15 Jun 2016
In this month's edition of This is WA, read about Tourism Western Australia's latest brand campaign - Just Another Day in WA, COMO The Treasury being named Australia's Hotel of the Year, Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth holidaying in WA with his family and Perth securing one of the world's biggest ocean sporting events in 2018. There's also all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events.
WHAT'S HOT
Tourism Western Australia launches 'Just Another Day in WA'
Tourism Western Australia's highly anticipated campaign has launched to the public. Just Another Day in WA was developed to show people around the world the extraordinary experiences that can be found in WA - featuring real holiday experiences on offer in the State. From visiting the Kimberley, one of the true last wilderness areas in the world; to swimming with the biggest fish in the sea, the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef; or sampling world-class Chardonnay in the Margaret River wine region – local residents have a lot to boast about, but to West Australians – it's just another day in WA. In a PR-first, live interviews were conducted with Frazer McGregor from Ningaloo Marine Interactions in Coral Bay and Matt Moreton-Deakin from Broome Camel Safaris at the launch of the new campaign in Perth. Frazer and Matt are two examples of people living and working in paradise, promoting the wonders of WA to the world. The easiest way to get involved in the campaign is to tag your social media posts with #justanotherdayinWA and @mention the Tourism WA social media channels you are posting them to.
www.instagram.com/westernaustralia
www.facebook.com/ExtraordinaryWesternAustralia
www.twitter.com/WestAustralia
www.youtube.com/user/westernaustralia
COMO The Treasury named Australia's top hotel
Perth's Como The Treasury has been named Australia's Hotel of the Year and New Hotel of the Year in Gourmet Traveller's 2016 awards. The luxury 48-room hotel, located in Perth CBD, opened last year as part of the restored State Buildings, which date back to the 19th century. The magazine highlighted the hotel's grand public spaces, eight restaurants and bars, and “a fastidious, $110 million restoration that blends neo-renaissance flourishes with warm, West Australian hospitality”.
Chris Hemsworth holidays in the majestic Kimberley
Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth recently enjoyed the Kimberley's magical landscapes on a tour across Australia, as part of his role as Tourism Australia's global ambassador. Along with his wife Elsa Pataky and three children, Hemsworth enjoyed barramundi fishing, a cruise to Casuarina Falls, swimming in natural pools and a stay at the luxurious Berkeley River Lodge. Photos from the family getaway were shared to Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) and Pataky's (@elsapatakyconfidential) social media fans. To see photos, click here.
Socceroos head back to Perth in World Cup bid
Locals and visitors to WA will get another chance to see the Caltex Socceroos live in Perth when they take on Iraq in the final round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2016. The Socceroos kicked off their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign last September with a qualifier against Bangladesh in front of a sell-out crowd at nib Stadium. The qualifying match will be played out on September 1, 2016.
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
WA secures premier surf lifesaving event
Perth will be host to one of the world's biggest ocean sports events, securing the 2018 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Scarborough Beach. Thousands are expected to descend on Scarborough during the event, which is currently scheduled for March/April 2018. The coastal suburb is currently undergoing a $48 million revitalisation, and the timing of the event (commonly known as 'The Aussies') couldn't be better with many of the public works scheduled to be complete by 2018.
Modern art: AGWA looks to the future
The world's first robot gallery guide, new exhibition spaces, digital experiences and an updated brand identity are all part of a new engagement strategy for the Art Gallery of Western Australia. The 58 centimetre robot named Aggie leads free monthly, hour-long family tours through the gallery and hosts children's Robot Art Classes. The gallery has also revealed more digital offerings – delivered through AGWA TV mini-documentaries and virtual reality experiences – and rebadging of volunteers as Guru Guides. Five new interactive exhibition spaces are now open, including the Wesfarmers Micro Galleries, pod-sized Nano Galleries, Rise Sound Gallery, the Stratosphere 'departure lounge' and an Imagination Room dedicated to activity, education, events, artist presentations and digital adventure.
Indigenous performance celebrates NAIDOC Week
In celebration of NAIDOC Week (July 3 to 10), indigenous singer-songwriter Phil Walleystack will be performing his Walk With Me tour at the Astor Theatre in Perth on July 7, 2016. The show will be the only indigenous concert taking place in Perth throughout NAIDOC Week, leading the audience on a journey through traditional Aboriginal culture. Special guests supporting the performance including Dr Richard Walley, Stephen Pigram, Bradley Hall and The Merindas, showcasing and bringing together traditional song and dance from across WA, pairing it with up-beat contemporary music.
FOOD AND WINE
2016 Truffle season tipped to break records
The start of WA's 2016 truffle season is underway, with top chefs from around the world preparing their menus for the famed Manjimup truffle. Manjimup's truffle farmers are looking forward to a successful 2016 season, with local farms producing positive signs. The Truffle and Wine Co is targeting a production of 4.5 to five tonnes, which will be sent to more than 50 destinations across Australia and overseas. More than 70 per cent of premium black truffles produced in Australia come from the Southern Forests. As the largest producer in the southern hemisphere the region has secured its place on the global culinary map. From June 24 to 26, visitors to Manjimup can build their own gourmet weekend like never before at the annual Truffle Kerfuffle. Click here to watch Manjimup's truffle dogs feature in one of Tourism Western Australia's latest campaign ads.
Arthouse to open at AGWA
The man behind The Standard in Northbridge, Halford at the State Buildings and Saint Larry at the new City of Perth library, is now turning his attention to the Art Gallery of WA. John Parker is opening Arthouse, which will take over the former Caffissimo café near the gallery's entrance. The food will be contemporary bistro, with chef Chase Weber (The Standard) overseeing the menu. The fit-out will resemble the gallery's look, with prints of current exhibition pieces showcased on the venue's white walls. Arthouse will open its doors to the public on June 19, 2016 serving brunch and lunch, and a dinner service will commence at the end of July.
Historic Guildford Hotel reopens to the public
The stunning restoration of the State Heritage-listed Guildford Hotel has reopened to the public, following a devastating fire which severely damaged the venue nearly eight years ago. The 1886 hotel is a jewel in the crown of the historic town of Guildford. The refurbished hotel offers a casual atmosphere with a beer garden and an upstairs bar featuring a retractable roof. The history of Guildford has been woven into the restored hotel, with original tiles, fireplaces, doors and windows retained. Guildford can be reached in a short, 25 minute-drive from Perth CBD.
Gusto Gelato opens at Elizabeth Quay
A new gelataria has opened in Perth, located within a striking glass, diamond shaped kiosk at Elizabeth Quay. Gusto Gelato is the latest venue to open at the major waterfront development, serving delicious hand-crafted gelato. Be sure to stop by and treat yourself to a sweet treat, and take some time to sit back and enjoy the quay's beautiful views.
TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & ACCOMMODATION
Winter cruise re-launches in Rockingham
Rockingham Wild Encounters has kicked-off its winter cruise for the year. The Seal Island Wildlife Cruise is a 60 minute tour which travels around Shoalwater Marine Park to see wild dolphins, sea lions, birdlife and the ruggedly spectacular islands surrounding the marine park – all aboard a glass bottom boat. Rockingham is located a 45 minute drive south of Perth, and tours will run daily until September 14, 2016.
WA claims two spots on top landmarks list
Visitors have named Fremantle Prison and the State War Memorial as two of Australia's best landmarks in TripAdvisor's 2016 Travellers' Choice Awards. This is the fourth year that both sites have made the top 10 list, which is based on reviews submitted by users of the travel website over the past 12 months. UNESCO World Heritage Listed Fremantle Prison, regarded as the nation's most intact convict site, is in seventh place. The prison, which welcomes more than 190,000 visitors annually, is also the reigning gold medallist in the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards' major tourist attraction and cultural tourism categories. The State War Memorial, with its 18m obelisk overlooking the city from Kings Park, is eighth on the TripAdvisor list.
Lodge yourself in Fremantle
An exclusive, luxury accommodation escape has opened in Fremantle. The Lodging is a stylishly appointed, contemporary guesthouse, located in the heart of Fremantle on High Street. It occupies an original late 1800s terrace house, with four suites sleeping a maximum of 10 adults. The suites can be rented individually per night, or the house can be rented exclusively for groups. The multifunctional space is home to a communal lounge, dining area, kitchen and courtyard - perfect for a getaway with friends, or to host weddings, meetings, corporate events and workshops.
FEATURE
A #justanotherdayinWA moment
Photographer Sean Scott visited Lucky Bay on a family camping trip, and here's what he had to say about the experience…
We camped at the Lucky Bay camp ground in Cape Le Grand National park. It has now become my favourite place in the world, big call I know. When we first arrived we were met by the friendly kangaroos down on the beach. These guys just hung out most of the day and night down there and around the camp. I never saw anyone feed them, they seemed to be feeding on the seaweed and other things that washed up on the beach.
I was surprised at just how friendly they were. My son would go down and hang out with the kangaroos any chance he could get. They would let him pat them and even lay down and sleep on his lap. With the pristine white sand and crystal clear blue water it was our paradise.
Being located out from Esperance it was a very quiet place, you could have whole beaches to yourself. I was taking photos of an amazing sunset one morning when a kangaroo just came up to me and sat beside me as I photographed the sunrise. Heaven. Now I just have to work out when I can come back here.
EVENTS
JUNE
Harbourside Concert Series
June 16 to July 28
Albany, Australia's South West
The popular Harbourside Concert Series returns for a sixth year with a diverse program of WA's most outstanding and entertaining musicians. With cabaret-style seating, bar service and award-winning food, what better way to break the winter chill than to bask in the glow of a great evening's music.
Truffle Kerfuffle
June 24 to 26
Manjimup, Australia's South West
The Truffle Kerfuffle 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.
Barramundi Dreaming
June 27 to July 2
Kununurra, Australia's North West
The aim of Barramundi Dreaming is to not only showcase local Indigenous talent in a variety of genres such as music, dance, art and culture and to provide an opportunity for local artists to experience performing and exhibiting to a large audience, but to help to maintain and continue traditional local Dreaming stories to enrich the cultural history of the area and to enable the younger generation to learn more about their spiritual past.
JULY
Winter Festival
June 24 to July 17
Fremantle, Experience Perth
Winter Festival is returning to Esplanade Reserve in Fremantle from June 24 to July 17. Visitors to the event can experience 24 days of outdoor ice-skating fun, with skating sessions kicking off from 9am to 10pm Sunday to Thursday, and 9am to 11pm on Friday and Saturdays. Australia's largest pop-up ice-skating rink (sitting at 600 square metres), will be accompanied by a two story wrap around bar, new family rides and winter entertainment.
Stars on the Bastion
July 2
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.
Mowanjum Festival
July 7
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.
AUGUST
Avon Descent
August 6 to 7
Northam, Experience Perth
Established in 1973, the Avon Descent is Western Australia's most iconic event. The Avon Descent is a gruelling race open to all types of paddle and power craft. Competitors will race 124 kilometres over two days, along the Avon and Swan Rivers. Held on the first weekend of August each year, this event attracts approximately 600 competitors, 2,000 support crew and more than 1,000 volunteers.
Ningalens Film Competition
August 20
Exmouth, Australia's Coral Coast
The Ningalens Film Competition is back in 2016 and continues aiming to help aspiring filmmakers from the region and showcase the splendid surroundings of the world heritage listed Ningaloo Reef and coastline. Films can be on any genre or topic, provided that all footage is shot between Exmouth and Red Bluff. The festival and film screening will be held on Saturday August 13 at the Exmouth Yacht Club.
CinefestOz
August 24 to 28
Busselton, Australia's South West
CinefestOZ is Australia's premier film festival. It attracts filmmakers, stars and visitors to the South West, with a massive program of film related events and film industry forums in the centres of Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River and surrounds. Award-winning Australian feature film and documentary director, Gillian Armstrong will be attending the 2016 CinefestOZ Festival as Film Prize Jury Chair.
