14 Nov 2023
WHAT'S HOT
World's biggest tourism summit coming to WA
Western Australia will host global leaders from some of the world's biggest companies next year after the State was selected to host the prestigious World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit. This will be the first time the event has been held in Australia and will spotlight WA as an emerging global leader in travel, tourism and trade when it takes place in October 2024. WTTC is the global authority on tourism and its members include more than 200 CEOs, Chairpersons, and Presidents of companies such as Emirates, Etihad Airlines, Hilton Group, Visa, and Expedia. Previous attendees at this annual event include former USA President Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron, previous United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and world-famous environmental activist and adventurer Bear Grylls. The Summit was secured for the State through a successful bid by the WA Government, in partnership with Business Events Perth, and Business Events Australia.
Bonjour Paris to Perth direct flights
Parisians will say bonjour to WA's pristine beaches and sunny skies on a new direct flight to Perth launching in 2024. From July 12, Qantas will launch a direct flight service between Paris and Perth, with the 17-hour flight to operate four days per week during the European summer and the Paris Olympics on Qantas' Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Services will move to three per week from mid-August 2024. The route will also provide seamless connections for more than 70 destinations across the region, including Athens, Barcelona and Frankfurt. The direct service also provides a great opportunity for east coast travelers to have a 'stopover in Perth' on their way to Europe.
Perth Festival to shine in 2024
Australia's longest running cultural festival will radiate with stories from Western Australia and across the globe from February 9 to March 3, 2024 celebrating our shared humanity under the same sun. The Perth Festival 2024 program has a collective theme of Ngaangk – the Noongar term for our star, our sun and our mother. The festival will open with West Australian Opera's world premier commission from Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse bringing Noongar magic to the opera stage with Wundig we Wilura and ends with a free Lotterywest Closing Event Under the Same Sun, bringing together leading Aboriginal musicians and international guests including Paul Kelly, Angélique Kidjo, Emma Donovan, Lior, Sampa The Great, Mama Kin, Maatakitj, Flewnt, Shane Howard and Stephen Pigram. For the three weeks in between, audiences can enjoy the festival spectacle at indoor theatres, galleries, beaches, parks, suburban streets and concert halls. For the full program visit perthfestival.com.au.
World number one tennis superstars heading to Perth for United Cup
The world's best tennis players will unite in Perth (Boorloo) in December to compete at the United Cup. Serbia's current men's world number one Novak Djokovic and 24-time grand slam winner is the headline act alongside Poland's current women's world number one Iga Swiatek. Local stars Alex de Minaur, Ajla Tomljanovic and newly crowned world number one women's doubles player Storm Hunter will represent Australia. Perth will host top-ranked players from Serbia, Poland, Australia, the United States, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Spain and China and the Women's Tennis Association, with all matches to be played at RAC Arena over six action packed days, kicking off from December 29, 2023. The quarterfinals will be played in Perth on January 3, 2024, with the winners of each quarterfinal progressing to the semifinals and finals held in Sydney from January 6 to 7, 2024. Tickets are now on sale to all Perth matches, available to purchase through the website.
The Kimberley's Ord Valley Muster returns in 2024
The annual Ord Valley Muster will once again light up the Kimberley in 2024 with dazzling performances from some of Australia's top artists. The Screaming Jets, Rogue Traders, Sarah McLeod and Bob Evans will all take to the stage at the Nexus Airlines Kimberley Moon Experience on May 18, with tickets now on sale for the pinnacle event. Held in the town of Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang), the eastern gateway to the other-worldly wonders of the Kimberley region, the iconic nine-day festival will take place from May 17 to 25. The program also features traditional dance, performance and art from Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, storytelling led by local Miriwoong Elder David Newry, comedy shows, local cruises, art shows and unique dining experiences, plus the mustering rodeo.
Tickets on sale for the Perth WWE Elimination Chamber
Wrestling fans can now get their hands on the hottest tickets in town, with the WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth pre-sale tickets on sale now. Taking over Perth's Optus Stadium on February 24, the blockbuster event marks the first time a WWE Premium Live Event has been held in WA, and the only show to be held anywhere in Australia and Asia Pacific in 2024. It will also be the final WWE Premium Live Event in the lead-up to WrestleMania.
Top Tourism Operators Celebrated at WA Tourism Awards 2023
Top WA tourism businesses were recognised for excellence and innovation at the 2023 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards. The incredible cultural experiences, tourism offerings and events of WA's North West region were some of the big winners of the night, with Clinton Walker's Ngurrangga Tours claiming the top accolade, the Sir David Brand Medal for Tourism, plus Gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences category. Other North West businesses taking home Gold were Broome's Willie Creek Pearl Farm for top Tourist Attraction; Kununurra's Ord Valley Muster for Festivals and Events; and Nexus Airlines for the New Business category. Another big winner was WA Museum Boola Bardip, awarded Gold in both the Major Tourist Attractions and Cultural Tourism categories; plus Thomas Dambo's Giants of Mandurah taking out gold for Major Festivals & Events; and Live Ningaloo going into the Hall of Fame for Ecotourism. The full list of award winners can be found here, with all gold medalists going on to represent WA at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards.
TOURS, ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION
$50 million transformation for Pan Pacific Perth
The first of the newly refurbished rooms at Pan Pacific Perth are now available to book. The hotel is undergoing a $50 million transformation, elevating the Perth CBD hotel to a new standard of understated luxury when it's completed in 2024. The extensive transformation includes the refurbishment of 392 guest rooms and suites, revitalisation of 96 Pacific Club rooms and suites, redesign of the impressive ballrooms and meeting rooms on the convention level, the entire lobby and porte cochère, and the exclusive Pacific Club lounge on level seven. Having commenced earlier this year it is scheduled to be completed by mid-late 2024, with the first of the newly refurbished rooms already available for booking.
Luxury Villas open in the Margaret River Region
A luxurious adults-only retreat in the Margaret River Region will start welcoming guests next month. Edge Luxury Villas at Springwater Estate will offer four luxury villas all built over the property's stunning lake, offering expansive and tranquil views from each of the villa's private decks. All are equipped with self-sufficient kitchenettes, lounge area, king beds spacious bathrooms with freestanding stone baths, and luxury fittings. One of the villas is also fully accessible, providing a seamless experience for those with mobility considerations.
Access upgrades to Karijini National Park
Karijini National Park, one of WA's most rugged and adventurous National Parks, will soon be more easily accessible thanks to a $16 million infrastructure boost. A new lookout is set to be built at Knox Gorge while 41 kilometres of road will be sealed to boost and improve access to and between Weano Gorge, Dales Gorge and the Karijini Eco Retreat accommodation. Famous for its ancient gorges, crystal-clear water holes and cascading waterfalls, Karijini National Park is a popular destination, with the infrastructure upgrades helping to improve access for all travelers. The road upgrades and new lookout will be completed in 2024, with the park staying open whilst the work takes place.
APT leading sustainability in the Kimberley
Luxury global tour operator APT has been recognised as Advanced Eco Certified for its Kimberley Wilderness Adventures, thanks to the superior commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. In addition, in three of APT's Kimberley Wilderness Lodges have also achieved Advanced Eco Certification, and is now the only specialist luxury accommodation tour operator in the Kimberley to receive this recognition. Awarded by Ecotourism Australia, it assures travelers that the product is backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices, offering exceptional nature-based tourism experiences of the highest quality.
Perth to welcome Australia's first Hyde Hotel
Perth will be home to the first Hyde Hotel in Australia, with Hyde Perth set to open in 2024. Located on Pier Street in Perth's CBD, the former Seasons of Perth will be transformed, with Hyde bringing its signature festival feeling to Perth. Hyde Perth will offer 120 bohemian chic guest rooms, including 18 spacious suites, two dedicated meetings and event spaces, innovative dining concepts with a destination restaurant and bar, and a lively specialty café that opens onto an outdoor pool area surrounded by lush, tropical landscaping. The new hotel will draw inspiration from WA's rich palette of colours, and the hotel's dedicated entertainment spaces will come to life with a curated programme of music and live performances in keeping with Hyde's festival vibe.
Perth Zoo welcomes a new café precinct
Perth Zoo has unveiled a new café precinct, playground and function centre, coinciding with its 125th birthday in October. Nestled in the middle of the zoo, the café precinct contains three outlets to suit all visitors, including dine-in and takeaway, as well as a coffee and wine bar. All three outlets are situated next to the new expansive playground, perfect for families. Visitors can enjoy a sit-down meal at Habitat, pick up grab-and-go food and drink items from Wagtails, or purchase barista-made coffee or an alcoholic beverage from Distill and Brew. The new functions and events centre, The Maali, is now taking bookings for events and corporate functions.
Paspaley Pearl by PONANT cruising into the Kimberley
French-flagged expedition cruise line PONANT and luxury pearling company Paspaley will debut a new boutique expedition motor yacht Paspaely Pearl by PONANT in the Kimberley in 2024. Set to commence its inaugural Kimberley season in June 2024, the 30-guest vessel will bring a new era of luxury explorations in the Kimberley. It will be the newest and only boutique expedition motor yacht in the Kimberley with private balconies, and with the highest level of environmental and technical systems, it will offer a new standard of excellence in the region.
Explore WA in a 4WD Camper Vehicle
Hiring a 4WD camper vehicle to explore WA's incredible coastlines and epic outback landscapes has now become easier thanks to the recent introduction of two new rental companies. 4xploring Rentals offer premium off-road rental vehicles with rooftop tents for hire, plus a six-person camper trailer. The vehicles boast industry-leading equipment and accessories, and there is also the option to book personalised packages with food and beverage preloaded into the vehicle. Pick-up is available in Perth, with drop-off locations in Exmouth, Broome, Kununurra and Darwin.
Adventure Rentals has recently increased its fleet and depot locations into WA, with depots now available in both Perth and Broome. Offering premium 4WD camper vehicles for hire, travelers can fly into Broome and explore the outback wonders of the Kimberley region, and tackle the rugged beauty of the Gibb River Road from Broome to Darwin, one of Australia's most unique 4WD adventures.
Turtle Nesting Season at Ningaloo
From November to March each year, green, hawksbill and loggerhead mature female turtles make the long arduous journey up the beaches off the Ningaloo Coast - one of the world's major breeding areas for sea turtles - to lay their eggs. Visitors can take in the action of the journey on a guided Turtle Eco-Education tour with Jurabi Turtle Centre, or join Exmouth Adventure Co for a summer sunset turtle watching and stargazing tour in the Jurabi Coastal Park.
Ancient giant wombat-like marsupial unearthed in WA
A Western Australian Museum paleontology team has been recovering several rare and nearly complete Diprotodon skeletons at Cape Preston, located 100 kilometres south-west of Karratha in WA's Pilbara region. Diprotodons are extinct marsupials, related to koalas and wombats. They are the largest marsupials that ever lived, reaching weights of 2,800kg. The fossil site is unique in that several individuals are located close to each other and, suggesting the site may have been on a major migration route. Once the fossils have been transported to Perth, the skeletons will form part of the WA Museum collection, and experts will work on the skeletons to build a greater understanding of Diprotodon biology and behaviour.
FOOD & DRINKS
Wonil Hotel opens its signature restaurant
West Kitchen & Bar has officially opened at Wonil Hotel Perth, the first Handwritten Collection hotel to open in Australia. Offering a laid-back culinary experience whilst taking in the stunning views of Perth and the Swan River, the restaurant aims to celebrate the finest produce in WA by exclusively sourcing only West Australian produce and wines. The carefully-curated menu captures the abundance of fresh produce and flavours in WA, with dishes such as with Rottnest Harimasa (Kingfish) and Leeuwin Coast Akoya Oysters on the menu, as well as the diverse winemaking expertise in the State. Featuring an open-air terrace with sweeping views over the Swan, the venue also specialises in events, catering for both cocktail functions or long-table dinners.
Dunn Bay Continental opens in Dunsborough
A local continental grocer, wine store, café, deli and flower shop has opened its doors in the heart of Dunsborough, serving up gourmet produce from the Margaret River Region and beyond. Dunn Bay Continental is located within the new Southcamp precinct, which opened its doors earlier this year with village-style accommodation offering 18 cosy cabins and two comfy apartments, alongside a Brewhouse bar and kitchen. Hospitality legend Michael Forde is behind the operation, with iconic venues such as Mary Street Bakery and El Publico to his name, his latest venture aims to bring some of the best quality Australian and international products under one roof. Visitors can expect house-baked bread and pastries, sandwiches, free-range roast chicken, small-batch coffee, cheeses, cold-cut meats, salads and ready-made meals. Also in the same venue is a florist, plus a natural wine store with a loft bar is on the way.
6HEAD steakhouse opens at Elizabeth Quay
Perth's sparkling Elizabeth Quay will welcome the opening of another venue on the waterfront this month, with 6HEAD Perth set to open its doors on November 24. This will be the second venue for the premium steakhouse, after opening in Sydney in 2019. The restaurant will serve up its signature sharing steaks, alongside a menu of quality seafood and elevated classic dishes, with indoor and outdoor dining plus private dining experiences.
Betty's Burgers by the Scarborough Beachfront
Betty's Burgers has opened its doors on the iconic Scarborough Beachfront, located just a 20-minute drive from Perth city. Serving up its beloved burgers, fries and shakes, the new beachside venue is the ideal location for the popular burger shack. This the second WA outlet for Betty's Burgers, which originally opened in Noosa in 2014 before spreading around Australia, with plans to open more across the city.
Inara Dining in Busselton
Busselton's hospitality scene continues to boom, with the opening of Inara Dining last week adding to the mix. Located at the newly redeveloped Busselton Central Shopping Centre, the contemporary restaurant and bar specialises in Levantine cuisine and promises to take diners on a culinary adventure that celebrates the flavours and traditions of the Levant. The drinks menu showcases local wines from WA's South West region, complemented with a selection of spirits and craft beers.
Damaged Goods in the Swan Valley
WA's oldest wine region has welcomed another microdistillery and tasting room. Located in the Swan Valley, Damaged Goods Distilling Co gets its name from its sustainable concept of using 'waste' and unwanted produce to distill liquor. The owners are a former waste-conscious chef and experienced bartender, on a mission to prove spirits made with 'damaged' ingredients can still be top quality, and are revolutionising the distilling industry with innovative techniques to create spirits from leftover pulps, peels and unwanted produce. Guests can discover how the zero waste spirits are produced in the distillery's tasting room – made with recycled products – and sample the spirits on offer, including a citrus gin, smashed apple aperitivo and banana vodka.
EVENTS
December 2 to 3 | Kalbarri National Park | WA's Coral Coast
Dine on a skywalk under the stars at the next Kalbarri Skywalk Dinner weekend. This unique dining event allows guests to dine under the stars whilst enjoying breathtaking views over Kalbarri National Park and Murchison River Gorge, seated on top of the Kalbarri Skywalk. The event will showcase the finest WA produce and beverages, alongside live performances and stargazing experiences. Coach and dinner packages are available, which include transfers from Perth to Kalbarri, accommodation, day tours and the dinner.
December 3 | Busselton | WA's South West
One of only three Australian events on the global Ironman circuit, the Ironman Western Australia is celebrated for its scenic course through the City of Busselton, where competitors often achieve personal best times. After a challenging 3.8-kilometre swim around the iconic Busselton Jetty, athletes then take on the 180-kilometre cycle through the picturesque tuart forests and a 42.4-kilometre run along the crystalline waters of Geographe Bay. The popular shorter-distance 70.3 race takes place alongside the main triathlon.
Perth Test – Australia vs Pakistan
December 14 to 18 | Optus Stadium | Perth
Perth's Optus Stadium is set to host the first International Test Match for the 2023/24 summer series of cricket. Following the 2023 Ashes Series and ICC Cricket World Cup, the Australia men's team will play Pakistan un a new cycle of World Test Championship. Optus Stadium is set to have minor makeover during the five-day Perth Test, with The West Test Hill to be built across four of the stadium's bays, replacing four bays of seating with astroturf to recreate the grass banks of the iconic WACA Stadium.
January 26 to 28 | HBF Park | Perth
Perth will host the Australian leg of the HSBC SVNS (formerly known as HSBC Rugby World Sevens Series) next year, with the Australian-exclusive global rugby event will taking place at Perth's rectangular stadium, HBF Park. HSBC SVNS attracts the world's top rugby nations to play an alternative rugby union format which involves seven players competing in seven-minute halves in a tournament format with round robin and knockout matches over three days. Twelve men's and twelve women's national teams will go head-to-head in seven regular season events, with round three set to take place in Perth plus a Grand Final. A fan festival will surround the event and provide a carnival-like hub for visitors and locals to enjoy before, during and after the matches.
January 19 to February 18 | Perth
Perth's annual FRINGE World Festival is set to once again light up the city with culture and colour when it returns in 2024. Featuring a packed program of more than 200 events covering circus, comedy, cabaret, theatre, dance and children's entertainment from local, national and international artists, it is set to surprise and delight audiences of all ages. The ever-popular Pleasure Garden will return with some of the hottest shows in the Festival, and a brand new venue L'Euro Grand will also bring the heat – giving life to the former European Foods Warehouse in Northbridge transforming it into a vibrant destination for entertainment.
February 10 to 11 | Busselton | WA's South West
The Busselton Jetty Swim is a premier sporting event on the WA calendar. Held over two-days, it features a 3.6 kilometre open water swim around the iconic Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Competitors can swim solo, or in a two or four person relay. There's also a one mile swim to shore, starting at the end of the jetty, and a 500 metre swim starting at the eastern side of the jetty. The event also includes entertainment and activities, plus a family friendly concert.
Boyup Brook Country Music Festival
February 16 to 18 | Boyup Brook | WA's South West
The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is the State's premier country music event. Held over four days, the family-friendly event is a celebration of country music in a relaxed and natural bushland setting. The event combines a country music awards ceremony; free street carnival complete with buskers; stalls and food stands; a ute and truck muster parade; and one of Australia's largest Bush Poets Breakfast.
South West Craft Beer Festival
February 25 | Busselton | WA's South West
The South West Craft Beer Festival is the perfect opportunity to see and taste the best brews on offer in WA's South West. The festival will showcase more than 150 refreshing local brews from 20 breweries located between Mandurah and Denmark, including an assortment of one-off and limited edition beers, gourmet food and live acts; plus, a range of local wines and craft ciders.
March 1 to 18 | Cottesloe | Perth
Sculpture by the Sea sees Cottesloe Beach transform into a spectacular sculpture park with more than 70 works on display from artists across Australia and the world. As Perth's largest free public event, exhibits from some of the world's top sculptors are displayed against a backdrop of one of the city's most popular beaches.
