In this month's edition of This is WA, read about exclusive events planned for the opening of Perth Stadium, recently launched Swan River Seaplane adventure tours, the Margaret River Gourmet Escape's latest event and talent line-up release, and the final line-up announcement for the highly anticipated Hopman Cup. There's also a special feature on Perth – plus all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events.

WHAT'S HOT

Perth stadium reveals new updates in lead-up to opening
The highly anticipated opening of Perth's new 60,000 stadium has been given an extra boost following the announcement of new events to take place in early-2018. The Fremantle Dockers women's side will be the first football team to play at Perth Stadium, with the historic game to be held on February 10, 2018. It's set to be the biggest standalone women's sporting event ever held in Australia. In other sporting news, two matches of the opening weekend of the 2018 National Rugby League premiership season will be held on March 10. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will take on 2017 premiers Melbourne Storm, and South Sydney Rabbitohs will host the Warriors. Meanwhile, WA brewing company Gage Roads Brewing Co has secured the beer and cider supply contract for the stadium. Construction has also started on The Camfield - set to be one of WA's biggest pubs, which will be located next to the stadium. The venue will feature six bars, big screens and a micro-brewery. The $1.4 billion stadium and surrounding Stadium Park will officially open with a free Community Open Day on January 21, 2018. See the feature below for more information on Perth developments. 

First Yagan Square tenants announced
Perth's newest foodie haven is taking shape, with the first 10 tenants announced for the market hall at Yagan Square – a major, new community space set to open in early 2018. Commuters, workers and visitors to the city will be able to enjoy American burgers, fish tacos, artisan baked goods, coffee, gourmet goodies, fresh honey and street food, with some of the newly announced tenants including The Shore, Fish Boss, Henry Little, Honey I'm Home Produce and Perth Gourmet Trader Deli. Located in the heart of Perth's CBD, Yagan Square will be one of the city's most popular community, meeting and celebration places. 

Swan River Seaplanes expands tourism offering
Perth's Swan River Seaplanes has expanded its operations and partnered with multi-award winning operator, ADAMS to launch several new itineraries which commence this month. Following a successful trial period of Margaret River day tours in early 2017, the company now offers three and four-day Margaret River Retreat packages, partnering with Pullman Bunker Bay. Day trips to Rottnest Island, and the Pinnacles are two new offerings, with ADAMS conducting the ground component of the tours. Guests on the Rottnest Island tour will discover the island's many beaches, bays and uncover its history, with time to relax and capture a Quokka selfie, while guests on the Pinnacles – Taste of WA tour will be guided through the mystical Pinnacles desert, have a crayfish lunch at the Lobster Shack, and meet koalas and kangaroos at Yanchep National Park. Taking off from the Swan River, the aircraft seats 12 passengers, with guests experiencing aerial views of the Perth cityscape, Kings Park and WA coastline on all tours. 

Gourmet Escape unveils exciting new events and talent line-up
Margaret River Gourmet Escape has expanded its 2017 program, introducing new events and chef collaborations across the four-day food and wine extravaganza. Here's a taste of what's to come ahead of the event, which will run from November 16 to 19 in the Margaret River wine region:

• Ana Ros (World's Best Female Chef 2017) will return to showcase the flavours of Slovenia at a World Discovery Dinner at Voyager Estate on Saturday, November 18.
• Olio Bello's olive grove will host O Sole Mio on Saturday, November 18. The long-table lunch features Italian Michelin-starred chef, Anthony Genovese (Il Pagliaccio, Rome) cooking alongside Margaret River local, George Cooper (FoodbytheChef, Margaret River).
• Acclaimed Woodlands Wines will be opening its barrel room to host Gan Bei, a Chinese feast prepared by festival first-timer and Michelin-starred chef, Andrew Wong, alongside local chef Andrew Bennett (Lucky Chans, Perth).
• Located in the heart of internationally acclaimed Leeuwin Estate Winery, the Gourmet Village is back bigger and better than ever with over 120 artisan food, wine and brewing producers over the weekend and for the first time ever, children under 12 receive free admission. New events include 'Giniversity's' intimate gin blending masterclasses from The Margaret River Distilling Company, Lurpak's hands-on cookery school and Meat & Livestock Australia presents The Butcher's Block in association with Food Network, where the stars of 'Eat Australia' Andy Allen and Ben Milbourne explore the fine art of butchery. 

Hopman Cup final line-up announced
One of the best player line-ups in the tournament's history will compete at the Mastercard Hopman Cup, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary from December 30, 2017 to January 6, 2018. Nineteen-time Grand Slam champion and current men's world No.2 Roger Federer will again represent Switzerland at the ITF's official mixed team competition with fellow Swiss player Belinda Bencic. One of the hottest names in tennis, Alexander Zverev, who is currently ranked world No.4 will team up with former world No.1 Angelique Kerber for Germany. Zverev made his first Hopman Cup appearance in 2016 and returns to Perth after breaking into the world's top five for the first time this year.

The full field for 2018 is as follows:
Australia - Thanasi Kokkinakis and Daria Gavrilova
Belgium - David Goffin and Elise Mertens
Canada - Eugene Bouchard and Vasek Pospisil
Germany - Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber
Japan - Naomi Osaka and Yuichi Sugita
Russia – Svetlana Kuznetsova and Karen Khachanov
Switzerland - Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic
United States of America - Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe 

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

Twilight Hawkers Market returns this October
Perth's original and largest hawkers market returns to Perth this month for another round of balmy Friday nights and delectable street food. Since 2011, stalls within the Twilight Hawkers Market have been dishing up mouth-watering cuisine from more than 40 countries around the globe. With an updated calendar, the popular food market will continue to be held at Forrest Place every Friday from October 20 to December 15. Following a break over the festive period, the market will reopen in 2018 on 2 February until 23 March.

Perth welcomes new exhibitions

Heath Ledger: A life in Pictures
An exclusive celebration of WA-born actor Heath Ledger's achievements and creativity will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia from October 14, 2017 to January 29, 2018. Heath Ledger: A life in Pictures showcases the late actor's iconic costumes, including the Joker suit from The Dark Knight and shirts from Brokeback Mountain, as well as photography portraits, behind-the-scenes footage and research journals. 

A Window on Italy – The Corsini Collection
The Art Gallery of WA will become home to works from the private art collection of renowned Italian family, the Corsinis, in February 2018. In its only Australian showing, the gallery will host A Window on Italy – The Corsini Collection: Masterpieces from Florence exhibition. The exhibition features Renaissance and Baroque paintings by well-known Italian artists, including Botticelli, Caravaggio and Pontormo. Also on display will be decorative items and objects from the Corsini family's home, the Palazzo Corsini, on the banks of the Arno River, Florence. The ticketed exhibition will open on February 24 and close on June 19, 2018. 

Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Cretaceous
Prepare for a close encounter with the most extraordinary creatures to ever walk the earth, at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Featuring more than 23 moving, life-size animatronic models of the Cretaceous period (145-66 million years ago), Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Cretaceous is like nothing you've ever experienced. The scale and authenticity of these magnificent beasts will blow you away, as they move and breathe with thrilling lifelike accuracy. With more dinosaurs than ever before, including two monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex, the exhibition is an all-ages experience to remember and is open until January 28, 2018. 

Kaleidoscope Festival set to spark imagination of all ages
Joondalup in Perth's north will welcome Kaleidoscope Festival next month, a free festival of light, art, music and food. From November 9 to 12, the light and illumination festival will transform Joondalup city centre into an electrifying wonderland. The inaugural event was recently named WA's Best New Event and Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event at the 2017 Australian Event Awards. Joining the 2017 program is Will-o-the-Wisps, the Birds of Lumos and Science Wonderland. 

FOOD & WINE

Local winemaker brings home Winemaker of the Year award
Margaret River local and Vasse Felix chief winemaker, Virginia Willcox, won the coveted Winemaker of the Year award at the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards. More than 60 women from across Australia gathered in London last month for the third annual awards ceremony, which celebrates the growing, making and promotion of wine, from viticulture and research to cellar door sales and mentorship. In other wine news, the Margaret River region and its founding wine estate, Vasse Felix, are nominees in the US's Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards, in the categories of 'New World Winery of the Year' and 'Wine Region of the Year'. Both sit in a shortlist of five, with winners to be announced in November. It comes at a significant time for the winery and region, who share their 50th anniversary of commercial wine making this year. 

Northbridge continues to excite with another venue opening
Set to open in November, Henry Summer is a secret garden of delights – an urban cocktail and wine bar, where visitors are encouraged to celebrate the good things in life, located in the heart of Northbridge, just outside of the Perth CBD. The latest venue from hospitality operator and chef Clint Nolan and his Lavish Habits team (La Cholita, Pleased to Meet You, Sneaky Tony's and Joe's Juice Joint), the urban oasis is a hideaway where the drinks flow and the menu delights. Nolan's newest venue combines luscious indoor and outdoor spaces, with five bars and multiple rooms for drinking, dining and functions. 

Cottesloe welcomes new pizzeria
The beachside suburb of Cottesloe has welcomed a new eatery – Canteen Pizza. Founded by the team behind Il Lido – a popular restaurant just across the road from the famous beach - the new pizzeria shares its founder's penchant for true-to-type Italian cooking and good drinking. One of Australia's best pizza makers, Ettore Bertonati, has been brought on to oversee the kitchen and add his own flavor to what's expected to be a favourite haunt among locals and visitors alike. Cottesloe is located a 25-minute drive from Perth CBD. 

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & ACCOMMODATION

Broome Pearl Farm experience comes to Perth
Willie Creek Pearls has brought its Broome Pearl Farm experience to Perth. The award-winning company has introduced Live Pearl Harvest tours at its new Elizabeth Quay showroom in a purpose-built harvest area overlooking the iconic Swan River. Visitors taking part in the tours can hear the history of Broome pearling, see a live pearl harvest, learn how pearls are graded and have the opportunity to taste pearl meat. Two tour options run seven days a week. The Pearl Discovery runs twice daily from 11am and 1:30pm, while the Pearl Master Class is available on request and requires a minimum booking of four people.

Snorkel with the world's oldest lifeform
A new stromatolite heli-tour has launched in the coastal town of Carnarvon in WA's Coral Coast region. Local operator Coral Coast Helicopter Services was recently granted a Commercial Operator Licence to launch new helicopter tours, as well as walking and snorkel tours. The company has been granted exclusive access to conduct interactive tours with the rare and ancient stromatolites at Petit Point. The 1.3-hour tour includes a light lunch, cold drinks and snorkel equipment. 

WA's gold rush history comes to life in the CBD
A new trail has launched in Perth that takes people on an interactive gold journey of discovery through Perth CBD - The Heart of Gold Discovery Trail. Available on a free Heart of Gold Australia app, the self-guided walking trail starts at Elizabeth Quay and ends at The Perth Mint, taking in 12 stops of significance over 2.5 kilometres. The trail takes people back in time to the early gold rush days with augmented reality, videos, timeless photos and interactive games. Visitors will receive a #heartofgold commemorative medallion on completion of the trail at The Perth Mint. They also go in the running to win a real gold nugget (drawn once a month for the first year). This is the first of many gold trails coming to Australia, with a Kalgoorlie-Boulder gold trail launching in 2018. 

InterContinental launches in Perth
Perth's newest luxury hotel, the InterContinental Perth City Centre, has opened for business. Located within Perth's Kings Street precinct, the 16-storey hotel offers 240 guest rooms, studios and suites. It is also home to several onsite eateries, including tapas bar Heno and Reywill, Spanish refined dining room Ascua, high tea and cocktail lounge area The Loft Lounge and hole in the wall diner, Graffiti, serving gourmet-to-go meals and takeaway coffee. 

Eco-luxe Bodhi J opens its doors at Injidup Spa Retreat
Perth's eco-luxe spa group Bodhi J has extended its holistic, natural and organic wellness offering to the South West with the launch of Bodhi J @ Injidup Spa Retreat. The restorative sanctuary set in the pristine surrounds of Injidup Beach in Margaret River invites guests to step inside and go on a journey of complete relaxation and renewal. The spa retreat features three discerningly appointed treatment rooms, one a double room for couples – and each with spectacular ocean views. With a team of six spa therapists, Bodhi J @ Injidup Spa Retreat caters to guests staying at the secluded retreat, which offers 10 luxury villa's, as well as visitors to the area and local clientele. The spa offers a world-class treatment menu using eco-luxe skincare products from WA brand Sodashi, located in Fremantle. 

New Rottnest Island service with low fares and a 2-for-1 deal
To celebrate the new SeaLink Rottnest Island ferry service, commencing Sunday November 5, SeaLink WA is offering a 2-for-1 ferry deal across the month of November, making family access to Rottnest Island more affordable. The new ferry service will operate seven days a week, offering six return daily ferry services from Fremantle to Rottnest. Adult fares start from $22.50 one-way or $45 return (not including landing fees). To view a timetable or book tickets to Rottnest Island, visit rottnest.sealink.com.au.

Bike, walk, eat and drink your way through Freo
New tour options are now available in the port city of Fremantle. Fremantle Tours' bike and walking expeditions now leave twice a day from Thursday to Monday, while a 'Drink' tour operates every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm, taking in four of the city's most lively bars. The company also offers a bookable 'Eat' tour, which involves a progressive three course dinner. Bike tours are $55 per person and three hours in duration, while the walking tours are $25 and two hours in duration – both including a coffee stop along the way. The Drink tour costs $60 and provides a great opportunity for guests to mingle with Fremantle's best bartenders, brewers and wine connoisseurs. 

Christmas exclusive departure of the Cape to Cape walk
Guests are welcome to join one of the Great Walks of Australia this Christmas and experience the best of the Margaret River region over four incredible days. Walk into Luxury is operating a one-off special departure of its four-day Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk this holiday season, from December 27 to December 30. Enjoy award-winning food and wine, sunset drinks, spectacular beaches and scenery on the Cape to Cape Track, and exclusive pool-villa accommodation (complete with complimentary in-villa bar) overlooking the Indian Ocean. Visit Walk into Luxury's website for more details. 

Peppers Kings Square release special offer
One of Perth's new hotel offerings, Peppers Kings Square, is offering a special package of $249 per night. Located in central Perth, and just a short stroll from boutique shopping, dining and laneway bar districts, package includes a dinner for two in Stage Bar & Kitchen, overnight accommodation and an a la carte breakfast for two. Rates are subject to availability at the time of booking and are valid until April 30, 2018. 

FEATURE

WHAT'S NEW IN PERTH

People are talking about Perth. Foodies, investors, sun-lovers, entrepreneurs, creatives – and even locals – are experiencing the 'wow' factor as unprecedented investment in WA's cosmopolitan capital comes to fruition.

Long celebrated as one of the world's prettiest and most livable cities, Perth is now striding confidently on to the international stage as a leading player in Australia's cultural, hospitality and events scene. More visitors than ever are marveling at the explosion in attractions, accommodation and nightlife which complements the city's natural beauty – delivering an all-round, exceptional destination.

So what's the latest from Australia's sunniest capital city?

NEW HOTELS
Perth now 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. Not only are visitors enjoying more choice in accommodation, they're also saving with Perth hoteliers offering up some great deals.

Since 2012, 24 new or redeveloped hotels have opened in and around Perth, adding more than 2,200 new rooms to the local market. In the next four years, a further 15 new or redeveloped hotels will come online, adding more than 2,300 new rooms. It's about quality and quantity with a broad selection of boutique, big name and luxury accommodation options coming online.

Some of the recently opened properties include Tribe hotel in West Perth; Aloft Perth at The Springs, Rivervale; Alex Hotel in Northbridge; COMO the Treasury in the Cathedral Square precinct; six-star Crown Towers, which is the city's largest hotel; Peppers Kings Square; and the city's newest hotel, the InterContinental Perth City Centre which opened on October 15.

Still to come is the Ritz Carlton at Elizabeth Quay, which is the luxury brand's first return to Australia in 10 years; Doubletree by Hilton Perth – Northbridge; Westin Hotel Perth and QT Hotel Perth.

PERTH STADIUM
Opening to the public in 2018, the new Perth Stadium will form a permanent centrepiece for the city, being one of the major international sporting venues in Australia. The stadium will have a total capacity of 60,000 seats and the fit out for players and visitors will be equivalent to world's best practice. As well as being home to AFL (Australian Football League) games held in WA, upcoming major events already secured include:

• International and domestic cricket series – December 2017 to February 2018
• Ed Sheeran – March 2 & 4, 2018
• Chelsea Football Club (July or August 2018). In an Australian exclusive, the Premier League powerhouse will take on local heroes Perth Glory.
• Bledisloe Cup (August 2019). The only time the Australian Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks teams will play on Australian soil in 2019 in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup.
• Rugby League State of Origin (2019). Regarded as Australia's biggest annual sporting event, the New South Wales Blues clash with the Queensland Maroons in a fiercely contested game that will attract thousands of visitors, particularly from interstate.

NON-STOP FLIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT
History will be made when Qantas' daily direct Perth to London flights take off in March 2018, becoming the first regular passenger services directly linking Australia and Europe. WA is ready to roll out the welcome mat for an influx of new visitors as Qantas' choice of a west-coast hub puts the State firmly on the radar for even more travellers. Many visitors from Europe are expected to kick-start their Australian experience with a stay in Perth, while people from other Australian states will fly domestically to Perth and stay before connecting to the non-stop London service, the world's third-longest passenger flight. Qantas will mobilise its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet for the 14,500 kilometre each-way journey (approx. 17 hours). Enhanced cabin design, improved air quality, and technology to reduce noise and turbulence are all designed to make the long-haul journey more comfortable for up to 236 passengers across business, premium economy and economy. Tickets for the Qantas non-stop Perth-London flights are currently on sale.

ROTTNEST GLAMPING
After much anticipation, visitors to Rottnest Island will soon be able to enjoy stylish new environmentally-conscious accommodation when Pinky's Eco Retreat opens in late 2018. Developers plan to commence construction of the 'glampsite' in early 2018. Pinky's Eco Retreat will be the first new accommodation to be built on Rottnest Island in 30 years and will provide a new experience and offering for visitors. Nestled behind the dunes of Pinky Beach and a few steps away from popular snorkeling beach The Basin, the Retreat will retain Rottnest's laid-back WA character in a series of 86 low impact eco tents of varying sizes and styles and a Beach Club, interconnected by raised walkways throughout, and accessible to all Rottnest visitors, creating a place where everyone is welcome.

And this is just a taste of what's to come in WA's capital city. Perth is set to host a range of exciting events in the coming, including the annual Swim + Resort Series (November), MasterCard Hopman Cup (December/January), Fringe Festival (February), Perth Festival (February/March) and Sculptures by the Sea (March).

www.westernaustralia.com

EVENTS

NOVEMBER

Brew and the Moo
November 11 | Dampier | Australia's North West
The turquoise waters of the Pilbara's Dampier Archipelago provide an ideal backdrop for this celebration of mouth-watering local beef and top beers. Take in the sunset over Dampier's Hampton Harbour while enjoying music, grazing gourmet food stalls and sampling boutique brews from WA, interstate and international breweries. 

Rugby League World Cup
November 12 | Perth | Experience Perth
Perth will be a Rugby League World Cup host city for the first time when a double-header clash – Wales v Ireland followed by England v France – lights up nib Stadium. Celebrate the end of the pool rounds with Europe's best battling it out for a spot in the finals of international rugby league's pinnacle event. 

Telstra Perth Fashion Festival – Swim and Resort Series
November 25-26 | Fremantle | Experience Perth
Following the runway extravaganza of Telstra Perth Fashion Festival's main program in September, the spotlight turns to the coast for the Swim and Resort Series in November. The temperature will rise with dazzling local talent and breathtaking creations as the hottest swimwear and resort looks are revealed against the backdrop of Perth's spectacular Indian Ocean coast. 

DECEMBER

Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton
December 2-3 | Rottnest to Fremantle | Experience Perth
Dazzling colour and astonishing speed will thrill spectators and competitors on Perth's coast during the southern hemisphere's top kiteboarding race. With the Indian Ocean providing ideal conditions, 135 participants will take on the 19 kilometre challenge from Rottnest Island to Fremantle, aiming to beat the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton record time of 22 minutes. 

Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival
December 8-10 | Manjimup | Australia's South West
Fruit lovers flock to one of WA's top culinary destinations, Manjimup, for this gourmet festival and the chance to enjoy delicious cherries fresh from the tree. A full day of activities celebrates the diversity of fresh produce from Manjimup and the surrounding Southern Forests – around three hours' drive south of Perth – including food, crafts, entertainment, cooking experts and the popular 200-person long-table lunch among the cherry orchard. 

Mastercard Hopman Cup
December 30-January 6 | Perth | Experience Perth
One of the world's greatest tennis players, Roger Federer, will return to Australia's sunniest capital city in December to compete in the Mastercard Hopman Cup 2018. The 18-time Grand Slam champion will represent Switzerland for the fourth time at the mixed teams tournament in Perth, which runs from December 30 to January 6. Earlier this year, 103,167 fans flocked to Perth Arena to watch one of the most successful events in the tournament's history. Federer went on to win this year's Australian Open following his appearance at the tournament. He will once again be joined by Swiss player Belinda Bencic. The full player line-up will be announced in October. 

JANUARY

Lancelin Ocean Classic
January 12 to 14 | Lancelin | Experience Perth
The longest running windsurfing event in Australia, attracting world-class competitors.
The Lancelin Ocean Classic is held in one of Western Australia's most beautiful coastal pockets. Picturesque and windy Lancelin is the ideal location for the event, attracting contestants from all around the globe and cementing the town's status as one of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations. The annual competition weekend brings together professionals and amateurs, fighting it out on the water for supremacy and a competitive prize pool. 

Grapes and Gallops Festival
January 21 | Mount Barker | Australia's South West
Locals and visitors to the area can enjoy a day of great food and wine, fashion and horse racing at the Mount Barker Co-operative Grapes and Gallops Festival. Throughout the day there will be ten horse races plus local wineries will be showcasing their award winning wines and regional food. There will also be a range of activities on offer for the whole family to enjoy. 

FRINGE WORLD
January 26 to February 25 | Perth | Experience Perth
FRINGE WORLD Festival is WA's largest annual performance platform. The 2017 festival played host to 700 shows at over 150 venues and performance spaces spread across Perth and further afield in local communities and neighbourhoods.