.

“I was excited about how colourful and culturally rich Broome is. I loved the pink sands melting into turquoise blue waters at Crab Creek, the vivid sunsets at Cable Beach and glowing red rocks at Reddell Beach. I was overwhelmed by the scale and history of Kununurra. 1,500 year old boab trees and the vast scale of Lake Argyle puts everything in perspective.”

 

Art Gallery of WA's new rooftop venue

The much-anticipated Art Gallery of WA (AGWA) Rooftop opened this month, offering a new multi-use gallery space and rooftop venue that brings together art and entertainment against Perth's city skyline. The major redevelopment project has created the largest commercially available rooftop venue in Perth, accommodating up to 500 people. The new rooftop features food and beverages with a distinct WA flavour; an open-air sculpture walk, with works from the State Art Collection; a new internal gallery space for exhibitions and events; and two outdoor multi-purpose spaces with stunning views of the city, Perth Hills and WA Museum. The new venue also includes an external lift and sky bridge from the Perth Cultural Centre precinct – allowing visitors access to the rooftop when the gallery is closed.

To celebrate the opening, AGWA has launched The View From Here – a new and exciting multi-sensory experience. It is the gallery's largest-ever exhibition of WA art, featuring over 230 artists, 361 artworks, with 111 new works commissioned. A centrepiece of The View From Here will be Collective Ground – an created exhibition presenting some 60 works from over 120 acquired from Aboriginal Art Centres and Aboriginal artists across Western Australia.

 

Perth Festival announces 2022 program

The 2022 Perth Festival will bring waves of delight when it celebrates the theme of Wardan (ocean) from February 11 to March 6. WA's premier cultural and arts event will feature world-premieres, new local commissions and works coming to Perth for the first time. The festival will open with Escape – a huge multi-site family adventure inspired by the legendary Catalpa convict escape. Celebrating the diverse stories, voyages, cultures and experience of life in WA, over two nights Fremantle's wharves, warehouses, beachfront and streets will be transformed into an arena of stunning light installations, music, dance, community events, feasts, and a Catalpa re-enactment performed by a troupe of outlandish cyclists.

To close the festival, Perry Lakes – located near City Beach in Perth's western suburbs – will light up with the immersive and multisensory Noongar Wonderland, a dynamic expression of Noongar culture with technicolour lighting, dance and song in the forest between the two lakes. Other program highlights include the much-loved Ballet at The Quarry; Bizet's Carmen presented by the West Australian Opera, which will see more than 150 singers and musicians performing on a purpose-built stage at the iconic West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Ground; and the landmark theatrical event Mary Stuart, which will bring to life one of history's great rivalries − Elizabeth I's battle royale with Mary, Queen of Scots. Acclaimed WA playwright Kate Mulvany has adapted this epic tale into a costume drama with an outstanding cast led by Perth-based American actor Kate Walsh and WA's Caroline Brazier. A strong contemporary music program will also make a return for 2022, with performances held in unusual spaces across the city, along with the Lotterywesy Films program at UWA Somerville. Tickets are now on sale to all events, and for the full program, visit perthfestival.com.au.

 

Origins Market opens in Busselton

Origins Market has opened its doors this month, offering a market like no other and a landmark destination for both locals and visitors to Busselton in WA's South West region. The market offers a space for more than 60 makers, growers, producers and artisans in the region to showcase their produce and talent, allowing visitors to engage with the farmers, producers, winemakers, artisans and creators – all under one roof. Visitors can sample some of WA's best wineries, cideries, distilleries and breweries; enjoy international cuisine from more than 20 food stalls, as well as hand-crafted gelato, freshly roasted coffee, freshly shucked oysters, fish straight from the boat and pastries baked on site. There are also hand-crafted products including jewellery, candles and soaps, as well as an in-house observational beehive. The market also includes an on-site incubator kitchen, helping small businesses to get their products to market. Located in the heart of Busselton, Origins Market is open Thursday to Sunday from 7am, and is open every day during school holidays.

 

FRINGE World program release

The full 2022 FRINGE World Festival program is now live, with tickets to more than 430 shows on sale. The festival will take over 90 venues throughout Perth, including festival hubs at the much-loved Pleasure Garden in Northbridge, and Girls School - located in the historic 1930s Old Perth Girls School Building. This year's program will shine a light on local artists, with 75 percent of the performances being WA events. Festival program highlights include the return of sell-out circus favourite A Simple Space; the Haus of Hans: Disco Spektakulär taking stage at The Aurora Spiegeltent; take a trip on the Honky Tonk Time Machine at live music venue Badlands with Fringe stalwart Jessie Gordan and multi-grammy award winner Lucky Oceans; and the intimate and powerful circus show She is Strong at Girls School. BIPOCity – Unity amongst Diversity will showcase diversity with performances from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC); and outside of the city, experience the existential comedy cabaret Hello, Asteroid at Subiaco Arts Centre. The annual festival is the third largest Fringe festival in the world, and will run over four weeks from January 14 to February 13, 2022.

 

Tourism operators celebrated at WA Tourism Awards

A number of WA tourism businesses were acknowledged for excellence at the 2021 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards – held on Saturday night. Tourism business founder Troy Thomas was posthumously awarded the prestigious Sir David Brand Medal for Tourism. Troy Thomas was a Broome helicopter pilot and started award-winning Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures in 2006. The tourism industry's top accolade, the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, was awarded to HeliSpirit - a helicopter tourism charter company based in the Kimberley and Esperance. Busselton Jetty in WA's South West took out the gold in the Major Tourist Attractions category, and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside CinefestOZ Film Festival, Fremantle Prison and Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences – with each winning gold in their category for three years in a row.

Other gold medallists on the night included:

• Tourist Attractions – Willie Creek Pearl Farm
• Major Festivals & Events – Christmas Lights Trail 2020 – City of Perth
• Ecotourism – Live Ningaloo
• Cultural Tourism – Fremantle Prison
• Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism – Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences
• Major Tours & Transport Operators – HeliSpirit
• Adventure Tourism – Skydive Geronimo
• Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries – Black Brewing Co
• New Tourism Business – Matagarup Zip+Climb
• Excellence in Food Tourism – Two Feet and a Heartbeat

The gold medallists will go on to represent WA at the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards, due to be held early next year. For the full list of winners, visit the Tourism Council WA website.  

 

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

 

Ice Cream Factory serving up summer

Popular Perth outdoor pop-up venue The Ice Cream Factory will be returning to Northbridge this summer with 10 huge nights from December 3 to January 1. Bringing the summer festival vibes, the line-up will include live music from over 50 local DJs and artists performed across three stages, plus two rooftop decks. Festivalgoers will also enjoy innovative activations, unique outdoor zones, experiential installations, plus food provided by local burger bar Varsity Burgers. Tickets to events are now on sale through factoryfestival.com.au. 

 

Perth's outdoor cinemas return

Perth's balmy summer evenings offer the perfect setting to enjoy a movie under the stars, with a range of unique outdoor movie venues across the Perth region. Choose from a city rooftop experience at the Rooftop Movies in Northbridge, pack a picnic for an evening on the grass at the Moonlight Cinema in Kings Park, take a seat under the pine trees at the University of Western Australia's Somerville Auditorium for Perth Festival's Lotterywest Films season, or choose from various locations at the outdoor Telethon Community Cinemas.

 

West Australian Ballet release 2022 program

The West Australian Ballet, Australia's oldest ballet company, is set to celebrate its 70th season with and ambitious program featuring a number of groundbreaking new works. The 2022 season commences with Platinum: Ballet at the Quarry, featuring four exhilarating works set under the night sky of the Quarry Amphitheatre in City Beach, performed as part of the Perth Festival 2022 program. From November 18 to December 11, 2022 the West Australian Ballet will present for the first time a full-length staging of the iconic Swan Lake. This ground-breaking new work will bring together classical ballet alongside the work of Balladong Wadjuk Noongar man Barry McGuire and Gya Ngoop Keeninyarra (One Blood Dancers), with ancient music and dance performed by Noongar artists adding to the traditional tale. The story of this much-loved classical ballet will intertwine with the McGuire family totem, the Black Swan, which is the symbol of Western Australia. Season packages for the 2022 program are now on sale, as well as tickets for individual shows, which are available to purchase through waballet.com.au.

 

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & ACCOMMODATION

 

Explore Perth's Sunset Coast on new bus tour

WA's only open-top bus will be cruising along Perth's Sunset Coast this spring and summer, allowing guests to soak in the coastal views and sunshine from a unique perspective. The Sunset Coast Explorer tour will operate every Saturday and Sunday from now until January 24, and is free for all guests to ride. Perth Explorer are operating the service, which runs between Whitford City shopping centre and iconic Scarborough Beach, stopping at North Beach and Hillarys Boat Harbour, where guests can visit the Aquarium of WA – making it the perfect family day outing. The bus service will operate regularly over the weekends, and the timetable can be accessed here.

 

Perth Wildlife Encounters new sunset cruise

Perth Wildlife Encounters has this month launched a new luxury Sunset Cruise tour operating from Rockingham, located less than an hour's drive from Perth CBD. Complementing the renowned swim with wild dolphins tour, the new sunset tour will allow guests to sit back and relax on-board a luxury vessel while taking in the views of Rockingham's spectacular coastal sunsets, with the chance to spot the resident dolphins and other aquatic wildlife. The tours start from $99, and include an antipasto platter. Guests can also bring their own alcohol, and have the opportunity to swim off the boat.

 

Whale Watch WA new luxury vessel

Whale Watch Western Australia has recently welcomed a brand new vessel, specifically designed for whale watching. Whale Watch 1 is a 15-metre luxury vessel equipped with whisper quiet motors, which dramatically reduce the noise footprint, and offers the best water level viewing available. Also included is below water cameras with TV screens accompanied with the in water hydrophone – capturing both sound and vision for guests and the on-board marine scientists. The new vessel will be departing from Hillarys, located a half hour drive north of Perth CBD, until December to witness WA's annual humpback whale migration. Whale Watch WA also offers whale watching tours from Fremantle, on its other vessel.

 

Albany Street Art walking tour

Discover iconic sculptures and contemporary artworks by local and international artists in the alleyways of Albany in WA's South West region on a new street art walking tour with Busy Blue Bus Tours. Guests can walk the streets of the coastal town with a local guide to discover murals and sculptures that tell the stories of Albany's history and culture. The tours depart every Thursday from the Albany Visitor Centre, and runs from 5pm to 7pm. Bookings are now open, with tours starting from January 13, 2022 at a cost of $60 per person.

 

Untamed Escapes launches new wellness and luxury tours

Long-standing tourism company Australian Wildlife Adventures has recently rebranded as Untamed Escapes, as part of its shift into the wellness tourism space. As part of the rebrand, the company has combined both its tour operators, Nullabor Traveller and Xplore Eyre, to form one inclusive brand. Some of the new tours on offer include a four day Esperance Wellness Retreat, a four day Yoga Retreat from Perth to Margaret River; plus a three day Margaret River Luxury Escape and a four day Margaret River and South West Private Tour, where guests will experience the regions finest food and wine. Untamed Escapes connects travellers from all demographics with a range of adventure, wildlife, wellness, and epicurean experiences in WA.

 

Karrinyup Shopping Centre redevelopment

Perth has recently welcomed a new shopping, entertainment, and food precinct with the reopening of Karrinyup Shopping Centre. After undergoing an $800 million redevelopment, the shopping centre, located near Perth's coast, has doubled in size and is now home to 290 retail stores, as well as The West Deck – an outdoor precinct featuring an exciting line-up of over 20 new entertainment, food and beverage venues, as well as a new kid's play area. The precinct is also home to Good Company – another venture for Three Pound Group, the company behind The Camfield and The Elford – which serves up Mediterranean vibes with a neighbourhood pub feel, and features a menu insipired by the coast and pub food classics. Plus, Northbridge dumpling house institution, Authentic Bites, has expanded its offering to the coastal suburb. Also located on The West Deck is Australian Entertainment Business, Funlab. Bringing a whole new world of fun to the precinct, it includes the well-loved Holey Moley Golf Club and Strike Bowling, plus the new Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, where guests can enjoy classic arcade games, dodgem cars, carousels plus more.

 

New luxury dining cruise in Margaret River region

South West Cruises will soon launch an exciting new dining concept in the Margaret River region of WA's South West. The half-day Taste of the Bays Cruise is an indulgent foodie experience featuring an all-inclusive, seven-course progressive dinner on-board a 60-foot charter boat cruising through the calm waters of Dunsborough's Geographe Bay. The afternoon and sunset voyage takes guests to the most beautiful bays, beaches and landmarks of Meelup Regional Park, with a freshly prepared course served at each stop. Each course is accompanied with paired wines from Howard Park, Margaret River. The menu heroes local South West produce such as Albany rock oysters, South West blue swimmer crab, West Australian scallops, South West marron, freshly-caught fish of the day, Margaret River cured meats and chocolate, Manjimup black truffle and Yallingup cheeses and woodfired breads. Guests also have the option to swim, snorkel or relax on float mats. Taste of the Bays commences in the South West in January 2022, running through until April. The cruise is all-inclusive, with courtesy coach transfers from local towns provided. South West Cruises is part of Sea West, which also includes Broome Cruises, Mandurah Cruises and Rottnest Cruises.

 

Turtle nesting tours at Broome's Cable Beach

Witness the magic of a turtle nesting experience on Broome's Cable Beach – a Yawuru dreaming place for the Gurlibil (sea turtle) – with Mabu Buru Tours. Johani Mamid is an experienced Indigenous Ranger, and takes his guests on a cultural night walking tour to search for nesting sea turtles on Cable Beach, as well as discussing Yawuru culture, country and history. If successful, he safely guides his guests through the nest building and egg laying process. The tours are conducted at night-time only, and start times and tour durations vary depending on predicting nesting possibilities. Tours are available during November and December.

 

FOOD & WINE

 

West Australian Good Food Guide Awards

The West Australian Good Food Guide Awards night took place on October 14, 2021, celebrating the best-of-the-best in the WA hospitality industry. Taking out the Restaurant of the Year award was Margaret River's founding winery, Vasse Felix, with Head Chef Brendan Pratt also being awarded Regional Chef of the Year. Chef of the Year went to Joel Valvasori of Subiaco's Lulu La Delizia, and Rachael Hughes from Shadow Wine Bar, in Northbridge, took home the Sommelier of the Year award. Other notable winners include New Restaurant of the Year, Fleur, located in the recently refurbished The Royal Hotel, and Regional Restaurant of the Year Glenarty Road, in the Margaret River region. The awards also coincide with the release of the 2021 WA Good Food Guide Top 100, which celebrates WA's incredible food and beverage scene by listing the State's top 100 venues, including 50 restaurants, 25 bars and 25 casual offerings. Visit wagoodfoodguide.com for the full list of award winners, and the Top 100 guide.

 

Pirate Life Brewing Company opens in Perth

The largest brewpub in Perth's CBD opened its doors to the public last month. Pirate Life Brewing Company is a multi-venue site, and a partnership between local hospitality heavyweight Andy Freeman – the founder of Sneaker & Jeans group – and Pirate Life founders Michael Cameron, Jack Cameron and Jared Proudfoot, all proud West Australians. Located in the former Sony building on Murray Street, the multi-storey space includes casual fine dining restaurant TOMA - headed up by renowned Head Chef Charlie Vargas - it serves up locally sourced produce using a custom-made parrilla woodfired grill, as well as two exclusive private dining rooms. The venue also boasts art murals and installs from local artists – as well as the in-house brewery with 16 Pirate Life Perth taps in the brewery's 15-metre main bar. This month will also see the opening of two more spaces, including basement rum bar Honey.

 

Perth's latest hospitality offerings

Casa Perth is a European-inspired café, bar and wine store located in the vibrant suburb of Mount Hawthorne. Chef Paul Bently, from Si Paradiso, delivers an all-day menu with Italian influence, alongside Mexican and French elements – inspired by his classical French training and the restaurants he owns in Mexico. Sydney-based chef Enrico Tome – of Sydney's Fratelli Paradiso – is also a partner, and brings his Italian cooking credentials to help inform the house-made pasta offering.

Perth's CBD has recently welcomed the opening of a new Japanese restaurant, Nippon Izakaya Bar and Kitchen. Located on St Georges Terrace, the seasonal menu features creative Japanese cuisine using locally sourced produce.

Brown Street Grill has this month opened at urban distillery Bright Tank Brewing Co, located in East Perth. Ignited at the hands of renowned WA chef Stuart Laws, the menu dishes up wood-fired snacks and substantials made from locally sourced produce.

At Perth's Rottnest Island, Isola – meaning Island in Italian – is bringing a touch of Italy to the island playground. Taking over the former Thomson Restaurant, Isola serves up island life vibes with drinking and dining right on the beach. Guests can enjoy apertivos and share plates from an Italian inspired menu whilst overlooking stunning Thompons Bay.

 

Larry Cherubino Chardonnay awarded Best Wine

Larry Cherubino Wines has taken home a string of accolades for its 2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay at the recent Langton's Margaret River Wine Show awards. The Margaret River winery was awarded the prestigious Best Wine of Show trophy for its chardonnay, along with the Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine of Show awards. The team at Xanadu Wines also triumphed, taking home five trophies including Most Successful Exhibitor. Now in its 20th year, the Margaret River Wine Show is one of the most important events of the year for the Margaret River wine region in WA's South West, and provides critical assessment from a select panel of judges from around Australia and the world. For the full list of this year's award winners visit margaretriver.wine/margaret-river-wine-show/.

 

EVENTS

Perth Christmas Lights Trail November 19 - January 2 | Perth CBD

One of Perth's favourite Christmas traditions is back for its fourth year. The Perth Christmas Lights Trail will return for 45 nights, from November 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022, bringing the Christmas cheer to the city. The light spectacle will include over 30 mesmerising light displays and festive decorations to ignite everyone's Christmas joy this festive season. 

Christmas Lights Cruise December 1 to January 8 | Mandurah | Perth

Experience the magic of Christmas this festive season on board Mandurah Cruises Christmas Lights Cruise as millions of colourful lights illuminate Mandurah's luxury canal homes and reflect onto the water. This magical spectacle occurs from December to early January as the residents hold a competition to see who has the best Christmas lights display. The cruises depart every night from December 1, 2021 to January 8, 2022.

KFC Big Bash League December & January | Optus Stadium | Perth

Fresh from hosting the 2021 AFL Grand Final, Perth's world-class Optus Stadium will play host to the KFC Big Bash League cricket games over the months of December 2021 and January 2022. The Perth Scorchers will take on the Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at Optus Stadium in the T20 series.

Bunbury Fringe January 21 to 29 | Bunbury | WA's South West

Bunbury Fringe is bringing a selection of cutting edge, diverse and eclectic shows from all over Australia to the South West region. Featuring everything from stand up, music, comedic theatre, poetry and storytelling. The Bunbury Fringe Head Quarters will pop up on the water at what is usually the Bunbury Powerboat Club, with the rooms to be transformed into a multi-faceted performance spaces, with something new happening each night.

Grapes and Gallops January 23 | Mount Barker | WA's South West

Locals and visitors to the Great Southern can enjoy a day of great food and wine, fashion and horse racing at Mount Barker's Grapes and Gallops festival. There will be horse races throughout the day, accompanied by local wineries showcasing the region's award-winning wines and local produce, and family-friendly activities.

Sunsmart Busselton Jetty Swim February 12 to 13 | Busselton | WA's South West

The SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim event will be held over two days, with activities and family entertainment for everyone. The event is regarded as one of the South West's premier sporting events. The course is a swim of 3.6 kilometres around the Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, in the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay.

Flow State February 18 to 20 | Mandurah | Perth

Held over three days in February on the beautiful Mandurah Foreshore, Flow State will bring together nutrition gurus, movement leaders, sex and relationship thinkers and finance motivators who will blur the hard edges of health through a series of keynotes, workshops and activity sessions.

Nannup Music Festival March 4 to 7 | Nannup | WA's South West

The 2022 Nannup Music Festival presents an eclectic mix of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, set amongst the stunning bush backdrop in the historic timber town of Nannup on the banks of the Blackwood River. The festival highlights the best in new, emerging and Indigenous music over free and ticketed venues.The weekend event will feature live music, buskers, workshops, delicious food and handmade wonders, along with kids activities, street shows, performers, presenters, panels and workshops from art and craft to musical masterclasses, as well as mental, environmental and health discussions and activities.

Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest March 19 to 20 | Mandurah | Perth

The Mandurah Crab Fest is the largest free regional community event in WA, attracting both locals and visitors to the coastal city of Mandurah, located an hour's drive from Perth. The event showcases the lifestyle, location, culture and talent that makes Mandurah so unique, and celebrates the region's native blue manna crab. Eventgoers can enjoy fresh food, live music, performances, children's entertainment, competitions, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs plus aquatic entertainment on the beautiful Mandurah Estuary.