In this month's edition of This is WA, read about humpback whale swim trials starting for the first time in WA at Ningaloo Reef, the program launch of two key WA events - Telstra Perth Fashion Festival and the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Roger Federer being announced in the 2017 Hopman Cup line-up and two major rugby events coming to Perth. There's also all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events.

WHAT'S HOT

Humpback interaction success at Ningaloo
The four month trial of swimming with humpback whales commenced this month in Coral Bay and Exmouth, with immediate interaction success at both locations. The world's largest humpback whale population (estimated at 30,000) will migrate south along the Coral Coast. Tourists have the chance to interact with the whales as spectators from a close distance on-board a boat, or while in the water as they swim past or rest in the temperate Ningaloo waters. Further information in the feature story below.

Swiss Superstar announced in Hopman Cup line-up
One of the world's greatest tennis players, Roger Federer, will return to Perth for the first time in 15 years to compete in the 2017 Hopman Cup. The 17-time Grand Slam singles champion will represent Switzerland alongside world No.16 Belinda Bencic in the unique mixed-team competition, which will run from January 1 to 7 at Perth Arena. The Hopman Cup launches the Australian summer of tennis and has previously attracted some of the world's biggest names, including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray and Martina Hingis. Federer is a welcome addition to the annual event, which kicks-off Perth's lively summer festival of sport, culture and the arts. All session packages and final tickets are available to purchase via Ticketek. Single session tickets will go on sale to the general public in October.

Perth set to sizzle following TPFF program release
Fashionistas will flock to Perth this September 20-29, for the 2016 Telstra Perth Fashion Festival. Celebrating local, national and international fashion – this year's festival features world-class runway shows, free public events and fashion lunches at a range of venues including the festival village at the Perth Concert Hall and the Art Gallery of WA. Highlights from the Perth program include, Opening Night featuring Bianca Spender, Dion Lee, Flannel, Romance Was Born and Zhivago, Adam Heath: 50 years of Australian fashion and music, Australian designers Manning Cartell will debut its Diaphanous Resort 17 collection, Singaporean label Whole9Yards will make their first Australian runway appearance, and Closing Night: The Art of Fashion will be a spectacular showcase of WA's most progressive designers. Regionally, the outback town of Kalgoorlie will also host its own fashion event, Kalgoorlie Fashion Week, from August 6 to 12.

Two major rugby events coming to Perth
Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Perth when the Rugby League State of Origin series (arguably Australia's biggest sporting event) comes to Perth in 2019. In a break from tradition, the second match of the season will be played on a weekend instead of a Wednesday evening at the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium. The major event will see sporting rivals the New South Wales Blues take on the Queensland Maroons as part of the annual series.

Perth will also be a Rugby League World Cup host city for the first time when sporting powerhouses England and France, along with two other European qualifiers, descend on nib Stadium for a double-header clash in 2017.

New program of events for Margaret River Gourmet Escape 2016
More than 40 culinary superstars from around the world will share their knowledge and passion across an abundance of mesmerising food events at this year's Margaret River Gourmet Escape. New events include Local Origins at Vasse Felix, including a Q&A with Nigella Lawson; Crenn Collaboration at Wills Domain with Dominique Crenn; a twilight dinner with Andoni Luis Aduriz; lunch with Ana Ros set in Margaret River's Secret Garden with George Cooper; and A Voyage to Dinner with Ashley- Palmer Watts and Janice Wong. Alongside the new line-up of events is the festival epicentre, the Gourmet Village, located in the stunning surrounds of Leeuwin Estate Winery and the refreshed Gourmet Beach BBQ. The 2016 Margaret River Gourmet Escape program provides a unique opportunity for visitors to discover local produce, taste world-renowned wines and meet internationally celebrated chefs, food producers and winemakers among the extraordinary surrounds of the Margaret River region. Tickets to the event can be purchased via Ticketek.

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

Colourful cows to descend on capital city
Perth will welcome 40 life-size designer cows and a cheese festival in a new community event, forming part of the largest and most successful public art program in the world. In November, 40 cows will descend on Perth to feature in the CowParade Perth festival. The life-sized, fiberglass cows will be painted and styled by celebrated local artists and fashion designers, who will join the likes of Romero Britto, Kate Spade, Vivienne Westwood, Radiohead and Christian Lacroix, who have donated their time and decorated a cow for previous parades. The cows will be exhibited for six week at shopping malls, parks and iconic buildings and precincts in Perth city. Complementing theCowParade is the inaugural and highly anticipated festival of cheese, Festival Fromage which will be held at Perth Town Hall from November 11 to 14, 2016.

Capture the Bell Tower's best angle
The Bell Tower's annual photographic competition will return again this year, giving WA's non-professional photographers the chance to enter and win some fantastic prizes, including Canon DSLR cameras and a $200 voucher for Shoot Photography Workshops. For the sixth annual competition, the Bell Tower is asking people to show their photographic expression of the Bell Tower 'experience', with entries closing on September 30, 2016. Further details available at thebelltower.com.au.

WA feature film to debut at major film festival
A local West Australian's debut feature film has been selected to screen at the Venice International Film Festival (VIFF) – one of the top three international festivals in the world. Ben Young's Hounds of Love is one of the first feature films to be developed, filmed and post-produced entirely in WA. The film has attracted international recognition when it was pitched at the European Film Market in Berlin last year, and its selection for VIFF is a coup for the local film industry and a testament to WA talent.

Carnivale to kick off Rottnest's summer season
Rottnest Island Carnivale will return for another year in celebration of the island's summer season. The October 29 event will be full of free entertainment and activities for all to enjoy, including live music performances, face painters, a treasure hunt, silent disco, and an outdoor cinema screening. Special ferry tickets are available for purchase, including afternoon and late night ferries for those wishing to attend evening entertainment.

Festival of India coming to Perth
Australia's biggest showcase of Indian art and culture is coming to Perth from September 26. The 10-week Confluence Festival of India will promote tourism, migration and culture between the two countries. As part of the festival, a major art installation, the Borderless Gandhi Project, will have its world premiere in Perth on October 2. The Confluence Festival will feature at a range of venues across the city, including Elizabeth Quay, Perth Concert Hall, His Majesty's Theatre and the State Theatre Centre.

FOOD AND WINE

Fervor brings taste of Geraldton to life
Geraldton visitors and locals have the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience, overlooking sweeping landscapes from atop the Moresby Ranges in Geraldton. On October 14 and 15, Fervor – a company renowned for creating unique dining experiences - will host Taste of Geraldton - a 10-12 degustation experience using the freshest ingredients from the State's mid-west region. Guests have the option to bring their own choice of beverage, with advice available from those who know the cuisine best, Fervor. The coastal city of Geraldton is located a 4.5 hour drive north of Perth. Tickets are available for purchase at this link.

COMO Shambhala launches worldly-inspired cookbook in Perth
Perth was handpicked as the location to launch COMO Shambhala's new cookbook, The Pleasures of Eating Well. The book features signature COMO Shambhala cuisine, with all 147 recipes reworked to bring their renowned style of taste and nutrition to the home kitchen. COMO Shambhala is an intrinsic wellbeing experience encompassing nourishing food, one-on-one yoga classes, pilates and personal training as well as massage therapy for hands-on healing. In-house experts at the city's COMO The Treasury help guests proactively improve and sustain good health by combining western and eastern wellness traditions. The new cookbook is available for purchase online.

What's new on Perth's foodie scene...
Mason and Bird
With an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, this new spot in leafy Kalamunda is headed up by a team who are previously known for their work at Print Hall and Rockpool.
facebook.com/masonandbird

Stable Hands
This new venue features a cool rustic interior and all day menu from 7am to 4pm. A must visit if you're in Fremantle with a brunch, lunch or coffee craving.
instagram.com/stablehandscoffee

Frish and Barc
This new Como café is serving locally roasted coffee, Top Shelf, with sweet delights such as French toast with coconut pandan custard. facebook.com/FrischandBarc

Refuge Small Bar
Cafe by day, bar by night, this new hip Subiaco eatery serves up brunch, lunch, late night snacks and on-point cocktails.
facebook.com/refugesmallbar

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & ACCOMMODATION

Stay a while longer at Berkley Lodge
Berkeley River Lodge is a luxury wilderness experience like no other, offering the perfect blend of remote Kimberley coast, river and outback adventure, complimented by luxurious surroundings. For a limited time only, this October and September, guests can pay for three nights and stay for four in an ocean view luxury villa. All gourmet meals are included as well as guest activities, such as river cruises, 4WD bush and coastal tours, guided hikes and fishing adventures to name a few. This offer is valid for bookings made by October 31, for stays in September and October 2016.

Swan Valley Spa takes out World Luxury Spa Awards
Located poolside at the Novotel Vines Resort in the Swan Valley, Keishi Spa has taken out two major accolades at the World Luxury Spa Awards. Top honors went to the team for Best Luxury Boutique Spa and Best Luxury Golf Resort Spa. Spa guests are treated to luxury Babor Skin Care in a secluded sanctuary under towering trees, between the golfing greens and a resort pool, all located just 35 minutes from Perth CBD.

Virtual gold treasure hunt to engage community at Elizabeth Quay
A new community project has been announced for Elizabeth Quay that links WA's gold rush history with today's gold industry. The Heart of Gold Discovery Trail and gold panning activity will provide a fun and interactive way for visitors to learn about WA's gold industry and its importance to the economy. Using the latest technology, visitors will be able to download an app that will take them on a virtual, gold treasure hunt from Elizabeth Quay to the Perth Mint. The project is expected to launch in January 2017.

FEATURE

Swimming with humpbacks at Ningaloo
Become a pioneer and be one of the first people to interact with humpback whales this 2016 season.

In a first for Western Australia, tours to swim with humpback whales are now being trialled out of Exmouth and Coral Bay, located on Australia's Coral Coast.

Snorkelling with humpback whales at Ningaloo Reef provides a whole new perspective on the size and majesty of these great whales, with snorkellers permitted to approach within 30 metres of a humpback for a mind blowing face to face interaction.

These mammals are the fifth largest of the great whales, weighing up to 40 tonnes. They are also a very active whale species which can often be seen rolling around on the surface, slapping their fins and tails and even regularly breaching clear of the water.

Ningaloo marine businesses have said that the trial period has already captured the imagination of people looking for unique and exciting experiences.

Exmouth Diving Centre crew member, Patrick Horgan, was one of the first to swim with the humpback whales this week, saying “the suspense was continually building as the whales slowly approached us.

“Time stood still for a moment. I could not believe that I was finally swimming with a humpback whale!

“We watched for a few moments, before the whales slowly roused and swam off at a relaxed pace.

“It's really just another day in WA, where you can enjoy the best marine experiences on the earth.”

The trial will run until 30 November 2016. To learn more about the experience, including tour operators, costs and how to book, visit Australia's Coral Coast.

EVENTS

AUGUST

Gascoyne Food Festival
August 18–20, 2016
Carnarvon, Australia's Coral Coast
The Gascoyne Food Festival celebrates the coming together of the restaurant industry with local growers and the supply chain whilst creating brand awareness for the region's produce of amazing seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables and rangeland beef. The event spans three days and includes a Chef's paddock tour, the inaugural BBQ on the Beach, Long Table Lunch and tastings at the Gascoyne Growers Markets.
gascoynefood.com.au

North West Festival
August 19-21, 2016
Port Hedland, Australia's North West
The North West Festival is set to rock Port Hedland again with some of Australia's best music artists. The festival runs over three days and helps add greater vibrancy to the Pilbara region and provide a boost to local businesses. This year's line-up includes Sarah Blasko, Urthboy, The Rubens, The Veronica's, Xavier Rudd, You Am I and so much more.
northwestfestival.com.au

CinefestOz
August 24 – 28, 2016
Bunbury and the Margaret River region, Australia's South West
CinefestOZ will take place over five days in August, showcasing some of the best Australian and French films, as well as filmmaker forums, film premiers, free community screenings and gala events. Cinefest OZ boasts the nation's richest film prize of $100,000 for an Australian feature film, a major drawcard for the diverse pool of talent.
cinefestoz.com

SEPTEMBER

Shinju Matsuri
September 10 – 18, 2016
Broome, Australia's North West
Japanese for Festival of the Pearl, Shinju Matsuri celebrates the unique culture, history and diversity of Broome. A traditional Chinese dragon is the centre-piece of the festival, and people proudly display their ethnic origins, and celebrate a pearling history that has made Broome the envy of the world. The festival will tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell.
shinjumatsuri.com.au

Zest Festival
September 17 – 18, 2016
Kalbarri, Australia's Coral Coast
The Zest Festival explores Kalbarri's cultural connections to the Netherlands, South Africa, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, China and Japan via the voyages of the Dutch East India Company. The festival will open with a masquerade ball, with the weekend featuring Indigenous culture and modern Australia culture, multicultural performances, art, food, short films and community workshops. This year will celebrate the youthful energy of young sailors, explorers and women of the era who waited for their loved ones, received the attention of sailors or stepped onto a boat and had the spirit to travel to foreign lands.
zestfest.com.au

Meekathara Outback Festival
September 23 – 25, 2016
Meekathara, Australia's Golden Outback
The Meekatharra Outback Festival showcases the regional town through a range of activities. There are three days of nonstop entertainment options from skyworks and street festivals to thoroughbred horse racing, live music and the Annual Outback Ball. The Meeka Festival offers a true outback experience.
meekafestival.com.au

OCTOBER

Festival on the Foreshore
October 16, 2016
Geraldton, Australia's Coral Coast
Join the locals for a fun day out on the Geraldton foreshore. Jam-packed with exhibitions, music acts, circus displays, workshops and much more, it's guaranteed to be a great day out for the whole family.
visitgeraldton.com.au

The Wine Show of Western Australia
October 4 – 31, 2016
Mount Barker, Australia's South West
The Wine Show of Western Australia has been running since 1978, taking place each year in Mount Barker. Originally part of the local show, this event has slowly come into its own as it annually determines WA's best wines. Attracting an esteemed line-up of judges each year, the show now includes 43 classes and awards around 20 trophies.
wineshowwa.com.au

Cape to Cape MTB
October 20-23, 2016
Margaret River, Australia's South West
Cape to Cape MTB is a four day mountain bike race through the Margaret River region, set to an iconic backdrop of world famous surf beaches, private farmlands, wineries, rocky outcrops and national forest. Each year a large number of national and international elite mountain bike riders descend on WA's South West specifically for the Cape to Cape MTB. The mix of riding trails from world famous beaches to rock paths through the pines forest make the Cape to Cape one of the most popular and well recognised endurance stage races in Australia.
capetocapemtb.com