In this month's edition of This is WA, read about the discovery of a 2,000 year old pearl in the Kimberley, the global premiere of wildlife documentary Birthplace of the Giants, health and wellness retreats available across the State and the beginning of WA's blooming wildflower season. There's also all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events.

What's Hot

Irreplaceable pearl discovered in the North West
A pearl dated back by 2,000 years has been found in the Kimberley. Discovered by researches in 2011 at Brremangurey rock shelter, the irreplaceable pearl is the only one ever recovered from an ancient site in Australia. To avoid damaging the pearl, researches developed non-destructive ways of examining it and established its age through radiocarbon analysis of surrounding shell midden material. The pearl will go on display at the WA Maritime Museum later this month as part of Lustre: Pearling and Australia, an exhibition which delves into the story of pearling, weaving together Aboriginal, Asian and European histories to reveal insights into one of Australia's oldest industries – Broome in WA's North West was once the biggest pearling centre in the world, and is rich in pearling history today. In other pearling news, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, which is 200 kilometres from Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, recently had its first day of harvest for 2015. The raw pearls will go on to be washed, tumbled, polished, graded, valued, set and sold to customers around the world.
www.museum.wa.gov.au/museums/maritime/lustre-pearling-australia

Birthplace of the Giants premieres to international audiences
Incredible new humpback whale footage captured for the first time ever will premiere to audiences around the world this week. Captured off WA's Kimberley coastline, Birthplace of the Giants follows a calf as it travels through the region's warm tropical waters shortly after its birth. The inspiring one-hour documentary follows intrepid WA whale researchers Curt and Micheline Jenner as they use camera quadcopters and night vision technology to film the secret life of the humpback whale. The Kimberley coastline in WA's North West is home to the largest population of humpback whales on the planet. The 'great marine migration' takes place every June to November and sees 35,000 humpback whales make an epic journey from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the warm waters of the Kimberley. The film was produced by Jodie and Leighton De Barros from Sea Dog TV International and supported by Lotterywest and ScreenWest.
www.birthplaceofthegiants.com

Red dog returns to the Pilbara
WA's favourite wandering dog will return to the big screen in 2016. Production has started in the Pilbara on Blue Dog, the prequel to the highly-acclaimed Australian film, Red Dog. Veteran Australian actors Bryan Brown and John Jarratt are joined by newcomer Levi Miller and UK actor Jason Isaacs, in the '60s set story of Mick Miller and his dog on a cattle station in the Pilbara. Directed by Kriv Stenders and produced by Nelson Woss, Blue Dog will again put WA's North West on the international stage, highlighting its spectacular landscape and rich cultural heritage.

Lifestyle and Culture

Restore your health and wellbeing at a WA wellness retreat
WA is an ideal destination to restore your health and wellbeing with many wellness retreats becoming available across the State, including a new five-day luxury retreat based at Smiths Beach Resort in Yallingup. From June 19 to June 22, Revive Weight Loss Retreat (www.reviveweightlossretreat.com.au) aims to bring balance and nourishment to participants through a range of activities, including fitness sessions, yoga, Pilates, Stand Up Paddleboarding, meditation, nutrition seminars and cooking demonstrations. Later in the year in WA's North West, celebrity yoga instructor, Charlotte Dodson is also hosting a ladies wellness retreat at Cable Beach Resort and Spa from September 13 to 17. Instructing stars like Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, Gerard Butler, Lara Bingle and Camilla Franks, Dodson's sessions are dynamic with a unique focus on bold creativity and grounded energy.

Karratha presents ballet on the beach
West Australian Ballet will be visiting Karratha to perform live at Hearsons Cove for one night only on June 6, 2015. Presented by the City of Karratha, Embraceable You is going north to perform Balanchine under the stars, following performances at His Majesty's Theatre in Perth. The night of spectacular performance will also include a special curtain raiser by some of Karratha's best up and coming young dancers. Auditioned by WAB and choreographer Amy Wiseman, the local dancers will perform a brand new piece especially created for the event.
www.karratha.wa.gov.au/ballet

Food and Wine

New hospitality venue for Northbridge at Alex Hotel
Shadow Wine Bar and Dining Room has opened, following the launch of Alex Hotel in Northbridge. The European style eatery is open seven days a week, from midday to midnight, for lunch, dinner, drinks and bar snacks. Dining Room reservations are taken for lunch and dinner, while casual Wine Bar visitors are welcome at any time, providing the perfect opportunity to visit for a leisurely drink, pre-show meal or late night supper.
www.shadowwinebar.com.au

WA's best steak sandwich revealed
Wickepin Hotel, located in Australia's Golden Outback, was the winner of the Australian Hotels Association's (AHA) Best Regional Steak Sandwich, and The Merrywell at Crown Perth was the winner of the AHA's Best Metropolitan Steak Sandwich for 2015. The winners were revealed at AHA's Hospitality Expo held in Perth last month. Regional contestants from Wickepin, Port Denison, Broome, Margaret River and Mandurah faced each other in a live 'cook off', which involved the creation of their specialty steak sandwich in front of an audience and panel of judges. Ultimately, Wickepin Hotel's traditional beef steak was voted the best for regional WA.
www.ahawa.asn.au

WAITOC welcomes new member to Aboriginal Gourmet Experience series
Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) has announced a new member to its Aboriginal Gourmet Experience series for 2015. Aboriginal family owned and operated business Bindi Bindi Dreaming showcases didge and dance, cultural tours, catering with bush flavours and knowledge of Noongar Country for those wanting to gain a better understanding of Perth's traditional people. Bindi Bindi Dreaming is the Aboriginal Gourmet Experience series' ninth member, adding to WAITOC's efforts to increase the profile and number of experiences in Perth and the South West region of WA.
www.bindibindidreaming.com.au

Margaret River winemaker crowdfunds to acquire vineyard
A Margaret River winemaker has turned to crowdfunding to support the purchase of a vineyard in the South West town of Quindalup, located in the Margaret River region. Ben Gould and his wife Naomi used the profits of their crowdfunding campaign to raise a deposit for a 50-acre vineyard, where they will source enough grapes to create an organic range of wines. The natural wine movement continues to gain popularity in WA, and Ben hopes to turn his vineyard fully organic by 2018. The local winemaker currently co-owns and operates Blind Corner wines from a Wilyabrup property.
www.blindcorner.com.au

New distillery opens in West Perth
A boutique West Perth distillery is handcrafting small batches of fine spirits with minimal impurities and superb flavours. With an ambition to craft superb Australian small batch spirits using local ingredients, founding Little Creatures directors Howard Cearns, Nic Trimboli and David Martin and ex-Creatures chief financial officer Jason Markwart and Jye Glaskin, decided to leave the beers and create Hippocampus Metropolitan Distillery. The group released its first batch of spirits in February, after trialling vodka recipes for eight months in their German-made copper still. The West Perth distillery is not yet open to the public, however private tours can be booked by appointment.
www.hippocampusmd.com.au

Tours, Attractions and Accommodation

Broome Winter Getaways
Broome and The Kimberley Holidays have released Broome packages to make the most of the dry season. Customers can choose between the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, or the newly renovated Mangrove Hotel, staying four nights with airport transfers. Land packages are available from $553 per person, with the opportunity to add on return flights with Qantas. Perth flights are available from $478, while east coast options are start from $770. Travel is between June 16 and October 31 for bookings made before June 3, 2015. Make the most of your Kimberley getaway by attending one of the region's many events including the Broome Race Round, Taste of Broome and Shinju Matsuri.
www.broomekimberley.com

Alex Hotel open for business
Construction on Northbridge's newest hotel is now complete. Alex Hotel opened to the public in late May, and offers 74 thoughtfully crafted bedrooms, ranging from small and compact to those with a little more space. All rooms are fitted with comfortable beds, smart TV's and free WiFi. The hotel itself captures the creative spirit of Northbridge, located in the heart of the area's cultural and wining and dining offerings. The hotel caters to business and independent travellers, and comes complete with a roof terrace garden, open plan living areas, and European-style restaurant, Shadow Wine Bar and Dining Room.
www.alexhotel.com.au

Crown Promenade Perth introduces new level of luxury
Crown Promenade Perth is currently undergoing a room refurbishment and modernisation project, due to be completed early this month. Each of Crown Promenade's 291 guest rooms are being redesigned with a vibrant new colour palette, fresh carpeting, luxury furnishings and contemporary finishes. Guest rooms will feature artwork in the form of the Swan, the WA State symbol, complemented by artwork in the foyers showcasing famous locations such as Broome and Rottnest. A new business centre facility will also open at the hotel.
www.crownhotels.com.au/Perth

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Popular Golden Outback audio tour now includes Boulder
The Kalgoorlie Boulder Visitor Centre has recently invested $20,000 to develop its popular Kalgoorlie Audio Tour, which now also includes Boulder. The Audio Tour, which previously featured 30 stops around the Kalgoorlie CBD, has added 20 new Boulder attractions including Burt Street and the Super Pit Lookout. The new Kalgoorlie Boulder Audio Tour is $15, and headsets can be bought from the Kalgoorlie Boulder Visitor Centre or the Loopline Railway and Information Centre.
www.kalgoorlietourism.com

Feature

WA's wildflower season in full bloom

With 12,000 species of wildflowers scattered across 2.5 million square kilometres of terrain - 60 per cent of which can only be found in Western Australia, it's no surprise Western Australia's wildflower season draws visitors from all over the world.

The wildflower season starts in June in the north of the State and sweeps south, finishing by November – meaning different species can be enjoyed at various times and destinations.

The North West comes alive with a blanket of spectacular wildflowers from July to September. In season, wildflowers of all colours, sizes and shapes can be seen, including the Sturt's desert pea, fluffy mulla mulla, Ashburton pea or any number of the 65 species of Acacia (wattle).

Australia's Coral Coast has a diverse range of wildflowers that are sure to impress. Visitors can marvel at the variety of wildflowers on offer, including Wattles, Hakeas, Purple Peas and Shark Bay daises.

The Lesueur National Park is spectacular during the wildflower season with a profusion of colour covering much of the National Park. With over 900 species of flora identified within the park it's a must see for wildflower and botanists.

Visitors who journey to the Golden Outback can experience a sensational show of wildflowers that cling to the vast landscape, adding brilliantly vivid colour to a harsh environment. Wildflowers usually start to bloom in the Gascoyne Murchison in late July, and as the temperature increases, they continue to grow south – from the Northern Wheatbelt to the coastal areas around Fitzgerald River National Park.

One of the top 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world, WA's South West is renowned for having one of the richest and most diverse flora in the world. The region is home to more than 8,000 species, including 300 species of the delicate orchids.

The best way to experience the beauty of wildflowers in the State's capital city, Perth, is by following one of the many tracks and trails located in Kings Park, the Swan Valley and Perth Hills region. Kings Park is home to more than 1,700 species of native wildflowers, and offer self-guided and group walking tours between September and October.

Search here for wildflower tours available from Perth or WA's regional towns, including one-day to extended tour options. A Wildflower Guide is also available for more details on the State's wildflowers, including wildflower trails.

www.westernaustralia.com/en/Things_to_See_and_Do/Forest_and_Flowers/WAWildflowers

Events

JUNE
Taste of Broome
June 18, July 15, August 13, September 10
Broome, Australia's North West
A Taste of Broome is a unique multi-arts performance and cuisine experience created around the distinctive Indigenous culture within Broome's multicultural community. It promotes the vibrant soul that is the essence of Broome's identity, and showcases local music, media, dance, food, arts and crafts, tradition and heritage. Monthly A Taste of Broome events are held from April until September.
www.goolarri.com/atob

Albany Urban Downhill
June 20 – 21
Albany, Australia's South West
Albany Urban Downhill features mountain bikers racing from the Princess Royal Harbour through the streets of Albany ending at the ANZAC Peace Park. The endurance event on Saturday afternoon has participants competing in a 'King of the Mountain' style race, riding from the base of Mount Clarence to the summit in a test of fitness and skill.
www.facebook.com/albanyurbandownhill

Truffle Kerfuffle - Southern Forest Food Festival
June 26 - 28
Manjimup, Australia's South West
The Truffle Kerfuffle Southern Forest Food Festival is an annual event highlighting regional food and wine. It's a celebration of the range of cultures which brought about the ability to produce the foods grown in the Southern Forests, the range of foods themselves, as well as a focus on the black truffle. WA produces more black truffle than the rest of Australia combined.
www.trufflekerfuffle.com.au

JULY
Goldfields Kidsfest
July 4-5
Kalgoorlie, Australia's Golden Outback
The Goldfields KidsFest features 13 different zones where children can participate in interactive and educational workshops and activities. The 13 zones include science, construction and mining, adventure, outdoors, creative, under 5's, busy bodies sports, music, kids kitchen and main show arena.
www.goldfieldskidsfest.com/

Wyndham Stars on the Bastion
July 4
Wyndham, Australia's North West
Wyndham Stars on the Bastion is a night of fine dining and entertainment by some of Australia's top country music singers, set on top of the spectacular Bastion Range – one of Australia's best lookouts. Start this amazing experience off by taking in the magnificent sunset on top of the 'Bastion' at the Five Rivers lookout. Enjoy an evening listening to Australia's own talented music artists, both well-known and rising stars.
www.wyndhamstarsonthebastion.org.au

Mowanjum Festival
July 9
Derby, Australia's North West
A public concert featuring more than 200 Aboriginal performers from across the Kimberley region. The festival is a celebration of Indigenous cultural life for the people of the Kimberley, in particular the Worora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul people involving dance, music, song, story and art. Prior to the performance, free afternoon workshops are held by Aboriginal artists which include Boab Nut carving, Ochre painting and Didgeridoo playing.
www.mowanjumarts.com

AUGUST
Gascoyne Food Festival
August 14-16
Carnarvon, Australia's Coral Coast
The Gascoyne Food Festival features networking events for local producers and food industry representatives, incorporating the celebration of seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables and rangeland beef. The event includes a chef's paddock tour, an industry networking night, beef workshop, live cooking demonstrations, fresh produce for sale, opportunities to meet celebrity chefs and a ticketed long table lunch for 180 people.
www.gascoynefood.com.au

Nannup Flower and Garden Festival
August 14-17
Nannup, Australia's South West
The Nannup Flower and Garden Festival includes a wine dinner, open gardens, art workshops, quilt displays, garden talks and market stalls. The main component of the event is the floral display at the Town Hall. A new element was added to the 2013 event program titled Garden Gourmets, featuring regional food and wine products. Evening entertainment and regional choir performances are also provided.
www.nannupgardens.org.au

CinéfestOZ
August 26-30
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.
www.cinefestoz.com

Shinju Matsuri
August 28 to September 6, 2015
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 their getaway town the envy of the world. The festival will tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell.
www.shinjumatsuri.com.au