Media Kit - Tourism Western Australia

Transcription

TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Media Kit 2016-17
Overview
About Tourism Western Australia
2
About Western Australia
4
International Visitor And Market Snapshot 6
Tourism Impact and Employment
in Western Australia
8
Aviation10
Marketing Update
14
WA’s Diverse Events Calendar
18
Regional Snapshot
22
Destination News
Freo the way to go in 2016
28
Indulge your senses in the
Margaret River region
30
WA in pictures
34
Anytime adventures in the Peel Region
36
The magic of the Kimberley
38
Caravanning and camping across WA
46
WA Wildflowers - Mother Nature’s
dazzling show
48
Whale interactions at Ningaloo Reef
52
Perth - the ongoing evolution
- the city and beyond
56
Rottnest Style - Island Life
62
A few words from our friends of WA
66
Great Southern exposure
68
WA leads Australia in growth of
the cruise sector
72
The W ‘A’ List
Coastal and aquatic
77
Perth and Beyond
80
Outback Experiences
82
Luxury Experiences
84
Nature Experiences
86
Aboriginal Experiences
88
New Product
Accommodation93
Tours & Attractions
Food & Wine
96
106
Overview
Cottesloe Beach
ABOUT TOURISM
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) is the State
Government agency responsible for promoting Western
Australia (WA) as an extraordinary holiday and business
event destination.
The agency works in partnership with the private sector, government
and communities to develop WA’s iconic tourism experiences and
promote them locally, nationally and internationally.
Tourism WA is also an economic development agency responsible for
getting the conditions right so the State’s tourism industry can thrive.
In the year ending December 2015, visitors spent $9 billion in WA. The
State Government, through Tourism WA, is implementing a strategy to
increase the value of tourism in WA to $12 billion by 2020.
Tourism WA has three core functions:
• marketing the State;
• developing, attracting and promoting major events; and
• facilitating the development of key tourism destinations.
The agency is responsible for delivering innovative marketing
campaigns to raise local, national and international awareness of WA’s
extraordinary destinations and experiences.
Tourism WA also aims to develop, attract and market a range of sports,
arts, cultural and culinary events. These events draw visitors to the
State, help raise WA’s profile through valuable media exposure and add
vibrancy to communities, particularly in regional areas.
Major events supported by Tourism WA include the Hopman Cup mixed
tennis tournament; the Margaret River Pro, which attracts the world’s top
male and female surfers; the Margaret River Gourmet Escape food and
wine festival; the Perth International golf tournament; Sculpture by the Sea
at Cottesloe Beach; and the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival.
Tourism WA’s Destination Development division works closely with
other government agencies, local government and the tourism
industry to determine the needs of destinations in terms of access,
accommodation, attractions and amenities for visitors, and seeks to
facilitate the filling of gaps through private and public investment. The
team is also focused on ensuring the State’s policies and regulations
support tourism development.
For more information on Tourism Western Australia, visit
tourism.wa.gov.au
2
Floating at The Basin on Perth’s
Rottnest Island. Photo by Garry Norris
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
3
ABOUT
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Bordered by the Indian Ocean, Western Australia is one of the oldest lands
on Earth with a living Aboriginal history dating back more than 40,000 years.
The first recorded European visitors in WA’s
history were the Dutch in the 1600s, but
European settlement didn’t officially take place
in WA until 1826, when the southern port
of Albany was settled as a military outpost.
However, the colonial headquarters were
moved to the current capital of Perth.
WA’s history is unusual in that it was one of the
few Australian states that wasn’t settled as a
penal colony. The first major population surge
came in the 1890s with the discovery of gold in
the central and southern outback. The ensuing
gold rush saw a massive influx of people from
Australia and around the world. On January
1, 1901, WA joined the other Australian States
to form a federation, headed by a Federal
Government and supported by individual State
Governments.
Today, the Indigenous cultures of WA provide
a continuous and living link with ancient
knowledge and the land, passed on through
song, dance, visual arts, the reading of the
seasons and ceremony. There are more than
250 Indigenous communities in WA, and
around 16,000 people.
Home to 2.6 million people, the majority of
whom (2 million people) live in the capital city
of Perth, Western Australians come from over
200 different countries. With 12 per cent of the
population speaking a language other than
English at home, our workforce communicates
easily with countries and businesses around
the world.
Lake Ballard
4
Western Australia is a world leader in the
production of minerals and petroleum, wool,
seafood, pearls, premium wines and gourmet
foods, has a strong agribusiness industry,
and a growing services sector, which includes
scientific and medical research, tourism,
education, architecture, ship building and
defence, engineering construction, subsea
development, film, fashion, music and writing.
EXPERIENCING EXTRAORDINARY IN
WESTERN AUSTRALIA –
KEY VISITOR EXPERIENCES
Western Australia is one of the largest States in
the world. The landscape is inspiring in its beauty
and grandeur and includes pristine beaches,
rugged gorges, unique rock formations, towering
forests and secluded waterfalls.
The climate is also varied, from the
Mediterranean climate of the south, to the
tropical climate of the north, meaning that you
can find summer in Western Australia at any time
of year.
WA has five regional tourism organisations
(RTOs) that work with Tourism WA and tourism
operators to market their region’s extraordinary
destinations, experiences and events. The
tourism regions are Experience Perth, Australia’s
Coral Coast, Australia’s South West, Australia’s
Golden Outback and Australia’s North West.
UNSEALED ROAD
4WD TRACK
LAKE
NATIONAL PARK
MARINE PARK
SEALED ROAD
UNSEALED ROAD
AUSTRALIA'S NORTH WEST
4WD TRACK
AUSTRALIA'S GOLDEN OUTBACK
LAKE
AUSTRALIA'S CORAL COAST
NATIONAL PARK
EXPERIENCE PERTH
MARINE PARK
AUSTRALIA'S SOUTH WEST
Lake�
Argyle
Windjana
Gorge NP
AUSTRALIA'S NORTH WEST
AUSTRALIA'S GOLDEN OUTBACK
AUSTRALIA'S CORAL COAST
Lake�
Argyle
EXPERIENCE PERTH
AUSTRALIA'S SOUTH WEST
Windjana
Gorge NP
Cape
Range
NP
Cape
Range
NP
Y
L HW
ARRE
GUNB
Francois
Peron NP
Kalbarri NP
Y
L HW
ARRE
GUNB
Francois
Peron NP
Lake�
Ballard
Kalbarri NP
Cervantes
Lake�
Ballard
Rottnest
Island
Cervantes
Wave Rock
Stirling Range NP
Manjimup
Rottnest
Island
Wave Rock
Stirling Range NP
EXPERIENCE PERTH
Perth’s spectacular natural surroundings
Manjimup
are rivalled only by its vibrant city life,
which has been undergoing a rapid
transformation that has seen the city
embrace new hotels, bars, restaurants
and public spaces. Nestled between
the sparkling Swan River and one of the
world’s largest inner city parks – Kings
Park and Botanic Garden – Perth offers
a unique blend of urban and natural
experiences.
AUSTRALIA’S SOUTH WEST
Here, you’ll find world-class food and
wine, beautiful beaches, surfing, cave
systems, tall tree forests, whale-watching,
wildflowers and one of the world’s most
famous wine regions, Margaret River home to more than 220 wine producers
and 100 cellar doors. As one of only
34 bio-diversity hotspots in the world,
the South West has thousands of plant
species that are found nowhere else on
Earth.
Along the Perth metropolitan shoreline,
you’ll find 19 beautiful beaches, while a
25-minute drive inland brings you to WA’s
oldest wine region, the Swan Valley. Then
there’s the historic and eclectic port city of
Fremantle; the island paradise of Rottnest
Island; and the opportunity to swim with
wild dolphins at Rockingham.
AUSTRALIA’S GOLDEN OUTBACK
Explore historic townships, scenes of
spectacular desert wilderness, outback
characters, gold rush history and the
pristine beaches of the Southern Ocean.
The region is home to the world’s largest
outdoor gallery at Lake Ballard and one of
Australia’s whitest beaches, Lucky Bay at
Cape Le Grand National Park.
AUSTRALIA’S CORAL COAST
Home to awesome marine life, endless
white sandy beaches and warm, turquoise
waters of the Indian Ocean this region
also boasts two World Heritage listed
sites - Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay. The
underwater playground of Ningaloo Reef is
just a short paddle from the beach. Come
mid-March to the end of July, you can
even swim with the ocean’s gentle giant,
the whale shark. The region is also trialling
humpback whale swims for the first time
in 2016.
AUSTRALIA’S NORTH WEST
A billion years in the making, the North
West is one of the world’s last true
wilderness areas. Here, you’ll find ancient
gorges of Karijini National Park and the
world’s only Staircase to the Moon and
Horizontal Falls. It’s also where you’ll
locate one of the best kept secrets on
earth – the Bungle Bungle Range in WorldHeritage listed Purnululu National Park.
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
5
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 20151
Western Australia
Spend ($ Millions)
Visitors
Visitor Nights
YE September
2014
$2,333
YE September
2015
$2,223
%
Change
-4.7%
826,700
848,800
2.7%
28,592,900
28,329,900
-0.9%
TOP 20 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2015 (RANKED BY NUMBER OF VISITORS)1
Estimated
Visitor Nights
Average
Length of
Stay (Nights)
Estimated
Visitor Spend
($ million)
145,600
4,315,500
30
303
86,100
1,113,000
13
188
Estimated
Visitors
1
UK
2
Singapore
3
Malaysia
80,400
1,560,000
19
196
4
NZ
80,300
1,873,800
23
135
5
USA
60,100
1,478,500
25
134
6
China
43,700
2,054,000
47
231
6
Germany
33,600
1,163,400
35
85
8
Indonesia
26,500
726,300
27
58
9
Japan
22,100
594,400
27
50
10
India
20,000
1,243,100
62
29
11
France
19,300
1,212,600
63
76
12
Hong Kong
19,000
1,061,100
56
82
13
Ireland
18,800
877,700
47
66
14
South Africa
18,700
659,400
35
50
15
Canada
17,900
426,300
24
46
16
Scandinavia
15,600
512,300
33
36
17
Korea
12,500
744,900
60
50
18
Italy
12,100
643,500
53
42
19
Switzerland
12,100
273,000
23
31
20
Taiwan
10,600
1,369,700
129
56
PLEASE NOTE: The estimates of visitor numbers and nights in this report are based on information obtained from the
International Visitor Survey - a sample of 6,170 international visitors coming to Western Australia. While every endeavour is
made to provide reliable results, as with all surveys, the estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the
survey results may vary from the results that would have been produced if all visitors had been interviewed in a census.
1
Tourism Research Australia – International Visitor Survey (YE December 2015)
6
INTERNATIONAL
VISITOR AND
MARKET SNAPSHOT
Bathers Beach, Fremantle
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
7
TOURISM IMPACT
AND EMPLOYMENT
IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
• The tourism industry in Western Australia
directly employs 58,000 people (4.3% of
the State’s workforce). Indirectly, tourism
contributes another 36,000 jobs, which makes
94,000 jobs in total in Western Australia.1
• Globally, the travel and tourism industry is one
of the world’s largest, directly and indirectly
employing 284 million people worldwide, or an
estimated 1 in 11 of all jobs in 2015.2
• For the year ending December 2015, 9.3
million overnight visitors spent $7.2 billion in
Western Australia.3
• 848,800 of these were international visitors
to Western Australia who spent $2.2 billion in
the State.3
• Travelling to the regions outside of Experience
Perth is a key focus of the industry. In the year
ending December 2015, 32% of international
visitors travelled to regional Western Australia.
Added to the 61% of domestic overnight
visitors visiting the regions, this generates
employment, helps to stabilise country
populations and, indirectly, enables services
such as schools and banks to be maintained.3
Current global conditions
and international arrivals
• Globally, international tourism continues
to improve, showing growth of (+) 4.4% in
international tourist arrivals for the year ending
December 2015.4
• Foreign national arrivals into Perth Airport
grew by (+) 2.4% in the year ending
December 2015 compared to year ending
December 2014.5
• In November 2015, the Tourism Forecasting
Committee forecast a (+) 5.9% increase
in international visitors to Australia during
2015-16. As at year ending December 2015,
growth in international visitors to Australia
stands at (+) 7.9%, whilst international visitors
to WA grew (+) 2.7% (from year ending
December 2014).3
1 Tourism Research Australia, State Tourism Satellite Accounts 2013-14
2 World Travel and Tourism Council – Economic Impact of Travel & Tourism 2016 Annual Update: Summary
3 Tourism Research Australia – International and National Visitor Surveys (YE December 2015)
4 United Nations World Tourism Organisation – World Tourism Barometer; Volume 14, Advance Release January 2016
5 Perth Airport Pty Ltd, December 2015
6 Tourism Research Australia – Tourism Forecasts, 2015
8
OVERNIGHT
VISITORS SPENT
$7.2 billion
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 2015
INTERNATIONAL
VISITORS SPENT
$2.2 billion
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 2015
TOURISM
CONTRIBUTES TO
94,000 jobs
FOREIGN NATIONAL
ARRIVALS
grew by 2.4%
IN THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 2015
Cable Beach, Broome
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
9
AVIATION
AIRLINE SERVICES
There are currently 19 international airlines, and
12 domestic and regional airlines that operate at
Perth Airport, connecting travellers to more than
110 destinations around Australia and overseas.1
In 2015, 4.2 million international passengers
passed through Perth Airport, while domestic
passenger decreased slightly in 2015 (down
2.9% from 2014) to 9.62 million. 2
The 19 international carriers provide direct,
point to point services across the Asia Pacific,
Asia, Africa and the Middle East and via
connecting hubs opens up flights across to
the United Kingdom and Europe as well as to
North and South America. Perth is currently
served by the following international airlines –
Air Mauritius, Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia X, Air
New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Southern,
Emirates, Etihad, Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar,
Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Scoot,
Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Thai
Airways and Virgin Australia; and in November
2015 Malindo Air launched its Australian
services from Perth to Kuala Lumpur.
10
Perth has excellent access from key long haul
UK/Europe destinations with several carriers
including Cathay Pacific, China Southern
Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines as
well as all three Middle Eastern Carriers - Qatar
Airways, Etihad and Emirates, operating onestop flights to multiple destinations across the
continent.
From April 2016, Perth Airport is scheduled
to have international aviation capacity of 230
weekly international services providing a total of
57,312 seats per week (an increase of 2.9% on
December 2014). For domestic aviation capacity
in this same period, Perth Airport operated 741
weekly intrastate/interstate services (an increase
of 6.9% on the previous year) providing a total
domestic seat capacity of 117,775 per week
(down 3.73% on the preceding year).1
1 Perth Airport Pty. Ltd.,
http://www.perthairport.com.au/FlightInformation/Airlines.aspx
2 IATA Airport Intelligence Services, SRS Analyser,
Weekly Summary, April 2016
Perth Airport
INTERNATIONAL
CAPACITY CHANGES
• Malindo Air announced its intent to increase
air services to 12 flights per week from April
2016. The airline currently operates 11 flights
per week between Perth and KL, launching
its Australian services to Perth in November
2015.
• Qantas announced in February 2016 its intent
to increase to 10 flights per week between
Perth and Singapore (an increase of 3 flights
per week) due to strong market demand.
The Perth – Singapore service was reinstated
from June 2015 (QF previously had ceased
the route between 12 May 2014 until this
time).
• Emirates will upgrade its second daily Dubai
– PER service (EK424/EK425) to an A380
from August 2016. The upgrade will provide
a capacity increase of 119 seats per flight (to
519 seats on the A380-800 from 400 seats on
the B77-300ER); providing approximately 30
per cent additional capacity by the carrier per
annum.
• Etihad announced it will upgrade its Perth
daily service to a new B787-9 aircraft from
June 2016. The upgrade will provide a
capacity increase of 37 additional seats
per flight (to 299 seats on the B787-9 from
262 seats on the A330-200); providing
approximately 14 per cent additional capacity
per annum. The up-gauged aircraft will
also provide a significant increase in cargo
capacity as Etihad has been struggling with
significant payload constraints on the A330200.
• 2015 saw a number of significant outcomes
by China Southern Airlines, launching the
improved Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
on its Perth operations from February 2015
and commencing a 4th weekly flight on the
Guangzhou – Perth service from July 2015.
• On May 1 2015, Emirates launched Perth’s
first Airbus A380 service on one of its three
times daily Dubai – Perth flights.
• On February 5 2015, Scoot launched its
first Dreamliner Boeing 787-9 to Perth,
and increased its daily services between
Singapore – Perth (up from 5 x weekly).
Tourism WA provided incentive funding to
assist in securing the new Scoot services,
whose commencement coincided with the
cessation of Tigerair’s daily Perth-Singapore
service.
• In October 2014, Qatar increased its seat
capacity between Perth and Doha by 30 per
cent, up-gauging moving to the larger Boeing
B777-300ER aircraft on an ongoing basis
(previously, the airline had used this aircraft
on a seasonal basis only).
• On September 12 2014, Air New Zealand
launched the first Dreamliner Boeing 787-9
on its Auckland – Perth service; on May 15
2015, Air New Zealand announced it would
introduce three new weekly flights between
Perth and Auckland timed to connect to the
airline’s US (Canada and Argentina) flights.
• On August 5 2014, Perth welcomed a new
international airline with the launch of Etihad
Airways daily services to Perth. Currently,
Perth is home to 18 international airlines.
DOMESTIC SERVICES
Perth is well connected with multiple flights per
day operated into major ports such as Sydney,
Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, by the
four national airlines – Qantas, Virgin Australia,
Tigerair Australia and Jetstar. Daily non-stop
flights also operate to Darwin and Canberra and
multiple flights per week offered to other cities
such as Cairns and the Gold Coast.
In consideration of the sheer size of Western
Australia, regional aviation is also an important
element to connect the State’s many regions
with Perth and wider Australia. Regional airlines
includes Qantas, Qantas Link, Airnorth, Virgin
Australia, Skippers Aviation and from February
2016, Regional Express (REX) operate services
across the State.
Broome, the State’s second largest airport,
offers multiple flights per day to Perth by Qantas
and Virgin Australia as well as alternative
regional services to northern Australia
(including Darwin). Direct flights are also
operated by Qantas to Broome from Brisbane,
Melbourne and Sydney on a seasonal basis
during the year.
Other regional intrastate, and some interstate
services, operate to multiple destinations
around the State including Albany, Broome,
Carnarvon, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton,
Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, and Monkey
Mia. Albany, Esperance, and Carnarvon/
Monkey Mia operate as regulated RPT routes.
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
11
Skippers Aviation
On June 20 2015, the Premier, Minister for
Regional Development and Minister for Transport
announced a $59.7 million development of
the Busselton-Margaret River Region Airport.
Funding will primarily be used for lengthening,
strengthening and widening of the runway to
enable Code 4C aircraft (A320, B737) to land with
the ultimate aim to secure interstate flights from
Sydney and Melbourne. The airport development
is expected to be completed by mid-2018, and
discussions with airlines and tourism marketing
groups are continuing.
12
INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
International non-stop frequency levels per week into Perth by route are as follows:
Airline
Air Asia X
Air Mauritius
Air New
Zealand
Air New
Zealand
Cathay Pacific
China
Southern
Emirates
Etihad
Garuda
Garuda
Indonesia Air
Asia
Jetstar
Jetstar Asia
Malaysia
Airlines
Malaysia
Airlines
Malindo Air
Qantas
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Scoot
Singapore
Airlines
South African
Airlines
South African
Airlines
Tiger
Australia/
Virgin
Australia
Thai Airways
TOTAL
Origin
Operations
per week
(March 2015)
Seats
per week
(March 2015)
Kuala Lumpur
Mauritius
Auckland
11
2
10
4147
550
2,816
Christchurch
2
468
Hong Kong
Guangzhou
10
4
2,510
908
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Denpasar
Jakarta
Denpasar
14
7
7
4
24
6,223
1,834
1,260
648
4,320
Denpasar
Singapore
Kota Kinabalu
21
12
1
3,780
2,160
160
Kuala Lumpur
7
1981
Kuala Lumpur
Auckland
Singapore
Doha
Singapore
Singapore
11
0-2
7
7
6
28
1859
532
168
2,460
2,545
7,714
Johannesburg
7
1,963
Johannesburg
7
1,963
Denpasar
7
1,232
Bangkok
7
230
1,848
57,312
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
13
MARKETING UPDATE
EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY
Tourism Western Australia’s State tourism
brand is Experience Extraordinary.
The Experience Extraordinary brand
communicates one undeniable truth – that WA
is an unspoilt, wide open State that’s naturally
full of extraordinary experiences.
Every part of our incredible State can lay
claim to its own type of extraordinary. And
the Experience Extraordinary brand celebrates
WA’s easy going, open attitude which means
people feel relaxed, and welcomed, whilst
experiencing extraordinary.
Here, you can swim with the world’s largest
fish – the whale shark; walk on the whitest sand
in Australia at Lucky Bay; bask in the sunniest
capital city in Australia – Perth; or explore the
Bungle Bungle Range, thought to be more than
350 million years old.
Experience Extraordinary is designed to appeal
to people who are naturally curious and value
more individual experiences that are a little off
the beaten track. The brand encapsulates all
that is extraordinary about WA – its landscapes,
people, culture, events and experiences –
many of which are unique to the State.
Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef
14
THE EVOLUTION OF
EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY
Tourism WA has been working in partnership
with its strategic advertising agency, Cummins
and Partners (C&P) to evolve the current brand.
In mid 2016, Experience Extraordinary will be
communicated in a fresh and authentic way to
reflect the truly unique aspect to holidaying in
WA.
This new approach to presenting Experience
Extraordinary will reveal travellers’ personal and
memorable experiences of exploring WA, and
yet, how encountering them is anything but a
rarity, because it’s just another day in WA.
In communicating the Experience Extraordinary
brand, Tourism WA aims to attract more
visitors, more often to Western Australia, and
so achieve the goal of increasing the value of
the State’s tourism industry from $7.5 billion in
2012 to $12 billion by 2020.
DOMESTIC AND
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Tourism WA promotes the State in the
domestic and 10 key international markets.
The domestic market includes WA (intrastate)
as well as the remainder of Australia
(interstate).The domestic market is WA’s
largest source of visitors. To promote WA
in the domestic market, we focus on brand
marketing, events marketing and cooperative
marketing.
Our campaigns target ‘Dedicated Discovers’
(those who want to discover something new)
and ‘Aspirational Achievers’ (those who view
travel and holidays as a reward for their hard
work and success in life) aged between
35-64 years in the core markets of Sydney,
Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. These
consumers generally value experiences,
are curious minded and want to get off the
beaten track.
Internationally, Tourism WA is committed to
promoting WA as an extraordinary holiday
destination by implementing marketing
programs that drive increased visitation,
spend, length of stay and regional dispersal.
Tourism WA continues to focus its marketing
efforts in key international markets – the United
Kingdom, Germany/Switzerland, New Zealand,
Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, United States
of America, China, Hong Kong and Japan.
To achieve this, Tourism WA delivers innovative
marketing campaigns and a world-class
calendar of events to raise awareness of WA’s
extraordinary destinations and experiences
overseas. We also work with key international
trade partners to attract visitors, in particular to
regional WA.
DIGITAL MARKETING
Tourism WA’s digital marketing strategy
focuses on aiding the consumer consideration
cycle, driving engagement, and delivering on
innovation to extend the brand’s presence
in both the social and mobile space. With an
already significant and broadening digital
presence, we focus on ensuring that all digital
channels are integrated as part of a consistent
TWA digital eco system.
SOCIAL CHANNELS
The four main social channels for Tourism WA
are Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram
which through clear, fun and engaging content,
media and promotional activity; as well as
on-going community conversations, has
seen incremental growth in the size of their
respective communities.
To connect with Tourism WA on social media,
people can like us on Facebook, follow us
on Twitter, share or embed our videos from
YouTube and follow us on Instagram.
Our primary hashtags are:
#ThisIsWA
#westernaustralia
Don’t forget to @mention us and use
#thisisWA in your Instagram photos, or post
them to our Facebook wall when sharing your
photos and stories of WA.
facebook.com/extraordinarywesternaustralia
@westaustralia
youtube.com/westernaustralia
@westernaustralia and #thisisWA
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
15
CONSUMER WEBSITE
EMAIL MARKETING
Tourism WA’s website – westernaustralia.com
is available in English, German, simple and
traditional Chinese as well as Japanese and
Korean. It is a source of travel information and
inspiration, including itineraries, destinations,
experiences, accommodations, tours, events and
more. Our website is also mobile friendly, making
it easy for users to research and plan whilst on
the go.
Tourism WA’s consumer email newsletter
(The Westerly) is sent to a growing global
database that currently includes approximately
125,000 subscribers. As a personalised source
of inspiration to travel to Western Australia,
each edition of The Westerly features a selection
of extraordinary destinations, experiences
and events, as well as holiday packages and
deals. Subscribe to the Westerly by visiting
westernaustralia.com
Visit our website at westernaustralia.com
MOBILE APP
The Experience Western Australia mobile app
acts as a personalised travel companion that
delivers locally relevant and personalised
content in an easy, digestible and useful way.
Importantly, it works offline – making it handy for
travellers without a local data package, or for
when travellers are out of internet range. It can
be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play.
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Padre White Lookout, Albany Heritage Park
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
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WA’S DIVERSE
EVENTS CALENDAR
Western Australia boasts a fantastic and diverse range of world-class events.
Key events include the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, which attracts some
of the best chefs and culinary experts from around Australia and the globe; the
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro surfing, which in 2016 featured the world’s top
36 male and top 18 female surfers; the Perth International Arts Festival; and
the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, which attracts thousands of visitors to
celebrate the Kimberley’s unique culture and landscapes.
Tourism WA has a long-term commitment to promote the State Government’s support of
events, working with the private sector, event partners and the community to continue to
position WA as a world-class event destination. Alongside the main program is an extensive
marketing campaign, promoting our diverse calendar of events to local, national and
international audiences with the aim of increasing awareness and attendance.
For a full list of WA events visit westernaustralia.com/events.
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Margaret River Gourmet Escape
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KEY EVENTS
Fringe World Festival
Hopman Cup
Fringe World Festival is a summer celebration
held annually in Perth over 31 days in January/
February. It’s the third largest fringe festival in
the world and the largest annual performance
platform in Western Australia. The program of
events includes comedy, circus, free and family
entertainment, theatre, visual arts, music and
musicals, dance and cabaret presented by
Western Australian artists along with performers
from all over the world. Events are presented at
venues all over the Perth metropolitan area and
the major Fringe hubs are clustered at either
end of James St in Northbridge including the
Perth Cultural Centre, The Pleasure Garden at
Russell Square and for first time in 2016, at the
new Elizabeth Quay. The 2016 Fringe World
Festival played host to 700 shows at over 150
venues and performance spaces spread across
Perth and further afield in local communities and
neighbourhoods. Over 350,000 tickets were sold,
valued at more than $9 million. Attendance at free
and ticketed events topped a staggering 900,000.
The Hopman Cup is Perth’s premier annual
international tennis championship and the official
mixed teams’ competition of the International
Tennis Federation. Named in honour of one of
Australia’s greatest tennis players and coaches,
Harry Hopman, the Cup has been serving up the
best in international tennis since its inception in
1988. It’s held at the state-of-the-art Perth Arena,
which opened in November 2012. The event is
held late December through to early January.
hopmancup.com
Perth International Arts Festival
Bringing together ground-breaking and energetic
performances, the Perth International Arts Festival
is one of Western Australia’s most popular arts
events. The festival is enjoyed by the young
and old, with a range of genres and art forms
for everyone. The three-week festival is an
indulgence of the world’s finest music, film,
theatre, visual arts and free community events
held across a range of venues in Perth and the
Great Southern region. Originating in 1953, the
festival has a strong history of bringing worldclass artists to WA – it’s the oldest multi-arts
festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
The event is held from early February to early
March each year.
perthfestival.com.au
Hopman Cup
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fringeworld.com.au
Perth International Arts Festival
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro
The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is WA’s
premier surfing event. It has been recognised by
the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)
with World Championship Tour (WCT) status,
which guarantees that the top 36 ranked male
and top 18 ranked female surfers in the world
compete at Margaret River in WA’s South West.
Margaret River is regarded as being one of the
world’s most consistent big wave locations, with
more than 75 major surfing breaks. The event is
held in March or April each year.
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape brings
together the world’s best chefs and wine
experts, for the ultimate culinary adventure
in WA’s famed Margaret River Wine Region.
Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Alex Atala, Marco
Pierre White and Rene Redzepi are just some of
the international names who have appeared at
the event since its inception in 2012, alongside
a host of local and national names. The event
comprises a series of satellite and fringe
events including beach barbecues, long-table
lunches, sundowners, and Q & A sessions and
a Gourmet Village, which is considered the
festival hub. The village is housed in the beautiful
surrounds of Leeuwin Estate where consumers
can indulge in local produce, taste local wines,
participate in master-classes and Q & A’s, watch
cooking demonstrations, and get up close to
some of the stars.
worldsurfleague.com
Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster
The Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster
celebrates the culture and extraordinary natural
landscapes of the East Kimberley region in WA’s
North West. The event prides itself on embracing
the local community to present an impressive
line-up of events including comedy nights, a
street party, the Waringarri Corroboree, the
Durack Homestead Dinner and the Kimberley
Kitchen cooking event with a celebrity chef,
which showcases the region’s gourmet produce.
The Muster’s major drawcard, the Kimberley
Moon Experience, is held on the banks of the
Ord River and provides an idyllic setting to enjoy
the stellar line-up of national and local musical
acts performing under the glistening stars. From
humble beginnings in 2001, the Ord Valley
Muster came to life quietly as a simple one night
affair – a pleasant dinner in the outback for local
businesses. Since then it has grown at lightning
speed to be firmly established as a pre-eminent
event on the WA calendar.
gourmetescape.com.au
Ord Valley Muster
ordvalleymuster.com
Drug Aware Margaret
River Pro
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REGIONAL SNAPSHOT
Experience Perth includes Australia’s
sunniest capital – Perth. Undergoing a rapid
transformation, Perth offers a vibrant, yet
easy-going and natural lifestyle surrounded by
the beautiful Swan River, Kings Park and Botanic
Garden, and the Indian Ocean.
• Eat, drink, shop and see! Perth city and its
surrounding urban villages of Mount Lawley,
Leederville, Northbridge, Victoria Park and
Subiaco are brimming with dining, shopping
and entertainment options. New bars and
restaurants open frequently, laneways are
being re-born, and shopping precincts are
being expanded and refreshed. Culturally,
visitors can indulge at Perth’s Cultural Centre
in Northbridge - home to the Art Gallery of
WA, the WA Museum, State Library, the Perth
Institute of Contemporary Art, the Blue Room
and the State Theatre Centre of WA. New
infrastructure developments are changing
the face of the city including Perth Stadium,
Perth City Link, Yagan Square and the recently
opened Elizabeth Quay.
• Explore Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
At 400 hectares, Kings Park is one of the
world’s largest inner-city parks. A short walk
from the central business district with superb
views of the city skyline, the Darling Ranges
and the Swan and Canning Rivers, Kings Park
is rich in Aboriginal and European history and
has more than 3,000 species of WA’s unique
flora. Visitors can dine at one of the restaurants
or cafes, enjoy a picnic, take a walking tour
with an Indigenous guide, check out local
artwork at Aspects, walk across the Federation
Walkway, marvel at the 750-year old boab tree
and Kimberley Garden, and in season, watch
a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema
or see a performance.
• Take a day trip. There are plenty of
destinations within an hour of Perth’s central
business district. Take a short ferry ride to the
aquamarine waters and pristine beaches of
Rottnest Island; tantalise your tastebuds in the
Swan Valley or Perth Hills wine regions; swim
with the dolphins at Rockingham; explore the
seaside city of Mandurah; and explore the
cafes and galleries of the historic and eclectic
port city of Fremantle.
• Watch the sunset over one of Perth’s
amazing beaches. Home to 19 pristine
metropolitan beaches, it’s easy to find your
own slice of white sand to relax and enjoy
one of WA’s famous sunsets. While surfers
head to Scarborough and Trigg for the waves,
swimmers looking for calmer waters cool off
at Cottesloe or one of the more sheltered
northern beaches such as Mettam’s Pool
between Sorrento Beach and Trigg.
• Experience Perth’s unique attractions.
Hop on a free CAT bus and tour Perth’s city
sights. Ring one of the world’s largest musical
instruments, the Swan Bells at the Bell Tower,
watch a live gold pour and see the world’s
largest collection of gold bars at the Perth
Mint, take a ferry across the Swan River to
Perth Zoo, home to more than 1,500 animals,
or head out to Caversham Wildlife Park, 30
minute drive east of Perth where you can meet
koalas, wombats, kangaroos and many other
native wildlife.
Perth Street Art
Dolphins, Rockingham
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Australia’s South West includes the Margaret
River region and the Great Southern, and is
home to world-class food and wine, beautiful
beaches, surfing, cave systems, tall tree forests,
and in-season, whale-watching and wildflowers.
As one of only 34 biodiversity hot-spots in the
world, the region has thousands of plant species
that are found nowhere else on Earth.
• Surfing, swimming, snorkelling. The South
West is world-famous for its spectacular
coastline and magnificent surf and swimming
beaches. Popular swimming spots include the
calm and protected waters of Geographe Bay
in Dunsborough, Greens Pool in Denmark and
Little Beach near Albany. Surf conditions are
so good in the South West that each year the
world’s best surfers travel to the region for the
Margaret River Pro, a world champion surfing
event. Underwater, divers can explore a series
of ship wrecks that are dotted along the coast,
or head to the Busselton Jetty Underwater
Observatory for an amazing view of the
colourful world beneath the water.
• World-class wine and fresh local produce.
Spanning six distinct wine regions including
the renowned Margaret River region, which
produces more than 25 percent of Australia’s
premium wine, the South West is also home
to a variety of fresh produce. Enjoy fresh
farmed marron and trout, venison, chocolates,
cheeses, cherries, boutique beers and crisp
ciders as well as Manjimup’s indulgent black
truffle, which is exported around the world.
The South West celebrates its food and wine
offerings with a variety of events including
Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Taste Great
Southern and Truffle Kerfuffle.
Josh Whiteland , Koomal Dreaming
• Culture, arts and history. Experience
Aboriginal customs, hear Dreamtime stories
and learn about the history of the Noongar
people - the first inhabitants of WA’s South
West – at the Wardan Aboriginal Centre in
Yallingup, the Kodja Place in Kojonup and at
Ngilgi Cave in Yallingup, one of a series of
caves hidden along the Leeuwin Naturaliste
National Park. The South West is also home
to a range of exceptional artistic talents –
including painters and sculptors, furniture
makers, jewellery designers and hand-blown
glass artists. The National Anzac Centre
in Albany is Australia’s foremost museum
honouring the Anzac legend. Set within
Albany Heritage Park, the interpretive centre
offers visitors a deeply personal connection
with the Anzac experience.
• Walk among the tall timbers. Get a bird’s eye
view of towering tingle trees on the Valley of
the Giants Tree Top Walk between Denmark
and Walpole. Suspended 40 metres above
the forest floor, the walk is the first of its kind
in the world. The South West is also home
to giant jarrah, karri, marri and tuart trees.
Near Pemberton you can climb a trilogy of
tall timbers including the Gloucester Tree
(Gloucester National Park), the Dave Evans
Bicentennial Tree (Warren National Park), and
the Diamond Tree between Manjimup and
Pemberton.
• Adventure. The South West is the ideal
location for adventure - from the 1,000
kilometre Bibbulmun Track and the incredibly
diverse Cape to Cape Track, to the Munda
Biddi Bike Trail – fast becoming a world-class
nature-based off-road cycling experience.
There’s also unique and stunning cave
experiences - more than 150 caves, including
the tourist caves of Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake
and Jewel, can be found along the spine of
the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge. Porongurup
Range, located 50 kilometres north of
Albany, is a place of incredible biodiversity
and landscapes. Home to Castle Rock, the
picnic site is a great place to start a three
kilometre return walk to the Granite Skywalk, a
suspended walkway which spirals around the
huge granite outcrop of Castle Rock. .
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Australia’s Golden Outback is where you’ll
find historic townships, scenes of spectacular
desert wilderness, outback characters, gold
rush history, and the beaches of the Southern
Ocean..
• Visit the largest outdoor gallery in the
world at Lake Ballard, Menzies. Created by
world famous sculptor Antony Gormley and
located on the salt flats of Lake Ballard - the
51 life-sized steel statues were inspired by
the people of Menzies and form the Inside
Australia exhibition, an initiative of the Perth
International Arts Festival.
• Explore the unexpected and wonderful
From the touching tribute to man’s best
friend at the Corrigin Dog Cemetery, to the
country quirkiness of the Tin Horse highway,
to the world’s longest golf course, the 1,365
kilometre Nullarbor Links and the vibrant pink
lakes found near Esperance.
• Golden Quest Discovery Trail. Travelling 965
kilometres from Coolgardie to Laverton, the
trail is home to legendary country pubs, the
fascinating Gwalia ghost town and the former
home of the 31st US President Herbert Hoover,
and one of the world’s biggest open-cut
mines - the Super Pit in Kalgoorlie – that has
harvested more than 50 million ounces of gold.
• See Australia’s whitest beach, Lucky Bay,
at Cape Le Grand National Park. With its
sweeping stretches of white sand, Cape Le
Grand National Park in Esperance is a place
so relaxed even the kangaroos sunbake on
the beach. Follow the coastal walk trails or
take a gentle stroll along the beach and feel
the squeaky-clean sand between your toes.
Camp outside under a blanket of stars – the
recently upgraded Lucky Bay campgrounds
boast some of the best ocean views in the
world.
• Walk among the wildflowers and ride an
outback wave. Wave Rock near the Wheatbelt
town of Hyden is one of Australia’s most
famous rock formations. This 110 metre
long, multi-coloured granite cliff is shaped
remarkably like a huge wave about to crash
into the bush. In spring, you’ll be surrounded
by wildflowers in full bloom. To see beautiful
blankets of everlastings head north to the
Gascoyne Murchison area.
Lucky Bay, Esperance
Wave Rock, Hyden
Antony Gormley sculpture
on Lake Ballard
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Australia’s Coral Coast, located north of Perth,
is home to awesome marine life, endless white
sandy beaches and the warm, turquoise waters
of the Indian Ocean.
• Snorkel World-Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef.
If you’re visiting Exmouth, Coral Bay or the
ocean-side stations north of Carnarvon,
this is an absolute must do. Ningaloo Reef
is regarded as one of the last great ocean
paradises on Earth, and you can access this
watery wonderland by simply stepping off the
beach and into the sea.
• Swim with the ocean’s gentle giant – the
whale shark. Join a whale shark tour from
Exmouth or Coral Bay and experience the
ultimate wildlife encounter – swimming with
the largest fish in the world. Whale sharks visit
Ningaloo Reef from mid-March to the end of
July. Visitors will also have the opportunity
to swim with humpback whales from July
to October at Ningaloo Reef, with a number
of local operator’s trialing the swim tour for
the first time in 2016. Easily accessible from
shore, World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef
is also home to manta rays, sea turtles and
dugongs.
Ningaloo Reef
• Visit the Shark Bay World-Heritage area and
see the friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia.
Renowned as one of the most reliable places
in the world for dolphin interaction, these
friendly wild bottlenose dolphins have been
swimming to Monkey Mia’s shores to interact
with humans for more than 40 years. While in
the region also spot sea turtles and dugongs,
admire the Hamelin Pool stromatolites (one
of the oldest and largest living fossils in the
world) and fish, snorkel and dive.
• Follow a wildflower trail. The wildflower trails
of the Coral Coast lead you through some of
WA’s most breathtaking wildflower country.
Blooms can be found all year round, but
displays are at their best between July and
November when inland areas are blanketed in
the brilliant colours of thousands of varieties.
While wildflower spotting you may also want to
take to the air to see the perfect hues of Pink
Lake at Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory.
• See the extraordinary ancient rock
formations that make up the Pinnacles.
Located near the coastal town of Cervantes,
a little over two hours north of Perth along
the Indian Ocean Drive, the Pinnacles are
regarded as one of Australia’s most unique
landscapes. These incredible limestone
spiers rise eerily out of the sand, some
several metres tall. You can get up close to
the Pinnacles on a scenic drive and walk trail
that includes an amazing lookout over the
Nambung National Park.
Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef
Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
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Australia’s North West is one of the world’s
last true wilderness areas, a billion years in the
making. The region is home to the ancient gorges
of Karijini National Park and the world’s only
Staircase to the Moon and Horizontal Waterfalls.
It’s also where you’ll find one of the best kept
secrets on earth – the Bungle Bungle Range in
World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park.
• Escape to one of WA’s remote luxury resorts.
Faraway Bay is a place so remote you won’t
even find it on a map, Kimberley Coastal Camp
is accessible only by helicopter, El Questro
Homestead is cantilevered atop Chamberlain
Gorge in the east Kimberley, while the Berkeley
River Lodge can only be accessed by boat or
sea plane.
• Take a ride on a camel train along the
beautiful sands of Cable Beach, Broome.
What better way to take in the surrounds, sunkissed white sands meet turquoise waters,
one extraordinary step at a time. Take a late
afternoon tour and bask in the orange glow of
a famous Broome sunset.
• Explore Karijini National Park. Located in
the Pilbara, this landscape is millions of
years old, and will wow all who visit. Stay at
Karijini Eco Retreat - unique high end tented
accommodation that has Advanced Eco
Tourism Certification and AAA Tourism
Green Stars.
• Learn about Aboriginal culture. Dotted along
the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome in
the west Kimberley are several Aboriginal
tourism experiences. Lombadina Aboriginal
Corporation allows guests to overnight and an
opportunity to experience the local’s unique
way of life. Award-winning wilderness camp
Kooljaman at Cape Leveque also offers a
unique experience on the tip of the Dampier
Peninsula, and a variety of tours and activities
run by the local Aboriginal people.
• Explore the Kimberley by air, road or ocean.
If you’re short on time, the Kimberley Aerial
Highway links some of the Kimberley’s most
spectacular hot spots by air – including Lake
Argyle and the Bungle Bungle Range in
World-Heritage listed Purnululu National Park,
the world’s only Horizontal Waterfalls at Talbot
Bay and outback stations such as El Questro
Wilderness Park and Home Valley Station.
Get up close and personal on a self -drive or
4WD tour of the Kimberley, or luxuriate on a
Kimberley coastal cruise.
Gantheaume Point, Broome
Wandijana rock art, Kimberley
Photograph by Garry Norris
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Horizontal Waterfalls, Kimberley
The Horizontal Falls, Kimberley
Photograph by Jewels Lynch Photography
DESTINATION NEWS
Destination News
FREO THE WAY
TO GO IN 2016!
Perth’s ‘hipster’ city of Fremantle has been catapulted into the
spotlight, following the release of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel
2016 edition.
Described as “a raffish harbour town with sea-salty soul to burn,” Fremantle
was included in the international travel publisher’s list of ‘Top 10 Cities for
2016’ – the only Australian city to be chosen.
Fremantle (or ‘Freo’, as the locals like to call it) is the port for Western
Australia’s capital city Perth, located 20 kilometres further upriver or an easy
30 minute drive. In Freo you’ll find a city famed for its music and arts scene,
cafes and bars, boutique breweries, historic streetscapes and eclectic
locals.
The Lonely Planet announcement comes in time for Fremantle’s biggest
transformation since hosting the America’s Cup defence in 1987.
More than $1.3 billion worth of development is in the pipeline, including
a number of hotel developments, new restaurants, small bars and retail
spaces, which will take the city to new heights in its appeal as a global
tourism destination.
Australian Olympic gold medallist and co-owner of Fremantle dining venues,
Bib & Tucker and May St Larder, Eamon Sullivan says Lonely Planet’s
recognition of Fremantle is well-earned.
“It’s easy to see why so many people love visiting Fremantle – it’s home
to world class beaches, heritage architecture and a flourishing food scene
attracting thousands of visitors each year,” Mr Sullivan said.
The city’s lively culture has bred or is home to a number of well-known artists
who have gone on to achieve international superstardom – Bon Scott, Tame
Impala, Tim Winton, John Butler and Ben Elton to name a few.
The vibrant city of Fremantle blends the old with the new, creating an
enriching cultural experience. Maritime, convict and colonial history can
be explored in one of the best preserved examples of a 19th century port
streetscape on earth, while buzzing markets, lively bars and casual street
cafes give you a taste of 21st century life with the locals.
Infrastructure and development
The City of Fremantle recently released an ambitious new vision for
Fremantle in the lead up to its bicentennial in 2029. Reconnecting Victoria
Quay to the Fremantle CBD, the expansion of Fishing Boat Harbour and the
redevelopment of Kings Square in the heart of the city, are highlights of the
vision.
Little Creatures
Brewery, Fremantle
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.
Similar to Perth city - the change in liquor licensing laws and the strong
Western Australian economy has meant that Fremantle has already
welcomed new small bars and dining options.
On the hotel front - The Hougoumont and Be. Serviced Apartments – offer
visitors fresh new boutique accommodation. DoubleTree by Hilton will open
a new 150 room hotel overlooking Princess May Park in Fremantle in 2017.
Fremantle’s retail offering has also expanded, with many established and
upcoming retailers opening spaces in the port city.
How to get there
Catch a train on the Fremantle line from Perth Station; or take a 25-minute
(approximately) drive from Perth CBD. If you’re seeking a more leisurely
experience, follow the Swan River downstream on a ferry from Barrack
Street Jetty. Once in Fremantle, the city is serviced by a convenient and free
shuttle-service known as the Central Area Transit (CAT).
Must do experiences
•
Enjoy a coffee and soak up the atmosphere along the famous
‘Cappuccino Strip’, located on South Terrace – or explore the side
streets and discover great little gems such as The Attic at 16 Bannister
Street www.theatticfremantle.com.au
•
Potter through the fresh produce and exotic flavours at the 100-year-old
Fremantle Markets.
•
Be entertained by a local busker or check out one of the city’s live
music venues such as Mojo’s Bar and X-Wray.
•
Enjoy fresh fish and chips straight off the boat at Fishing Boat Harbour
– Cicerellos and Kailis are much loved by locals and visitors.
•
Discover Fremantle’s history and present day culture on one of the
city’s many self-guided walking trails.
•
Step inside and do time with experienced guides on a fascinating
Fremantle Prison day tour. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels 20 metres
below ground by foot and by boat
•
Visit the WA Maritime Museum at Victoria Quay, Fremantle Arts Centre
or one of the many other museums and galleries such as the Moores
Building Contemporary Art Gallery.
•
Enjoy one of Fremantle’s many festivals throughout the year, like the
Fremantle Street Arts Festival.
•
Visit one of the city’s many new restaurants, cafes or bars, including:
~ Strange Company - strangecompany.com.au
~ The Local Hotel – thelocalhotel.com.au
~ The Odd Fellow – theoddfellow.com.au
~ The Ball and Chain - theballandchain.com.au
~ Whisper Wine Bar - whisperwinebar.com.au
~ May St Larder - maystreetlarder.com.au
~ Bathers Beach House - bathersbeachhouse.com.au
~ The Mantle - themantle.com.au
~ The Raw Kitchen - therawkitchen.com.au
westernaustralia.com/fremantle
fremantlestory.com.au
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INDULGE YOUR SENSES
IN THE MARGARET
RIVER REGION
Local delights abound in the Margaret River region, with a
seemingly endless supply of world-class wineries, boutique
breweries, gourmet produce and eateries with sweeping
vineyard, forest and beach views.
A favourite escape for nature-lovers, Margaret River is
the only premium wine region in Australia where you can
experience stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, dramatic sea
cliffs, caves and world-class surf breaks – all within a three
hours’ drive south of Perth.
Walk Into Luxury Boranup Forest
Photo by Elements Margaret River
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From the first commercial vineyard planting
in 1967, Margaret River’s natural assets have
blended to create a region that is one of the
best on the planet. It is currently home to
more than 220 wine producers, 100 cellar
doors and produces more than 25 percent of
Australia’s premium wine.
Margaret River is also rising in the craft beer
industry ranks as one of the fastest growing
micro-brewery regions in Australia. Much to beer
enthusiasts’ excitement, three new craft breweries
have recently opened in the region – The Beer
Farm, Black Brewing Co and Brewhouse – offering
unique venues and personalised stories.
The chilled out surfing town has evolved into
the ultimate smorgasbord of wineries, unique
accommodation, high-quality local restaurants,
art galleries and touring options. In 2015, more
than 1.3 million domestic and international tourists
visited the Margaret River region, a 20 per-cent
increase on 2014.
Each year, Margaret River is home to WA’s annual
premier food and wine event, the Margaret River
Gourmet Escape (MRGE). The annual event
features an unparalleled line up of international
and local food and wine celebrities, iconic and
breathtaking host locations, money can’t buy
culinary experiences and a premium focus on ‘the
world’s best’.
The acclaimed food and wine festival has
welcomed a lauded line-up of food and wine
personalities in the past, including Marco PierreWhite, Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Sat Bains,
Rene Redzepi, George Calombaris and Matt
Preston.
Those with a taste for adventure will find plenty to
indulge in too.
Margaret River is famous for its consistently
spectacular surf with breaking waves across 40
scenic kilometres of coastline. It’s now officially
considered one of the world’s top ten surfing
breaks and has recently been named WA’s first
national surfing reserve.
Cheeky Monkey Brewery,
Margaret River
32
The region plays host to annual international
surfing competition, the Drug Aware Margaret
River Pro, which attracts surfing greats such as
Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore and
Carissa Moore. The 2016 event, held in April, saw
the consistent conditions Margaret River is known
for with Tyler Wright (AUS) and Sebastian Zietz
(HAW) claiming the titles.
Surf beaches alternate with secluded bays
blessed with crystal clear water and pristine white
sand, perfect for a cooling dip or a peaceful stroll.
The tranquil region is also ideal for canoeing, while
four-wheel driving trails trace a path around the
region’s remote cliffs and scenic waterfalls.
The 135-kilometre Cape to Cape Track is popular
with cyclists and hikers as it winds its way between
the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape
Leeuwin. The track offers spectacular views of
lush forests, a wave of wildflowers in spring and
Humpback and Southern Right Whales as they
make a splash along the coastline annually from
September to December.
For an experience of discovery below the ground,
more than 150 majestic caves lie beneath soaring
Karri forests. Jewel Cave is the biggest show cave
in WA, with four massive chambers. It’s also home
to one of the longest straw stalactites found in any
tourist cave in the world.
Artists are also attracted to Margaret River’s
beauty and relaxed atmosphere, and the list
of internationally and nationally acclaimed
photographers, jewellers, painters, glass blowers
and wood and metal working crafters is endless.
Days are easily spent wandering the artisan trail
and shopping for an original work of art bought
direct from the artists themselves.
And when it comes time to rest, accommodation
in the Margaret River region ranges from rustic
wood cabins in the middle of the forest to five
star luxury resorts that will delight even the most
discerning traveller.
For more information visit westernaustralia.com
Several operators in the region offer unique
Cape to Cape walking tours. For a high-end
experience, Walk into Luxury offers private guided
and non-guided walks. Gourmet food and wine,
massage treatments, luxury accommodation and
private transfers all form part of the luxurious
5-star hike. In 2016, Walk into Luxury was
accepted as WA’s first Great Walks of Australia
member, with its four-day Margaret River Cape to
Cape Walk being selected as a ‘great walk’.
Margaret River Pro
Photos by Peter Joli WIlson
Cape to Cape Track
Photo by Elements Margaret River
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WA IN PICTURES
Be it the ancient and mesmerising landscape, or the fresh air and endless sunshine – Western
Australia has a unique ability to capture the heart of visitors, leaving an impression that will last
with them forever.
In the past year, visitors to the State have taken to social media site, Instagram, to share their
love for WA and all its glory, using Tourism Western Australia’s official hashtag #thisisWA.
Here’s a taste of what they’re sharing…
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Exmouth
Photograph by Nathan Willis
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ANYTIME ADVENTURES
IN THE PEEL REGION
Located less than a one hour drive south of Perth, the Peel region boats more than 6,600
square kilometres of fun and adventure in the great outdoors.
Incorporating the areas of Mandurah, Boddington,
Murray, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Waroona, the
range of adventures found in this part of Western
Australia match the diversity of the landscape.
It’s here, visitors will discover superb coastal
experiences, wildlife encounters, fresh seafood,
four-wheel-drive tracks, fishing hotspots, highquality accommodation, secluded country
escapes and fine food and wine.
At the heart of the region is the coastal city of
Mandurah. Being less than an hour’s ride from
Perth city by car or train, it’s little wonder this
waterside playground is one of Perth’s most
popular day trips.
Visitors can experience the locals’ favourite
pastimes by hiring a boat, houseboat, kayak,
canoe or jet-ski, or joining one of the many
cruises to explore 130 square kilometres of
beautiful waterways.
It’s not uncommon to encounter some of
Mandurah’s other waterway residents too,
including more than 130 different species of
birds and one of Australia’s healthiest populations
of wild dolphins – more than 180 call the region’s
waters home.
An abundance of sea life also makes the
waterways a great place to fish. Go prawning
on the rivers in early summer. Cast a line into
the estuary or Peel Inlet to chase herring, sand
whiting, bream and tailor. Go crabbing in the
shallows to scoop the famous blue swimmer crab.
Or join a deep sea fishing charter.
As WA’s largest regional city, Mandurah makes
the ideal overnight base, with many gourmet
restaurants and cafes overlooking waterfront
boardwalks, museums, theatres, galleries and
seasonal events - including the annual Mandurah
Crab Fest in March.
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Other activities to see and do in Peel the region:
• The Murray area cover the towns of Pinjarra
and Dwellingup. This is where the Peel Zoo
can be found – a boutique, ‘hands-on’ zoo,
set in a lush setting on the banks of the
Murray River. The zoo offers close contact
with kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, native
parrots and koalas.
• In the inland area of Boddington, visitors
can check-out WA’s biggest rodeo event,
the Boddington Lions Rodeo. The event has
been running for the last 40 years and brings
Australia’s best competitors to town. The
riverside township also has real rural charm
where you can explore the bush, play unique
golf courses and try canoeing.
• The Peel climate and conditions create
distinct character that has seen this wine
and beer region bring home many awards.
Head out and explore and discover your new
favourite Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon or ale.
Favourite venues include Millbrook Winery
in Jarrahdale, The Wine Tree in Dwellingup,
Cape Bouvard Winery and Brewery in Herron
and Tanglefoot Winery in Wandering.
• In just half a half hour drive from Perth,
travellers can be surrounded by superb
scenery while sitting under a gentle waterfall
at Serpentine Falls, located within Serpentine
National Park.
• Stretching from ‘sea to scarp’ is the Waroona
area, where beautiful beaches and lakes
meet jarrah forests and rustic country
accommodation. The peaceful town has a
history that dates back to the 1830s. Stick
to the coast and seaside haven of Preston
Beach for some four-wheel-driving, or head
inland to Lake Navarino to water ski or fish.
visitpeel.com.au
Serpentine Falls,
Serpentine National Park
Photoraph supplied by MAPTO
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THE MAGIC OF
THE KIMBERLEY
Named by many as a favourite or ‘must do’ destination, the Kimberley in WA’s
North West is regarded as one of the world’s true wilderness areas – and at more
than 20 billion years old, with the oldest living culture on Earth, red rugged ranges,
waterfalls, extensive coastline, rivers, rock art and even patches of rainforest, the
region leaves an lasting impression for visitors, and holds mystery for those who’ve
yet to visit.
While visitors can expect to see a place of
incredible natural beauty, learn about the
region’s uniqueness, and hear stories from
many different characters, it’s the feelings that
the Kimberley evokes which captures many – it’s
a place of indescribable spirituality.
Covering an expanse of almost 423,000 square
kilometres and with an estimated population of
just 30,000, the Kimberley has fewer people per
square kilometre than almost any other place
on earth.
It’s home to recognised hot spots such as
the exotic pearling town of Broome, Bungle
Bungle Range in World Heritage listed Purnululu
National Park, the world’s only Horizontal
Waterfalls at Talbot Bay, the Mitchell Falls, Lake
Argyle, the iconic Gibb River Road, the Ord
River, outback stations such as El Questro
Wilderness Park and Home Valley Station and
remote luxury lodges such as the Berkeley River
Lodge and Faraway Bay.
Exploring the region can be done a few ways –
by air; by road; or by ocean – from Broome in
the west or Kununurra in the east. And, visitors
can experience it in over a long weekend, in a
fortnight or in a couple of months. Options are
a plenty!
THREE TO FIVE DAYS
Flying into Broome from Perth, or another
Australian capital city (direct flights operate from
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane), visitors will
find themselves easily slipping into ‘Broometime’. Accommodation options are plentiful
– with everything ranging from caravan parks
to hostels to self-contained apartments and fivestar resorts.
First stop is a visit to the world-famous Cable
Beach, 22 kilometres of white sand with the most
applauded sunsets in Australia – the nightly
show attracts many – and can be watched from
atop a camel (a Broome ‘must do’), from the
Sunset Bar & Grill at Cable Beach Club Resort
& Spa, or by simply taking a spot on the sand or
from the grassed area above.
Spend the evening under the starry sky – either
with Astro-guy Greg Quicke – or, with the
Hollywood ‘stars’ at the Sun Pictures – the oldest
operating outdoor cinema in the world. For
dinner, taste the flavours of Broome at one of its
many restaurants – the Aarli Bar, 18 Degrees,
Zensai and Café Amore are all good places to
start.
Bart Pigram Tours
38
Take a walking tour of Broome town with Yawuru
man Bart Pigram. Bart represents the epitome
of Broome – his local knowledge and family
history means that he call tell the story of the
‘old’ Broome, a place that found its time with
the onset of the pearling industry. It was once
the most multi-cultural town in Australia, exempt
from the ‘white Australia’ policy in the 1950’s
to enable the Chinese, Malaysia, Filipino and
Japanese pearl divers to continue to work.
Bart will introduce visitors to the language and
cultural heritage of the area, teaching visitors
about the saltwater people, the seasons, the
land, plants and food that sustained his ancient
coastal culture for thousands of years.
And, for visitors who want to delve further into
Broome’s history, the recently launched Jetty to
Jetty Trail is Yawuru’s self-guided heritage walk
along the foreshore of Roebuck Bay – visitors
can download an app, and follow the trail with
a map, and hear stories from a host of Broome
historians – some of whom have since passed
away.
Lunch can be had at the iconic Matso’s Broome
Brewery, with views over Roebuck Bay, you
might like to cool down with a refreshing ginger
beer; and post lunch, take a leisurely walk
around Chinatown and check out some of the
pearl showrooms, spend some time in the
Broome Historical Museum or if you’re feeling
active, hit the water with a kayaking tour or hire a
stand up paddle board at Cable Beach. Or, you
are allowed to just relax poolside, beachside or
bar-side!
If you’re visiting during Staircase to the Moon (a
natural phenomenon whereby the rising of the
full moon reflects off the exposed mudflats at
extremely low tide, creating an illusion of stairs
reaching to the moon), grab a vantage point
early (Town Beach and The Mangrove Hotel
are the two best spots) and soak it up – night
markets also operate at Town Beach during
Staircase. And if you’re visiting on a Saturday or
Sunday, make sure you pay a visit to the Broome
Courthouse Markets – where local food, arts
and crafts, tour operators and musicians can be
found.
Days in Broome can be easily filled with other
experiences such as visits to Willie Creek Pearl
Farm – get there by boat, helicopter or by
road; the Malcolm Douglas Wilderness Park;
the Broome Bird Observatory; Gantheaume
Point – home to the 130 million year old
dinosaur footprints; the Catalina Dutch Flying
Boat Wrecks (bombed during World War II, the
wrecks can be seen at very low tide) or a whale
watching or snubfin dolphin tour.
Streeter’s Jetty, Broome
Cable Beach, Broome
Photograph by Jarrad Seng
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If you’ve still got time, take a half or full-day tour
out to the Horizontal Waterfalls. The world’s
only, and described by naturalist Sir David
Attenborough as ‘Australia’s most unusual
natural wonder’, the falls are created by the
area’s massive tidal movement with water
rushing through two small channels. A seaplane
will land you right in the heart of it, where you
can then take a fast boat around the area, or a
number of fixed wing aviation companies take
scenic flights over it. The scenic flights take in
the breath-taking Buccaneer Archipelago, and
many also include stops at Cygnet Bay Pearl
Farm (Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm)
and Kooljaman at Cape Leveque (an Indigenous
owned wilderness camp).
Other day trip options out of Broome could
include a visit to Eco Beach – an eco-resort
where you can lunch, stroll on the beach, take a
fishing or whale watching tour and more; Derby
and Fitzroy Crossing to cruise down Geike
Gorge, admire Aboriginal art at Mowanjum Art
and Cultural Centre, see the Derby Prison Tree;
or Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek to hear
the story of Jandamarra and see freshwater
crocodiles. Additionally, there are air safaris that
will take visitors into destinations a little further
afield such as the Bungle Bungle Range or the
Mitchell Falls.
TWO TO THREE WEEKS
Explore all of the above in Broome, then join a
guided land tour or cruise that will see you head
deeper in the Kimberley – stay in safari-style
‘glamping’ tents or camp under the stars –
there’s many tour operators catering to a range
of budgets and abilities. Or, self-drive your way
around – a four-wheel drive is recommended
to safely reach most destinations. At the end of
your tour, spend time in Kununurra – a relatively
new town in the Kimberley. It was gazetted in the
1960’s as the centre for the Ord River Irrigation
Scheme, and is one of WA’s youngest towns.
Visitors can take a cruise down the Ord River
or around Lake Argyle (the largest freshwater
lake in the Southern Hemisphere, 20 times
the size of Sydney Harbour), take in sunset
from Kelly’s Knob, swim in a local waterhole or
freshwater spring and buy local produce. The
area produces the world’s largest amount of
superfood chia, as well as chickpea’s, melons,
sandalwood and much more – the agriculture
around Kununurra is fascinating.
A MONTH OR MORE
Experience all of the above! You could do a
combination of a land tour and a cruise, and
some self-drive or guided. You could really get
under the Kimberley’s skin in a month.
Gantheaume Point Broome
Wandijana rock art at Raft
Point in the Kimberley
40
When to visit
How to get there
The Kimberley has two distinct seasons, the
dry and the wet. During the dry season, which
runs from May until October, the temperature
is warm and comfortable with blue skies and
easier access to beautiful gorges, waterfalls and
swimming holes. The wet season, which extends
from November until April, is characterised by
heavy and short downpours in the evening or
late afternoon, providing a refreshing change
to the heat of the day. The wet is when the
landscape is refreshed and transformed into a
lush, green environment with overflowing rivers
and spectacular waterfalls.
Broome is the western gate-way to the Kimberley
region and is easily accessible with year-round
direct flights from Perth and Melbourne; as
well as direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane
during the tourist season. There’s also daily
flights between Broome and Kununurra.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Photograph by Lanai Scarr
Mangrove Hotel, Broome
Photograph by Jarrad Seng
Boab tree at El Questro Wilderness Park
Photograph by Jewels Lynch Photography
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KIMBERLEY FAST FACTS
• Botanical research in the Kimberley is
locating species at the rate of five to 10
‘new to science’ species per week of field
work. There was up to 100 new species
identified in one year of field work - that’s
more new plant species than have been
found in Europe in the past 20 years
• There’s around 2,500 species of plants;
400 species of bird; and around 800
species of marine life in the Kimberley
• Ancient geology exists in the area with 1.8
billion year old rocks, which are mainly
sandstone
• The Kimberley has some of the biggest
tides in the world, and the largest tropical
tides (next to Nova Scotia). The difference
between high and low tide is up to 10
metres – bigger than a two-storey house.
Low tides offer the best chance to see the
dinosaur footprints, the Dutch flying boat
wrecks and Staircase to the Moon, while
high tide is the best time to experience the
Horizontal Waterfalls or the Giant Tides at
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
• The Kimberley is also one of the best
destinations in Australia to have an
authentic Indigenous experience. Visitors
can take guided tours and discover ancient
rock art, go mud crabbing and spear
fishing, and hear Dreamtime stories. Some
of the rock art in the Kimberley pre dates
the last ice age – such as the Bradshaw
paintings, or Gwion Gwion (pron’ Gyorn
Gyorn), near the Gibb River Road
• The iconic boab tree (which is found in the
Kimberley) is an ancient relic of the pan
Indian Ocean dispersal of this remarkable
tree out of Africa. There are many theories
as to how they arrived in Australia – some
say the seeds floated here from Africa
and spread from the coast, and the other
suggests that boabs might have survived
from the time when Africa and Australia
were both still part of one continent
42
• The Kimberley also hosts a number of
events including the Ord Valley Muster,
Shinju Matsuri Festival, Taste of Broome,
Broome Mango Festival and the Broome
Race season
• The Yawuru people are the native title
holders of Broome, who have occupied
and managed the land and seas around
Broome since time immemorial
• Broome’s Roebuck Bay is really significant
on a global scale (it’s a proposed marine
park). It’s one of the world’s most important
places for migratory shorebirds; and is
home to Australia’s largest population of
snubfin dolphins – as well as other marine
life such as dugongs and turtles
• From July to October, the waters around
Broome are home to the world’s largest
pod of humpback whales – estimated at up
to 40,000. The best way to see them is with
a whale-watching tour. Camden Sound, on
the mid-north Kimberley coast, is known
as a the ‘maternity ward’ for humpback
whales with the sound’s islands and reefs
providing important shelter for the mothers
and calves.
• Broome is one of Australia’s most multicultural towns – it was exempt from the
White Australia Policy in the 1950’s so
that its pearling industry could continue
(Chinese, Japanese, Malaysians – all came
to Broome for pearling) – it’s reflected in
the architecture of the town; in its people
(story tellers such as Bart Pigram); in its
history; in its events; and in its food
• From the 1880s, Japanese, Filipino, and
Malay pearl divers arrived in Broome to
seek their fortune in the warm, pristine
waters off the coast, which proved to be
the perfect growing environment for the
Pinctada maxima oyster, producing the
world renowned South Sea Pearls. By the
late 1800’s, Broome supplied 80 per cent
of the world’s mother of pearl
• By around 1900, around 3,000 people of
Asian and South-East Asian origin had
arrived, including Chinese merchants,
which led to the establishment of Broome’s
Chinatown – still a really important part of
Broome’s local history, with the original
green, white and red corrugated iron huts
still in use today
• Broome’s Chinatown was once a bustling
hub of pearl sheds, billiard saloons, opium
dens and brothels, and it is now home to
fine pearl showrooms and an exotic blend
of sidewalk cafes and restaurants serving
east-meets-west cuisine
• Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm on the Dampier
Peninsular is the oldest operating pearl
farm in Australia, and in 2016 will mark 70
years of pearling – it’s been owned and
operated by the Brown family since 1946. It
produces Australian South Sea Pearls and
in 2004, harvested the world’s largest fine
quality round pearl
• Broome was named after Sir Frederick
Napier Broome (who was the Governor of
Western Australia) in 1883
• Broome became an established tourism
destination in the 1980’s following
investments by English building magnate
Lord Alistair McAlpine – he invested
millions of dollars in Broome, opening a
zoo and restoring many historical buildings.
He also built Cable Beach Club Resort &
Spa
• There are several locations around Broome
where dinosaur footprints, estimated to be
more than 120 million years old, can be
seen
• Opened in 1916, Sun Pictures is the world’s
oldest operating outdoor picture garden
• The biggest Japanese cemetery in
Australia is in Broome – it dates back to
the very early pearling days, when many
Japanese pearl divers lost their lives from
the ‘bends’ or drowning – the first burial
was recorded in 1896. There are 707
graves in the cemetery (919 people) – and
there’s also a Chinese cemetery with more
than 90 graves and monuments
• During World War II, Broome was attacked
by Japanese aircraft. Flying boats, with
refugees from Europe and Asia were
stationed at Roebuck Bay and were the
main target of the Japanese bombers.
More than 80 people were killed – the
majority were Dutch refugees. At low tide
some of the wrecks of the flying boats
which were hit, can be seen
• Broome’s current population is around
17,500 – but this triples to around 45,000 to
50,000 during the months of June, July and
August
• Kununurra is the Kimberley’s youngest
town, built in the early 1960s to serve the
Ord River Irrigation Project. Although the
town is young, the landscape is not - some
of the oldest rocks in the Kimberley formed
approximately 20 million years ago
Kimberley Aerial Highway
Photograph by James Morgan
Geike Gorge National park
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• Kununurra, which means big water in the
local Aboriginal language, is surrounded
by extraordinary waterways. The lake and
banks of the Ord River are home to an
incredibly diverse eco system, including
freshwater crocodiles, rock wallabies and
hundreds of species of migratory and
native birds
• Lake Argyle is the largest freshwater lake
in the Southern hemisphere and holds
(in water volume) more than 20 Sydney
Harbours – an amount that rises and falls
depending on the amount of rain received
during the wet season. It is also home to
freshwater crocodiles, fish, rock wallabies
and over 240 different species of birds
• The Durack family were the first to establish
several successful cattle stations in the
Kimberley area in the late 1800s. Their
history is immortalised in the Australian
classic, Kings in Grass Castles by Mary
Durack. Visitors can tour the Argyle
Homestead Museum in the reconstructed
Durack family homestead located near
Lake Argyle Resort
• Famous visitors to, and fans of the
Kimberley include Miranda Kerr, Ewan
McGregor, Jerry Hall, Sir Bob Geldof,
Kylie Minogue, Elle McPherson, Nicole
Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Baz Luhrmann,
Tom Cruise, Orlando Bloom, Sean Connery
and some of the Kardashian family. Kylie
Minogue recently said that the Kimberley
was her favourite holiday destination in
Australia; and Nicole Kidman told talk show
host Elen DeGeneres that her favourite
Australian destination was Kununurra, also
in the Kimberley (Kidman spent time there
during the filming of Australia, the movie)
• The Argyle Diamond Mine is the world’s
largest supplier of quality diamonds which
accounts for approximately one quarter
of the world’s supply. Kimberley Fine
Diamonds in Kununurra is where visitors
can take home a much prized treasure
• Mirima National Park in Kununurra is often
referred to as the ‘Mini Bungles’. Bearing
resemblance to their bigger cousins, the
Bungle Bungle Range, these 300 million
year old limestone cliffs have been carved
out of the ground by erosion. The park
also offers opportunities for photography,
bushwalking and wildlife spotting
• The World Heritage listed Purnululu
National Park featuring the Bungle Range,
covers 240,000 hectares and won World
Heritage listing in 2003. The range was
only known to Aboriginal owners and
pastoralists until a documentary team
brought it to the world’s attention in 1983.
The beehive-like towers are thought to have
been formed over 350 million years from
the sediment of an old river bed. Aboriginal
people are thought to have lived in this
region for more than 40,000 years, and the
park holds rich, enduring traces of their
occupation. Ancient rock art and burial
sites can be found across the park, which
the Djaru and Kija Aboriginal people help
to manage. The name Purnululu, meaning
sandstone, was the name given to the area
by its traditional Kija custodians.
• The Kimberley has been the set for a
number of films, including Baz Luhrmann’s
epic Australia and musical Bran Nue Dae.
It’s also been the setting for a number of
high profile fashion shoots with retailers
David Jones and Myer
44 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Kununurra in the Kimberley
Photograph by Jewels Lynch
Photography
Faraway Bay
Photograph by Ben Knapinski
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CARAVANNING AND CAMPING
Across Western Australia
WA’s size, climate and range of experiences means that locals and visitors can find
an extraordinary camping experience at any time of year. There’s more than 100
national parks and reserves spread across the State, and sites at many of them can
now be booked online.
Caravan and camping plays an important role in
increasing visitors to regional areas of Western
Australia.
In 2014 an estimated 1.27 million visitors
caravanned or camped in the State, generating
6.8 million visitor nights. These visitors spent an
estimated at $868 million. Of this, around 87 per
cent, or $756 million, was spent in regional WA.
The Western Australian Caravan and Camping
Action Plan: 2013-2018 aims to position WA as
the nation’s preferred caravan and camping
holiday destination by improving the supply,
delivery and promotion of the sector.
The State Government has committed $40.7
million of Royalties for Regions funding over four
years to implement the Action Plan and Parks for
People initiative.
The funding has been allocated across State
Government agencies including Tourism WA,
Department of Parks and Wildlife, Main Roads
WA, Department of Local Government and
Communities and Department of Regional
Development to lead implementation of the plan.
The Action Plan and Parks for People initiative
includes:
• Up to 450 camping and caravan sites in
popular National Parks
Eagle Bluff near Denham
Photograph by Greg Snell
• Up to five new commercial caravan
parks and camping grounds in high
priority locations, including one or more
commercial campgrounds on Aboriginal
lands in the Kimberley region
• Upgrades to, and creation of, new 24-hour
rest areas in the North West
• Improved overflow facilities to meet visitor
demand in peak seasons
• Training for caravan park management and
staff to improve product and services
• Installation of dump points for the safe
disposal of black waste by travellers in selfcontained recreational vehicles along key
drive routes
• New and upgraded visitor facilities
including walk, bike and drive trails and
Wi-Fi at selected campgrounds.
TOP TEN CAMPING AND
CARAVAN SITES IN WA
• Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Shark Bay
(Coral Coast)
Sleep out under the great southern sky on a
World-Heritage listed beach where dolphins
play in the nearby waters. Go snorkelling,
explore red cliffs and shell beaches or just soak
up the sunshine
Windjana Gorge
National Park
• Kooljaman at Cape Leveque
(North West)
A pristine paradise of turquoise
water and vibrant red cliffs, this
multi-award winning Aboriginal
owned wilderness camp is
a must-stay. Located 220
kilometres north of Broome
there’s top-notch fishing and
snorkelling and you can even
camp on the beach
• El Questro Wilderness Park
(North West)
Sleep in a swag on an authentic
outback adventure set in a
million-acre working cattle
station. Camp by the Pentecost
River and chill out with a coldie
enjoying sizzling sunsets,
thundering waterfalls and
tranquil waterholes. For those
who’d prefer to ‘glamp’, Emma
Gorge Resort is a great option
• Lucky Bay Campground,
Esperance (Golden Outback)
Camp out under the stars on a
world-famous Esperance beach
where kangaroos sunbathe
along five kilometres of squeaky
clean white sand. Try the solar
heated showers or take a dip in
the sparkling clear blue ocean
• Windjana Gorge National Park,
Gibb River Road
(North West)
Go walk-about at Windjana
and soak up the 350 millionyear-old scenery of one of the
Kimberley’s most dramatic
gorges. Billabongs, a winding
wet season river, waterbirds
and the old police station ruins
two kilometres away make it a
camping hot spot
• Cape Range National Park,
Exmouth (Coral Coast)
Experience the best of the bush
and beach - colourful coral
reefs, an azure ocean, rocky red
gorges and rugged limestone
cliffs - at Cape Range, just half
an hour from Exmouth. Hike
the gorges, watch wallabies
at Yardie Creek and explore
canyons, caves and hidden
tunnels
• Fitzgerald River National Park
(Golden Outback)
Listen to the kookaburras,
waterbirds and parrots in a
beautiful bush setting, just 47
kilometres from Bremer Bay.
Explore the mountains, red
cliffs, inlets and white sandy
beaches by foot or hire a canoe
• Cape Le Grand National Park,
Esperance (Golden Outback)
Head to Esperance and pitch a
tent on Le Grand Beach amidst
snoozing kangaroos. Bright
turquoise water, rugged granite
outcrops, heathlands and
freshwater pools make it truly
unique. Launch your boat from
the beach and cook your catch
on the free barbecues
• Dryandra Woodland
(Experience Perth)
Just two hour’s drive from
Perth, Dryandra Woodland is
packed with echidnas, woylies,
possums, kangaroos and
numbats, which come out at
night. Explore the trails or kick
back at Congelin campsite
near the dam and soak up the
sounds of the forest.
• Contos Camp Ground,
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National
Park (South West)
Wake up to the sound of waves
crashing on the beach and views
of rugged limestone cliffs and
surf breaks. Walk a stretch of
the Cape-to-Cape track from the
campsite, go beachcombing,
fish for salmon or cool off in the
crystal clear water
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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
WILDFLOWERS
Mother Nature’s Dazzling Show
Come winter and spring in Australia’s Golden Outback and Mother Nature launches
one of her most dazzling shows. For here, deep in the heart of Western Australia, the
once-parched earth transforms as wildflowers burst into bloom. Depending on winter
rains, you can stroll among entire fields blanketed in oceans of swaying colour; pink,
white and yellow daisies stretch as far as the eye can see and flowers of the most
bizarre designs adorn roadsides in a kaleidoscope of different hues. The flowers look
all the more stunning set against the backdrop of an ancient landscape. So striking is
the show, so immense the fields of colour, that people from across the globe travel here
to witness the natural phenomenon.
Pink Boraonia
Depending on the season, the annual wildflower
display starts in the north before charging to the
southern-most coast of Western Australia in an
ever-changing parade of colour. The northern
areas are renowned for masses of colour on
show around August-September while further
south is known for the sheer number of different
flower species in bloom around September to
November.
One national park on the south coast, Fitzgerald
River National Park, is so heavily filled with
flowers that it has become a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve, recognising not only the
incredible diversity of its flowers but also their
rarity. For here, there are more than 1,800 known
plant species – that’s 20 per cent of all the
species in Western Australia and more than exist
in the entire United Kingdom in the one reserve.
Of these plants, 250 are rare and 62 occur
nowhere else in the world but this special corner
of the globe.
Similarly, more species of animal live in the park
than any other park in south Western Australia.
These include 22 mammal species, 41 reptile
species, 12 frog species and more than 200
species of bird. The park also offers one of the
best places in the State to witness migrating
southern right whales from land. Between June
and October, these gentle giants of the deep
and their offspring take up residency in the
protected bays offering a viewing spectacle from
shore.
You can make your visit to Fitzgerald River
National Park part of a self-drive wildflower
tour from Perth. Start the tour by driving four
hours south-east of Perth to the farming village
of Hyden. Hyden is the base to explore a
natural phenomenon called Wave Rock – a 14
metre-high, 110 metre-long curve of rock that
appears like a frozen wave about to crash over
the landscape. The rock and its surrounds are
steeped in Aboriginal legend and, during spring,
are surrounded by a sea of wildflowers. You
can also book wildflower tours from Perth or in
Hyden itself to see the best of the flowers here.
From Hyden continue south-east along
the highway for two hours until you reach
Ravensthorpe, from which you can access the
aforementioned Fitzgerald River National Park.
From the park it’s about a four-hour drive to the
coastal township of Esperance (or you can take
a two-hour flight from Perth).
Esperance is embraced by some of the most
beautiful national parks in the country. Around
here you will find mighty hulks of granite rock
adorning emerald bays, you can stroll along
beaches that have been officially declared as
being the whitest in the country – the sand here
is so clean it squeaks between your toes as you
walk - and you can gaze over an archipelago of
nearly 100 islands sprawled across turquoise
seas. And the best part? You’ll often find you’re
the only one on the beach – just you and your
companions alone and at one with nature.
The national parks here offer still more easily
accessible wildflower viewing opportunities
during the Australian spring and early summer.
Explore the walking trails in parks like Cape
Le Grand National Park as they wind their way
by hidden bays and rugged headlands and
you’ll find the flowers look all the more striking
set against a backdrop of achingly beautiful
coastline.
For a totally different experience, the more
intrepid traveller should consider a trip north
of Perth into the Murchison and Gascoyne
regions of Western Australia. 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.
You may like to see the wildflowers while
exploring a series of three self-drive trails
collectively known as the Gascoyne-Murchison
Outback Pathways. The pathways lead you to
townships and attractions and feature roadside
signage which explains the region’s rich
Aboriginal, mining, pastoral and natural history.
You may be at the site of an old stock route
where drovers once herded great flocks of
cattle or sheep or you may be standing amid
an area that is part of a mystical Aboriginal
Dreamtime tale.
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The southern-most Outback Pathway, the Miners
Pathway, starts about five hours north of Perth
in the tiny settlement of Paynes Find and is the
most easily accessible of the three pathways,
with sealed bitumen roads throughout. It leads
you deep into areas founded on the hopes and
dreams of the Murchison gold rush during the
rollicking 1890s, and is adorned with carpets of
colourful wildflowers during August-September.
While gold mining continues today, much of
the area is also home to vast sheep and cattle
farming properties called stations. Many of these
stations have now opened their doors to tourists
looking for accommodation, offering you the
chance to experience a real working station,
chat to the locals over dinner and learn about
the land from the colourful characters who call
this remote region home.
The Wool Wagon and Kingsford Smith
Pathways further north also offer station stay
accommodation and spectacular wildflower
viewing opportunities, but much of the driving
is on unsealed roads and is best suited to
a four-wheel-drive vehicle. You can witness
some of the most dazzling wildflower displays
in Kennedy Range National Park on the Wool
Wagon Pathway and Mount Augustus National
Park on the Kingsford Smith Pathway. The
ancient Kennedy Range looms 100 metres
above the surrounding plain and snakes 195
kilometres across the landscape while Mount
Augustus rises some 717 metres into the sky
like a geological giant standing guard over the
surrounding countryside. Both parks are rich in
Aboriginal mythology and erupt into lashings
of brilliant colour as wildflowers bloom around
August and September.
Like any natural phenomenon, the wildflower
showing depends on the season, with some
years and some areas being more impressive
than others. Wildflower season coincides with
the best times of the year to visit Australia’s
Golden Outback weatherwise – so you’re
guaranteed an extraordinary experience
discovering the wonders of this destination.
Wooleen Station
East Mount Barren, located in the
Fitzgerald River National Park
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HAVE A WHALE OF A TIME
at Ningaloo Reef
World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the few places on earth where
you can swim with whale sharks - the world’s largest fish.
Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef
Photograph by Sean Scott
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More than 20,800 people visited Ningaloo
Reef in 2015 to get up close with the gentle
giants of sea, who migrate to WA shores
between March and August each year to
feed on plankton and krill.
During the season, whale shark swim tours
depart daily from Coral Bay and Exmouth,
allowing visitors the opportunity to have a faceto-fin encounter with the friendly giants - which
can grow up to 18 metres in length.
For the first time in 2016, visitors to Ningaloo
Reef will also have the opportunity to swim with
humpback whales, who migrate through this
region of WA between July and October each
year.
Interactions will be completely on the whale’s
terms, so if the humpbacks behaviour and the
weather allows, there will be the chance for tour
participants to have a genuine wildlife encounter
in the water.
Department of Parks and Wildlife Whale Shark
Conservation Officer, Dani Rob hopes to see
more travellers visit WA’s mid-north coast in
2016 to experience the coastal and aquatic
wonderland.
“Last year we had a total of 1,181 tours taking
place in the Coral Coast, and a whale shark
sighting success rating of 92 per cent,” Ms Rob
said.
Whale shark, ningaloo
Photograph by Ningaloo Discovery
Humpback whale
Photograph by Janine Marx
“We’re excited to welcome the first whale
sharks of the season and look forward to a
successful 2016 season.”
Ningaloo Marine Park’s nutrient rich waters are
considered one of the best places to swim with
whale sharks due to reliability of numbers and
accessibility to interact with the leviathans of the
ocean.
At 300-kilometres long, World Heritage listed
Ningaloo Reef is the world’s largest fringing
reef. Visitors can walk straight off the beach and
snorkel in the underwater wonderland swarming
with brilliant coloured coral, manta rays, sea
turtles and more than 500 species of tropical fish.
The annual Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival will
celebrate the season with a family festival day,
gala cocktail evening, movies under the stars
and live music from May 25 to 29, 2016.
For further information on swimming with whale
sharks and booking a trip to the Ningaloo Coast,
visit westernaustralia.com.
Turquoise Bay
Coral Bay
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THE ONGOING EVOLUTION
OF PERTH
– the city and beyond
People are talking about Perth. Foodies, investors, sun-lovers, entrepreneurs, creatives.....
and it’s no wonder why, with the capital city undergoing a significant period of change.
It’s sparking curiosity among those who haven’t been, and is making those who are
already part of the ‘new Perth’ scene or who call Perth home, extremely proud.
Perth has always offered locals and visitors a
beautiful natural environment – the Swan River,
blue skies (it is Australia’s sunniest capital
city), clean air, 19 metropolitan beaches where
swimming, snorkelling and surfing abound, one of
the world’s largest inner city parks, a quality wine
region that is WA’s oldest, and a port city – but
most recently, the attention has turned to the
city’s urban offering.
2016 marked the official opening of Perth’s $440
million development waterfront project Elizabeth
Quay, which has reconnected the Swan River
to the city, and given locals and visitors a new
destination in Perth to explore.
Perth dining
Photograph by City of Perth
In its first three weeks of opening, the precinct
attracted more than 800,000 visitors, and hosted
events from the Perth International Arts Festival
and Fringe World. Home to a number of relaxed
riverside wining and dining options, pedestrian
and cyclists’ bridge, promenades, public art,
island playground, event spaces and the Barrack
Street Jetty, Elizabeth Quay will also see the return
of the Ritz Carlton brand to Australia, with a
204 room hotel under construction.
Additionally, in late 2015 Perth city welcomed
the arrival of a new ‘neighbourhood’ – Cathedral
Square. Comprising the Perth Town Hall, the
new City of Perth library, St Georges Cathedral, a
new office tower, and its centrepiece – the State
Buildings – a wining, dining and retail precinct
housed in 140-year old heritage buildings, right in
the central business district.
Formerly identified as the Old Treasury Buildings,
it’s one of the most significant heritage precincts in
WA and has a rich history. The buildings sat vacant
for nearly 20 years, and with architect Kerry Hill at
the helm, it’s now a hot-spot for locals and visitors.
Retailers include acclaimed WA fashion designer
Aurelio Costarella, chocolatier Sue Lewis, artisanal
skincare brand Clean Slate and bespoke jeweller
Rohan Jewellery, while the new wining and dining
venues include David Thompson’s Long Chim,
Petition Beer Corner, Petition Kitchen, rooftop
restaurant Wildflower and late night bar Halford.
Significantly, the precinct is also home to COMO
The Treasury, which to date, has been regarded
as the best new ‘city hotel’ in Australia. The hotel
comprises 48 rooms and suites, two restaurants,
a bar, COMO Shambhala Urban Escape, gym,
pool and a level of luxury and service not seen
before in Perth.
All of the above sits alongside a bunch of bars
and restaurants that have opened in recent years
around Perth, which have contributed to the city’s
‘wining and dining boom’. Since the city’s first
small bar licence was granted in 2007, 88 small
bar licences exist around the city and its
surrounding suburbs (11 were granted in 2007;
that’s an increase of 800 per cent).
Disused heritage buildings and laneways are now
home to bustling bars and street art; and there are
bars specialising in whiskey, gin, craft beers and
wine. Most are also priding themselves on offering
quality food, with share plates and locally sourced
produce becoming
a popular trend.
Visitors can see the city with a local by joining an
organised walking tour that showcases the wining
and dining scene – operators include Two Feet
and A Heartbeat and FoodLoose Tours.
And it’s not just restaurants and bars that are
pleasing Perth locals and visitors; food trucks
have also started appearing on the streets,
signalling another new trend for the city.
Their presence is so popular, it prompted a local
foodie and entrepreneur to start what is anticipated
to be an annual affair – the Food Truck Rumble. A
gathering of some of the city’s best ‘street food’
trucks in the one place; the event has so far proven
itself to so far be one of the city’s favourite food
events.
Then there are the night markets and other food
events which have popped up in the central
business district (CBD) and urban villages –
including the City of Perth’s Twilight Hawkers
Markets, Perth City Farm Markets, Homegrown in
the City, Beaufort Street Markets and events such
as Eat Drink Perth and Taste of Perth.
Retail options have also increased across Perth.
King Street, traditionally known for attracting highend designer brands such as Tiffany’s, Chanel,
and Gucci, has been joined by a breed of energetic
retailers who are keen on re-establishing the area
as an affordable and hip area to shop; global
brands Zara and Topshop are well established on
Murray Street; city shopping precincts enex100
and one40william continue to grow; and there are
plans to overhaul one of the CBD’s main meeting
spots, Forrest Place. While over in Northbridge,
William Street is the place for local, bespoke and
vintage.
Perth has also seen a significant increase in street
art, thanks to FORM – an independent, non-profit
cultural organisation that aims to culturally enrich
WA. Through FORM’s PUBLIC program, more than
80 walls across the CBD and into urban areas such
as Northbridge, Leederville, Claremont, Fremantle
and Victoria Park have become a canvas for local,
interstate and international artists.
Meanwhile, popular tourist spots in the wider Perth
region are also being transformed:
• Fremantle has more than a billion dollars
of redevelopment in the planning pipeline
including a new town centre and hotels
• Scarborough Beach is on its way to
becoming one of Australia’s best beachfronts
with a $60 million investment in a foreshore
redevelopment including a beachside
swimming pool, cafes, restaurants, kiosks
and public art.
• Rottnest Island is also undergoing an
improvement program with upgrades to
the golf course, walk trails as well as a new
marina. Luxury refurbishments to the Hotel
Rottnest and an upmarket “glamping”
experience, which is expected to open in
2017.
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ACCOMMODATION DEVELOPMENTS
IN AND AROUND PERTH
Visitors will find plenty of options of where to
sleep – by 2018, Perth will have 2,000 new hotel
rooms – of all types from the six-star Crown
Towers to boutique heritage redevelopments,
to international four and five star brands, to
serviced apartments.
The Ritz-Carlton
Property developer Far East Consortium will
bring the Ritz-Carlton hotel to Perth, marking the
luxury brand’s highly anticipated return to the
Australian market for the first time in 10 years.
Work on the prestigious five-star, 204-room
hotel is scheduled to commence by June 2016,
and it will open in early 2019. It will be built at
Elizabeth Quay, the State Government’s billion
dollar waterfront project on Perth’s Swan River.
corporate.ritzcarlton.com
Doubletree by Hilton
Hilton Worldwide is set to open three hotels in
Perth under the Doubletree by Hilton brand.
DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront will be
located in Perth city, adjoining Barrack Square
and fronting the Swan River. The 241-room hotel
is anticipated to open in 2016. DoubleTree by
Hilton Fremantle will be located at Point Street,
Fremantle central to the port city’s ‘cappuccino
strip’. The 150-room hotel is anticipated to open
in 2017. DoubleTree by Hilton Northbridge will
be located on James Street, Northbridge, home
to a multicultural melting pot of flavours blended
together with a lively mix of bars and nightclubs.
The 205-room hotel is expected to open in 2017.
doubletree.com
58
Westin Hotel Perth
A 350-room, five-star Westin Hotel is expected
to open in the Perth CBD in 2017. The hotel will
be built by BGC and operated by the Starwood
Group. In addition to the hotel, there will be a
mixed use and retail development, which will
add more than 30,000sqm of office space. It will
be the first hotel in Perth to be developed under
the State Government’s hotel incentives policy.
starwoodhotels.com
Crown Towers
Crown Limited has shown its long term
commitment to Perth with its decision to
develop a new six star, luxury hotel to be known
as Crown Towers Perth. The total investment
in the Crown Towers project (inclusive of
land) is expected to be $568 million. The new
500 room luxury hotel will add to the suite of
hotel accommodation options at the Crown
Perth Complex and upon completion it will be
the largest hotel in Perth, taking hotel room
capacity at Crown Perth to nearly 1,200 rooms.
Construction is underway, expected to be
completed in late 2016.
crownlimited.com
State Buildings, Perth
Avani, Perth
Perth’s biggest entertainment venue, Perth
Arena, will be complemented with a new hotel
and entertainment precinct to be built on Milligan
Street in the CBD. Construction on the Avani
brand, 4.5 star, 250-room hotel is due to start in
late 2016. More than 200 one and two bedroom
serviced apartments will also be built as part of
a 14-story development. There will be a roof top
bar at the hotel and the new precinct will include
restaurants, a public plaza and open lawns and
paved areas.
mra.wa.gov.au
Perth city’s Grand Lane
Photgraph by Garry Norris
Elizabeth Quay Photograph
by Garry Norris
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MAJOR PROJECTS –
COMPLETED AND UNDERWAY
Perth Waterfront Development:
Elizabeth Quay
Elizabeth Quay is the centrepiece of a bold
plan to revitalise central Perth and return the
city’s focus to the iconic Swan River. Covering
nearly 10 hectares of prime riverfront land
between Barrack and William streets, the $2.6
billion project will feature a stunning 2.7 hectare
inlet surrounded by a split level promenade,
new public spaces, shops, cafes, restaurants
and exciting entertainment venues. It will also
include hotel (The Ritz-Carlton) and short stay
accommodation, significant commercial space
and new inner city residential options.
Perth Stadium
The new Perth Stadium will form a permanent
centerpiece for the redevelopment of the
Burswood Peninsula on the Swan River. It will
be one of the major sporting and entertainment
venues for Perth and one of the major
international sporting venues for Australia. The
stadium will have tiered seating and a total
capacity of 60,000 seats. The standard of the
stadium, including its functionality, services,
finishes and fit out will be equivalent to world’s
best practice.
Perth City Link
Perth City Link will reconnect the CBD with
Northbridge for the first time in 100 years, and
create a vibrant new mixed-use precinct that
will revitalise and dramatically change the face
of Perth. It involves sinking the Fremantle rail
line from Perth Station to Lake/King streets,
undergrounding of the Wellington Street Bus
Station and creating five new connections
between the CBD and Northbridge. When
completed Perth City Link will deliver significant
benefits for locals and tourists alike – better
access and connectivity; more residential, retail,
entertainment and commercial opportunities;
and more than four hectares of high quality
public spaces which includes Yagan Square.
Kings Square
Situated in the middle of Perth City Link, and
opposite the Perth Arena, Kings Square will
meld the atmospheres of Lake and King Streets
to create the cosmopolitan heart of the city. The
new two-way street connection will emphasise
the pedestrian-friendly character of the area.
East-west lanes and arcades will link to other
key destinations. Bars, restaurants and lateclosing shops will be scattered throughout,
with offices located on the floors above.
Urban Orchard,
Northbridge
Wildflower restaurant, Perth
60
Riverside
Located on the banks of the Swan River in
East Perth, the 40-hectare Riverside project is
transforming the city’s eastern gateway. Upon
completion, the area will be a cosmopolitan
waterfront community and tourist destination
with a range of entertainment, commercial,
retail, civic and residential uses that take
advantage of its unique location. As part of
the project, the flagship Waterbank precinct
will feature a natural beach area surrounded
by public promenades, green open space
including a large wetland area, and a direct
connection from Hay Street to the Swan River
with a new river pier.
New museum for the Perth Cultural Centre
More than $428 million in capital funds has
been committed to develop a new museum
within the Perth Cultural Centre. With an
anticipated delivery date of 2020, the new
facility will integrate with the refurbished heritage
buildings to display the State collection in
contemporary and innovative ways. It will allow
the museum to present blockbuster exhibitions
from around the world and will be a place where
visitors can share, explore and connect with the
past, present and future.
Perth Airport
A billion dollar upgrade of Perth Airport is
well underway and represents the first stage
towards having all commercial air services in
Perth operating from one convenient location
within the next 10 years. The state of the art T1
Domestic Terminal is home to Virgin Australia
and opened in November 2015. It features
28 domestic check-in kiosks and bag-drop
technology, as well as 12 aerobridge departure
gates, including three capable of taking the
airline’s wide-body Airbus A330s. The new
addition, situated at the western end of the
international terminal, is home to Virgin Australia
and enables passengers to transfer seamlessly
between regional, interstate and international
services. Passengers are offered an extensive
range of dining and retail options along with
a new Virgin Australia lounge. Other key
developments include a new terminal primarily
servicing regional WA; transformation of the
international arrivals and departure areas; a new
domestic pier; and a new multi-storey car park.
perthairport.com.au
For more information about all of the major
projects in Perth, visit
getthebiggerpicture.wa.gov.au
xxxxxxxxxx
Urban Orchard,
Northbridge
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ROTTNEST STYLE
Island Life
With its 63 secluded white sandy beaches and 20 bays, it’s easy to see
why the people of Perth proudly declare Rottnest Island (or “Rotto”)
their very own island paradise.
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Aerial view of Rottnest Island
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Located just a short ferry ride from Perth,
Fremantle or Hillarys – Rottnest Island has shot to
international fame in recent years largely in part to
its native inhabitant – the quokka.
The small, furry and very cute marsupial
became an internet sensation after an online
news source declared it the ‘world’s happiest
animal’ – amplifying the social media trend, the
#quokkaselfie.
And it’s easy to see why the quokkas are so
happy – they live in paradise. Classified as an ‘A’
Class Reserve, Rottnest Island has an abundance
of natural assets including some of WA’s best
swimming, snorkelling and surfing beaches.
One of the unique elements of Rottnest Island
is that it’s a car free zone, with the most popular
mode of transport being the bicycle. Many of the
island’s tourism offerings and practices reflect the
focus on delivering sustainable and inspirational
products with minimal environmental impact.
In keeping with the environmentally sustainable
ethos of the Island - it was recently announced
that an ecologically sensitive, world-class eco
retreat was on its way Rottnest Island with an
expected opening date of summer 2016.
The State Government and a consortium
comprising Rottnest Express and The Billi
Resort Broome have signed an agreement that
will result in a new short-stay, eco-style tent
accommodation and food and beverage facility at
Pinky’s Beach.
Pinky’s Eco Retreat and Beach Club, will be
built and operated as a leading sustainable
development, catering for tourists and families as
well as the local holiday maker.
It will comprise of 29, 4 and 5 star eco-tents with
their own ensuites and high level of comforts
targeted to the tourist and overseas market; 10
affordable and well considered 2 bedroom family
tents; as well as 35 backpacker or budget tents,
providing an additional 200 beds on the island.
The accommodation will be supported by a
Beach Club comprising licenced bar, café,
restaurant and function area for weddings built
atop an elevated deck with breathtaking views
back to the Perth skyline as well as West over The
Basin toward the setting sun.
Pinky’s Beach, Rottnest
Artist impression of Pinky’s
Eco Retreat
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Quokkas
Rottnest Island
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A FEW WORDS FROM OUR
FRIENDS OF WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
The diverse and extraordinary nature of Western Australia attracts an eclectic mix
of high-profile visitors to experience its wonder. From athletes and actors, musicians
and culinary masters – our #WAmbassadors help to spread the word about what they
love about Western Australia.
Here’s some of what they’ve had to say:
“It’s indescribable. Words don’t do it justice,
pictures don’t do it justice. The only way to
properly appreciate what’s on offer in WA is to
see it for yourself. It’s got all of the best parts
from all around the world in one place…”
Lincoln Lewis, actor
“Margaret River is wonderful. The beauty
of the place and the wonderful produce is
what I like. Yesterday I went abalone fishing
and I was very impressed with the quality
of abalone. The clean air is incredible. It’s a
wonderful part of the world.”
Antonio Carluccio, cook, restaurateur, writer
“I feel so relaxed in the Swan Valley. The chi,
the energy and the roads are so clean…this is
the place to relax and to take your family on a
holiday.”
Jimmy Choo, fashion designer
“Western Australia is rugged
and extraordinary – with
beautiful white sand beaches
and crystal clear ocean.”
Layne Beachley, surfer
66
“I absolutely love the Kimberley. It’s such
beautiful country. I was fortunate enough to
visit the Bungle Bungles which were simply
spectacular in asymmetrical ways.”
Sir Bob Geldof, musician & philanthropist
“It’s extraordinary! Swimming with whale
sharks at Ningaloo…it was just beautiful and I
will remember it always.”
Kate Ritchie, actress & radio presenter
“The world is a very beautiful jigsaw, made
up of lots of little, beautiful pieces. But
without question, Margaret River Western
Australia is one of the most beautiful
pieces within that jigsaw.”
Marco Pierre White, chef,
restauranteur, writer
“The north west of Western
Australia never ceases to
leave me in awe. Those
colours, those skies. No
wonder people fall in love
with it and never leave. This
is the Australia that I wish
everyone in the country
could see.”
Simon Reeve, TV reporter
“What’s so exciting about the Kimberley landscape which is
on the one hand, harsh, brutal and unforgiving - but at any
given moment can become the most awesome, majestic,
inspiring, poetic and lyrical place to be.”
Baz Luhrmann, director
“The wineries, my girl has a great
time when we go to Margaret
River. And the food, we’ve had
great food there – the venison, we
went to that venison farm, wow –
I really like it there.”
Kelly Slater, surfer
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GREAT SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
In recent times the Great Southern region, located in the south west of Western Australia,
has firmly established itself on the adventure travellers’ map with its range of new
outdoor experiences, in addition to its existing world-class walking, wildlife and wining
and dining offerings.
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Great Southern produce
Photograph by Amazing Albany
The Great Southern is the largest and most
diverse region within the State’s South West. Its
landscape varies from unspoilt coastline and
idyllic seaside towns, to sprawling agricultural
lands and national parks harbouring some of the
world’s rarest species.
The history of the region is equally as
impressive. King George Sound near Albany
was the first European settlement in WA. In
November 1914, more than 40,000 Australians
and New Zealanders left Albany bound for World
War One.
Further to the region’s adventure and historical
ties, it is also home to the largest wine producing
region by area in Australia. It is also the coolest
growing region in WA, producing 37 per cent of
all grapes grown in the State. As with many wine
producing regions, fresh produce is plentiful with
self-guided gourmet tasting trails dotted across
the region.
Bremer Bay sunrise
THINGS TO DO IN THE REGION
Explore Torndirrup National Park
Located near Albany, Torndirrup National
Park has undergone a major redevelopment
and now features new world-class lookout
structures at The Gap and Natural Bridge, as
well as connecting paths, picnic areas, a visitor
gathering area with interpretative facilities and
a bigger car park. The popular national park
is surrounded by windswept coastal heaths
giving way to massive granite outcrops, sheer
cliffs and steep sandy slopes and dunes. The
Southern Ocean has sculpted a Natural Bridge
in the coastal granites and formed The Gap,
where waves rush in and out. The park’s latest
developments officially opened to the public in
May 2016.
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Sign-up to a Bremer Bay Canyon killer
whale adventure. Naturalist Charters
commenced the first ever Bremer Canyon
Expeditions in February 2015. The expeditions
journey to the newly discovered Bremer Canyon,
located 60 kilometres off Australia’s South
West coast. The marine hotspot is home to an
enormous number of killer whales – in excess
of 100 have been spotted on any given day –
giant squid, sperm whales and masses of sea
birds. The expeditions take place throughout
February, March and April, and will be returning
in February 2017.
Visit the National Anzac Centre in Albany. In
November 2014, a state-of-the-art museum – the
National Anzac Centre – opened in the historic
port city of Albany, to mark the 100th Anniversary
of the departure of more than 40,000 Australian
and New Zealand troops bound for Gallipoli
during World War One. Located within Albany
Heritage Park and with sweeping views over
King George Sound, the $10.6 million National
Anzac Centre tells the story of WWI through the
personal accounts of 32 Anzacs (Australian and
New Zealand Army Corps). Entering the National
Anzac Centre, visitors can assume the identity of
one of the Anzac characters. Learn about their
World War One experience through interactive,
multimedia displays and audio commentary from recruitment and training to actual conflicts
in the Indian Ocean prior to arrival in Egypt;
and on to Gallipoli, the Palestine and Sinai; and
across the Western front.
Experience Albany’s gourmet food offering.
Albany’s gourmet providores, organic food
producers, farmers’ markets and dining outlets
are stacking up all the food awards’ silverware.
The produce is so fresh you can count the
minutes since it was harvested, with devotion to
sustainable agricultural methods, a commitment
to time-honoured cooking techniques and
a strictly seasonal approach to dining room
menus. Local favourites include Hybla, which
was recently awarded two glasses out of
three by Gourmet Traveller’s Wine List of the
Year Awards; Garrison, which is set in Albany
Heritage Park next to the National Anzac Centre;
and Due South which was included in Gourmet
Traveller’s Hot 100 for 2015.
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Climb the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup
National Park. The granite from which
Porongurup Range is formed is more than 1.4
billion years old and has been exposed by the
slow weathering of the softer rocks surrounding
the range. Porongurup Range is a place of
incredible biodiversity with 750 native plant
species in an area of just 2,600 hectares, and
is located 50 kilometres north of Albany. Castle
Rock picnic site is a great place to start a three
kilometre return walk to the Granite Skywalk, a
suspended walkway which spirals around the
huge granite outcrop of Castle Rock. The Granite
Skywalk has two lookouts, an upper and lower,
offering spectacular views of the park and the
region’s undulating farmland.
Experience Breaksea Island by aerial flight.
Breaksea Island Nature Reserve near Albany has
become more accessible with the introduction
of public helicopter tours. In the past, access to
Breaksea Island’s wildlife and rugged coastline
was limited due to difficultly accessing the area
safely by boat. Helicopter tours allow visitors to
get a bird’s eye view of the area before landing
on the island and visiting the heritage-listed
lighthouse and keeper’s cottages. Passengers
experience breathtaking views of Albany
including its stunning beaches, Albany town and
its surrounding green pastures.
Hike the Bibbulmun Track. One of Australia’s
most iconic treks, the Bibbulmun Track stretches
over 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the
Perth Hills, to the historic town of Albany on
the South West coast. The trail passes through
the heart of Australia’s scenic South West,
through towering Karri and Tingle forests,
down misty valleys, over giant granite boulders
and along breath-taking coastal heath lands.
The Bibbulmun Track offers a wide range of
experiences, from an eight-week adventure to
day walks.
Experience the longest off-road cycle
trail in the world. The Munda Biddi Trail is
WA’s premier long distance off-road cycling
experience. The track extends 1,000 kilometres
from Mundaring in the Perth Hills, to Albany.
The trail meanders through scenic river valleys
and the magnificent forests of the State’s South
West. Joined by a purpose built track, the
Munda Biddi uses a network of bush tracks,
firebreaks and disused railway formations. For
those tackling multiple days, you can stay in
purpose built shelters or in quaint country towns
along the way.
Explore William Bay National Park.
Famous for its windswept rocky shores and
sheltered pools, William Bay National Park
protects the coastline and forest between
Walpole and Denmark on the south coast.
Green’s Pool near Denmark is well known for
its turquoise water and white sandy beaches
edged by granite boulders, which create ideal
swimming, snorkelling and diving conditions.
Pack a picnic and take in the scenery at
Elephant Rocks and Waterfall Beach, or try your
hand at beach fishing. William Bay National Park
is best accessed from Walpole or Denmark,
which are approximately four to five hours drive
south of Perth.
Traverse through Fitzgerald River National
Park. The pristine wilderness of Fitzgerald River
National Park on the southern coast is perfect
for anyone with a love of nature and a thirst
for adventure. Here you can go bush walking,
camping, canoeing, fishing and whale watching.
It’s now recognised as one of the most diverse
botanical regions on earth with around 1,800
species of flowering plants alone. In spring, the
landscape is dotted with colourful wildflowers
including banksias, hakeas, bottlebrush, feather
flowers, Quaalup bell and many others. Go
bushwalking and you might spot endangered
native animals like the Dibbler, a small marsupial
which has recently been rediscovered in the
park.
Fitzgerald National Park
Albatross at Bremer Bay Canyon
National Anzac Centre, Albany
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA LEADS
AUSTRALIA IN GROWTH OF
THE CRUISE SECTOR
Western Australia is an extraordinary cruise shipping destination, boasting
a range of diverse tourism experiences in each of its 10 ports - Fremantle,
Esperance, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Exmouth, Broome, Port Hedland,
Busselton and Augusta.
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Sun Princess, Broome
Western Australia leads the rest of the nation in
terms of growth in the cruise sector with visiting
ships generating more than $275 million in 201415, a $159 million increase on the previous year.
Cruise shipping to Western Australia continues
to grow. In 2014-15, the State recorded a total
of 101 cruise ship visit days, a 48.5 per cent
increase from the previous year.
When Tourism Western Australia and the Cruise
Western Australia Committee developed the
Western Australian Cruise Shipping Strategic Plan
2012-2020, the aim was to eventually increase
the value of the sector to $274.4 million, and
effectively that goal has been reached five years
early. The strategy aims to bring together WA’s
cruise shipping industry, establish a common
understanding, and set the direction for the
development of a sustainable, coordinated and
achievable future for the sector.
Boom in cruise ship visits to Fremantle
Fremantle Ports has indicated that 2015-16 is
shaping up to be Fremantle’s biggest cruise
season, with more than 60 ships already booked
to visit. Princess Cruises carried more than
45,000 cruise guests to and from Fremantle
between April 2015 and March 2016, with the
cruises expected to generate an estimated $30
million for the local economy in WA.
Cruise shipping also presents significant
opportunities to attract visitors from China and
other Asian markets by providing a taste of WA
and encouraging repeat visitation. In November
2015, Star Cruises from Hong Kong brought the
Superstar Virgo to WA, and Tourism WA hopes
this will open the way for Star Cruises to include
Australia in future cruise programs.
Other highlights in 2016 include P&Os new
addition to its fleet, the Pacific Eden, which will
be home ported in Fremantle from April 2016.
The ship will embark on a season of cruising that
will include a series of WA coastal cruises to visit
Broome, Exmouth and Geraldton, with selected
itineraries scheduled to coincide with the WA
school holidays. Cruise & Maritime Voyages
will home port the Astor in Fremantle for a fourth
season in 2016-17 and Royal Caribbean Cruises
superliners’, Explorer of the Seas, Radiance of
the Seas and Solstice of the Seas will also visit
WA.
For more information on cruise shipping in WA
visit tourism.wa.gov.au/Industry/Infrastructure_
Growth/Cruise_shipping
There are opportunities to increase pre and post
cruise visitation to Perth and regional WA as
cruise shipping continues to grow, with a mix of
loyal and new cruise passengers joining cruises
from Australia’s eastern states and overseas,
along with regional WA residents who appreciate
the opportunity to join cruise ship itineraries
from Fremantle. ‘Rail and sail’ is also growing
in popularity for passengers joining cruises
in Fremantle from Sydney and Adelaide who
combine their experience with a journey
on-board the Indian Pacific.
Fremantle
Solstice, Albany
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Josh Whiteland,
Koomal Dreaming
The W‘A’ List
THE W‘A’ LIST
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
COASTAL
AND AQUATIC
ADVENTURES
The waters off WA’s 12,000 kilometre long coastline
are regarded as some of the most pristine in the world
– and home to a myriad of marine life. Here’s our
W ‘A’ list of coastal and aquatic adventures:
• Have a ‘whale’ of a time at Ningaloo Reef. Without a
doubt, swimming with the world’s largest fish is one of life’s
most exhilarating marine experiences. Ningaloo is regarded
as one of the best locations in the world to swim with whale
sharks - due to the clarity of the water, regularity of the whale
sharks and professionalism of the tour operators. Visitors will
also have the opportunity to swim with humpback whales
from July to October at Ningaloo Reef, with a number of local
operator’s trialling the swim tour for the first time in 2016.
Easily accessible from shore, World Heritage-listed Ningaloo
Reef is also home to manta rays, sea turtles and dugongs.
Ningaloo is among the most biologically diverse marine
environments on earth, and is also the closest coral barrier
reef to a land mass in the world – meaning that visitors can
walk straight off the beach and snorkel over superb coral
gardens teeming with colourful fish mere metres from the
shore.
• Let’s go surfing. It’s no secret some of the world’s best
surfers – think Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning - visit WA’s
shores to catch some of the world’s best waves in the famed
Margaret River region, in the State’s South West. See local,
national and international surfing stars compete at the annual
Margaret River Pro, held every April, or find a local surf school
(they operate around the State), grab a board and hang ten.
• Rottnest Island. Perth’s own ‘car free’ island paradise is a
short ferry ride from Fremantle, Perth or Hillarys with Rottnest
Express or Rottnest Fast Ferries. Relax on the beach or cool
off at one of the island’s 63 beaches and 20 secluded bays.
The diversity of fish, coral species and shipwrecks in the
waters around Rottnest – or ‘Rotto’ as the locals call it – make
it one of the most fascinating snorkel and dive sites to be
found in such close proximity to a capital city. Hire snorkelling
gear from Rottnest Island’s Pedal & Flipper, join a snorkelling
or diving tour with Charter 1 or from September to April take
an eco adventure tour for a close up encounter with seals,
dolphins, turtles and humpback whales (in season). Rotto
is 11 kilometre long and 4.5 kilometre wide so it is easy to
explore by bike or on foot.
The Box in Margaret River
Photograph by Peter Joli Wilson
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• Swim with the dolphins and see them at
play. A short drive south of Perth, Rockingham
Wild Encounters and Bunbury’s Dolphin
Discovery offer a unique ‘swim with wild
dolphins’ experience. There’s no enclosures
here, the dolphin swims are in the sheltered
waters of the Shoalwater Marine Park
(Rockingham) and Koombana Bay (Bunbury).
At Monkey Mia (850 kilometres north of Perth),
a small pod of dolphins regularly visit the
shallows to play. In Broome make sure to
take the new snubnose dolphin boat tour at
Roebuck Bay.
• See one of the greatest shows on earth.
WA hosts one of the longest whale-watching
seasons in the world. Each year from May to
December, humpback, southern right and rare
blue whales call WA’s oceans home. Albany,
Augusta, Broome, Exmouth, Perth, Fremantle,
Hillarys, Denham, Kalbarri, Geographe
Bay and Rottnest Island offer top vantage
points and tours. Then, there’s Bremer Bay
in WA’s South West where the Bremer Bay
Canyon is attracting hundreds of killer whales
each February and March. Visitors have the
opportunity to join a Bremer Bay Canyon
Expedition with Naturaliste Charters to have an
up-close encounter with killer whales.
• Secret spots. While nowhere in WA is
crowded, there are some very special places,
which you’re likely to have all to yourself. The
Rowley Shoals rank among the most remote
and pristine marine areas in the world – see
colourful coral gardens, giant clams and
schools of tuna and mackerel. The Abrolhos
Islands are home to 19 shipwrecks, including
the Batavia, and some of the finest diving,
snorkelling and fishing in Australia. The
clear waters off the Mackerel Islands offer
incredible visibility for snorkelers and divers,
and the Montebello-Barrow Islands Marine
Park is teaming with wildlife. In the waters off
Esperance you can snorkel among seadragons or advanced divers can tackle the
Sanko Harvest shipwreck. Part of the Shark
Bay World Heritage listed region, Dirk Hartog
Island off the coast of Denham is home to
crystal blue waters teeming with marine life
including dugongs and humpback whales in
season. 2016 is the 400th anniversary of the
island’s European discovery by Dutch explorer
Dirk Hartog.
• Meet the wildlife. An easy drive south of
Perth you’ll find Penguin Island, part of the
Shoalwater Marine Park. Visitors can see and
learn more about WA’s largest colony of little
penguins at the Discovery Centre. The island
is also home to many species of seabirds and
Australian sea lions. Jurien Bay Marine Park,
just a three-hour drive north of Perth, is also
famous for its sea lions and marine life. In
Esperance on WA’s south east coast, take a
cruise to Woody Island and see New Zealand
fur seals, Australian sea lions, white-breasted
sea eagles and dolphins. Also in Esperance,
make sure to head to Lucky Bay to spend time
with the friendly local kangaroos who like to
sunbake on Australia’s whitest beach.
• Deep Diving. There are hundreds of
shipwrecks along WA’s coast – in the South
West, HMAS Swan at Dunsborough is WA’s
most famous prepared wreck, while the
HMAS Perth, sunk to 36 metres in Albany, is
the largest. Also in the South West, Busselton
Jetty is one of Australia’s greatest artificial
reefs - hosting tropical and subtropical coral,
sponges, fish and invertebrates. Exmouth’s
Navy Pier, in WA’s Coral Coast, is rated as one
of the top ten shore dives in the world.
Whale Shark, Ningaloo Reef
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Rockingham Wild Encounters
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PERTH AND BEYOND
Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth, is a unique blend of natural and urban
experiences. Nestled between Kings Park and Botanic Garden and the sparkling Swan
River, Perth has experienced incredible growth in recent years, with new bars, dining,
retail, entertainment, cultural and public spaces popping up in all corners of the city.
Here’s our W ‘A’ list of Perth’s experiences:
• New precincts to explore. 2016 marked
the official opening of Perth’s $440 million
development waterfront project Elizabeth
Quay, which has reconnected the Swan River
to the city, and given locals and visitors a new
destination in Perth to explore. In its first three
weeks of opening, the precinct attracted more
than 800,000 visitors, and hosted events from
the Perth International Arts Festival and Fringe
World. Home to a number of relaxed riverside
wining and dining options, pedestrian and
cyclists’ bridge, promenades, public art,
island playground, event spaces and the
Barrack Street Jetty, Elizabeth Quay will
also see the return of the Ritz Carlton brand
to Australia, with a 204-room hotel under
construction. In the coming years, Perth will
also see the opening of major public spaces
such as Yagan Square,
Perth City Link and a major sporting arena,
Perth Stadium.
• Wining and dining boom! Perth city and its
urban villages of Northbridge, Mount Lawley,
Leederville, Maylands, North Perth, Cottesloe,
Claremont, Subiaco and Victoria Park are
brimming with new dining options. Sample
WA fresh produce and wines at one of the
many new small bars, cafes, and restaurants
such as Long Chim, Wildflower, The
Shorehouse, Odyssea and Strange Company,
to name a few. On the weekend check-out
what the locals are up to at local farmers
markets, and in summer make a bee-line for
twilight hawkers markets, al fresco cafes and
beachside dining. Visitors can see the city
with a local by joining an organised walking
tour that showcases the wining and dining
scene – operators include Two Feet and A
Heartbeat and FoodLoose Tours.
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• Kings Park and Botanic Garden. At 400
hectares and larger than New York’s Central
Park, Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one
of the largest inner city parks in the world. A
short walk or free bus ride from the city centre,
check out the impressive views of the Swan
River and city skyline, pack a picnic, see an
outdoor movie or live performance in summer,
and the wildflowers in spring, or learn
more about the park on an Indigenous
walking tour.
• Shop local and luxury. Designer brands
meet local labels along King, Queen, Hay
and Murray Streets in the city. Outside the
city head to Claremont Quarter, Garden City,
Fremantle, Mount Lawley, Leederville or
Subiaco for your retail fix. Other rich pickings
include designer jewellery crafted from
Western Australian gold, Argyle diamonds
and Broome’s famous South Sea pearls. If
vintage, hip and quirky is more your style,
make quick for the boutiques of William Street
in Northbridge or Fremantle.
Elizabeth Quay
Photograph by MRA
• Indian Ocean sunsets. Home to 19 pristine
metropolitan beaches, it’s easy to find your
own slice of white sand to relax and enjoy
one WA’s famous sunsets. Surfers head to
Scarborough and Trigg, while swimmers and
stand-up paddle boarders cool off at Cottesloe
or Mettam’s Pool between Sorrento Beach
and Trigg. The Scarborough foreshore is
undergoing revitalisation and has welcomed
new restaurants and bars, next to the recently
refurbished Rendezvous Grand. City Beach
has also received a boost with the opening of
a number of eateries including Odyssea, a new
amphitheatre and surf club. Cottesloe Beach
continues to attract the crowds, with its Norfolk
Pine trees, long stretches of white sand, a
grassy embankment, plenty of restaurants and
cafes, and each March, a must see is the free
outdoor exhibition Sculpture by the Sea.
• Cultural feast. Start at Perth’s Cultural Centre
in Northbridge - home to the Art Gallery of WA,
the WA Museum, State Library, the Perth Institute
of Contemporary Arts and the State Theatre,
including the Heath Ledger Theatre. Buildings,
laneways and other public spaces around Perth
and Northbridge have become works of art, as
local, interstate and international artists were
commissioned by local arts organisation FORM
to paint external walls with works of art. From
November to May, enjoy Perth’s bevy of outdoor
cinemas, live performances and festivals. Fringe
Festival and Perth International Arts Festival are
crowd pleasers in February and March.
• Fremantle. The best preserved example of
a 19th century port streetscape in the world,
Fremantle is a little bit bohemian and a little
bit hipster. Learn about the city’s maritime
and convict history on a walking tour, browse
the shops, galleries and weekend markets,
or dine at one of the many cafes, bars,
restaurants or microbreweries. New bar, dining
retail and hotels are also emerging, as the
revitalisation of Fremantle takes off. Nearly $1
billion of private and public investment will see
additional commercial, retail and public spaces
established and restored throughout the city.
It’s no surprise that Lonely Planet named it as
one of the top cities to visit in 2016 in its Best in
Travel publication.
• Island in the sun. Home to 63 beaches and
bays, Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride from
Perth, Fremantle or Hillarys. There are no cars
on the island so pedal power is king. Enjoy
lunch at one of the cafes and restaurants, most
offering spectacular ocean views, swim, snorkel
or dive, or take an eco-cruise and discover
the local wildlife, including the world-famous,
and highly regarded as the happiest animal
on earth – the quokka. In the late afternoon
make a beeline for Hotel Rottnest - overlooking
Thompson Bay it is the perfect spot to unwind
as the sun sets. New accommodation offerings,
including high end eco tents, are currently in
development.
• Among the vines. WA’s oldest wine region (it’s
been a wine producing region for 180 years),
the Swan Valley is an easy 25-minute drive
from Perth city. Here you can meet the maker
at some of the small family wineries or sample
some of the wines from vineyards that sell their
wines internationally. There’s also fresh produce,
microbreweries and galleries galore on the
Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail. Continue your
food and wine foraging in the Perth Hills and
Avon Valley.
• Experience Perth’s unique attractions.
Travelling around Perth city is free so hop on a
CAT bus and tour Perth’s city sights. Ring one
of the world’s largest musical instruments – the
Swan Bells at the Bell Tower; watch a live gold
pour and see the world’s largest collection
of gold bars at the Perth Mint; catch a ferry
across the Swan River to Perth Zoo - home to
over 1,500 animals; or, head out to Caversham
Wildlife Park where you can meet Koalas,
Wombats, Kangaroos and many other
native wildlife.
• Swim with the dolphins. From the shores of
the spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park,
Rockingham Wild Encounters runs small group
swimming with dolphin tours, sea kayak tours of
Penguin Island, and boat cruises to get up close
and personal with the local dolphins, sea lions
and little penguins. A little further south, you’ll
often find dolphins playing in the tranquil waters
off the Mandurah foreshore -delighting diners at
the waterfront eateries.
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OUTBACK EXPERIENCES
Rugged, captivating and inspiring, Western Australia’s outback offers big blue skies,
rugged red earth adventure in spades, and at night, you’ll be amazed by the millions of
stars lighting up the night sky with clear views to the Milky Way. Here’s our W ‘A’ list
of outback experiences.
• Go camping or caravanning. WA’ size,
climate and range of experiences means you
can find an extraordinary camping experience
at any time of year. There’s more than 100
national parks and reserves spread across the
State, and sites at many of them can now be
booked online. And there’s more good news,
with the State Government expanding the
number of low-cost recreational camping and
caravanning facilities in WA, and plans to add
new campground sites, lookouts, boardwalks,
walk trails, camp kitchens and more. Want
to add a touch of luxury to your adventure?
Some camp grounds are situated within
managed resorts or wilderness parks, where
safari tents or bungalow style accommodation
can be found. Happy camping in WA!
• Starry nights. When travelling through WA
you will find hundreds of camping grounds
in WA’s private and national parks. You’ll be
amazed by the millions of stars lighting up the
night sky with clear views to the Milky Way. If
you love the night skies but are also keen for
a little more comfort, some camping grounds
are attached to safari tent or bungalow style
accommodation - El Questro Wilderness Park,
Home Valley Station and Purnululu National
Park in the Kimberley all offer basic camping
and permanent tented accommodation, as
does Karijini Eco Retreat in the Pilbara.
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
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• The Kimberley. One of the world’s last true
wilderness areas, the Kimberley is home to
extraordinary outback experiences including
the unique beehive formations of the Bungle
Bungle Range in World Heritage Listed
Purnululu National Park and the world’s only
Horizontal Waterfalls at Talbot Bay. It’s also
home to the Gibb River Road – an epic 660
kilometre four-wheel-drive adventure from
Derby to Kununurra, that will reward travellers
with gorges, waterfalls, station stays and
Indigenous experiences. Short on time? Take
to the skies on the Kimberley Aerial Highway
– a series of remote landing strips dotted
throughout the region, which will get you
up close and personal to some of nature’s
treasures. Complete your Kimberley adventure
in the tropical pearling town of Broome –
where the outback meets the ocean.
• Gold, ghosts and the Gormleys. Head to
Kalgoorlie – the heart of WA’s gold country
where you’ll find charming colonial buildings,
gold rush history and the world’s biggest
working open cut gold mine. Drive the Golden
Quest Discovery Trail – stopping at the historic
ghost town of Gwalia to visit historic Hoover
House, home of Herbert Hoover, the 31st
US President. Outside of Menzies admire
the world’s largest outdoor gallery – 51 lifesized sculptures created by sculptor Antony
Gormley dotted across the salt flats of Lake
Ballard.
• Wildflower show. WA is home to the world’s
largest collection of wildflowers, with more than
12,000 species – 60 per cent of which can’t be
found anywhere else in the world. From June
in the north to November in the south, WA’s
wildflowers bring a spectacle of colour and
diversity to the State. See stunning carpets of
everlastings in the Golden Outback and Coral
Coast regions in early spring, or try to find the
unique wreath leschenaultia. In the North West,
visitors can see vibrant floral shades contrasted
with the dusty red earth and golden Spinifex
grass, while in the South West, many go looking
for delicate orchids. And while it’s not in the
outback, the very best of all WA wildflowers are
on show every September at Kings Park and
Botanic Garden in Perth.
• Station stays. Pay tribute to Australian pastoral
history and get a feel for outback life by staying
at a cattle or sheep station. There are many
dotted throughout WA’s outback that welcome
visitors – from Home Valley and El Questro in the
Kimberley, to Wooleen Station in the Murchison
and Bullara between Coral Bay and Exmouth.
• Offbeat and outback. From the touching
tribute to man’s best friend at the Corrigin Dog
Cemetery, to the series of sculptures on the Tin
Horse highway passing through Kulin, there’s
quirky experiences and characters to be found
throughout the outback. There’s also the start
of the world’s longest golf course, the 1,365
kilometre Nullarbor Links in Kalgoorlie.
• Join the outback event circuit. Community
spirit at outback events is contagious. Famous
horse races, music festivals and arts and
cultural events take place all over WA throughout
the year. The Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley
Muster is one of WA’s biggest outback events
- a series of music, food, comedy and cultural
events celebrating the diversity of experiences
in the stunning landscape of the Kimberley.
Throughout the year, as part of the Country
Cups horseracing calendar, you’ll also find
community spirit flourishing in outback towns
such as Kalgoorlie, Bunbury and Broome.
Camping,
Cape Leveque
Queen of Sheba orchid,
Stirling Range National Park
Francois Peron National Park
Photograph by Crikey Campers
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LUXURY EXPERIENCES
Dotted across Western Australia you will find indulgent urban retreats and unique coastal
and outback experiences. Here’s our W ‘A’ list of luxury experiences:
• Cruise the pristine waters of the Kimberley
on a luxury vessel and venture into one
of the last true wilderness areas on earth.
Small luxury cruisers such as the True North,
Kimberley Quest and Great Escape Cruises
are able to explore secluded gorges of the
Kimberley coast that are not accessible to
larger vessels. Journey past towering red cliffs
and pockets of rainforest, observe rare wildlife
and ancient Aboriginal rock art, swim in crystal
clear pools and shower underneath dramatic
waterfalls. On board, enjoy quality food and
wine that could include a local catch of the day,
and relax at night in the comfort of your own
suite.
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• All that glitters – diamonds, pearls and
gold. WA is renowned for its Kimberley
diamonds – including the ‘rare’ pink diamond,
Broome’s South Sea pearls and Kalgoorlie
gold. In Perth, shop for pearls and diamonds
on King and Hay Streets in the city, or Rokeby
Road in Subiaco. In Broome, head to Chinatown
and indulge at one of the pearl showrooms
on Dampier Terrace including Kailis, Allure,
Paspaley, Cygnet Bay and Willie Creek Pearls or
go ‘behind-the-scenes’ at Cygnet Bay or Willie
Creek. In the outback town of Kununurra in
the East Kimberley, step inside Kimberley Fine
Diamonds and see master jewellers at work,
and some of the most exquisite pink and natural
diamonds on earth.
Berkeley River Lodge
• Exclusive retreats – Berkeley River Lodge
located between Timor Sea sunrises and
Berkeley River sunsets in the Kimberley is,
without a doubt, one of Australia’s most
indulgent adventures. Only accessible by
air or sea, the Berkeley’s 20 villas are set
atop 65-metre-high dunes and command
180-degree panoramas of the ocean and
river. At El Questro Homestead in the east
Kimberley, relax in one of the suites overlooking
Chamberlain Gorge and dine on a private cliff
top under a canopy of stars. In Margaret River,
Injidup Spa Retreat offers visitors their own
private plunge pool overlooking the Indian
Ocean, with a personal chef available. Also in
the region is the award winning Cape Lodge,
a boutique hotel that has hosted the likes of
musician, Sting, and celebrity chef Heston
Blumenthal. And in Perth, the newly opened
COMO the Treasury was recently described as
the ‘best city hotel in Australia’ with its plush
range of rooms and suites.
• Indulge in fresh produce and premium
wines at one of WA’s world-class
restaurants. WA’s dining scene is booming
and fresh local produce like Manjimup’s rare
black truffles, Pemberton marron, Broome
pearl meat, Rottnest Island crayfish, Exmouth
prawns, and WA wines can be found on
menus around the State. In Perth city, the new
State Buildings precinct offers up a number
of premium dining experiences including
David Thompson’s Long Chim (an Australian
first) and Wildflower, which revolves around
the indigenous ethos of six seasons with
farmer and forager driven menus. At nearby
Brookfield Place, a revitalised heritage precinct
in the Perth CBD, there’s more than ten bars,
restaurants and cafes. Perth’s urban villages of
Northbridge, Mount Lawley and Leederville are
continuing to stir-up Perth’s cuisine scene and
over at Crown Perth, Nobu, Rockpool, Silks,
and Bistro Guillaume are local and international
favourites.
• Glamp at an eco-retreat. Kimberley Coastal
Camp, Faraway Bay Bush Camp, Ramada
Eco Beach Broome, Sal Salis at Ningaloo
Reef, Kooljaman Wilderness Camp, Mitchell
Falls Wilderness Lodge and Home Valley
Station are just some of the properties offering
safari or cabin style wilderness experiences
with personalised service in stunning natural
environments. Enjoy king size beds with
fine linens, ensuite bathrooms, and gourmet
produce prepared by the onsite chef. By day,
explore your surrounding wilderness areas with
an expert guide.
• Celebrity escapes. Celebrity visitors to WA
often escape to the exotic pearling town of
Broome to soak up the sun and get a feel
for ‘Broome time’. Internationally recognised
names such as Miranda Kerr, Orlando
Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Tom Cruise, Kylie
Minogue, Sean Connery, Elle McPherson
and Jerry Hall are just some of personalities
who found solace in the tropical paradise,
experiencing the town’s natural beauty and
luxury accommodation including the iconic
Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa which
offers indulgent suites themed around famous
Australian artists with private plunge pools and
butler service.
Kimberley Quest
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Ningaloo Reef
NATURE
Western Australia’s national parks, state forests and
marine parks provide visitors with the opportunity to
interact with some of the world’s most diverse flora,
fauna and landscapes. Here’s our W ‘A’ list of
nature-based experiences.
• Bungle Bungle Range at Purnululu National Park.
Earning a place on the National and World Heritage lists,
Purnululu National Park is home to the Bungle Bungle Range
in WA’s Kimberley region. It’s the most unique and captivating
range on Earth, 350 million years in the making. Visitors can
experience the park with a land or air tour operating out of
Broome or Kununurra, or self-drive (four-wheel drive only).
Explore the park’s long narrow chasms and hidden gorges
on foot, and keep an eye out for native animals and 130
unique bird species. Seeing it from the air is a ‘must do’
with helicopter flights available; and for those really wanting
to explore, there’s two general camping areas and several
tour operators offer bush camping experiences with safari/
bungalow style accommodation.
• Ningaloo Reef. Easily accessible from shore, you don’t
need to travel by boat to snorkel this World Heritage listed
underwater wonderland. One of the world’s largest fringing
reefs, see brilliant coloured coral and tropical fish, sea turtles
and manta rays. From March to July each year, visitors can
swim with the world’s largest fish - the gentle whale shark. For
the first time in 2016, local operators will be trialling humpback
whale swims during their annual migration between July and
October.
• Valley of the Giants. Walk among some of the tallest timber
giants on Earth – the majestic red tingle trees at the Valley of
the Giants Treetop Walk, near Walpole in the State’s South
West. One of the first walk trails of its kind in the world, the
600 metre long walkway extends through the forest where
you can find western grey kangaroos, bandicoots, woylies,
quokkas and possums.
• Karijini National Park. Two billion years in the making,
Karijini in the State’s North West is home to massive gorges,
crystal clear rock pools and waterfalls, as well as rock
wallabies, red kangaroos, echidnas, dragons and huge
termite moulds. Explore tunnels of marbled rock, clamber
over boulders, squeeze through narrow tunnels, paddle
through waterways and descend deep into ancient chasms.
Stay overnight at the unique Karijini Eco Retreat.
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• Kalbarri National Park. Breathtaking skywalks
in Kalbarri National Park, on WA’s mid north
coast, will become a major tourism drawcard
for the region, providing stunning vistas of
the Murchison River Gorge. As part of a $20
million tourism initiative, two new 100 metre
high skywalks will be installed at the Inyaka
Wookai Watju site, otherwise known as the
West Loop. The skywalks will extend 12 and 20
metres beyond the gorge rim, and will feature
interpretation signs, shade shelters and caravan
parking.
• Shark Bay. Awarded World Heritage status
in 1991 for its outstanding natural beauty,
biological diversity, fascinating ecology and
unique insights into the Earth’s history, Shark
Bay is where you’ll find one of the largest
Dugong populations in the world and the
friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia. Here you can
walk along one of only two beaches in the world
formed entirely of tiny white shells, or visit the
Hamelin Pool Stromatolites and get a glimpse
of life on Earth over 3,500 million years ago. • Fitzgerald River National Park. One of only a
few biospheres in the world, this picturesque
bushland is one of the largest most botanically
significant national parks in Australia, and is
teeming with more than 1,800 flowering plants
and 19 native mammals. Located in WA’s
Great Southern region, it is the perfect spot for
bushwalking, wildflower spotting, canoeing,
fishing and whale watching.
• Stop and smell the wildflowers. There are
more than 12,000 species of wildflowers in WA,
making it the world’s largest collection. It’s a
staggering sight to behold, especially when
you consider 60 per cent of WA wildflowers are
found nowhere else on Earth. What’s more,
you can enjoy their glorious carpets of colour
and curious blooms for six months of the year,
as the season begins in June in the north, and
sweeps down the State to finish with a flurry on
the south coast in November.
• Cape Le Grand National Park. This pristine
park near Esperance is known for its stunning
scenery and idyllic beaches where you can go
swimming, bushwalking, fishing and camping.
The landscape changes from massive granite
outcrops to freshwater pools and unbelievably
white sandy beaches. Lucky Bay is one of the
whitest beaches in Australia and has views over
the many islands of the Recherche Archipelago.
It is also home to a colony of friendly
kangaroos, which are often seen soaking up
the sun and drinking from the small freshwater
streams.
• Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Kings
Park and Botanic Garden is the green heart of
Perth city, covering 400.6 hectares and located
adjacent to the Swan River, approximately 20
minute’s walk from the Central Business District
of Perth. With its remarkable expanses of
unique bushland, tranquil parkland and botanic
garden, children’s nature based play areas,
gallery, restaurant, and cafes, the park is the
most popular visitor destination in WA. It is also
one of the largest inner-city parks in the world.
• The Pinnacles. The lunar-like Pinnacles form
one of Australia’s most unique and fascinating
natural landscapes. Formed over millions
of years, thousands of tall limestone spires
rise eerily out of the yellow desert sands of
Nambung National Park, just outside the
coastal town of Cervantes on WA’s Coral Coast.
• Whale watching. WA has one of the longest
whale-watching seasons in the world, running
for seven months from May to December,
from the Kimberley in the north to Esperance
in the south. Humpbacks, southern right and
the rare blue whale can be seen, as well as
the Southern Hemisphere’s largest pod of
killer whales (orca’s). WA boasts the largest
population of humpback whales in the world an estimated 30,000. New in 2016, visitors to
Ningaloo Reef will have the option to swim with
humpback whales.
• Horizontal Waterfalls. At the rare and
magnificent world’s only horizontal waterfalls at
Talbot Bay in the Kimberley, see turquoise blue
water rushing between rugged red cliffs. 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. A number
of aerial tours operate from Broome, enabling
visitors to circle the phenomenon from above,
alongside other scenic wonders such as the
Buccaneer Archipelago. Operating out of
Broome and Derby, Horizontal Falls Seaplane
Adventures are the only tour operator who land
at the falls, and then travel through the falls
by power boat. There’s also the option to stay
overnight on the Horizontal Falls houseboat.
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ABORIGINAL
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
The world’s most ancient living culture, Australia’s
Aboriginal people have a history spanning at least
50,000 years. Theirs is the oldest story on earth and
Aboriginal tourism operators strive to keep their
culture alive, and create employment opportunities
for their families, by sharing their stories with visitors
from around the world.
In Western Australia, you can connect with more than 85
Aboriginal tourism operators in coastal, urban or outback
environments, with a choice of authentic cultural experiences
as diverse as the country itself - here is a snapshot of some of
the options that are available:
• Ngurrangga Tours showcases the Burrup Peninsula - a
unique archeological area, which houses the world’s largest
collection of over one million ancient Aboriginal rock carvings,
dating back as far as the last ice age. In fact, the entire
Archipelago is a continuous cultural landscape providing
a detailed record of both sacred and secular life. Clinton
Walker, a descendant of the local Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi
people, has spent his entire life learning about his ancestors
and culture from his Elders. Tour some of nature’s stunning
beauty spots, as Clinton guides you through the world’s
largest outdoor art gallery. ngurrangga.com.au
• Brian Lee Hunters Creek Tagalong Tours – Cape Leveque
is a true wildlife haven, with turtles and sea birds nesting on
the shores and whales homing in to give birth, rest and play
among the sheltered islands off the Dampier Peninsula. It
was also once a camping ground for the Bardi, Saltwater
People of this region. Tagalong with Brian Lee to explore the
history, taste seasonal bush fruit, try your hand at traditional
fishing techniques and hear stories of the people who once
walked this timeless landscape. brianleetagalong.com.au
• Bungoolee Tours – Jandamarra, known to the white settlers
as ‘Pigeon’, is a legendary hero of the Bunuba people,
remembered as a great warrior and a courageous leader who
defended their country against overwhelming odds. Dillon
Andrews’ tours trace the footsteps of this powerful freedom
fighter – exploring his hideout in Tunnel Creek, WA’s oldest
cave system. Guests will hear the ancient Dreamtime stories
of how this land was created and see the rock art that brings
these stories to life. bungoolee.com.au
Exploring Mimbi Caves
with Girloorloo Tours
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• Mimbi Caves – One of the Kimberley’s best-kept secrets,
this vast subterranean labyrinth is part of a 350 million
year old Devonian reef system, which houses a significant
collection of Aboriginal rock art and some of the most
impressive fish fossils in the southern hemisphere.
Excavations have revealed 40,000 years of cave occupation,
campsites and rock paintings. For the traditional owners,
the Gooniyandi people, the Mimbi area is both home and a
place of strong spiritual significance. Spectacular limestone
formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal clear freshwater
pools set the scene for a guided tour laced with ancient
dreamtime stories. mimbicaves.com.au
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• Wandjina Tours – accessible from Broome and
Derby by air, cruise, sailing and fishing boat,
this remote corner of the Kimberley lies in the
heart of the humpback whale breeding ground,
amidst vast white beaches, red rock formations,
stunning waterfalls and ancient cave paintings.
Local Worrorra tour guides and artists live and
work here on their homeland at Wiggingarra Butt
Butt (Freshwater Cove), offering visitors a unique
opportunity to view and interpret rock art sites,
stay on country, and immerse in the traditional
lifestyle and cultural ways that are still part of their
everyday life.wandjinatours.com.au
• Go Cultural Tours stage guided walking
tours in Perth City. The land (boodjar) where
Perth now stands is home to the local Nyungar
people, whose ancestors lived in complete
harmony with the eco system of the Swan
Coastal Wetlands - moving with the rhythm
of their six seasons, embracing the balance
of nature. The early, picturesque scenery,
aptly described by the colonists as ‘paradise’,
determined all aspects of daily Aboriginal life
and carried a strong spiritual connection. Today,
some of Perth’s buildings and roads hold
fascinating thematic alignments with the ancient
Aboriginal sites and tracks. Your Nyungar guide
will lead you along these tracks, revealing the
links between past and present, immersing
you in the Dreamtime legends and in a unique
perspective of ancient and modern day Perth.
gocultural.com.au
• Wula Guda Nyinda Eco Adventures –
Francois Peron National Park, in the Shark
Bay World Heritage Region, is a picturesque
peninsula of acacia cloaked red dunes and
arid shrub land surrounded by turquoise water.
The tranquil lagoons are abundant with fish and
marine life, such as dolphins and manta rays – a
perfect place to explore in a kayak, stopping
to swim, snorkel and get up close to the rich,
diverse sea world within. Join Capes to discover
this ancient and untouched wilderness from
the ‘inside’ and learn about the deep spiritual
connection between the local Nhanda and
Malgana Aboriginal people and this breathtaking
saltwater paradise. wulaguda.com.au
• Koomal Dreaming – the Margaret River Region
is popular for its beaches, caves, wine and
food. Local Wadandi man, Josh Whiteland
or ‘Koomal’ (brushtail possum) as his family
know him, has carved a clever ‘fusion’ of these
attractions, with local tours involving a bush and
coastal forage for native foods and medicines,
a journey into Ngilgi cave for ancient stories, a
unique didgeridoo experience with awesome
cave acoustics, and a tasting of traditional
foods around the campfire. Depending on the
season, the foods could include kangaroo,
emu, quandong, emu plum and salt bush. Josh
also prepares freshly foraged feasts alongside
some of the master chefs at the Margaret River
Gourmet Escape. koomaldreaming.com.au
• Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours –
the town of Bunbury is rich in history, culture and
a favourite playground for the wild dolphins of
Koombana Bay. Bunbury’s original inhabitants,
the Noongar people, hunted and fished
throughout this area for thousands of years prior
to the arrival of the first European settlers in the
1830’s. Troy Bennell, artist and didgeridoo player
for the past 30 years, has a natural talent for story
telling - weaving his cultural knowledge into a
vast array of Dreamtime stories and whimsical
yarns about traditional and contemporary
Aboriginal life, sacred sites, Dolphin Dreaming
and the (Noongar) six seasons.
ngalangwongi.com.au
• Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures – the Kimberley
is a unique pristine wilderness characterised by
dramatic gorges, outback deserts and pristine
isolated coastlines. It is also home to Australia’s
oldest living culture, ancient rock art galleries
and an abundance of bush tucker. Visitors to the
region rarely have the opportunity to experience
it with someone whose ancestors have known
the area intimately for tens of thousands of years.
Through its exclusive private charter experiences
Uptuyu specialises in providing connections to
spiritual sites, events and people right across the
region. Whether it’s flying, driving or cruising the
Kimberley, Uptuyu can help visitors discover the
real Aboriginal Kimberley. uptuyu.com.au
WAITOC leads the way
in Indigenous tourism
Exploring Tunnel Creek
with Bungolee Tours
The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism
Operators Council (WAITOC) supports the growth
of the Indigenous tourism industry in Western
Australia and now represents more than 100
authentic Aboriginal tourism experiences ranging
from accommodation, traditional dance and
Dreamtime stories to contemporary history, bush
tours and art. waitoc.com
Brian Lee at Hunter Creek
located along the Dampier
Peninsula.
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New Product
NEW PRODUCT
COMO, The Treasury
WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S
NEW PRODUCT
Read about Western Australia’s selection of new and revitalised
accommodation, attractions, tours and food and wine products
from the last 12 months.
The following abbreviations indicate the region
in which the products and services can be found:
EPExperience Perth
ASW
Australia’s South West
ACC
Australia’s Coral Coast
AGO
Australia’s Golden Outback
ANW
Australia’s North West
WA
All of Western Australia
Long Chim Restaurant, Perth
ACCOMMODATION
COMO The Treasury (EP)
COMO The Treasury is a 48 room contemporary
luxury hotel in Perth’s newly revitalised historic
heart. Occupying state buildings dating to the
mid-19th century, COMO The Treasury opens
up the city with new experiences by way of two
restaurants, a bar, 20-metre indoor pool and
world renowned COMO Shambala wellness
therapies. Designed by Kerry Hill, COMO The
Treasury also provides an elegant, restful base
from which to explore the wider lures of Perth
and WA.
comohotels.com/thetreasury
Crown Towers (EP)
Crown Limited has shown its long term
commitment to Perth with its decision to develop
a new six-star, luxury hotel, Crown Towers Perth.
The new, 500 room luxury hotel will add to the
suite of hotel accommodation options at the
Crown Perth, taking hotel room capacity at
Crown Perth to nearly 1,200 rooms. Perched
on the Swan River, Crown Towers is within
15 minutes of the domestic and international
airports and the CBD. As the largest hotel in
Perth, it will delivers sumptuous guest rooms
and suites, some of the most spacious in
Australia, and spectacular views of the city.
Construction is currently underway, expected to
be completed in December 2016.
crownlimited.com
Holiday Inn Perth
Holiday Inn Perth (EP)
Holiday Inn Perth City Centre has undergone a
multi-million dollar renovation. The hotel’s guest
rooms, public areas and food and beverage
outlets have been completely refurbished, while
five more guest rooms have been added to the
hotel, taking its room count to 186. All room
furnishings have been upgraded to create a
light and contemporary feel with a high quality
finish, and they’ve also received a complete ensuite upgrade. The hotel re-energised its dining
offering with a new food and beverage outlet, Ivy
and Jack Restaurant and Bar.
holidayinnperth.com.au
Pinkys Eco Retreat (EP)
An ecologically sensitive, world-class ecoretreat is on its way to Rottnest Island following
a partnership between Rottnest Express, The
Billi Resort in Broome and State Government.
The resort will be located at Pinkys Beach and
will comprise 29, four and five-star eco-tents,
each with their own ensuite and a high level of
comfort, 10 affordable two bedroom ‘family’
tents, and 35 backpacker or budget tents –
providing an additional 200 beds on the island in
total. All the tents will be elevated and made with
state-of-the-art canvas. The accommodation
will be supported by a Beach Club which will
house a licensed bar, café, restaurant and
function area, built atop an elevated deck
with breathtaking views of the surrounding
landscape. Stage one of the development is
expected to be open for business in time for the
2016 summer.
rottnestexpress.com.au
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Seashells Fremantle (EP)
Award-winning Seashells Hospitality Group
is adding a fifth property to its portfolio of 4.5
star AAA-rated deluxe holiday apartments
in WA. Seashells Fremantle is part of a new
development known as Richmond Quarter in
East Fremantle. The fourth and fifth floors of the
development will be devoted to 24 spacious
short-stay apartments. A choice of studio,
one and two-bedroom fully self-contained
apartments, plus deluxe rooms with kitchenettes
will be available. Bookings for Seashells
Fremantle are now being taken for June 2016
and beyond.
seashells.com.au
The Ritz-Carlton (EP)
Property developer Far East Consortium will
bring the Ritz-Carlton hotel to Perth, marking the
luxury brand’s highly anticipated return to the
Australian market for the first time in 10 years.
Work on the prestigious five-star, 204-room hotel
will commence in 2016, and is scheduled to
open in 2018. It will be built at Elizabeth Quay,
the State Government’s billion dollar waterfront
development on Perth’s Swan River.
corporate.ritzcarlton.com
Coral Coast Tourist Park (ACC)
The Coral Coast Tourist Park was named WA’s
leading Caravan and Holiday Park at the WA
Tourism Awards 2015. Located in the heart of
Carnarvon, the Coral Coast Tourist Park offers a
range of accommodation options including selfcontained park homes, cabins and an en-suite
or grassed site with annex pad.
coralcoasttouristpark.com.au
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Exmouth Escape Resort (ACC)
Exmouth Escape Resort is in the final stages of
completing its brand new, one and two-bedroom
apartments in addition to the site’s existing
deluxe villas. The Resort has also announced
that fully licenced Whalers Restaurant will be
open from 5pm daily. The restaurant specialises
in local seafood and overlooks the resort’s
pool area. With an impressive and affordable
beer and wine list to match, Whalers is a great
addition to the Exmouth Escape. As well as
accommodation and an onsite restaurant, the
Resort now offers car hire from Learmonth
Airport with a range of 2WD and 4WDs.
Additionally, the resort has recently introduced
its own app from the iTunes and Android App
Stores, for special deals and updates.
exmouthescaperesort.com.au
Sal Salis (ACC)
Located within the pristine World Heritage-listed
Cape Range National Park near Exmouth, Sal
Salis has lots to celebrate in 2016. Sitting just
50 metres back from Ningaloo Reef among low
lying coastal dunes, the prestigious property
has expanded its accommodation offering from
nine to 16 en-suited tents. Additionally, there
will be one honeymoon suite, complete with
en-suited tent and a private dining/relaxation
deck. Sal Salis has also introduced a brand new
Lodge, where communal dining, star-gazing and
quiet reflection can be had in the company of
others. Sal Salis is the newest operator to offer
whale shark and humpback interaction tours,
on board a 40-foot boat. The vessel comfortably
caters up to 10 guests along with an expert
guide, delicious lunch, drinks and snorkelling
equipment.
salsalis.com.au
Sal Salis
El Questro Wilderness Park and Homestead
(ANW)
Ahead of its 2016 season, El Questro has made
a number of improvements to the East Kimberley
wilderness park which encompasses El Questro
Emma Gorge, El Questro Station and El Questro
Homestead. Some of the updates include new
and refurbished bathrooms, revitalised rooms
and outdoor areas, updated menus and wine
lists and infrastructure developments. El Questro
has also introduced several new activities for
visitors to experience, including a Cockburn
Range Sunset Flight, Full Day Bungle Bungle
Flight and Ground Tour, stargazing tours with a
new telescope and sunrise breakfast tours.
elquestro.com.au
RAC
RAC’s Parks and Resorts division has added
a fifth WA property to its portfolio with the
acquisition of the RAC Busselton Holiday
Park (formerly BIG4 Peppermint Park). The
award-winning park, located in eight hectares
of bushland close to Geographe Bay, has
camping, caravan and cabin accommodation.
It joins RAC-branded sites in Monkey Mia and
Exmouth, and properties in Cervantes and Coral
Bay that will be rebranded when redevelopment
planning has progressed.
parksandresorts.rac.com.au
Big4 International Park Pass
With roughly 180 parks spread across
Australia, BIG4 provides its guests with ample
opportunity to enjoy a great Australian holiday.
The International Park Pass in the latest offering
from BIG4 and the first product of its kind in the
Australian market. It’s been designed to provide
international guests who are hiring campervans
a flexible product that can be used in a safe and
secure environment. The park pass is offered in
seven-night modules where guests can choose
to stay at individual parks for single or multiple
night. BIG4 parks are a great base to explore
surrounding areas and to experience all that
Australia has to offer. The nights are redeemable
as either single or multiple stays at any of BIG4’s
WA parks. The pass can be purchased through
Apollo, Britz, Maui and Mighty.
big4.com.au
El Questro Wilderness Park
Exmouth
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TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Adams Pinnacle Tours (EP)
Adams Pinnacle Tours has launched a new
Grand Island Tour at Rottnest Island. The
3.5 hour all-inclusive tour departs daily at
11am and takes guests on a complete island
circumnavigation including, an Oliver Hill Tunnel
Tour and Historic Train Ride.
australianpinnacletours.com.au
Captain Cook Cruises (EP)
Captain Cook Cruises has launched a
new cruise, taking in some of Perth’s new
experiences and trends. The cruising business
has teamed up with Clancy’s, the Sail and
Anchor and The Monk, to create the ultimate day
out for beer lovers - the Fremantle Craft Beer
Tour and Cruise. Fremantle has become a haven
for brewing enthusiasts, and the full-day tour
departs from Perth, and cruises the Swan River
before disembarking in Fremantle for a walking
tour to sample beers from some of the best
brewers in the area.
captaincookcruises.com.
Explore Tours Perth (EP)
Explore Tours Perth have started day tours to
a range of WA’s most visited sights including
the Pinnacles, Bickley Valley, Penguin Island,
Wave Rock and Margaret River. The local
business operates seven days a week with
a 12 seater and 25 seater coach. Guests will
enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and knowledgeable
commentary on their WA adventure. Explore
Tours Perth also provide private tours and airport
transfers, suiting the needs of each and every
customer.
exploretoursperth.com.au
GoBoats (EP)
In May 2016, GoBoats will launch an exciting
boating experience on the Swan River in Perth.
Participants must be over the age of 18 to drive
the boat (no skippers licence or prior experience
is required), and they will receive formal
instructions ahead of their two hour ride. The
boats are made of 20 percent recycled plastic
bottles and work off an outboard electrical
propulsion. Up to eight people can sit on one
GoBoat at a time.
goboatperth.com.au
The Pinnacles
96
88
Little Ferry Company (EP)
The Little Ferry Company is Perth’s latest
attraction, embracing the city’s most famous
natural tourist attraction, the Swan River. The
business has launched a new Swan River Ferry
Service, departing daily between 8:30am to
4:30pm, as well as evening cruises, connecting
Elizabeth Quay, Lucky Shag Bar and Restaurant
and Claisebrook Cove.
littleferryco.com.au
Segway Tours WA (EP)
Segway Tours has added Elizabeth Quay to
its Riverside and West tours. The Riverside
adventure is a one hour tour which takes guests
to some of Perth’s most scenic spots including,
Elizabeth Quay, Swan River foreshore, Barrack
Square and the Bell Tower. The West tour also
includes Elizabeth Quay, touring past Kings
Park to UWA.
segwaytourswa.com.au
Mandurah Cruises (EP)
Sit back, relax and enjoy a range of cruises
including Dolphin and Scenic Canal Cruises,
Murray River, sundowner, crabbing, heritage
cruises and more, with Mandurah Cruises. The
one hour Dolphin and Scenic Canal Cruise
visits the world class Ocean Marina as well as
the luxurious homes on the Venetian Canals.
The shallow waterways are the perfect place
for dolphins to feed, rest and play. Alternatively,
spend a half day cruising on the Murray River
Lunch Cruise. Look out for playful dolphins on
the Peel Inlet before heading up the serene
Murray River. The best way to end a day in WA
is cruising the Mandurah waterways watching
the golden sunset on board the Mandurah
Cruises Sundowner Cruise, which departs
January to April. Mandurah Cruises can also
customise, cater and personalise functions,
events, weddings and parties as well as having
wheelchair, on board bar and toilet facilities.
mandurahcruises.com.au
Rotorvation (EP)
Visitors can now visit the Pinnacles at Nambung
National Park in a short, one hour chopper
ride from Perth. WA owned and operated
helicopter company, Rotorvation, has opened
a new and exclusive helipad at the Pinnacles,
which is located a two hour drive north of Perth.
Along with the new helipad, Rotorvation has
launched a full-day tour north of Perth which
includes a visit to Yanchep National Park,
wildlife encounters, limestone cave exploring,
an Aboriginal Cultural show, lunch, and a
visit to The Pinnacles and the Stromatolites
at Cervantes. Rotorvation also offer several
services to Rottnest Island.
rotorvation.com.au
Rottnest Fast Ferries (EP)
In October 2015, Rottnest Fast Ferries acquired
a second vessel, MV Voyager. Voyager is a
24-metre Sabre Catamaran carrying up to 137
passengers. The expansion allows the business
to operate 365 days a year and offer more
services on a flexible timetable. Rottnest Fast
Ferries launched a 1.5 hour ‘Coastal Cruise’ on
Voyager, which travels along Perth’s northern
beaches – the only cruise of its kind to operate in
Perth. In December 2015, Rottnest Fast Ferries
replaced all of its hire bikes with a new fleet of
200 bikes, purpose built for cycling at Rottnest
Island. In partnership with other operators, the
business has also introduced new Rottnest
Island packages, including Segway, Skydiving
and a ‘Grand Island’ package. Rotorvation
has teamed up with Rottnest Fast Ferries and
launched a Heli/Ferry package available on
weekends, which involves a one-way helicopter
and ferry service to and from the island.
rottnestfastferries.com.au
Mandurah Cruises
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Rottnest Express (EP)
Rottnest Express has introduced two new tour
packages to visitors to the island. The ‘Discover
Rottnest Bus Tour’ package explores the beauty
and tranquillity of Rottnest as guests sit back
and relax in the comfort of an air conditioned
coach. The 90-minute tour runs twice daily and
takes guests to the island’s most spectacular
sights including the Wadjemup Lighthouse
and the rugged West End. The tour provides
an insight into Rottnest’s cultural and historical
heritage, diverse wildlife and fauna and social
heritage. Express has recently invested in a
new 35-seater Optare Solo for the operation of
the guided, 90 minute Discovery Bus Tour. The
bus, with a unique and distinctive design is a
low access, lightweight vehicle that will cater
with universal access for all passengers. A joint
venture with Two Feet and a Heartbeat, Rottnest
Express has introduced a ‘Guided Bike Tour
of Rottnest Island’. As guests ride around the
island, they will learn about the island’s history
and discover how it evolved into a holiday
destination. They will also have the opportunity
to meet the world’s happiest animal, the quokka,
and visit stunning beaches and local landmarks.
rottnestexpress.com.au
Skydive Geronimo (EP)
For all the thrill-seekers out there, a WA-based
skydive business has launched a new skydiving
operation over the picturesque island of
Rottnest. Skydive Geronimo has started 10,000feet jumps from its Rottnest based operation
every Saturday and Sunday.
skydivegeronimo.com.au
Skydive Geronimo
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Trees Adventure (EP)
WA’s first Treetop Eco-Adventure is now
available at Lane Poole Reserve in Dwellingup,
located a 90 minute drive south of Perth. Trees
Adventure is an exhilarating tree top ropes
experience suited to all ages, with courses
ranging from easy to a little insane. Located
at Nanga Mill Campground, Trees Adventure
features exciting and challenging obstacle
courses high up in the surrounding pine and
jarrah trees, allowing participants to swing, leap,
climb and fly through the surrounding forest.
treesadventure.com.au/lane-poole-park
Two Feet and a Heartbeat (EP)
Two Feet and a Heartbeat has launched two
new tours in Perth - a ‘Morning Tea tour’ and
‘Perth Arcades and Laneways tour’ (run under
the name of Intrepid Urban Adventures). The
professionally guided, two-hour ‘Morning Tea
tour’ includes coffee/tea, chocolate tastings and
entry to art galleries, and runs daily between
10am and 12pm. The ‘Perth Arcades and
Laneways tour’ takes in Perth’s arcade and
laneway network with intriguing stories relating to
each unique thoroughfare, and runs daily from
2pm to 4pm. The approach of these walks is
informative, yet light-hearted and entertaining.
Each tour incorporates ‘must know’ historical
information, but also contemporary features.
The daily tour runs from 2pm to 4pm and can
accommodate a maximum of 12 guests.
twofeet.com.au
Upper Reach Winery (EP)
A new winery experience is available in Perth’s
Swan Valley region at Upper Reach Winery.
Visitors can sign-up to a ‘Vineyard and Winery
Tour’ which provides a unique opportunity to get
behind the scenes of a winery and gain a deeper
understanding of how wine is made. On the tour,
guests are taken through the whole winemaking
process, starting in the vineyard, through to how
the wine is made and a look at oak barrel aging.
The personal tour reflects each group’s specific
interests and takes approximately one hour,
concluding with a tasting in the cellar door.
upperreach.com.au
Bibbulmun Track Foundation (ASW)
The Bibbulmun Track Foundation has launched
new Town to Town tours which enable
participants to complete a whole section of the
track in absolute comfort. The tours are a great
way to experience the beauty of the Bibbulmun
Track without having to carry a heavy pack or
camp outside. The Town to Town tours range
from four to nine-day walks which explore
five different sections of the track, including
Pemberton to Northcliffe, Walpole to Denmark,
Northcliffe to Walpole and Collie to Balingup.
Each tour is designed to be achievable for
those with a moderate level of fitness with
plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the
scenery along the way. Homemade meals,
accommodation, transport to and from Perth
and professional guides are all-inclusive in the
tour prices.
bibbulmuntrack.org.au
Busselton Jetty (ASW)
Busselton Jetty has launched a 1.5 hour Deluxe
Jetty Tour which begins on an eight-seater
customised electric transporter. During the 1.7
kilometre journey across Geographe Bay, guests
will learn about the jetty’s rich 150-year history
and have the opportunity to stop at several
sites including Heritage Nodes, the Underwater
Observatory and Interpretive Centre. The Deluxe
Jetty Tour departs daily and is suited to a
maximum of seven people.
busseltonjetty.com.au
Busy Blue Bus (ASW)
Busy Blue Bus prides itself on always delivering
quality tourism experiences in Albany, Esperance
and the Great Southern region of Western
Australia. In 2016, the business introduced new
Albany tours, which reveal the unique, gourmet,
historic and natural wonders of the region. On
the half day ‘Albany History and Highlights’
tour, guests will discover the birthplace of
Australia’s Anzac dawn service at Mt Clarence,
and pay homage to our fallen soldiers at the
National Anzac Centre. Guests can visit multiaward winning producers of fine whisky, wine,
cheese and chocolate on the ‘Tastes of the
Great Southern’ day tour, and listen to stories
of Albany’s historic whaling station on the
‘Albany’s Whale Story’ half day tour. Discover
the spectacular scenery and bountiful produce
of the Porongurups and Mt Barker regions with
a visit to Castle Rock and the Granite Skywalk
on the ‘Porongurups Climb, Dine and Rewind’
day tour.
busybluebus.com.au
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours (ASW)
Located in Margaret River, Cape to Cape
Explorer tours has introduced a new Cape to
Vine tour. Available Monday to Friday, the tour
starts at 8:30am and concludes at 4pm. Guests
will experience a two hour, fully-guided scenic
drive and walk exploring coastline, rock pools,
waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife, bush foods, and
cultural history. They will then be transported to
Vasse Felix winery for a behind-the-scenes tour
of the winery and wine production, followed by a
three-course set menu in the winery’s restaurant.
The meal experience will then be followed by
a guided tour through the original vineyards of
Margaret River to discover unique agronomy
and geology which makes Leeuwin Naturalise
ridge a wine paradise.
capetocapetours.com.au
Busy Blue Bus
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Dive Busselton Jetty (ASW)
Tour group Dive Busselton Jetty (the sister
company to Ningaloo Whalesharks) has
brought walking dive tours to Busselton Jetty,
using Australia-first technology. The Busselton
tour is the first walking dive tour available in
WA and allows participants to experience the
wonder of the ocean from a completely different
perspective, using a unit which allows guests to
free walk underwater without hoses. Tours start
at the end of the jetty and participants walk up to
70 metres in seven to eight metre deep water.
divebusseltonjetty.com.au
Dunsborough Jetski Tours (ASW)
The only professionally guided jet ski tour in
the South West, Dunsborough Jetski Tours
leaves from Quindalup Boat Ramp, and takes
in the spectacular bays and beaches of Meelup
Regional Park, Meelup Beach, Point Picquet,
Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay, Cape Naturaliste and
Quarry Bay. During several short stops at points
of interest along the route, guides offer guests
information on the region’s history, marine life
and flora and fauna. The return trip is a faster run
where riders can sense the speed and thrills that
jet skiing can offer.
margaretriver.com/members/dunsboroughjetski-tours
Experience Smith (ASW)
A new, luxury tour experience has launched in
the Margaret River region. Experience Smith
provides a customised and exclusive offering,
taking advantage of what the region has to offer.
Guests will enjoy scenic winery experiences,
Cape to Cape adventures, whale watching,
styled luxe picnics, private chefs, yoga, surf, golf
and nature walks. Current packages include a
Nature and Wildlife Experience (four nights);
Ultimate Family Experience (four nights);
Ultimate Winery Experience (five nights); and
Spa and Wellness Retreat (six nights).
experiencesmith.com.au
Jet Adventures (ASW)
Jet Adventures gives participants a unique
opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind ride on
the ocean - whether it’s on a thrilling, high speed
ride on the fastest jet boat in WA, watching
an amazing coastal sunset, or exploring the
wonders of the South West coastline. The boat
is easy to board from the beach and provides
seating for all passengers. Sitting right alongside
our experienced, knowledgeable skipper and
tour guide, visitors will have the opportunity
to ask as many questions they like, as well as
ample photo stops.
jetadventures.com.au
Margaret River Brewery Tours (ASW)
Margaret River Brewery Tours is the first
Margaret River tour operator to only go to
breweries. Guests will visit Margaret River’s
world-class micro-breweries and drink beer
straight from the brewery tap it was made in.
The tours start later and finish later, so guests
can sleep-in or explore the region independently
in the morning. For the non-beer drinkers, all of
the breweries on the tour offer wine and cider.
Guests will enjoy a six beer paddle at each
location, and will sit down to a gourmet brewery
lunch. Pick-up and drop off is from the guests’
accommodation site.
margaretriverbrewerytours.com
Morries (ASW)
Morries is changing things up and raising the
bar. Think cocktails on tap, an updated fit out,
dining at the bar, tasty tapas, pop-up oyster bar,
as well as Executive Chef Tony Howell’s creative
dishes using the best seasonal produce in the
South West. The venue’s updated fit out will
create two distinct areas, a cocktail bar and a
restaurant. In charge of cocktails and drinks is
‘WA Barman of the Year’ Billy Phillips and at the
helm of the kitchen is one of Australia’s best
chefs, Tony Howell.
morries.com.au
Experience Smith
Photograph courtesy
of Walk into Luxury
100
Millers Ice Cream (ASW)
South West business Millers Ice Cream has
opened a milking shed at their Cowaramup
operation, giving visitors the chance to view live
milking demonstrations – including hand and
machine milking techniques. Visitors can also
meet and greet young calves and have a chance
at bottle feeding the mini-moos. The educational
experience gives guests an opportunity to learn
about dairy farm life, milk production and local
dairy history, and taste creamy, farm fresh milk.
The Milking Shed is open at 11am on weekends,
public holidays and school holidays, with the
onsite farm café open seven days a week.
millersicecream.com.au
South West Eco Discoveries (ASW)
South West Eco Discoveries has introduced a
new, special evening tour to observe a colony of
woylies in their natural environment. A very rare,
nocturnal macropod with personality, woylies are
the smallest member of the kangaroo family. The
two-hour tour is a great opportunity to view these
amazing but critically endangered creatures.
It begins an hour before sunset, and guests
are driven to Yelverton Brook Eco Spa Retreat
and Conservation Sanctuary. Following a short
guided bush walk, guests will get to see other
local wildlife, including kangaroos, bandicoots
and possums.
southwestecodiscoveries.com.au
The Flying Corkscrew (ASW)
The Flying Corkscrew is a long lunch like no
other. The tour works with award-winning
wineries in Margaret River that have been hand
selected for their quality in food, wine and
service. Each tour offers a behind-the-scenes
taste at two boutique wineries, followed by a
delightful long lunch with matching wine. To
make the day even more special, a helicopter
component has been added as an option for
guests. The Flying Corkscrew can pick up and
drop off guests anywhere from Margaret River
town to Dunsborough. The maximum number of
people per tour is six.
flyingcorkscrew.com.au
Vasse Virgin (ASW)
Vasse Virgin is a Margaret River-based company
with a unique vision bringing its customers
natural hand-made skin care developed to suit
all skin types. The company hand crafts skin
and body care using a traditional cold process
method, Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil and only
the finest quality natural ingredients. In 2015,
Vasse Virgin commenced DIY-style workshops
in its new purpose-built classroom at the
factory. Visitors can choose out of three different
sessions, Lip Balm, Natural Perfumery and Olive
Oil. Participants are treated to a 101 workshop
about the basics of olive oil and learn how to
expertly taste, determine flavour characteristics,
discover faults, and learn which varieties are
better for cooking or garnishing.
vassevirgin.com.au
Walk into Luxury (ASW)
In 2016, Walk into Luxury was accepted as
WA’s first Great Walk of Australia member, with
its four-day Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk
being selected as a ‘great walk’. The guided,
small group walk combines the best walking on
the Cape-to-Cape Track with incredible food and
wine experiences and deluxe accommodation
at exclusive beachfront property, Injidup Spa
Retreat. Packed with highlights, this premier walk
features lunch with matched wines at an awardwinning winery, private chef dinner showcasing
local produce with a local wine-maker on hand
to present their wines, sunset cliff-top drinks and
a very special private didgeridoo performance
with one of the region’s Traditional Owners.
walkintoluxury.com.au
Walk into Luxury
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Cruise Ningaloo (ACC)
Cruise Ningaloo is WA’s only bareboat charter
business, on a 38-ft luxury sailing catamaran,
the Ningaloo Virgin. The company specialises
in providing exclusive ‘hire and drive’ cruises,
meaning no crew or provisions are included
as part of the hire. Skippers are available for
all cruises (full or partial cruise) at reasonable
additional day rates and catering can be
organised by the team of Cruise Ningaloo for
an additional fee. Cruise Ningaloo will provide
itineraries and suggested charting maps for the
guests’ holiday on the reef.
cruiseningaloo.com.au
Dirk Hartog Island (ACC)
This year marks the 400th anniversary of Dirk
Hartog’s landing at Cape Inscription, with his
vessel the Eendracht landing at Dirk Hartog
Island, off the coast of Shark Bay, on October
25 1616. The landing at Cape Inscription in 1616
is significant as Hartog left behind a flattened,
engraved, pewter plate. The plate was nailed to
a wooden post and inscribed with a record of his
visit. This represents the oldest such evidence
of European contact with Australia. There will be
plenty of commemorative events taking place in
2016 to mark the 400 year anniversary, including
the Hartog Commemorative Voyage program,
4WD Voyage of Discovery, an Accidental
Encounters exhibition, and plenty of activity in
the Shark Bay World Heritage area
sharkbay1616.com.au
Dirk Hartog Island
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Kalbarri National Park Skywalk (ACC)
Construction has commenced within the Kalbarri
National Park Skywalk for the two, 100 metrehigh skywalks at the Inyaka Wookai Watju site
(the West Loop), with completion set for 2017.
The new skywalks will offer stunning vistas
over the Murchison River Gorge as the walk’s
project 20 and 12 metres beyond the gorge’s
rim. Additionally interpretative signage, toilets
and shade shelter will also be erected in the
area, to further enhance the environmental
aspects of the park, known for its individual and
endemic wildflowers. As part of the long term
plans of the skywalk, the Department of Parks
and Wildlife will employ two Indigenous rangers.
Interpretive signage will also include artwork of
the local Aboriginal group, the Nanda people.
An Anthropologist will also be contracted to work
with the Nanda people so traditional stories and
knowledge can be included in the signage and
education of the area.
The skywalk project also includes sealing of the
Loop/Z Bend Road and redeveloping the Z Bend
and Meanarra Hill tourist sites. The sealing of
the road will provide better vehicle access and
parking for caravans.
dpaw.wa.gov.au
Ningaloo Discovery (ACC)
Family-run business Ningaloo Discovery has
introduced a new vessel to its fleet – a 55-foot
luxury sailing catamaran, which was recently
featured on Tourism Australia’s latest campaign
ad. Along with the company’s 60 foot power
boat, the sailing catamaran offers whale shark
and humpback whale interactions with the
option of staying overnight on the Ningaloo Reef.
ningaloodiscovery.com.au
Ocean Eco Adventures (ACC)
From April 2016, the team at Ocean Eco
Adventures will introduce Australia’s first Whale
Shark Discovery ‘Flying Fish’ Cruise, operating
from Exmouth on the Ningaloo Coral Coast.
Ocean Eco Adventures has recently acquired
a Microlight aircraft, an Airborne XT-912 Arrow
Wing, piloted by highly experienced flying
instructor, Gavin Penfold from Birds Eye View.
They will be the first and only tour company
on the Ningaloo Reef to operate Microlights
for the purpose of commercial Whale Shark
Spotting and Flying Fish tours. The aircraft is a
safe, practical way to spot marine life with their
unmatched visibility and manoeuvrability.
oceanecoadventures.com.au
Ocean Park Aquarium (ACC)
Ocean Park Aquarium, located in the Shark
Bay World Heritage area, has introduced new
diving experiences. Diving in the Shark Lagoon
requires no previous dive experience and allows
participants to swim with three lemon sharks
and two sandbar sharks. Half and full-day
diving tours can now be booked, requiring a
PADI certificate. On the half-day tour, enjoy two
different dives at Bar Flats or Eagle Bluff. The
full-day tour takes guests out to Steep Point,
the gateway to Dirk Hartog Island. Participants
will visit areas populated by big pelagic species
including Spanish mackerel, dogtooth tuna,
turtles, sharks, anemones and stingrays.
oceanpark.com.au
Perfect Nature Cruises (ACC)
Formerly known as Aristocat 2, Perfect Nature
Cruises now offers interesting and extended
tours around the Shark Bay World Heritage area,
including a Monkey Mia Marine Life Cruise,
Sundowner Cruise and a Fresh n Wet Cruise.
All eco wildlife cruises aboard Perfect Nature
Cruises has Ecotourism Australia Certification.
perfectnaturecruises.com.au
Sail Ningaloo (ACC)
Sail Ningaloo is proud to announce it received
the Gold in Ecotourism at the WA Tourism
Awards in 2015, and Silver in Ecotourism at the
Australian Tourism Awards in 2016. The business
has also refurbished its cabins on board vessel
Shore Thing.
sailningaloo.com.au
Exmouth Dive Centre (ACC)
Exmouth Diving Centre has acquired a new
vessel, a 16-metre 53-foot boat called Jazz
2. The new addition accommodates up to 20
people and provides an unforgettable marine
experience at Ningaloo Reef. Exmouth Diving
Centre currently offers a range of diving tours,
including whale shark and Ningaloo Reef dives,
day tours to the Murion Islands and humpback
whale interaction tours.
exmouthdiving.com.au
Three Islands Whale Shark Dive (ACC)
In addition to running its whale shark and
humpback whale interaction tours, Three
Islands Whale Shark Dive have started full-day
snorkelling tours to the Muiron Islands. The
Muiron Islands are located 10 north miles off
the coast of Exmouth’s North West Cape. The
islands are the ideal spot for those seeking
an untouched paradise and are renowned for
its abundance and diversity of colourful coral,
as well as large schools of fish, manta rays,
dolphins, reef sharks and turtles.
whalesharkdive.com
75th Anniversary of the HMAS Sydney (ACC)
Anniversary commemorations will be held
in Carnarvon and Geraldton on Saturday,
November 19 2016, marking 75 years of the
sinking of HMAS Sydney II – one of Australia’s
greatest naval tragedy. The Sydney was sunk by
the HSK Kormoran, a German raider disguised
as a Dutch merchant ship. Tourists are being
encouraged to visit Geraldton’s HMAS Sydney
Memorial, one of eight Federal Memorials of
National Significance (the only one in WA), built
to honour the lost sailors of the HMAS Sydney
maritime disaster in 1941. Commemorating the
lives of 645 sailors who died in World War II,
the memorial provides sweeping views across
Geraldton and the Indian Ocean.
hmassydneymemorialgeraldton.com.au
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95
Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments (ANW)
Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments has
received another award this week ranking
amongst the top 10 hotels in Australia in the
2016 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice awards. The
award from TripAdvisor highlights the world’s top
properties based on the millions of review and
opinions collected in a single year from travellers
around the globe. Freshwater East Kimberley
Apartments was ranked seventh in Australia. It’s
Kununurra’s newest (opened in March 2012)
and only 4.5 star accommodation, offering 60
self-contained apartments. Kununurra is home
to the iconic Ord River and gateway to the
world heritage listed Bungle Bungle Range in
Purnululu National Park. . Flights operate daily
into Kununurra with Air North and Virgin.
freshwaterapartments.net.au
Great Escape Charter Company (ANW)
Great Escape Charter Company is set to
impress its 2016 Kimberley cruise guests with
a new Guest Cruise Lounge at the business’s
Broome office. As a finalist for the past three
years in Luxury Travel Magazine’s The Gold
List Awards for Best Australian Adventure
Experience, the cruising company caters
to guests seeking an unforgettable holiday
experience in one of the world’s most untouched
landscapes. The Cruise Guest Lounge provides
guests with a sneak peak of what to expect on a
Great Escape adventure, and comes complete
with an espresso coffee machine, well-stocked
fridge, comfortable lounges, a 55-inch screen
television, Kimberley reference library, free Wi-Fi
and Broome brochures.
greatescape.net.au
Kimberley Aviation (ANW)
Broome-based aviation operator Kimberley
Aviation has launched a seven-day Kimberley
Coast Air Safari – the first air-based tour of
its kind operating out of Broome. Guests will
experience some of the Kimberley’s most
spectacular country including the world’s
only Horizontal Waterfalls, the Buccaneer
Archipelago, giant tides, striking rugged
coastlines and red cliffs, Mitchell Falls, King
George Falls and Montgomery Reef, and will
stay at the some of the region’s most unique
coastal wilderness retreats – Kimberley Coastal
Camp, Faraway Bay and the Berkeley River
Lodge. Ground-based activities will include
fishing from secluded waterholes and rivers,
bathing under waterfalls and viewing ancient
rock art. The tour is available from April to
October, and as guests will experience the tour
as a private charter, they are able to choose the
dates that suit them best.
kimberleyaviation.com.au
Ponant (ANW)
French cruise and expedition company Ponant
will operate its first Kimberley voyages in
2017 on board the 132-cabin L’Austral. Four,
10-night voyages between Darwin and Broome
are scheduled to launch between July and
September 2017. Award-winning photographer
and adventurer Mick Fogg will lead the
expedition team on an itinerary that includes
King George Falls, Mitchell Falls, Montgomery
Reef and Horizontal Falls.
en.ponant.com
HeliSpirit (ANW)
Kimberley helicopter charter company, HeliSpirit,
has introduced several new tours to its
operation. The multi-award winning company’s
new tours include; a Luxury Kimberley Helicopter
Safari; Bungle Bungle Cultural Tours; Bungle
Bungle Helicopter Tours; Piccaninny Gorge
Cultural Heli-hike; and King George Falls
Helicopter Adventure. These unforgettable,
private helicopter safari allow passengers to
explore the stunning Kimberley wilderness in
true, outback style.
helispirit.com.au
Helispirit
104
Willie Creek Pearl Farm (ANW)
Willie Creek Pearl Farm, has increased its
interests in the Broome pearling industry through
the acquisition of a pearling license. Previously,
Willie Creek Pearl Farm has had access to and
certain rights in relation to a pearl shell quota
from Clipper Pearls. Willie Creek Pearl Farm has
now acquired one of only 17 pearling licenses
in WA together with a substantial pearl shell
quota and pearl farm leases. Clipper Pearls is
part of The Autore Group, which was founded in
1991 and is one of the largest South Sea pearl
companies in the world. Clipper Pearls is widely
regarded as the producer of the most lustrous
Australian South Sea pearls, with operations
located just 10 nautical miles off the coast of
Willie Creek. Willie Creek have also added a
new two-hour eco cruise to their tour offering,
which will see visitors explore the waters around
the creek, looking for turtles, bottle nose and
snubfin dolphins, dugongs, sea snakes, pelagic
fish species and birds. From June to August,
humpback whales might also be seen, and the
cruise might also visit Barred Creek, Coconut
Wells and the main pearling sea lease
williecreekpearls.com.au
Apollo Motorhome Holidays
Australian-owned Apollo Motorhome Holidays
has introduced a brand-new 4WD camper, ready
to hit the road with enough room to sleep five
happy campers. Available from April 1, 2016,
travellers can collect the camper from Broome
or Perth in Western Australia from just $123 per
day. The Apollo Overlander is built on a trusty 70
series Landcruiser with a sturdy annex allowing
comfortable shade-living by day and two
separate sleeping quarters by night.
apollocamper.com
Rex Airlines
Australia’s largest independent regional airline,
Regional Express (Rex) has started its air
services from Perth to Albany and Perth to
Esperance, as part of a five-year agreement
to provide regulated air services on the two air
routes. Residents and travellers in these regional
communities will benefit from Rex’s timetables
which will see an increased number of flights
and annual seat capacity when flying to and
from Perth, compared to previous services to
the regions.
www.rex.com.au
Qantas
In 2016, Qantas added a third direct flight
between Melbourne and Broome, with direct
services from the east coast to Broome now
available five days a week during peak season.
Services from Melbourne to Broome run on
Wednesdays, Friday’s and Sunday’s; Brisbane
to Broome on Sunday’s and Sydney to Broome
on Saturday’s and Tuesday’s.
qantas.com.au
Willie Creek
Pearl Farm
RedSand Campers
WA-based business RedSand Campers is the
newest player in the 4WD, self-drive market.
RedSand Campers offers high-quality 4WD
campers, allowing travellers to journey through
WA’s best self-drive locations. With depots in
Perth, Broome, the South West, Shark Bay,
Ningaloo and the Kimberley, 4WD-ing has
never been more approachable.
redsandscampers.com.au
Redsand
Campers
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
105
FOOD & WINE
Alabama Song (EP)
Late night country bar, Alabama Song, has
opened above an already established dive bar,
Joe’s Juice Joint, on William Street in the cultural
hub of Northbridge. Alabama Song specialises
in draught Australian craft and American canned
beers, cocktails and a selection of more than
130 rye whiskeys and bourbons. The hidden
gem is open from 6pm to 2am Wednesday to
Thursday, 6pm to 3am Friday to Saturday and
8pm to 12pm on Sunday.
facebook.com/alabamasongbar
Beaufort Local (EP)
The Beaufort Street Merchant has rebranded as
Beaufort Local. Located in Mount Lawley, one of
Perth’s inner city precincts, the popular eatery
now features a brand new bistro and garden bar,
and new look menu.
hbeaufortlocal.com.au
COMO The Treasury (EP)
At COMO The Treasury, fine dining comes from
the Wildflower restaurant, which is located on
the hotel’s rooftop offering views across the
Swan River and a contemporary menu revolving
around the indigenous ethos of six seasons with
farmer and forager-driven menus.
wildflowerperth.com.au
On the ground floor guests will find Post, a
convivial spot service modern Australian dishes
with a French influence. All menus are overseen
by COMO’s Australian-born executive chef
Danial Moran, together with Hotel Executive Chef
Jed Gerrard.
comohotels.com/thetreasury/dining
Dainty Dowager (EP)
The team behind Low Key Chow House in
Leederville has opened a new restaurant in
Mount Lawley. Dainty Dowager, positioned
next to Clarences Bar on Beaufort Street, is
described as a 1920’s Shanghai opium den
serving delicious roasted meats, tasty snacks
and delicious drinks. The menu is Pan-Asian and
anchored on Chinese roasted meats, including
roast duck, siew yuk (Chinese crispy roast pork)
and char siu barbecued pork.
daintys.com.au
106
Long Chim (EP)
The master of Thai cooking and executive chef
at Bangkok’s Nahm has opened a Perth outpost
of his Thai street food restaurant, Long Chim.
Located at the Cathedral Square precinct,
Long Chim is dishing up the food of Bangkok’s
streets, including pineapple curry of crab with
kaffir lime; crunchy pork with Chinese broccoli
and oyster sauce; beef skewers with cumin
and turmeric; and duck with pickled ginger.
A carefully selected group of staff are serving
up Thompson’s signature food in a dynamic
environment of street art, cellar bar and edgy
shows including Thai burlesque.
longchimperth.com
Odyssea Beach Café (EP)
With spectacular views of the ocean and beach,
Odyssea brings a new dining experience to WA’s
iconic coastline. Located at the rejuvenated
City Beach foreshore, a 20 minute drive from
Perth city, the modern-Australian menu offers
sophisticated beachside fare with a focus on
local producers and seasonality. The café’s deck
is the perfect place to while away the afternoon
in the gentle breeze, or to enjoy fine wine as the
sun sets over the ocean. The new venue is open
seven days a week, from 7am until late.
odysseabeachcafe.com.au
Petition (EP)
Petition is a group of individual venues focused
on building relationships with producers that
share its passion for delivering quality produce
for you to enjoy. More than 100 years ago,
petitioners would gather in the centre of Perth to
lobby for causes they believed in. They would
march down the terrace, lining the building
where Petition now stands; on the Barrack Street
side of Cathedral Square. Here, sits Petition Beer
Corner, Petition Kitchen and Petition Wine Bar &
Merchant. Three spaces that offer an 18-tap craft
beer bar, a bistro and an inner city wine bar.
petitionperth.com
Long Chim
Reveley (EP)
Elizabeth Quay’s newest hospitality venue
Reveley has opened its doors for business.
The three level venue is the latest venture from
the team at highly acclaimed The Stables Bar.
Sophisticated yet relaxed gastronomic dining is
on offer including breakfast, lunch, dinner and
late night drinks. Rooftop diners will be able to
enjoy bespoke cocktails and dishes designed to
share while the first floor restaurant will serve a
menu specialising in Western Australian produce
and premium local seafood.
facebook.com/TheReveley
Strange Company (EP)
Fremantle’s newest addition to the small bar
scene has only been open since August 2015,
but has already made quite an impression,
attracting a loyal following of regulars and rave
reviews. Strange Company offers an extensive
selection of local and international beer, cider,
wine (even some on tap) and cocktails matched
with a mouth-watering share style tapas menu.
A wonderfully welcoming atmosphere has been
created with a cosy blend of traditional and
trendy design features.
strangecompany.com.au
The Blue Flamingo (EP)
Established watering hole Leederville Hotel has
re-opened as The Blue Flamingo. This fresh
new space is inspired by an idyllic combination
of California, Cuba, the Caribbean and hints of
South America. Serving cold drinks, hot food
and tropical entertainment, the venue is open
five days a week until midnight.
theblueflamingo.com.au
The Shorehouse (EP)
Overlooking Swanbourne Beach, The
Shorehouse has a commitment to sourcing
the very best WA has to offer with head chef
Oliver Gould’s modern Australian menu a
mouth-watering combination of Mediterranean
influenced food, paired with seasonal produce –
perfect for a fresh and healthy breakfast, a long
lunch on the deck or dinner with friends.
An extensive selection of wines, beers and
cocktails complements the menu with casual,
attentive service.
shorehouse.com.au
Wok St Chow House (EP)
Wok St Chow House opened in Northbridge
in December 2015, replacing Darlings Supper
Club. The brain behind some of Leederville’s
most successful and much-loved eateries, Nick
Bond, has brought his unique brand of super
cool Asian dining to Northbridge with Wok St
Chow House. The venue has a distinctively west
coast flavour, feeding in Perth diners’ love of
good food, done exceptionally well.
wokst.com.au
Hyatt Regency Perth (EP)
This year, Hyatt Regency Perth is mixing things
up in the kitchen with an International Chef
Series. The aim of the program is to bring
authentic flavours prepared by visiting guest
chefs from Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala
Lumpur. Guest chefs include Kwangseng Lee
from Singapore who visited in March, Chef
Somprasong Charoenphol from Bangkok will
be visiting in June and Chef Nazib will visit
in September, treating guests to authentic
Malay cuisine. The Hyatt’s philosophy, ‘Food;
Thoughtfully Sourced, Carefully Served’ is
focused on using fresh, seasonal produce to
create dishes which are nutritious and beautifully
presented.
perth.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home
Amelia Park Wines (ASW)
In 2015, Amelia Park Wines opened a cellar
door in the Margaret River region. The local wine
producer combines leading edge techniques
with traditional winemaking values and practices.
The newly opened Wilyabrup cellar door,
complete with incredible sweeping vineyard
views is now open to visitors daily from 10am to
4:30pm.
ameliaparkwines.com.au
Odyssea
Beach Café
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
107
Fishbone Wines (ASW)
Fishbone Wines is a newly established business
in Wilyabrup. The original planting of Cabernet
and Tempranillo was done at the property in the
1980’s and Chardonnay has now been planted.
Fruit from this vineyard will be used to expand
Fishbone Wines’ award winning Joseph River
Wine, winner of the 2010 Jimmy Watson award.
Wine is now available from an onsite Cellar Door
at the Margaret River property.
fishbonewines.com.au
Black Brewing Co. (ASW)
Black Brewing Co. is the distilling arm of
Sampson and Bowen and is located in what was
the former Duckstein Brewery at Saracen Estate.
Purpose built, it has a cellar door, restaurant and
craft brewery along Caves Road in Wilyabrup.
Black Brewing Co.’s production capability is
160,000 litres of beer per year in the German
built brewery. Robert Bowen, an international
awarded local wine maker, along with Stewart
Sampson, will produce a range of beer in
collaboration with brewers around the country.
Lovers of great wine, beer and spirits, the goal
at Black Brewing Co is to produce beers that
reflect their interpretation of the South West
palate. Boutique craft beer labels are available
on tap at the venue.
sampsonandbowen.com.au
Brewhouse Margaret River (ASW)
The mastermind of three best mates local to the
region, Brewhouse Margaret River has delivered
on the belief that Margaret River needed a
brewery you could walk to. That is exactly how
locals and craft brewery lovers can find their way
to the bar. There will be no better way to finish an
ale trail adventure than an early evening amble
home. Family friendly the brewery and restaurant
is set behind an iconic shack in a bush setting.
brewhousemargaretriver.com.au
Brewhouse
Margaret River
108
The Beer Farm (ASW)
An original working dairy farm in Metricup has
been converted into one of Margaret River’s
newest breweries, The Beer Farm. Offering a
rustic and historic experience, The Beer Farm
brews and pours its own quality specialty beers,
and serves Australian Bitter made from 94 per
cent WA sourced ingredients and a cider made
from locally sourced Manjimup apples. The main
entrance was the old creamery, the Roundhouse
(where cows were milked) is near the Brewhouse
and the tavern tasting bar is the old hay shed
overlooking a picturesque South West property.
beerfarm.com.au
The Common (ASW)
The Common, located in Margaret River, opened
for business in 2015. Owned and operated by
the Margaret River Hospitality Group (MRHG),
the new venue is a cool yet comfortable casual
bar and bistro with a focus on locally brewed
craft beer, delicious bistro food and has wine
served on tap. MRHG Executive Chef Tony
Howell, previously of Aravina Estate and Cape
Lodge, said that the menu is based on local
seasonal produce and is designed to be flexible
to take full advantage of the exceptional produce
in the Margaret River region and beyond. The
Common is open seven days a week from 4pm
Monday to Friday, and from 12pm on weekends.
thecommonbistro.com.au
Margaret River Distilling Company (ASW)
Set in a serene location, minutes from bushland
walking trails and Margaret River’s main street,
the Margaret River Distilling Company is the
second distillery of the international awardwinning Great Southern Distilling Company. It
features a cellar door tasting and sales, distillery
and 200 seat tavern. The company’s flagship
brand Limeburners Single Malt Whisky, winner
of the 2015 Australian Champion Whisky, is
available along with a range of premium quality
brandy, grappe, gin, vodka and fruit liqueurs
with local craft beers on tap. The Tiger Snake
sour mash whisky and Gin will be distilled onsite in Margaret River. The site was specifically
chosen for walking or cycling access and key
ingredients from locally farmed produce, WA
grains and Margaret River grapes.
facebook.com/margaretriverdistillingcompany
Ramada Eco Beach Resort (ANW)
Even after experiencing the elegant precision,
heart-racing stakes and first-class expertise of
Michelin Star cooking in the United Kingdom,
Karl McPhail believes he is serving better food
than ever since moving to Ramada Eco Beach
Resort near Broome. Located an hour south
of Broome, the Resort represents a new home
for Karl, who fell in love with the Kimberley
region during a round-the-world trip sampling
international cuisines, flavours and cooking
methods. Karl expertly blends Australian and
continental flavours through his dishes. Ramada
Eco Beach is a multi-award-winning eco resort
with 25 superbly appointed Eco Villas, 30
luxurious safari style Eco Tents and oceanfront
Beach Houses for larger groups, linked by more
than one kilometre of elevated boardwalks.
ecobeach.com.au
SWAN VALLEY
A range of new masterclasses, workshops and
tours have been launched in the Swan Valley
region, located an easy 25-minute drive from
Perth CBD. Below is an outline of what’s new in
WA’s oldest wine growing region:
Cheese Barrel (EP)
Cheese Barrel has introduced cheese making
courses with a difference. Visitors to the region
are welcome to join a fun filled afternoon
learning the art of making haloumi cheese. They
will learn techniques and processes through
hands-on, practical cheese making, and enjoy
their creation with champagne to conclude the
afternoon course.
thecheesebarrel.com.au
Edgecombe Brothers Asparagus
Masterclass (EP)
Each year, Edgecombe Brothers grow
approximately four tonnes of asparagus
annually and have been preparing it in the
café for more than 10 years. The business has
recently introduced an Asparagus Masterclass
for a maximum of 20 people per session. The
masterclass itinerary includes a welcome
morning tea, visit to the asparagus patch, a
short talk about asparagus cultivation and
harvesting, the preparation and cooking of the
asparagus for lunch in the café, a tutored wine
tasting, afternoon tea and an asparagus starter
pack to take home. The longstanding winery is
located in Perth’s Swan Valley region.
edgecombebrothers.com.au/asparagusmasterclass
Harris Organic (EP)
Swan Valley-based winery, Harris Organic, has
introduced a new Organic Chilli Vodka. The
chilli vodka is Australia Certified Organic and
is made and bottled at Harris Organic’s Swan
Valley premises. Made from a high-quality
certified organic neutral spirit, the product is the
only certified organic chilli vodka available in
Australia.
harrisorganicwine.com.au
House of Honey (EP)
The House of Honey has introduced a meadery
(honey wine) to its collection of honey-based
products. Located in the Swan Valley, The House
of Honey specialises in raw, pure, unpasteurised
and unadulterated varietal honeys. The business
practice harvesting honey only when their bees
have capped the cells, allowing the honey to
fully ripen and mature into an exceptional taste.
The two new meads to be introduced include a
Classic Mead and Spiced Mead.
thehouseofhoney.com.au
Maalinup Art Gallery Bushtucker Presentation
and Tasting (EP)
Discover a whole new world of tastes at
Maalinup Art Gallery in the Swan Valley. Visitors
who sign-up to the newly launched Bushtucker
Presentation and Tasting can sniff, touch and
taste a variety of herbs, spices, peppers and
dried fruits, while learning where they grow and
how to incorporate them into their cooking.
Guests will also sample sauces, chutneys, jams
and marmalades made from Australian native
fruits, and have the opportunity to take home
complimentary recipes.
maalinup.com.au
Providore (EP)
Providore has introduced a 30-minute Wine and
Chocolate Masterclass on weekends and by
appointment. The cost of the masterclass is $30
per person and includes a bottle of chocolate
liqueur to take home.
providore.com.au/swan-valley-store
MEDIA KIT 2016-17
109
Sandalford Wines (EP)
Sandalford Wines is one of the Swan Valley’s
oldest and most iconic vineyards. The new
Winemaker for the Day experience gives visitors
an opportunity to express their creative side,
under the guidance of the winery’s experienced
staff. Guests will participate in a winery tour,
learning about the wine-making process. They
will then be educated as to why blending
between different varieties and regions is
conducted. Upon conclusion of the educational
class, guests will put their knowledge to test,
individually creating their own original blend of
wine to be judged by Sandalford’s wine experts.
The three hour package operates each Saturday
in the winery’s cellar door.
sandalford.com
Yonga Boodjah Art Gallery (EP)
Visitors to the Swan Valley can now create their
own Indigenous art piece at Yonga Boodjah Art
Gallery. Be welcomed by a local Indigenous
elder, hear stories of the people from the local
area, browse the gallery and watch the artist in
residence and create your own art piece to take
home under the watchful eye of an Indigenous
artist. The two hour experience can be booked
via email at [email protected].
Providore, Swan Valley
110
Notes
NOTES
Yardie Creek, Cape Range National Park
Cape to Cape track
Walk into Luxury
MEDIA CONTACT
Tourism Western Australia
Destination & Events PR team
Level 9, 2 Mill Street
Perth WA 6000 Australia
T +61 (8) 9262 1700
F +61 (8) 9262 1735
[email protected]
tourism.wa.gov.au
westernaustralia.com
Disclaimer: All information contained in this guide was correct at the time of printing.
Tourism WA accepts no responsibility for any person claiming they have been misled or
deceived by any matter published herein.

Media Kit - Tourism Western Australia

Transcription

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