In this month's edition of This is WA, read about Qantas flying non-stop between Perth and London, the Bledisloe Cup coming to Perth in 2019 and the announcement of the superstar line-up for golf tournament ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth. There's also all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events.

WHAT'S HOT

Qantas to fly non-stop between Perth and London
Visitors from the UK and Europe will be able to fly non-stop between London and Perth from March 2018. Tickets on the new service will go on sale in April 2017, with 236 seats available across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Fourteen flights between the two cities will disembark each week on the 787-9 Dreamliner. Visit the Qantas website for further details.

Bledisloe Cup coming to Perth in 2019
One of the biggest rivalries in world sport is coming to Perth Stadium in 2019 when WA hosts its first ever Bledisloe Cup match. It will be the first and only time the Qantas Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks will play on Australian soil in 2019 in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup. Hosted at Perth Stadium (due to open in 2018), the match is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the country and overseas. The Cup has been fiercely contested between the Wallabies and All Blacks since the 1930s.

Perth welcomes six star luxury at Crown Towers
Perth's new luxury hotel, Crown Towers, has opened and offers the city's largest hotel, complete with premium resort facilities, including expansive lagoon-style swimming pools, private cabanas, poolside bar and dining, a Crown Spa and fitness centre and the Crystal Club lounge with views across the Swan River to Perth. Lead in rooms start from $650 a night, with some special opening midweek rates available from $338 a night.

Red Dog True Blue premieres on Boxing Day
The rich colours of Western Australia's Pilbara region will be showcased when new movie Red Dog True Blue premieres to Australian audiences this Boxing Day, 26 December. Filmed primarily at Karratha station, 30 minutes-drive from the coastal outback city of Karratha, Red Dog True Blue is the prequel to one of Australia's most successful films, Red Dog, and recounts the beloved dog's origins in an iconic story of family, friendship and adventure in Australia, circa 1968. Produced by WA filmmaker Nelson Woss, the movie stars Australian actor Bryan Brown; young star Levi Miller of PAN, and the soon to be released Jasper Jones; the UK's Jason Isaacs, best known as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter series; and, up and coming indigenous actor Calen Tassone, who is originally from the Pilbara community. While not starring in the movie, Clinton Walker, a traditional owner of the Ngarluma land on which the movie was filmed and owner of cultural tourism company Ngurrangga tours, was closely involved with the production and provided insight on Aboriginal culture and language for Red Dog True Blue. For more information on the movie and travelling in the epic Pilbara region of WA, click here.

Superstar line-up announced for world-first golf tournament
World Number 8 Patrick Reed and World Number 9 Alex Noren are the first golf players to announce they will be heading to Lake Karrinyup Country Club to compete in the revolutionary new tournament, the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth. This unique format in world golf will combine 54 holes of traditional stroke play across the first three days with an exciting knockout match format for the fourth and final round. The tournament willl be held from February 16 to 19, forming part of the 2017 European Tour Race to Dubai and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments. Tickets to the event are now available.

Perth listed as one of the top places to visit in 2017
Leading US lifestyle magazine, Travel + Leisure, recently listed Perth as one of the top places to visit in 2017. This accolade is attributed to the new and exciting face of Perth and the booming food and wine scene, which is set against the beautiful backdrops of the coastline and Swan River. Some of the new venues mentioned, include Odyssea (City Beach), The Reveley and Isle of Voyage (Elizabeth Quay) and the city's new six star hotel offering, Crown Towers.

LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE

Fremantle's West End heritage listed
Fremantle's West End has been added to WA's heritage register in what is believed to be Australia's biggest listing. Covering almost 200,000 square metres and featuring 250 buildings, it includes former banks, pubs, hotels, warehouses, import-export businesses and shipping companies. The West End tells an important story about WA's early European history and includes a number of gold-boom era buildings which are all worthy of being protected with a heritage listing. The City's announcement follows private and public investment of nearly $1 billion for the development of new residential, commercial and cultural spaces, including the $220 million Kings Square project. 

Yurlmun exhibition opens in Albany
An exhibition featuring historic objects made by Albany's Menang people nearly 200 years ago has opened at the Museum of the Great Southern. Yurlmun: Mokare Mia Boodja, meaning 'return to Mokare's home country', showcases historic objects of Albany's Menang people and early European settlers. The objects include stone axes, spears, spear throwers and knives, which were collected from the area in the early 1800s by settlers including local surgeon Dr Alexander Collie, who became close friends with significant Menang man, Mokare. The exhibition will be open until April 2017.

FOOD AND WINE

Taste Great Southern 2017 releases celebrity chef line-up
Celebrity chefs Colin Fassnidge (acclaimed UK and Sydney chef) and Miguel Maestre (The Living Room host) will headline Taste Great Southern 2017. Australia's longest food and wine festival will be held over three weeks, from Thursday March 23 to Sunday April 9, 2017. Most events will be situated around the port city of Albany and Great Southern towns of Denmark, Mount Barker, Frankland River and the Porongurups. A special event will be held at the State Buildings in Perth on April 1 to showcase produce from the region. The exciting program of events includes markets, degustation dinners and lunches, tastings galore, masterclasses and community events. 

Bathers Beach House now serving on the beach
Bathers Beach House in Fremantle has become the first licensed stretch of beach in WA, and one of only a handful in Australia. Visitors can choose from the seaside venue's 40 sun lounges to enjoy a beer, wine and cocktail while feeling the sand between their toes. Sun lounges can be reserved, with unreserved lounges available on a first-come first-served basis. The food offering is an edited version of the existing menu, with more picnic friendly options suitable for dining on the beach. 

Margaret River Gourmet Escape lives up to its world-class reputation
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape has once again been named one of the most successful events on the food and wine event calendar. UK cooking sensation and headline guest, Nigella Lawson was joined by more than 60 of Australia and the world's leading food and wine personalities to celebrate the extraordinary beauty and incredible produce of the State's South West. Nigella was so enamored with WA and Margaret River that she posted her favourite moments of the event to her blog. The three-day festival saw nearly 19,000 visitors experience the diversity and beauty of wine and food across 45 special events, set in more than 20 extraordinary locations including vineyard, cave, forest and beach settings. The event was awarded 'Tourism Event of the Year' at the 2016 Australian Event Awards and included in Lonely Planet's 2016 Food Trails Guide. The 2017 event will be held from November 17 to 19. 

New eats in Perth

Rockefeller Deli opens in Highgate
Occupying the shell of Highgate Drink and Dine, a new food haven reminiscent of a New York Jewish Deli has opened. Rockefeller Deli is delivering large sized sandwiches filled with homemade pastrami and cornbread, as well as five different bagel options with four different smears. The deli is open daily for breakfast and lunch with weekend dinners becoming available in the new year.

Toastface Grillah expands to Northbridge
Known as the best place to get a toasted sandwich in Perth, Toastface Grillah has expanded into Northbridge. Making everything from chilli cheese, blue cheese, pear and cheese and vegemite toasties, Lil' Toastface has your lunchtime cravings covered.  

Rice Baby in Subiaco
Rice Baby is serving modern Asian eats featuring roast duck bao, bang bang chicken and tasty dumpling delights. The new venue's delicious cocktail menu serves up the likes of lychee affair cocktails and purple passion mocktails.

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION

Treetop walk celebrates 20 year anniversary
The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, is celebrating its 20 year anniversary this month. Located in the Southern Forest town of Walpole, the treetop walk gives tourists a bird's-eye-view of some of the tallest timber giants on earth - the majestic tingle trees. Taking visitors 40-metres above ground, the Treetop Walk has welcomed more than 3.4 million visitors since opening to the public in 1996. 

Bremer Bay orca tours kick-off in January
Naturalist Charters will commence its Bremer Canyon Expeditions in late-January 2017, taking guests 60 kilometres off the South West coast to Bremer Canyon – a remote habitat abundant with marine life, including whaler sharks, giant squid, sperm whales, masses of sea birds and the largest known group of killer whales in the Southern Hemisphere. Tours will run until April, giving guests the opportunity to witness this unique phenomenon by joining a research expedition that departs daily from Bremer Bay Marina. Day trip transfers are available from Albany, while larger Bremer Bay sightseeing tours can be booked with Busy Blue Bus. 

Billabong Backpackers Resort awarded best backpackers in Australia
Billabong Backpackers Resort has taken out best accommodation at the TNT Golden Backpack awards. The property combines resort style facilities, including a pool surrounded by sun lounges, with a fun and friendly social atmosphere, offering visitors the ultimate backpacking experience in Northbridge. All rooms come with an en-suite bathroom and balcony as standard, along with free parking, wifi and breakfast. This month they have opened nine professional artist studios on site, in partnership with Art Source, providing affordable spaces for local artists. 

William Bay National Park to undergo an upgrade
A major redevelopment of the popular William Bay National Park lining the Denmark coast in the South West was announced last month, with works set to include new trails, sealed roads, car parks, public art and lookouts. Facilities will be completely upgraded at the Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks area, Mazzoletti and Waterfall beaches, and Madfish Bay. The two year project will commence in 2017.

Sal Salis features in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel list
Sal Salis has been named one of the best places in the world to stay by travel publisher, Lonely Planet. The prestigious accolade is listed in the publication's annual Best in Travel 2017 edition, which identifies the best trends, destinations, and experiences for the year ahead.

FEATURE

A photographic review of Western Australia in 2016

Extraordinary experiences can be found in every corner in Western Australia – many of which cannot be found elsewhere in Australia, or in some cases the world. From visiting the ancient Kimberley in the North West, one of the last true wilderness areas on earth; to swimming with the biggest fish in the sea, the whale shark at Ningaloo Reef in the Coral Coast; or sampling world-class wines in the Margaret River wine region, a trip to WA rewards visitors with unique, enriching and life enhancing experiences that will last well beyond the span of their trip. 

Tourism Western Australia has worked with some of Australia's best photographers throughout 2016 to capture the large and diverse State of WA. We now have a new selection of unique images that are available for media to view and download.

For further details about the new additions to our image gallery please email media@westernaustralia.com

Esperance Image: Sean Scott Photography

A beach and nature-lover's dream, Esperance is blessed with squeaky-clean beaches, turquoise waters and untouched islands. Among its most famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay - set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago, even the kangaroos can't resist lounging here.

Greens Pool Image: Sean Scott Photography

One of Mother Nature's most inviting swimming pools, Greens Pool in Denmark is among WA's most iconic beaches. A picture postcard of clear emerald waters, pure white sand and sculpted rocks that shelter the bay from the swell beyond, it's a top spot for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Dirk Hartog Island Image: Summersite

Dirk Hartog Island is the most western point of Australia. Here, visitors can experience some out-of-this-world swimming and snorkelling spots at secluded beaches. In 2016, the historic island celebrated its 400 year anniversary of the Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog becoming the first European to set foot on Australian soil.

Dirk Hartog Island 4WD Image: Summersite

Dirk Hartog Island offers more than 250km of off-road tracks, leading to pristine beaches and massive sand dunes. For those keen to throw a line in, the fishing is among the world's best.

Horizontal Waterfalls Image: Salty Wings

There are only two horizontal waterfalls on earth and you can look wide-eyed and open-mouthed upon both of them at Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago of the State's North West. These incredible natural wonders are the work of some of the largest tidal movements in the world. As the tide ebbs and flows, a huge volume of water is forced through two narrow cliff passages, creating a variation in ocean level of up to four metres and a unique waterfall effect.

Cottesloe Beach Image: Salty Wings

Cottesloe Beach is a great spot for swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing, walking, sunbathing and people watching. With an expansive white sandy beach, rimmed by rolling green lawns and old shady trees, it is favourite spot for locals and visitors alike.

EVENTS

January

Hopman Cup
January 1-7, 2017, Perth, Experience Perth
Mastercard Hopman Cup is the official mixed teams' competition of the International Tennis Federation. Set at the spectacular Perth Arena, the event attracts some of the world's best tennis players as they prepare for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. The Cup's all-star line-up includes Roger Federer, Andrea Petkovic, Nick Kyrgios, Jack Sock and more. The Hopman Cup is the exciting launch to the Australian Summer of Tennis. 

Mount Barker Co-operative Grapes and Gallops Festival
January 22, 2017, 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 showing their award winning wines and regional food, plus there will be a range of activities on offer for the whole family. 

Western Australian Circus Festival
January 27-29, 2017, Karridale, Experience Perth
Western Australian Circus Festival is a three day event with shows running from midday to midnight. On show are circus, comedy and cabaret performances with acts from around the world. There is a dedicated kid's big top with workshops all day as well as great music, market stalls, camping and Australia's longest high wire walk. 

February

Perth International Arts Festival
February 10 – March 5, 2017, Perth, Experience Perth
The Perth International Arts Festival is a feast of joyous, cutting-edge performances and activities for all ages. Experience some of the world's best international and contemporary theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts and literature. This international festival is a wonderful display of creativity and talent providing amazing entertainment for all. 

SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim
February 11-12, 2017, Busselton, Australia'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 will take participants out and around the 3.6 kilometres of Busselton's iconic Jetty, in the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay. 

Boyup Brook Country Music Festival
February 16-19, 2017, Boyup Brook, Australia's South West
The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is the State's premier country music event. The event showcases WA talent at the music awards on the Friday night. Saturday kicks off with a free Street Carnival, full of captivating buskers, charming stalls and delicious food. Before heading down to the festival for a full 12 hours of boot-scooting and singing along to premium country music artists. 

March

Sculpture by the Sea
March 3-20, 2017, Cottesloe, Experience Perth
One of Perth's largest free public events, Sculpture by the Sea, sees Cottesloe Beach transform into a sculpture park with more than 70 sculptures on display from artists across Australia and the world. Enjoy exhibits from some of the world's top sculptors against a backdrop of one of the city's most popular beaches. 

GAMEX Fishing Tournament
March 17-25, 2017, Exmouth, Australia's Coral Coast
The GAME Fishing Tournament is a six-day event held at the tip of Ningaloo Reef off WA's Norwest Cape. The event incorporates social evenings, scientific studies, educational sessions and product information. There are ladies' functions, children's fishing clinics and celebrity chef cooking demonstrations to entertain the whole family. 

Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest
March 18-19, 2017, Mandurah, Experience Perth
The Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest is Mandurah's premier annual event which is enjoyed by more than 100,000 locals and visitors. The jam packed weekend festival features a plethora of fun and activities including live performances, cooking displays, and free family entertainment.