30 Apr 2018
WHAT'S HOT
Major revamp for Rottnest Island accommodation
Perth's iconic Rottnest Island is set to receive a major boost to its accommodation offerings, with the announcement of a major expansion for Hotel Rottnest, and the official start of construction of the $20 million luxury 'glamping' resort at Pinky's Beach. A redevelopment of Hotel Rottnest, which overlooks the island's Thomson Bay, will see it double in size from 900 square metres to 17,800 square metres, and will add 80 rooms to its current offering of 18. The hotel will be re-branded as Hotel Rottnest Resort, and will include four pools – two main pools and two plunge pools for executive suites – a restaurant, function rooms, gym and rooftop bar.
Building has also commenced on Discovery Eco Village Rottnest Island at Pinky's Beach. Expected to open by the end of this year, the retreat will include 83 high-quality eco-tents with ensuite pods, connected via elevated walkways to the Pinky's Beach Club complex which will feature a swimming pool, alfresco bar and dining area.
Karma Rottnest will also bring an additional touch of luxury to the island, with the introduction of a world-class day spa experience in the coming months. The day spa will be located across from the accommodation at Karma Lodge. Karma will also take over the operation of the Rottnest Island golf course, ensuring the island's golfing experience remains first class.
Westin Hotels & Resorts opens in Perth
The five-star Westin Perth hotel opened to the public today in the city's revitalised East End. Offering a new level of luxury for Perth, the 368-room hotel includes eight Westin suites, 10 club suites, five executive suites and an exclusive presidential suite. Room sizes range from 42 square metre deluxe rooms to the 240 square metre presidential suite. Guests will enjoy 24/7 access to the large-scale fitness centre on the dedicated wellness level, which also includes an outdoor infinity swimming pool and locally owned and operated Bodhi J Wellness Spa. The hotel's food and beverage offerings include acclaimed chef Guy Grossi's first restaurant outside of Victoria, Garum – offering a contemporary Roman dining experience - as well as Haven Lounge for lighter fare and signature high teas. The hotel also boasts state-of-the-art meeting and function facilities with over 2,300 square metres of event space including an 800 square metre ballroom.
Hibernian Place – Perth's latest destination
Hibernian Place is the latest destination precinct to open in Perth's CBD. Located in the city's historic East End, it is home to Perth's newest accommodation offering, the eagerly awaited 368-room five-star Westin Hotel. The precinct also includes a thoughtfully curated mix of hospitality operators including Garum restaurant by Guy Grossi – housed in the heritage listed Hibernian Hall, Bodhi J Wellness Spa, Offshoot coffee roastery by Mary Street Bakery, Arthur & Co. by Graham Arthur, Huxtaburger from Melbourne, and rooftop bar Hadiqa by Andy Freeman.
Hibernian Place offers visitors a place to relax day and night, with a rooftop garden, water feature, mature trees, manicured lawns, Wi-Fi hotspots and comfortable timber and stone furniture.
WA's South West on the big screen
WA will again have its chance to shine on the big screen, with the release of Breath in cinemas on May 2. The film was shot in the State's South West around the picturesque town of Denmark. Based on the award winning novel by celebrated WA author Tim Winton, Breath is a directorial feature film debut from Hollywood actor Simon Baker (The Mentalist, The Devil Wears Prada), who also stars in the film.
On the premier of Breath Simon Baker said: “Breath is a story that resonates with me, not only as a surfer and a parent but ultimately as a child reared on the magnificent Australian coastline…I feel privileged to be able to take Breath out and hand deliver it to audiences across Australia. I'm especially thrilled to be returning to the Great Southern region of WA, to share and celebrate with those communities who welcomed us so warmly, and contributed with great spirit to the making of Breath. It's their film.”
The release of Breath follows a raft of films shot in WA including Ben Elton's Three Summers, filmed around the Peel region south of Perth, Jasper Jones with Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving (Pemberton in WA's south), Red Dog and Red Dog: True Blue (the Pilbara region in WA's north), Bran Nue Dae (Broome in WA's north), surfing film Drift starring Sam Worthington (Margaret River) and Baz Luhrmann's Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman (the Kimberley in WA's north).
Wild dolphin birth caught on camera
The birth of a baby dolphin in the wild has been caught on camera in Mandurah this month, spotted by the staff of Mandurah Cruises during one of its tours. Dolphin experts said it was an Australian first, and possibly only the second time in the world that a dolphin birth has been captured in the wild. Volunteers from the Mandurah Dolphin Rescue Group were able to attend the scene and capture the exclusive vision and photos of the 1.5 hour labour. The mother, 'Squarecut' is a well-known Mandurah dolphin, and her familiarity with the Mandurah Cruises' tour boats meant she was comfortable enough to be in labour around it. Her calf has been named 'Pom-Pom' by the crew. This latest birth is part of a local 'dolphin baby boom' in Mandurah, with the region welcoming 11 newborn dolphins in the past three months.
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Kalgoorlie celebrates 125 years since first gold nugget discovery
June will be a significant occasion for the historic goldfields town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, located in WA's Golden Outback, as it celebrates the very first gold nugget found by Paddy Hannan, Thomas Flanagan and Daniel Shae 125 years ago. The nugget was discovered on June 14 and registered on June 17, 1893. To celebrate the occasion the town will host a series of events including a Multicultural Festival, a Dreaming Culture Tour of the Karkurla Bushland Park with local Aboriginal Guides, the 125th Historic Gala, featuring dance and cabaret performances, and the Mayoral Cup Day at the races. The Gold Industry Group will also officially launch the #heartofgold Discovery Trail App on June 9, an interactive golden adventure with remarkable audio stories, fun widgets and timeless photos.
FOOD & WINE
Perth welcomes Tiny's Bar in City's West End
The founders of Mary Street Bakery and owners of Cantina 663 and El Publico, Paul Aron and Michael Forde, are set to open a new venture next week – Tiny's. Located at the QV1 precinct, one of Perth's iconic architectural buildings, on St Georges Terrace in the CBD. It will be a multifunctional venue with a large indoor and alfresco bar area, restaurant and specialty liquor emporium. The menu will focus on wood-fired southern-European and Asian flavours, with the signature offerings coming from the wood-fired rotisserie and grill, including roast chickens, whole fish and other sharing options. The drinks list features craft beer, seasonal cockatils and small batch wine. The venue will also host live music, with the liquor store selling records and giftwares as well as drinks.
Iconic WA chef takes restaurant in a new direction
Russell Blaikie, general manager and chef of Perth's popular Must Winebar – located on Beaufort Street in the inner city hub of Highgate – has announced a new direction for the restaurant's current French bistro inspired menu. Moving away from the traditional entrée, main and desert style offering, the new menu will have a more communal dining focus, encouraging guests to dine family-style. The menu will still have a subtle French focus, but will feature more plant-based dishes and a broader European style menu, while still utilising the best of WA produce.
Leederville café opens a 'Back Bar'
Adding to Perth's ever growing small bar scene, popular brunch spot Hylin – located in the inner city West Leederville – will be opening Back Bar later this month, operating from the back of the café. The chef Tommy Payne, previously from popular Mexican cantina El Publico, will produce a menu of bar snacks for the venue. Payne started at Hylin in February, and introduced a new 'everything-made-in-house' policy to the brunch menu. The wine list will feature WA wines, with local craft brews and classic cocktails with a twist, and the interior showcases a mural by local artist Chris Nixon.
Australia's first Keisuke Ramen opens in Perth
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King, the first Keisuke in Australia, has opened its doors at the recently refurbished Melbourne Hotel in Perth's CBD. Renowned throughout Asia, Japanese born Keisuke Takeda is the man behind Keisuke, the biggest ramen chain in Singapore, with 13 outlets and another 23 in Japan - and was crowned 'Ramen King' at the 2011 Tokyo Ramen Championships. The extremely popular international ramen bar is the latest edition to the Asian inspired flavours at the Melbourne Hotel redevelopment, joining Australia's first outlet for Hattendo handmade cream buns and signature Cantonese restaurant Grand Orient, as well as traditional Australian pub food at De Baun & Co (previously the Old Melbourne pub).
TOURS, ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION
Rottnest Island walk trails now complete
The final section of the Wadjemup Bidi project on Perth's iconic Rottnest Island is now open, completing the 45 kilometre network of walk trails on the island. The project aims to raise awareness of both the environmental and cultural values of the island and for the first time, will give visitors formal access to the stunning Rocky Bay and Marjorie Bay. Highlights of the Ngank Wen Bidi trail also include the colony of New Zealand fur seals in the waters at Cathedral Rocks, and the rugged coastline of Cape Vlamingh and Fish Hook Bay.
Willie Creek Pearls introduces new pearl oyster hatchery
Willie Creek Pearl Farm in Broome in WA's North West has added a new pearl oyster hatchery to its visitor offering. In a joint venture with Autore Pearling, Willie Creek Pearls has invested $500,000 in the construction of a new pearl oyster hatchery, which will enable visitors to discover how the pearl spawning process is undertaken, and see. first-hand how the state-of-the-art facility plays a crucial role in the fascinating life of a pearl oyster and subsequent development of pearls.
Mackerel Islands Fishing Charters
Earlier this year Mackerel Islands fishing charters launched a new purpose built charter boat 'Island Escape,' which can be used for fishing, diving and whale watching expeditions. The charters can take up to 10 people, giving a personal and specialised marine experience. Located off WA's mid-coast, 22 kilometres from the mainland of Onslow in WA's North West, the Mackerel Islands offer a unique adventure playground, and are a bucket list experience for any fishing enthusiast or visitor to the region. The Mackerel Islands have recently been added to Tourism Australia's Signature Experiences of Australia program in the Great Fishing Adventures of Australia category.
Camping with Custodians in WA's North West
A third Camping with Custodians campsite has recently opened at Peedamulla Station near Onslow, the first for the Pilbara region. Peedamulla is a 220,000 hectare Aboriginal-owned pastoral station located in WA's North West, and home to a collection of heritage-listed buildings and structures – one of which has been restored as the campground reception office. The nature-based campground has 20 powered and unpowered campsites, gas barbecues, hot water showers and flushing toilets. It will operate from March to November each year, and is operated by the Peedamulla Aboriginal community. The Camping with Custodians initiative is an Australian-first program, which gives visitors the opportunity to camp on Aboriginal land and meet and mix with local Aboriginal people, knowing that the proceeds of their visit will stay in the community. Imintji Campground and the Jarlarloo Riwi Mimbi Campground, both in the Kimberley region, officially opened in July last year.
Whale Watch WA blue whale experience
Whale Watch Western Australia recently launched a new Perth Canyon Blue Whale Experience. Currently it is the only company in Australia to offer the opportunity to encounter the rarely seen blue whale, the largest animal known to have ever existed. The all-day experience departs from Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and heads to the Perth Canyon - a marine hotspot located 30 nautical miles off the coast of Perth, where the blue whales congregate each year to feed on krill from March to May. The tours offer fully guided live and educational commentary about the blue whale, the history of the Perth Canyon and its marine life.
New tours at Kooljaman at Cape Leveque
Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, a remote wilderness camp owned run by the Aboriginal Bardi communities of Djarindjin and Ardyaloon, located at Cape Leveque on the Dampier Peninsula in WA's North West, have released new tours for the 2018 season. The Sunday Island Adventure Tour allows guests to cruise, fish and explore with Traditional Owners. Also on offer is night fishing, spear making, shell polishing, tucker talks, coastal walks and the very popular sunset cruise. Kooljaman is around 110 kilometres from Broome, accessible by four-wheel drive (self-drive), air or with a tour operator.
EVENTS
May
May 4 – 6 | Perth | Experience Perth
Get your pulse racing with a ticket to the Supercars Perth SuperSprint. Support categories, training sessions and qualifying races complete your V8 Supercars package. Don't miss out on seeing your favourite motorsport drivers take to the track again for some fast-paced, fuel-injected action at Barbagallo Raceway.
Airnorth Cable Beach Polo 2018
May 26 - 27 | Broome | Australia's North West
The Airnorth Cable Beach Polo is a multi-day beach polo tournament which takes place on the iconic Cable Beach in Broome. The unique sporting spectacular attracts people from around Australia and the world. It also features food, music and fashion - with Chef Jack Stein from the UK serving up a menu created from the finest Kimberley produce at Saturday night's Dinner Under the Stars event.
May 25 – 27 | Exmouth | Australia's Coral Coast
The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival marks the beginning of the whale shark season, welcoming the gentle giants to the pristine Ningaloo Reef in the State's Coral Coast region. The festival aims to enhance the education and celebration of the Whale Shark and its annual migration. Celebrations over the weekend have previously included a Gala Festival Opening, live music, market stalls, and a festival day.
June
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival
June 1 - 3 | Margaret River | Australia's South West
The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is the biggest regional literature event in WA. Each year the festival brings an array of thought-provoking writers to the region, including poets, authors, playwrights, journalists, comedians, illustrators, magazine editors, screen writers and radio hosts from WA, interstate and overseas. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, the event will be held at Voyager Estate winery.
June 1 - 4 | Denmark | Australia's South West
The Denmark Festival of Voice is an intimate festival that celebrates the human voice with a special focus on community singing. Featuring community concerts and workshops, each year the festival brings together an inspiring line-up of local, national and international artists in a cappella and accompanied ensemble, group and individual performances.
June 22 – 23 | Manjimup | Australia's South West
Truffle Kerfuffle is a weekend long celebration of the truffle season held in Manjimup, the heart of Australian truffle country, located in the Southern Forests region of WA. A hands on and adventurous festival, guests can join truffle hunters to search out prized truffles, visit the festival village for a taste of the region or get their truffle fix at exclusive dining events.
July/August
Chelsea FC International Friendly
July 23 | Perth | Experience Perth
English Premier League Champions Chelsea FC will be heading to Perth to play an Australian-exclusive match against local heroes Perth Glory. The match will be played at Perth's new state-of-the-art 60,000 seat Optus Stadium, and will be the first international soccer club appearance at the venue.
Act-Belong-Commit Dwellingup 100
August 18 | Dwellingup | Experience Perth
The Act-Belong-Commit Dwellingup 100 is WA's premier mountain bike event. The race includes four distances that cater for varying fitness levels and abilities, with plenty of activities throughout the day at the 'event village' for families and the riders to relax and unwind.
August 22 – 26 | Busselton | Australia's North West
CinefestOZ Film Festival showcases a line up of new and exciting films over five days amongst the stunning backdrop of WA's South West region. Celebrating great film, the festival incorporates some of Australia's most beautiful locations, world-class Margaret River wines and gourmet fresh foods. With over 100 film and event options on offer, the festival attracts filmakers, actors and visitors from around Australia.
