29 Mar 2018
WHAT'S HOT
Qantas London - Perth direct flights take off
Perth – Australia's sunniest capital – officially welcomed the inaugural Qantas 787 Dreamliner passengers this week – arriving on the new non-stop air services from London, Heathrow. The 17 hour flight is the first daily passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe, opening Perth and Western Australia to new inbound and outbound visitors.
Perth's new bar and dining scene, hotels, tours and entertainment precincts, along with its many nature based experiences, make it an ideal place to begin or complete your Australian holiday. It is also a springboard to explore more of WA – swim with the gentle whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, take a jet boat ride through the Horizontal Waterfalls in the Kimberley, sample some of the world's best wines in the Margaret River wine region and meet the kangaroos on the sands of Australia's whitest beach at Lucky Bay in Esperance.
Discover more of what Perth has to offer in the A Perth Stopover feature below.
World's biggest fish returns to Ningaloo
The gentle giants of the ocean – the majestic whale sharks – have been sighted at Ningaloo Reef on Australia's mid north coast, heralding the start of the 2018 whale shark season. A record breaking 29,197 people visited the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef in 2017 to swim with the whale sharks, who migrate to WA shores between March and July each year to feed on plankton and krill.
The 2017 season saw a total of 1,742 tours take place, with a whale shark sighting success of 94 per cent. Whale shark swim tours have begun operating from Coral Bay and Exmouth, and will continue through to late June (in Coral Bay) and late July (in Exmouth), allowing visitors the opportunity to have a face-to-fin encounter with the friendly giants – which are generally between six to 11 metres in length.
Ningaloo Marine Park's nutrient rich waters are considered one of the best places to swim with whale sharks due to reliability of numbers and accessibility to interact with them. At 300 kilometres long, World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef. Visitors can walk straight off the beach and snorkel in the underwater wonderland teeming with brilliant coloured coral, manta rays, sea turtles and more than 500 species of tropical fish.
Yagan Square opens
Perth's latest major public precinct – Yagan Square –– opened earlier this month. A new hub for locals and visitors to connect and experience WA's culture – the name of the precinct pays homage to Yagan, a Noongar leader and warrior and was chosen to reflect the great historical and cultural significance of the area to Noongar people. The Yagan Square area was traditionally an important meeting place for Aboriginal people, particularly women, who gathered food from the lakes that were once in the area. Today the area offers a range of experiences – from green spaces for relaxation and play, native gardens, unique digital displays and engaging public art as well as a market hall celebrating fresh WA produce. Here, enjoy local favourites such as Sue Lewis Chocolatier, The Honeycake, Jersey Jack Gelato and curry toasties from Toast My Curry; as well as new eateries such as dim sum at Shy John Brewery and Yum Cha, Japanese street eats at Hiss & Smoke, bruschetta from Henry Little, farm to plate dining at Ficus; or enjoy a drink with views over the square at The Shoe Bar.
Perth's historic Melbourne Hotel reopens
Following a major refurbishment, the heritage-listed Melbourne Hotel in Perth's CBD has been transformed into a seven-storey, 4.5-star hotel with 73 new or refurbished rooms. The original grandeur of the hotel's 1897 design has been retained, with the addition of a new modern architectural build. The hotel includes a gym, function space, boardroom, conservatory, rooftop lounge and bar, and the 'Old Melbourne' pub, now called De Baun & Co. The hotel also offers new food venues including the Grand Orient - a modern Cantonese inspired restaurant - and two firsts for Australia; the famous Keisuke ramen noodle bar and Hattendo, serving Japanese cream buns that mix sweet and savoury.
Guy Grossi to headline Truffle Kerfuffle
Renowned Melbourne chef Guy Grossi will bring a taste of Rome to WA's Southern Forests this winter for the annual Truffle Kerfuffle celebrations, taking place from June 22 to 24. Grossi, soon to open his Roman style restaurant Garum in Perth, will kick off this year's festival with Feast & Fire, a long table celebration of the truffle season. Located a three hour drive south of Perth, Manjimup is the largest producer of black truffles in Australia. Experience gourmet food, premium wines, go truffle hunting and meet national and internationally renowned chefs including Mark Best (Australia), Sam Aisbett (Whitegrass, Singapore), Scott Brannigan (Bread in Common, WA), Marianne Lumb (Marianna, UK) and Bruno Loubet (UK).
Margot Robbie meets the world's friendliest animal at Rottnest Island
Hollywood actress Margot Robbie made a surprise visit to WA this month, including a stop at Rottnest Island to meet the friendly quokkas – small kangaroo like marsupials – on their island home. Margot posed for a selfie with an obliging quokka, maintaining the quokka selfie etiquette by keeping a respectful distance, and posted the image to her 14.1 million social media followers. Margot's brief visit to WA also included breakfast at Cottesloe, and a helicopter flight to Margaret River for lunch at Leeuwin Estate. Margot joins other international stars who have visited Rottnest Island and captured a quokka selfie such as Hugh Jackman, Roger Federer, Teri Hatcher and Tash Oakley. Just off the coast of Perth, Rottnest is home to 63 beaches and 20 bays, and is accessible via a short ferry ride from Fremantle, Hillarys or Perth city.
LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE
Public Silo Trail extends to Albany
A 35-metre sea dragon has been painted on giant grain silos in the city of Albany, in WA's South West. The artwork, by Australian/Singaporean street artists Yok & Sheryo, celebrates the rare and beautiful creatures, which can be found in the waters around the region. It's the fourth giant mural by famous street artists to pop up on grain silos across WA as part of the PUBLIC Silo Trail, an initiative by FORM. With the three other murals located in the towns of Northam, Merredin, and Ravensthorpe, the project aims to create an outdoor art gallery trail to draw visitors to regional WA.
Dan Sultan to perform at Emma Gorge Longest Dinner
A special live performance from multi-ARIA award winning Australian artist Dan Sultan will feature at this year's Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. The Longest Dinner will be held at El Questro Wilderness Park's Emma Gorge Resort in WA's Kimberley region on May 14. Guests can enjoy a delicious three course long table dinner, pre-dinner canapés and unlimited beverage packages featuring fine Australian wines and beer. Tickets are $350 and can be purchased by emailing contactelquestro@delawarenorth.com.
Australia's best storytellers head to Geraldton
Beloved Australian cartoonist, painter, writer, philosopher and poet Michael Leunig will visit Geraldton in Australia's Coral Coast for this year's Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival. Held from May 25 to 27, the festival offers a diverse program of events including performances, immersive storytelling and writing workshops, music and comedy. The line-up includes best-selling writers, historians and poets – and Iranian refugee Shokoofeh Azar as guest author, who has been shortlisted for Australia's Stella literary award.
FOOD AND WINE
Fremantle welcomes new small bar
The owners of one of Fremantle's hottest small bars, Strange Company, have recently opened another venue – Ronnie Nights. Located along Market Street in the heart of historic Fremantle, the venue takes its inspiration from 70s Australiana, with period details including a pressed tin roof to a framed Valiant car advert. The wine list features boutique producers, while a dozen beers are available on tap. The kitchen menu offers skewers and bar bites.
Blue Manna Bistro serving up seafood in Dunsborough
Blue Manna Bistro has recently opened its doors in Dunsborough, located in the Margaret River region. Serving up high-end, Asian infused dishes, the menu uses local seafood and local produce, and changes every few weeks depending on what's in season.
TOURS ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION
Scarborough Beachfront makeover complete
Adding to the list of new developments opening in Perth this year, the Scarborough Beach foreshore revitalisation project opened to the public this month. Located 15-minutes from the CBD, the $100 million redevelopment will establish Scarborough as one of Australia's best beachfront destinations. The centerpiece of the redevelopment is the popular Scarborough Beach Pool, which includes Chocolat Café and alfresco Italian restaurant La Capannina, opening this month. The new public precinct also includes Sunset Hill – offering scenic views over the ocean and nature-based activity spaces - a Beach Hub with a mix of recreational and retail spaces, including the new Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club, and an Intergenerational Plaza. The plaza is a multi-use space for activities and events with a climbing wall, half-court basketball area, children's playground, and the feature attraction, the Snake Pit skate park bowl.
Walk into Luxury now showcasing all of WA
Walk into Luxury has released several new tours across WA, combining bucket-list experiences with gourmet food and wine and exclusive accommodation. The Kimberley, Rottnest Island, Ningaloo Reef, Margaret River and the Amazing South Journeys range from seven to 12 days; and includes the option to 'build your own adventure'. Experiences include swimming with gentle whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, a sunset helicopter flight to the Cockburn Range or a waterfall heli-hike and Kimberley river cruise, and a range of luxury walks.
New boutique accommodation in Geraldton
Opened in early 2018, The Gerald Apartment Hotel offers a new accommodation experience for visitors travelling to the coastal city of Geraldton, a one hour flight from Perth, or 4.5 hour drive. Conveniently located in the centre of town, the modern seven-storey hotel features 40 fully serviced apartments, conference centre and meeting rooms. The hotel also has its own Lobby Restaurant, which showcases fresh local seafood, plus a rooftop bar offering spectacular views over the ocean.
El Questro season opening offers
El Questro Wilderness Park, located in WA's Kimberley region, is offering a free nights accommodation plus complimentary breakfast when two or more nights are booked at the safari-style tented cabins at Emma Gorge or the resort style bungalows at El Questro Station. The private and exclusive El Questro Homestead is also offering 15 percent off the booking price, which includes a free helicopter tour for two to the secluded Miri Miri Falls. To receive these offers guest must book before April 30, 2018.
New Mandurah coastal tour
Mandurah based touring company, Westside Tours, has recently commenced operating new tour experiences, showcasing the beautiful natural assets of the Peel region – beaches, sunsets and wildlife. The company has customised luxury 4x4 coaches, allowing direct access onto Mandurah's beaches, providing a unique way for visitors to experience the region. The tours offer panoramic views of Mandurah's coastal offerings, with opportunities to stroll along the beach, stop for a picnic and spot dolphins.
Pink Lake scenic flights
Get a bird's eye view of one of WA's famous pink lakes. Goldfields Air Services has recently started operating scenic flights out of Esperance, including views of the magnificent pink Lake Hillier on Middle Island, Cape Le Grand National Park and the white sands of Lucky Bay and Recherche Archipelago. Two tour options are available and flights operate seven days a week, departing from Esperance Airport.
Margarets Beach Resort gets a revamp
Margarets Beach Resort has recently undergone a $2 million refurbishment. Located just 10 kilometres from Margaret River town centre in WA's south west, and just 500 metres from Gnarabup Beach, the resort offers four star accommodation from the choice of studio one and two bedroom apartments, or townhouses. The refurbishment includes updates to the seaside property's studio apartments, and include new kitchens, bathrooms, and smart TV's.
FEATURE
A Perth Stopover
Perth is the perfect stopover destination for visitors travelling on Qantas' daily direct flights between Perth and London. Recently heralded as the 'capital of cool' by CNN Travel, here's our pic of the city's top urban and nature-based experiences, all easily accessible from the CBD.
Explore Perth CBD
An array of new public spaces have activated Perth and its surrounding cultural hubs. Connecting the Swan River and city – the vibrant waterfront precinct of Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016, home to Indigenous walking tours, public art, pop-up events and restaurants. In more recent times, Yagan Square opened to the public. Designed to celebrate WA with a strong Aboriginal narrative, the precinct is a hub of activity during the day and night, with a digital tower and digital canopies for light, art, and video projections, native gardens, public art, and a market hall. Bound by a paved public square with water features and sculptures, Perth Culture Centre is where visitors will find the Art Gallery of WA, the State Library, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art and the Blue Room Theatre.
Visit Kings Park
For stunning views of the city skyline and iconic Swan River, a visit to Kings Park is a must. Home to more than 300 species of native plants and around 80 bird species, the major attraction is one of the largest inner city parks in the world – it's even bigger than Central Park in New York!
Make the most of Perth's hotel boom
Perth offers some of the best value hotel and short-stay accommodation in Australia following the raft of new and refurbished properties that have opened in the CBD and surrounding urban and coastal areas. Since 2012, 25 new or redeveloped hotels have opened in and around Perth, adding more than 2,600 new rooms to the local market with luxury hotels such as COMO The Treasury, Crown Towers and the InterContinental among the mix. By 2020, a further 14 new or redeveloped hotels will come online, adding another 2,600 new rooms. Among the names still to come are The Westin (late April 2018), QT, Doubletree by Hilton and the Ritz-Carlton.
Meet the world's happiest animal
Perth's idyllic island playground, Rottnest Island, lies 19 kilometres off Perth's coastline and can be reached in a 30-minute ferry ride or short chopper or seaplane flight. The car-free island of 'Rotto' (as the locals call it) is the perfect day-trip destination. Here, visitors can hop on a bus, walk or hire a bike to explore the 63 scenic beaches and 20 crystal-clear bays. The island's resident marsupial is the adorable quokka – also known as the happiest animal on earth made famous worldwide for the #quokkaselfie phenomena.
Tantalise your taste buds in the Swan Valley
Just a 25-minute drive from the city brings visitors to WA's oldest wine region, the Swan Valley. The region is home to wineries, microbreweries, gourmet providores, fresh produce, arts, crafts and beautiful bushlands. Its specialty premium wines include Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Shiraz and fortifieds, with local grapes producing nearly 30 million bottles of wine a year. Sample award-winning wines from one of the many cellar doors, followed by alfresco-style dining beside the vineyards.
Historic Fremantle
The port city of Fremantle is home to one of the best preserved examples of a 19th century port streetscape. Included in Lonely Planet's 2016 Best in Travel guide, it combines heritage buildings with some of the city's most happening bars and cafes. Fremantle is an eclectic and eccentric blend of artisanal food, handcrafted beers, great coffee, quirky boutiques and a lovely music, arts and festival scene. Take a browse through the bohemian Fremantle Markets, then head to the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour for fish and chips, or Little Creatures for a drink and sunset views over the ocean.
Catch an Indian Ocean beach sunset
With 19 pristine metropolitan beaches lining the city's coastline, there's plenty of spots to choose from to enjoy one of WA's famous Indian Ocean sunsets. Stop by one of the many coastal dining options to enjoy a meal and a drink, such as Island Market in Trigg, or Odyssea at City Beach.
Discover Perth's emerging street art scene
Formerly disused heritage buildings and laneways are now home to bustling bars and street art. Through independent non-profit group FORM, more than 80 walls across Perth and surrounding suburbs have become a canvas for local, interstate and international artists. The best way to discover the city's colourful laneways, is on a guided walking tour. The city centre has some spectacular pieces by well-known artists Stormie Mills, Daek William and Amok Island.
Indulge in some retail therapy
Fashionistas can check out international and home-grown designs throughout the city and surrounds. Leading fashion houses such as Zara and H&M can be found in the Perth CBD, or head to Northbridge and West Perth for chic boutiques and outlet bargains. Those seeking high end fashion can head to King Street to indulge in international and local designer labels and luxury brands.
Go bar hopping
Perth's small bar scene has exploded over the past ten years, following a change to liquor licencing laws in 2007. Those with a thirst for adventure (and good drinks!) can start their bar tour in Northbridge to find gems such as Lot Twenty, housed in a heritage-listed former police station, The Standard, Sneaky Tony's, Joe Juice Joint and Mechanics Institute. For tropical al fresco vibes head to Henry Summer, or try a basement bar in Perth's CBD at Varnish on King or Caballitos.
Enjoy an exquisite dining experience
Perth has a range of award winning restaurants which showcase the best in local produce and premium wines. Head to the State Buildings precinct, a collection of 1870s heritage buildings that have been elegantly restored with a respectful nod to the past. Here visitors will find a variety of venues including David Thompson's Long Chim, rooftop fine dining at Wildflower, Italian fare at Post or relaxed dining at Petition Kitchen.
For more information, visit westernaustralia.com/perth.
EVENTS
April
April 11 – 22 | Margaret River | Australia's South West
The top 34 ranked male and top 17 ranked female surfers in the world descend upon the Margaret River region to surf its world-class waves each April. The event sees thousands of spectators flock to Surfers Point in Prevelly to watch the world's best surfers take on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak and the Box. The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro has been awarded World Championship Tour status in part thanks to the fact that it offers some of the best surfing conditions in the world.
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
April 14 – 22 | Scarborough | Experience Perth
Members from Australia's 311 Surf Clubs come together to compete in more than 400 beach and ocean events. It will see champion title holders defending their titles, while members and families come together to celebrate the Surf Life Saving Australia community. This year the event will return to Scarborough Beach, after the completion of its $100 million foreshore redevelopment.
April 26 – May 6 | Pemberton | Australia's South West
Unearthed Pemberton presents a series of open studios and events under three categories: food and wine; adventure; and art and heritage. The festival's mission is to encourage visitors to explore off the beaten track destinations and meet locals at their labours, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Southern Forests region.
May
May 4 – 6 | Perth | Experience Perth
Get your pulse racing with a ticket to the Supercars Perth SuperSprint. Support categories, training sessions and qualifying races complete your V8 Supercars package. Don't miss out on seeing your favourite motorsport drivers take to the track again for some fast-paced, fuel-injected action at Barbagallo Raceway.
May 11 – 20 | Kunnunurra | Australia's North West
The Ord Valley Muster is a celebration of all that is unique about the east Kimberley region, including its cultural diversity, incredible landscapes and local charm. Some of Australia's biggest musical performers have been confirmed for the Muster's pinnacle event – the Aviair Helispirit Kimberley Moon Experience on May 19 - including country music legend Lee Kernaghan, along with The Cat Empire, renowned for their live performances. The annual festival will take over Kununurra and surrounds, offering a variety of unique experiences, including black tie dining under starry skies, Indigenous food, culture and dance, intimate dinners in secret locations, a challenging bike ride, art exhibitions, local talent quests, a country rodeo and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow.
May 25 – 27 | Exmouth | Australia's Coral Coast
The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival marks the beginning of the whale shark season, welcoming the gentle giants to the pristine Ningaloo Reef in the State's Coral Coast region. The festival aims to enhance the education and celebration of the Whale Shark and its annual migration. Celebrations over the weekend have previously included a Gala Festival Opening, live music, market stalls, and a festival day.
June
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival
June 1 - 3 | Margaret River | Australia's South West
The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is the biggest regional literature event in WA. Each year the festival brings an array of thought-provoking writers to the region, including poets, authors, playwrights, journalists, comedians, illustrators, magazine editors, screen writers and radio hosts from WA, interstate and overseas. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, the event will be held at Voyager Estate winery.
June 1 - 4 | Dunsborough | Australia's South West
Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River will be swinging, scatting and jiving on the June long weekend when the annual Jazz by the Bay returns to town. This year's festival includes more than 40 performances in 20 venues across the four-day event. From soul, rhythm and blues, big bands bebop and swing – Jazz by the Bay has your musical tastes covered.
June 2 - 3 | Pinjarra | Experience Perth
Head down to Edenvale Homestead on the WA Day long weekend to enjoy the Pinjarra Festival. This festival celebrates the Murray area's distinctive rural history and lifestyle, with a display of local arts, crafts, produce and activities significant to the region. The festival boasts an entertainment line-up of headlining acts that will entice all ages, as well as an array of musicians, market stalls, amusement rides and children's activities.
