Welcome to the September edition of This is WA, bringing you the latest travel and lifestyle news from around Western Australia.

WHAT'S HOT

WA celebrates 400 years since Dutch discoverer landed on WA soil

Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog's Duyfken has begun its 10-week journey to mark 400 years of WA history. The replica ship will reach Denham in time for the Shark Bay 1616 Festival, including stops at Mandurah, Hillarys, Jurien Bay, Dongara and Geraldton along the way. From October 21 to 25, the Shark Bay 1616 Festival will commemorate the first landing of Hartog on WA soil off the coast of Denham, in the World Heritage area of Shark Bay. To honour the commemorative anniversary, the region will host a week of unique cultural celebrations, including arts, food and historical events. Festival highlights will include an Ocean Classic Race, free outdoor concerts, masquerade ball, exhibition featuring replica 17th century garments, and a sail parade in the town's main strip. A 19th century Spiegel tent will form the festival's central hub in the heart of Denham, with the largest multi-octave fire organ in the world - Pyrophone Juggernaut – playing each night at sunset. Click here for the full program.

Punk princess of pastry headlines Entwined in the Valley

The Swan Valley's premier food and wine festival, Entwined in the Valley is back this November 4 to 6 and will be headlined by 'Punk Princess of Pastry' Anna Polyviou. The three-day foodie extravaganza brings together a host of top chefs, winemakers and local producers to highlight the delights of the region, located a short 25-minute drive from Perth's CBD. The festival's much loved Entwined Degustation Dinner will take place on November 6 at Mandoon Estate Winery, and guests will be treated to a selection of Polyviou's sublime desserts including an 'Anna's Mess' (made famous on MasterChef Australia), as well as dishes from local food superstars Kiren Mainwaring of Co-Op Dining, Hadleigh Troy of Restaurant Amusé in East Perth and Michael Hartnell of Mandoon Estate, as part of an expertly prepared seven course menu. For more details on the festival and its events head to www.entwinedinthevalley.com.au.

Perth among world's most liveable cities

Perth has claimed seventh spot on the Economist Intelligence Unit's list of the world's top 10 liveable cities. Moving up from eighth place in last year's Global Liveability Rankings, Perth scored a total of 95.9 based on criteria including stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. With fantastic weather, great beaches, friendly people and culture, it's no surprise that WA's capital city is so highly regarded. The face of Perth continues to transform, as the city invests in public transport, the expanding arts and culture scene as well as major infrastructure including Elizabeth Quay and Perth Stadium.

Abrolhos Islands to become Australia's newest national park

Located 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton, the Abrolhos Islands are set to become the newest national park in Australia. The islands comprise a group of more than 120 coral cays that lie across 100 kilometres of the Indian Ocean. Creating a platform for further tourism development, there are plans to introduce floating hotels, campsites and more diving and sightseeing tours to the coastal paradise. Famous for its coral reef systems, the Abrolhos Islands is also home to the Batavia shipwreck which was carrying gold, silver and 180 people in the 1600s.

Dates for the Ord Valley Muster announced

Save the date for next year's Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, which will be held from May 19 to 28, 2017. Each year, the event continues to attract international acclaim, bringing together a star-studded line-up of musical, culinary and creative talent in one of the world's last true wilderness areas, the Kimberley. Voted Australia's Best Regional Event at the 2015 Australian Event Awards, the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster features more than 30 events and activities, including the Durack Homestead Dinner (May 25) and the Kimberley Moon Experience (May 27). Stay tuned for more details

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

Fremantle welcomes visitors with giant rainbow

At nine metres high, 19 metres long and tipping the scales at 66 tonnes, Rainbow is not your average public art piece. Situated in the heart of Fremantle, the sculpture has been constructed from nine recycled sea containers joined to form a giant rainbow. Created by Perth artist Marcus Canning, the colourful piece is a universal symbol of hope and inspiration, as well as being a highly visible welcome sign for Fremantle visitors. The largest public art piece ever commissioned by the City of Fremantle, the $145,000 Rainbow is the jewel in the crown of more than 50 public art pieces throughout the port city.

Perth's newest creative space for the community

Not-for-profit group FORM have restored an 1897 railway building in Claremont, transforming it into Perth's newest project space known as The Goods Shed. This is Perth's latest creative hub for installations, artists, residencies, speaker forums, community activities and the exchange of creative ideas. The creative house opened with an exhibition by renowned urban artist Karim Jabbari, entitled The Core.

FOOD AND WINE

Isle of Voyage opens its doors at Elizabeth Quay

Elizabeth Quay's newest venue has opened its doors for business. Housed in the historic Florence Hummerston Kiosk, Isle of Voyage celebrates local produce and reflects WA's unique climate and lifestyle. Fresh salads, cold press juices, woodfire pizza and decadent cakes will all be on offer. Whether it's an early morning coffee, lunch break with colleagues or evening dining and cocktails with friends, Isle of Voyage is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. The relaxed family restaurant is owned by the operators of Voyage Kitchen in Sorrento, located on Perth's coast.

Nitrogen Gelato takes off in Mount Lawley

For all the ice-cream fans out there, a visit to Ibiza N2 is a must. The gelataria uses liquid nitrogen to flash freeze its gelato, giving it a smooth, churned edge. Customers will enjoy the added goodness of cocoa puffs, black waffle cones and syringes filled with sweet sauce.

Local favourite expands in Perth

Mary Street Bakery, has opened a third venue in Perth's CBD. Popular for its caramel salted donuts and fried chicken buttermilk pancakes, the new venue is set to be a hit among local and visitors alike.

Taste Bud Tours takes home Culinary Experience of the Year

The Luxury Travel Guide recently awarded Taste Bud Tours 'Culinary Experience of the Year' at the 2016 Holiday & Tour Specialist Awards. Taste Bud Tours offer small personalised tours to the Swan Valley for groups of up to 16 guests, and provide a unique speed grazing concept where guests participate in more than 25 different tasting experiences. Located 25 minutes from Perth CBD, the Swan Valley is the State's oldest wine region and home to award-winning wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, cafes, arts and crafts and fresh produce. The Luxury Travel Awards recognise and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the travel and tourism industry.

Margaret River wine store to open in China's 'international wine city'

A Margaret River wine store is set to open in the heart of wine-loving China in November 2016. Located in Beijing, the 'Your Margaret River Region' branded retail outlet will form part of a three-storey complex, home to 55 wine outlets operated by Beijing based wine importers. Open for retail as well as wholesale, the store will stock a wide range of Margaret River region wines, comprising 80 red and 20 white varieties. The initial store is expected to be the first of 10 to open in China over the next two years, allowing wine-loving China to now purchase and taste world-class Western Australian wine.

Voyager Estate introduces new wining and dining experiences

Voyager Estate in Margaret River has changed its cellar door and restaurant experience. The wine room has shifted from a traditional cellar door tasting experience to become more of a wine lounge. Wine tasting will be presented through curated or 'pick-your-own' wine flights served at a table, with knowledgeable wine room staff on hand to answer any questions. Meanwhile, the restaurant kitchen has unveiled a second 'discovery menu'. The three-course menu will replace the previous a la carte offer, and showcase the finest local project while telling the story of the region.

Wildflower tops list of Australia's hottest restaurants

COMO The Treasury's rooftop venue Wildflower was announced as WA's 'Hottest Restaurants' in The Australian's Hot 50 Restaurants 2016. The national publication applauded Wildflower's drama, style, service and unique food offering, joining the ranks of the country's elite restaurants. Perth's Long Chim, located in the basement of the State Buildings, was also included in the Top 50 list of venues, commended for its uncompromised Thai food led by globetrotting chef David Thompson.

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & ACCOMMODATION

Discover Perth's past with GoCultural Tours

An Indigenous tour exploring Perth's history has launched in the State's capital. Husband and wife team, Walter and Meg McGuire, are behind GoCultural Tours, which takes guests on an Indigenous walking tour of Perth's waterfront precinct, Elizabeth Quay. GoCultural Tours share dreamtime stories of Perth and its surrounding areas from a local Nyungar guide, as well as an interactive session with Indigenous artefacts and heirlooms. Guests will learn of the city's sacred sites located in and amongst the foundations of Perth's CBD and surrounding suburbs. Two tour options are available - a 90-minute tour or an extended three-hour tour.

Art self-drive trail launches in Geraldton

A unique self-drive tour featuring 22 art installations is currently on show in the Geraldton region. Art connoisseurs will start in Geraldton and then travel through the Coral Coast towns of Greenough, Walkaway, Ellendale Pool, and Mullewa. The full route is roughly 270 kilometres long, with each of the art installations based on a theme, including farm life, wildflowers and Aboriginal culture. More information on each installation is available at Geraldton Visitor Centre, or can be downloaded from the City's website. The self-drive art trail is on show until November 30.

Perth's Bodhi J scoops Best Day Spa accolade

Perth's Bodhi J Wellness Spa Retreats have been announced 'Best Day Spa' at the 2016 Australian Beauty Industry Awards (ABIA), held in August. The accolade highlighted the spa's premiere natural and organic wellness offering, including eco-luxe brands such as Sodashi and Vasse Virgin. The beauty awards represent one of the highest honours within the country's beauty industry.

Electric bike tours launch in Perth

Experience the latest technology in electric bikes and take the work out of riding to enjoy the journey and views of the spectacular waterways around Perth, including the iconic Swan River. Offering four guided tours through the swan coastal plain and northern lakes systems through to the sunset coast, Paul's Eco E Bike Tours take in the wonders of Perth's unique flora, fauna and local Aboriginal culture.

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.

FEATURE

Western Australia's Best Wildflower Show in Years

A perfect balance of sunshine and rainfall has delivered one of the best wildflower seasons Western Australia has seen in many years. The start of spring has seen the state come to life with approximately 12,000 species of wildflowers, more than the rest of Australia combined, which are in bloom for around three months of the year.

You can experience all of the state's wildflowers in one place at this year's Kings Park Festival, which runs until the end of September. The collection of wildflowers range from delicate blossoms to bold flowers and spectacular seeds and foliage at the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens.

Sweeping across 2.5 million square kilometres, WA's wildflowers rank as one of the State's most fascinating and precious natural treasures, each year attracting thousands of visitors to study the rare varieties. This year has already been flagged by visitors and locals as one of the best wildflower seasons in over 15 years, which has been attributed to the amount of rain the state has received in the last couple of months.

The annual wildflower display starts in the north before charging to the southern-most coast of WA in an ever-changing parade of colour. The northern areas bloom around August to September, while further south the different flower species bloom around September to November.

From Perth, journey through Australia's Golden Outback region via Merredin and on to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Through Eucalypt woodlands and vast sand plains, the past is ever-present in a landscape and character that many believe is at the heart of Australia.

While towns and settlements here have been shaped by both history and fanciful legends of the gold rush, the harsh and unforgiving environment is constantly softened by the natural and recurring beauty of its wildflowers including Gimlet, Salmon Gums, Firebush and Mulla Mulla.

Fitzgerald River National Park on the south coast is so heavily filled with flowers that it has become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. There are more than 1,800 known plant species (that's 20 per cent of all the species in the State) in the one reserve.

Consider a trip north east to the Murchison and Gascoyne regions. This is true outback country, renowned for vast, sun-baked plains, seemingly endless skies, blankets of brilliant stars at night, dinky-di pubs and the mass blankets of everlasting daisies for which Western Australia is world famous.

As you head to the south west region, you will wind your way through an awe-inspiring corner of the state, as you're dwarfed by giant karri trees, surrounded by sun-drenched vineyards and captivated by coastal vistas. Follow bushland and forest walks to find a myriad of orchid and wildflower species that thrive in the region. This area is a biodiverse hotspot, one of 34 in the world, and the only one in Australia.

From tall, shady trees and gently dappled woodland areas, journey through the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges, to the spectacular southern coastline. You'll marvel at the vibrant contrast of natural colours among the rich and diverse flora along the way.

Wildflower season is one of the best times to visit the state, with the weather at the perfect temperature and the flora and fauna on full display with vibrant colours, luscious smells and delightful baby animals.

For further information and to find out about the amazing wildflower trails in Western Australia visit the website.