WHAT'S HOT

A new rooftop venue for Art Gallery of WA
The Art Gallery of WA's rooftop is set to transform into a multi-use gallery space and rooftop venue – bringing art and entertainment together against Perth's city skyline. Due to open in early 2021, the redevelopment project – Elevate – will create the largest, commercially-available rooftop venue in Perth, accommodating up to 500 people. The new rooftop will feature an open-air sculpture walk, featuring works from the State Art Collection; a new internal gallery space for exhibitions and events; and two outdoor multi-purpose spaces with stunning view of the city, Perth Hills and WA Museum. The centerpiece of the rooftop will be a new 34-metre contemporary Aboriginal art piece by Noongar/Minang artist Christopher Pease, which will wrap around one third of the rooftop wall. The project will also feature an external lift and sky bridge from the Perth Cultural Centre precinct – allowing visitors access to the rooftop when the gallery is closed. A fly-through video showcasing an artist's impression of the new space can be viewed here.

Save the date for Ord Valley Muster 2021
Experience the magic of the Kimberley and its ancient untouched lands when the Ord Valley Muster returns to WA's North West from May 21 to 29, 2021. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the event, helping launch the tourism season in WA's incredible east Kimberley. Taking over Kununurra and surrounds, the festival incorporates Aboriginal culture and dance, dining experiences, wellness sessions, popular talent quest Muster Idol, a country rodeo, comedy, plus a special event to commemorate its milestone anniversary. The Muster's pinnacle event, the Kimberley Moon Experience and glamorous black-tie Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner will be held on May 22 and will be headlined by some of Australia's biggest artists. More information including talent, ticket sales and travel packages will be released soon.

Gage Roads secures Fremantle brewery venue
Leading Perth craft brewer, Gage Roads Brewing, has announced plans to transform Fremantle Harbour's historic Victoria Quay A Shed into a new brewery. Due to open late-2021, the family-friendly venue will comprise a microbrewery, restaurant and bar, a children's play area, and an al fresco seating overlooking the strip of ocean between Fremantle and Rottnest Island from which Gage Roads took its name. This will be the first public-facing venue for the brewery, which has been operating since 2004. In addition to providing the full range of Gage Roads beers, the brewery will also produce special release and collaborative beers, as well as feature beers from regional WA breweries. This is the first project to be announced as part of Fremantle's Victoria Quay revitalisation.

Farmers' Home Hotel opens in Northam
A historic hotel in Northam has been beautifully restored into a 16-room luxury property – the Farmers Home Hotel. Located just over an hours' drive east of Perth in the Avon Valley, the boutique stay offers five different room types capturing the essence of the hotel's 150 year history, including the Grange Rooms, which all have access to a restored shared balcony; the generously sized Farmhouse Rooms; or the two bedroom Homestead Room, perfect for families. Developed by Dome Group and headed by owner and managing director Nigel Oakey, this is the second boutique hotel redevelopment for the group, after the Premier Mill Hotel in Katanning. A Dome café operates on the street level overlooking the Avon River; and open from 3pm daily is the Temperance Wine Bar - named in honour of Northam's past as a model 'Temperance Town' in the mid-1800's. The bar menu consists of share plates, complemented by a local wine list featuring varieties from the Swan Valley and Perth Hills regions.

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

Opening date announced for new WA Museum
The new Western Australian Museum will welcome its first visitors on Saturday, November 21. The opening day kick-off a special nine-day festival for the Museum. Tickets to the opening festival, including first access entry tours of the Museum, will be made available through a ballot on the Museum's website closer to the opening date. The new Western Australian Museum will showcase WA's unique cultural and scientific collections across eight new galleries and a 1,000sqm temporary exhibition space – and includes life-long learning studios, multipurpose spaces for public events and functions, a shop and café. A place to share WA stories and ideas, the Museum will encourage discussion and debate about WA's past, present and future.

Cinefest Oz releases 2020 program
CinefestOZ Film Festival has released its full program for 2020, offering a range of live and online screenings and special events. Running from August 25 to 30, program highlights include special screenings of two highly anticipated WA films at Busselton's Orana Cinemas – RAMS and Dirt Music. Set against the stunning backdrop of WA's South West, RAMS stars Australian favourites Michael Caton and Asher Keddie and New Zealand actor Sam Neill, and screens on August 26. Based on the critically acclaimed novel by WA writer Tim Winton, Dirt Music – which will premiere on August 29 – features the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley, Goldfields and Esperance, and stars Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald, US actor Garrett Hedlund and Australia's David Wenham. Tickets are now on sale for all events in the 2020 program, which includes 18 features and four short film sets, the Cinesnaps schools program, IndigifestOZ, the CinefestOZ Short Film Awards, a two-day Industry Program, and Grounded – a series of free Australian films available to watch at home.

Gascoyne food bowl on show
The annual Gascoyne Food Festival returns this month to celebrate the produce of the Gascoyne region, located in WA's Coral Coast region. Recognised as one of Australia's top 'food bowls,' the region offers an abundance of tropical fruits, succulent seafood, beef, goat, sheep and a vast array of temperate climate fruit and vegetables. Various events will be held across the region throughout August and September, including the festival's headline event, the Long Table Lunch, to be held on the banks of the mighty Gascoyne River at Bentwaters Plantation in Carnarvon on September 11. The festival program also includes the popular Gascoyne Growers Markets; Australia's Biggest Barbecue at the world's biggest rock, Mount Augustus on August 29; and Dirk Hartog Island's Island Life Festival, featuring fresh local seafood and gourmet cuisine produced by chefs Russell Blaikie and George Cooper, held from September 17 to 21.

Hidden Treasures in Fremantle
Fremantle's Hidden Treasures music festival will return to the port city's historic West End this September. Celebrating its 10th year, the festival will bring together 50 musicians across four nights of live music performances every Thursday during September. The diverse line-up includes an exciting mix of up-and-coming artists and fan favourites. Venues include The National, The Buffalo Club, The Navy Club, PS Art Space and the Fremantle Tram – offering guests a rare peak into the West End's most evocative and tucked away spaces. Tickets to each event are now on sale.

FOOD AND WINE

State Buildings opens new late-night venue
Perth's iconic State Buildings has recently welcomed the opening of a new late night venue. Pooles Temple offers a curated food and beverage menu, accompanied by live jazz. The wine and champagne list is by acclaimed State Buildings Director of Wine, Emma Farrelly and complemented with a classic cocktail list by newly appointed Bar Manager, Emma McCulloch. Executive Chef Kim Brennan is behind the small bites menu offering French classics. Pooles Temple is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm till 2am, with live jazz sets every Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm.

Illegal Tender Rum Co launches gin distillery
Award-winning distillery, Illegal Tender Rum Co, located near the town of Dongara in WA's Coral Coast, has recently opened an onsite gin distillery. StableViews produces premium quality dry Australian gin using local Mid West botanicals, including the three spices used in Illegal Tender's Bushtucker Spiced Rum – lemon myrtle, wattleseed and dry hibiscus. Illegal Tender Rum Co is open from Thursday to Sunday for cellar doors tastings, and offers tours of both the rum and gin distillery.

Fermoy Estate celebrates 35 years with gold
Fermoy Estate winery, located in the world-class Margaret River wine region, recently celebrated its 35th birthday by taking home gold for the third time at the prestigious French International Competition of Cabernets (Competition des Cabernets) with its 2016 Fermoy Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Established in 1985, Fermoy Estate is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, having won multiple gold, bronze and silver awards within Australia and abroad. In 2015, Fermoy Estate became the first Australian wine to take home the Competition of Cabernets trophy for the 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; and the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon was served at the official wedding reception of Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark – christening it the 'wine fit for a princess'.

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION

Pemberton welcomes new accommodation and whisky bar
The South West town of Pemberton, located among the towering tall timber trees in the Southern Forests region, has recently welcomed a new accommodation offering. Jaspers Cabins offers three luxury, architect-designed studio spaces, alongside a new whisky bar and restaurant. The cosy and energy-efficient cabins accommodate up to two guests, with a king-sized bed, choice of pillows, kitchenette, oversized rainfall shower, Biology skincare amenities and a private deck with bike racks – as the Pemberton Mountain Bike Park is just 800-metres away. Jaspers Whisky Bar offers a specially curated selection of classics, award-winners, rare finds, cellar-door exclusives and New World creations. The restaurant menu heroes the fresh seasonal produce available in the region – including truffles, marron, rainbow trout, avocados, figs, olives, berries, hazelnuts and honey, paired with a selection of local wines.

New wild dolphin swim and accommodation package on offer
Perth Wildlife Encounters will welcome guests back on September 15 with a new tour and accommodation package to complement one of Perth's bucket list wildlife experiences – swimming with wild dolphins. With the tour operating in the sheltered waters of Rockingham, located 45-minutes south of Perth CBD, guests now have the opportunity to package their dolphin swim with a stay at Quest Apartments Rockingham, allowing visitors more time to explore the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Penguin Island, and Rockingham's beaches, cafes and restaurants. Perth Wildlife Encounters also operates the Penguin Island ferry service and cruises that showcase the local marine life, including penguins, sea lions, dolphins and sea birds. The one night 'Quest Rockingham & Swim with Wild Dolphin Experience' starts from $290, and includes a 12pm complimentary check-out.

New level of luxury for Smiths Beach Resort
Located in WA's Margaret River region, Smiths Beach Resort has recently undergone a soft refurbishment across all of its eight different accommodation offerings. The upgrades include a range of new elements such as couches, rugs, bedside and floor lamps, artwork by local photographer Christian Fletcher, dining chairs and outdoor furnishings, complementing the resort's stunning ocean views of Smiths Beach and surrounding natural landscape. The luxury coastal resort has also launched a new range of 'Signature Experiences' available to all guests, including half and full day offerings that highlight key experiences in the Margaret River region. This includes wine tours and masterclasses, a walk on the Cape to Cape Track, e-bike wine tour with Easy Ride, kayaking with Margaret River Discover Co, and a fishing experience with an aboriginal guide from Koomal Dreaming.

Find 'Ways to Nature' in Mandurah
Explore the extraordinary wetlands and wildlife of the Peel-Harvey estuary with a new walking tour, Ways to Nature. Operated by local zoologist Sarah Wray, guests will enjoy a guided nature walk around the beautiful reserves of Mandurah's internationally significant Peel-Yalgorup wetlands, where Sarah shares her passion for Australian's wildlife and biodiversity. A range of walking tours are available to suit all abilities, with morning and afternoon departures available from Wednesday to Sunday. Mandurah is located an easy one hour drive south of Perth.

Improved access to the Abrolhos Islands
Accessing one of WA's most unique marine environments will soon be made easier thanks to a number of new tourism offerings and developments. Located 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton in WA's Coral Coast region, the Abrolhos Islands are made up of 122 islands, surrounded by coral and marine life, with the three main clusters of islands stretching north to south for 100 kilometres. Operating from Geraldton, Abrolhos Adventures has introduced a new vessel to its fleet this season – the catamaran ferry MV2000. The vessel will soon be used for all-inclusive sightseeing day tours to the Abrolhos Islands, and will be able to reach the islands in 80-minutes – as opposed to around 2.5-hours on the other vessels. In addition to this, visitors and boaters to the islands will soon benefit from the construction of two new jetties at East Wallabi and Beacon Islands. The jetties are expected to be completed by early 2021.

Quest hotel opening in Ascot
Quest Apartment Hotels will soon welcome another new accommodation offering in Perth. Opening on October 6, Quest Perth Ascot is ideally positioned between Perth Airport and the city centre. The new offering will feature 112 modern, self-contained apartments, including one and two bedroom rooms equipped with a full kitchen and laundry facilities; and studio apartments with kitchenettes. The hotel also includes conference facilities, a gymnasium, business lounge and swimming pool.

Manjimup welcomes new museum
The town of Manjimup, located in the Southern Forests region of WA's South West, has recently welcomed the opening of the new Power Up Electricity Museum. Delivering an immersive learning experience the whole family can enjoy, guests will discover the evolution of electricity in WA, from the first light bulb to the future of solar energy, with stimulating displays and people-powered activities designed to spark curiosities. Located at the Manjimup Heritage Park in the Visitor Centre and Park Café, it's the ideal place to include on a Southern Forests itinerary.

New cultural cruises on the Swan
Crystal Swan Cruises, in partnership with traditional owner and Nyoongar elder Kerry Ann Winmar, will this month launch a new tour celebrating the cultural history of Perth's iconic Swan River. 'Derbarl Yerrigan Bilya – Cultural Stories of the Swan River' will take guests on a scenic two-hour cruise along the river, with Kerry Ann providing personal stories and yarns passed down from her ancestors, as well as historical facts on the settlement of the Swan River by white colonists. The Swan River – or Derbarl Yerrigan Bilya as it's known in Nyoongar language – holds a special significance for the Whadjuk Nyoongar people. Tickets for the cruises are priced at $70 per person for a two-hour cruise, and includes a morning tea featuring Indigenous ingredients such as chocolate wattleseed brownies and quandong shortbread, and will take place on the last Saturday of every month.

Walk into Luxury in the Kimberley
Walk into Luxury has released new private journeys and luxury walks, including a new Kimberley wilderness adventure. The six-day Kimberley Waterfalls and Gorges Tour includes heli-hiking experiences to remote Kimberley gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes, such as Mitchell Falls and King George Falls, guided hiking activities, and all-inclusive food and wine, while staying at El Questro Homestead. Tours are scheduled to depart from April to October 2021.

Perth to host world's largest marine mammal conference
The world's largest marine mammal conference is taking place in Perth in 2023. The 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals is expected to attract more than 2,000 members of the Society for Marine Mammals to WA over eight days, including pre and post-touring to the regions to discover the State's incredible marine life and natural landscapes, such as the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Perth's Rottnest Island, the Kimberley wilderness and Margaret River region.

Tourists invited to York's yellow canola fields
During the months of August and September the York region, located 1.5 hour drive north of Perth, bursts into colour with native wildflowers and fields of yellow canola. PetTeet Park, a 100-acre stud farm located between the towns of York and Beverley, has planted a field of canola specifically for tourists, allowing visitors to safely wander through the fields of yellow and take photos without damaging farmer's crops of canola. Entry to the farm is $5.00 per person, and is open on Sundays from August 16.

Upgrades to Busselton Jetty's Underwater Observatory
The iconic Busselton Jetty in WA's South West region has recently upgraded its Underwater Observatory experiences. Located at the end of the 1.8-kilometre long jetty – the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere – the observatory allows visitors to descend eight-metres beneath the water's surface to view more than 300 individual marine species in their natural habitat. Upgrades to the experience include all new educational, engaging and entertaining signage; artwork created by a local artists; high-tech projections and interactive activities.

Tourism WA image library releases new assets
Tourism Western Australia's Image Library has recently added a range of incredible new images and footage that showcases destinations and tourism product for the regions of Perth, South West, Coral Coast and North West. These assets are free to download for media to assist in promoting WA as a holiday destination – you just need to be a registered user. New users can register for access to the library here.