22 Dec 2014
In this month's edition of Tourism Western Australia's Innovations read about the launch of Fringe World 2015, Katy Perry's visit to WA, Perth's urban pop-up beach and the Kimberley being named Australia's best destination by Australian Traveller. There's also all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events.
What's Hot
WA designer scores major coup
Local designer Jamie Lee Major can add another A-list celebrity to her list of star clients, with US pop star Katy Perry selecting to wear a Jamie Lee outfit to the 2014 ARIA Awards. The hand-beaded creation made of lace, onyx crystal beads and patent leather, took Major approximately 400 hours to create. Perry recently kicked off her Australian tour in WA, and was spotted enjoying time in the State's Margaret River wine region following a sold-out concert at Perth Arena.
W: jaimelee.com.au
State's premier food and wine event secured to 2017
WA's Margaret River Gourmet Escape remains on track to become a premier global food and wine event, with the State Government committing funding to event organiser, Brand Events, until at least 2017. In just three years, Margaret River Gourmet Escape has reaped dividends for WA attracting chefs like Heston Blumenthal, Rene Redzepi and Massimo Bottura, and generating $9 million in global publicity for the State. The 2014 Margaret River Gourmet Escape has been dubbed the best yet, with more than 20,000 tickets sold over the course of the event. Twenty satellite events attracted more than 8,000 people to the Margaret River region, including food and wine enthusiasts from across the world.
W: gourmetescape.com.au
Urban beach to Rock Away the summer at Perth Cultural Centre
A 1950s urban beach has been installed in the heart of Perth City, as part of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority's latest installation, 'Rock Away Beach'. More than 45 tonnes of sand have been brought into Perth Cultural Centre to create two beaches – a shaded beach for children, and a relaxing adult's beach in the James Street amphitheatre. Throughout the beach season, urban beach goers will be entertained in the evenings with music and movies, while Bar Pop will turn 'Rock Away Beach' into a rocking beach bar. Entry to the urban oasis is free, and is open to the public now through to February 1, 2015.
W: perthculturalcentre.com.au
Fringe World 2015 launches
This summer the temperature in Perth is set to soar, with Fringe World delivering the most diverse and spectacular line-up to date. The 2015 festival program is out, inviting visitors from near and far to make the most of 31 days of 'Perthect' entertainment. The program features more than 500 events at 100 venues in Perth City and surrounds, with local, national and international talent showcasing an amazing array of WA, Australian and world premieres. Highlights of the festival include an expanded Pleasure Garden at Russell Square with an extra spiegeltent; a fleet of rickshaws connecting the two main Fringe World hubs; The State Theatre Centre will join the pop-up scene with a new courtyard comedy tent; and giant pink bunny sculptures by street artist Stormie Mills at Brookfield Place. The four week festival will run from January 23 to February 22, overlapping with the Perth International Arts Festival. An increase in crowds is expected, surpassing last year's count of 370,000 people who attended the summer festival.
Lifestyle and Culture
Jasper Jones to be filmed in WA
A screen adaptation of the award-winning novel by Craig Silvey will be filmed in WA. Jasper Jones is a murder mystery which has captivated readers and more recently, theatre audiences world-wide. It's anticipated to be filmed in and around the South West's tall forests in mid-2015. The region has been the setting for a number of other films in recent years, including Drift and Kill Me Three Times.
W: screenwest.wa.gov.au
Wendy Martin to lead Perth International Arts Festival
The former head of theatre and dance at the Sydney Opera House, who now works for one of the world's leading performing arts centers, has been appointed artistic director of Perth International Arts Festival. Wendy Martin is currently head of performance and dance at Southbank Centre in London, and will take over artistic direction of the Perth Festival from 2016-2019, succeeding current artistic director Jonathan Holloway after the 2015 Festival. Perth International Arts Festival was established by The University of Western Australia's Professor Fred Alexander as the "Festival of Perth" in 1953, and is Australia's longest running international arts festival.
W: perthfestival.com.au
Outdoor movies kick-off at Cape Mentelle
Movies and wine combine in Margaret River for Movies at Cape Mentelle – an outdoor cinema set-up in one of the region's premium wineries, Cape Mentelle. A range of films will be screened as part of the season, which runs throughout summer. The venue's wine bar and lounge boasts a menu created with locally sourced produce, offering gourmet pizzas, rolls, salads, cheese plates and 'old school' movie treats. Visitors can take the ultimate comfort option and hire a bean-bed so they can lie back and enjoy a movie under the stars. To add to the outdoor experience, Go in Style Tours has recently launched a new 'Une Soiree au Cinema' tour – an afternoon tour which includes two winery visits, a glass of French champagne and canapes at Surfers Point, then an evening at the Movies at Cape Mentelle with VIP reserved seating for guests.
W: capementelle.com.au/Events/Movies-at-Cape-Mentelle
Creative festival to take South West by storm
The Emergence Creative Festival will be back and better than ever from March 8 to 11, 2015. The Emergence Creative Festival turns the iconic Margaret River region into a creative playground, bringing together creatives from across the globe for a four-day sensory overload. Dubbed the 'anti-conference', the festival is an influential celebration of creativity and a launching pad for big ideas. The events, experiences and speakers have been selected to ignite your creativity and encourage new ways of thinking.
W: emergencecreative.com
Twilight Flyers commence at Scarborough Beach
Visitors to Perth now have the opportunity to experience life as a circus performer following the launch of Twilight Flyers at Scarborough Beach, one of Perth's famed beaches. The high flying trapeze is suitable for people aged seven years and up, and is great for personal fitness, improving coordination, strength, flexibility and agility. Classes run for 1.5 hours between 7:30am and 9am and 5pm and 9:30pm. Twilight Flyers is Perth's only publicly accessible flying trapeze rig set overlooking the Indian Ocean.
W: eventopia.co/event/Twilight-Flyers-Flying-Trapeze/274049
Food and Wine
Eat Drink Perth dates announced
The Eat Drink Perth festival will run for five weeks from March 20 to April 24, 2015. The foodie event will offer food lovers of all tastes and budgets an additional week of savouring a multitude of foods, cooking demonstrations and master classes, wine tastings, degustations, progressive dinners, food and fresh produce markets, and pop-up events from a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, bars and specialty retailers across Perth City. The festival's program of events is set to be released in February/March 2015.
W: eatdrinkperth.visitperthcity.com
Easy breezy bar opens in Perth's creative hub
Nestled on the border of Northbridge and Perth CBD, The Standard Bar Garden and Kitchen is a refreshing mix of breezy cool and easy fun, poured into a garden oasis. The internal aspect of the venue houses an open plan kitchen, 10 metre long bar, concrete block walls, glass bricks, local timbers featured lighting and art. Whilst the inside bar is sleek yet artistic, the outdoor sanctuary is a relaxed, revitalising oasis – a respite from the city jungle outside. The menu created by Head Chef Chase Webber salutes local and seasonal produce and is designed for shared grazing, while the drinks list is one of the best in Perth.
W: thestandardperth.com.au
Perth City welcomes new waterfront bar
Aqua Bar is the latest addition to the Old Perth Port Waterfront. Overlooking the Swan River and Perth City skyline, Aqua Bar is a multipurpose venue with a lounge, upper deck and terrace, catering not only as a late night bar but also as a private function facility.
Beach house hangout opens in Fremantle
A new beach house has opened in Fremantle, which is Perth's port city. Bathers Beach House is Perth's only absolute beachfront restaurant, bar and function space, three steps from the beautiful white sands of Bathers Beach in Fremantle. The diverse venue caters for a wide range of functions, including weddings and corporate functions. Bathers Beach House is open seven days a week, from 11am until late.
W: bathersbeachhouse.com.au
Food and wine festival by the beach
Food and wine festival Sunset Wine is back with an expanded venue to make way for a larger winery base and increase in visitors, at Perth's iconic Scarborough Beach. Part of Summerset Arts Festival, the event will offer guests newly released wine, popular street foods and laid back entertainment in a relaxed environment overlooking Perth's famous Indian Ocean. Sunset Wine will run for two days from January 31 to February 1, with ticket prices starting at $21.
W: wineandfood.com.au
Tours, Attractions and Accommodation
Another major project changing the face of Perth city
Designs of Perth's newest public space, which pays homage to Noongar culture and traditions, have been revealed. Yagan Square will include a range of event spaces for up to 8,500 people, an amphitheatre, fresh food market, children's play area, native gardens, public art and a digital tower with the capability to broadcast real-time events. This latest development adds to Perth's growing list of infrastructure projects and cultural precinct openings, continuing to change the face of the city. Construction of Yagan Square is due to start mid-2015 and be completed for opening in early 2017.
W: mra.wa.gov.au
Kimberley named Australia's best destination
The Kimberley in WA's North West has been awarded the Best Travel Experience of 2014 by Australian travel magazine, Australian Traveller. The region's majestic, mysterious, remote, rugged and sincerely beautiful landscape took out the inaugural award, as part of the magazine's Peoples' Choice Awards – an annual snapshot of the best travel experiences readers' have had over the year. Other WA experiences and destinations to make the list included swimming with Ningaloo's whale sharks (came in third on the list of Top Travel Experiences) and Lake Argyle Caravan Park won the best campsite in Australia for 2014. For the full list of winners, visit australiantraveller.com/peoples-choice-2014.
Perth placed in top five destinations on the rise
Perth has placed fourth in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards for Destination on the Rise, South Pacific. Award-winners were determined on their year-over-year increase in positive Trip Advisor traveller review ratings on accommodations, restaurants, and attractions across destinations worldwide. For the full list of winners, visit the TripAdvisor website, tripadvisor.com.au.
Margaret River Exposed launches in South West
Margaret River Exposed Tours discovers the true wonders of the region, from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. Visitors will have access via luxury 4WD to all the national parks in the South West and visit 'off the beaten track' secluded spots rich in wildlife, wildflowers and amazing vistas not normally accessible. Tours include complimentary tuition for macro, wildflower and landscape photography for those people who wish to enhance their skills, seek specific interests or simply enjoy the wonder of the surrounds and the abundant native flora and fauna.
W: margaretriverexposed.com.au
New tours available for Cape to Cape explorers
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours has launched three new day tours for those looking for an exciting adventure in the picturesque Margaret River region. The Northern Highlights Tour is a six-hour coastal adventure which traverses the most spectacular northern highlights of the Capes region. The Wild About Margaret River Tour is a fascinating, personalised tour which offers insight into the real Margaret River including, early settlers, stunning bushland, secret swimming holes, and what lies behind the incredible biodiversity of the region. The Sunset Forest and Cave Explorer Tour is an exhilarating three-hour journey allowing participants to view the sunset at one of the most stunning vistas on the Cape to Cape Track, head through the forest and into the heart of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge. Cape to Cape Explorer Tours is an award winning, Margaret River company who specialise in providing memorable experiences on WA's premier coastal hike, the Cape to Cape Track.
W: capetocapetours.com.au
South West cottages receives makeover
Balingup Heights Hilltop Forest Cottages has unveiled a fresh look for its five rustic timber cottages following a soft refurbishment. A special package is now available to celebrate the renovation, where visitors can stay a minimum of three nights and receive a complimentary farmhouse breakfast hamper, gourmet cheese platter and bottle of Smallwater Estate wine. Rates start from $230 per couple per night, or $690 for three nights. The special offer is available until December 20, 2014. The rustic cottages are located on top of 46 acres of rolling hills in WA's South West.
W: balingupheights.com.au
Busselton Jetty celebrates 150th Anniversary
The iconic Busselton Jetty in WA's South West will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year, with a black tie event on January 23, 2015. Extending 1.8 kilometres across the beautiful Geographe Bay, the heritage-listed jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The famous jetty and beachfront plays host to a number of major events across the year including, the Festival of Busselton, Busselton Jetty Swim, The Naturaliste Blue Water Classic, Half Ironman and Ironman.
W: busseltonjetty.com.au
Helicopter charter pioneering the spirit of the Kimberley
The Kimberley's largest helicopter company now has a new name, HeliSpirit, to reflect the region's pioneering spirit and the sense of adventure that helicopter flights provide. Formerly known as Heliwork WA, the new branding reflects the safe, professional and efficient services they offer to both corporate and leisure sectors. As well as a new name, HeliSpirit has partnered with local food and beverage suppliers to showcase more of the Kimberley's awe inspiring scenery on its helifishing and helipicnic adventure tours.
W: helispirit.com.au
Sal Salis wins Mr and Mrs Smith Eco Award
Remote WA beachside safari camp, Sal Salis, has won the Eco Award in Mr and Mrs Smith's 2014 Smith Hotel Awards. Located in the dunes of WA's Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis was handpicked from eco retreats across the world to win the highly coveted award. Mr and Mrs Smith reviewer, Juliet Kinsman, labelled Sal Salis as the "perfect retreat for anyone after a digital detox". For the full list of winners visit, smithhotelawards.com/2014.
W: salsalis.com.au
New product for Great Southern adventure seekers
Phil Cox, formerly of APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures and Kangaroo Island Wilderness tours, has joined forces with Albany Whale Tours to create Albany and Great Southern Wilderness Tours. The new tours are perfect for those looking for exclusive experiences in WA's South West in the Great Southern region, such as discovering Albany's hidden treasures, circumnavigating famous Breaksea Island and enjoying one of the most luxurious tours in Australia with silver service lunches and premium wine.
W: albanywildernesstours.com.au
Willy Bay Resort reveals expansion
The exciting expansion of Willy Bay Resort in Margaret River is now complete. The South West resort now accommodates more than 100 people with 14 additional five star suites. The venue now also has a new function centre which houses up to 300 people, the perfect location for weddings and large corporate groups.
W: willybayresort.com.au
Wheatbelt cottages now open for business
New accommodation in the Wheatbelt region is now available for bookings following the construction of eight cottages on a family farming enterprise in Kukerin, 308 kilometres south east of Perth. The cottages can be rented as motel units, one bedroom apartments and two bedroom cottages, and will help maximise the local area's tourism potential by providing quality accommodation in the region. Situated in Australia's Golden Outback, Kukerin is a farm community and hosts various family-friendly events throughout the year, including the Creekbed and Burnout Championships.
W: cambinatayabbies.com.au
FEATURE
A Timeless Story - Aboriginal Western Australia
The world's most ancient living culture, Australia's Aboriginal people have a continuous history spanning at least 50,000 years.
Theirs is the oldest story on Earth and Aboriginal tourism operators help to keep their culture alive and create employment opportunities for their families, by sharing their stories with visitors from around the world.
See the world's largest collection of rock art
One of WA's Aboriginal experiences - Ngurrangga Tours - showcases the world's largest collection of rock art.
Taking people 'on country' has been a dream for Ngarluma man Clinton Walker for more than a decade. Ignited by a passion for sharing Aboriginal traditions and history, Clinton's dream is now a reality with the recent launch of Ngurrangga Tours, operating out of Karratha, in the Pilbara region of mid-north Western Australia.
Home to the world's largest collection of rock art, the Burrup Peninsula, located within the Murujuga National Park, is the highlight of Clinton's half day rock art tour.
"We're taking people on a journey to the real Pilbara, a place with the same historical significance as the Great Pyramid of Giza, with ancient petroglyphs that date back more than 30,000 years," Mr Walker said.
Ngurrangga Tours offer half day tours, with full day trips, 4WD tag along tours and overnight camping adventures also available. facebook.com/NgurranggaTours
Meet the Ardi people of the Dampier Peninsula
North of Broome, in the dramatic Kimberley region, you can join the saltwater people of the Dampier Peninsula – known locally as the Ardi region. They have survived for thousands of years by living off the region's plentiful seafood. Their knowledge of the pristine local beaches and waters will ensure you enjoy this coastal wilderness that is home to fish, turtles, dugongs, mud crabs, whales, dolphins and sharks.
Try your hand at catching mud crabs with Aboriginal elder Brian Lee on his Hunter's Creek Tagalong Tour - brianleetagalong.com.au. Or join Bundy's Cultural Tours and sample local bushfoods, have a go at spear making or take in a spot of night fishing.
bundysculturaltours.com.au
Land and water based adventures
If 4WD adventure is more your style, Neville Poelina from Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures runs a series of cultural bush tours that depart Broome. Neville is an expert at traditional spear fishing, and loves to cook, so you won't go hungry on his tours. uptuyu.com.au
Passionate fisherman and Aboriginal guide Kurt Williamson from Barradict Sportfishing Charters (barraddictsportfishing.com.au) has grown up fishing throughout the Kimberley. Kurt's knowledge of the region is extensive and he runs both land and sea based adventures, including tours departing Eco Beach south of Broome. ecobeach.com.au
Explore geological wonders and take a spiritual journey
Between Broome and Kununurra, near Fitzroy Crossing, you'll find Mimbi Caves. Part of the 350 million year old Devonian Reef system, your guides Rosemary and Ronnie will take you on a guided tour of this spectacular geological site, which is also a place of spiritual significance to the Gooniynandi people. mimbicaves.com.au
Deep in the heart of the majestic Kimberley region, Dillon Andrews and his team welcome you to Bunuba Country. Learn the ancient Dreamtime stories of how this land was created and see the rock art that brings these stories to life. bungoolee.com.au
Heading east toward Kununurra, Wundargoodie Aboriginal Safaris, based out of Wyndham offers a range of unique Indigenous experiences, including a Women's only Kimberley Spiritual experience. Explore the ancient landscape and see age old rock art, including Wandjina and Gwee-arn (Bradshaw) art, much of which pre dates the last ice age.
wundargoodie.com.au
Go foraging and cook your catch
On WA's mid north coast at Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage arealearn about Aboriginal heritage and culture with Darren 'Capes' Capewell, owner of Wula Guda Nyinda Aboriginal Eco Adventures. Offering both day and night guided bush walks and kayak tours, Capes is increasing his focus on sourcing local, seasonal foods for beach 'cook ups' and tastings on tour. wulaguda.com.au
In the popular Margaret River wine region, just three hour's drive south of Perth, experience a didgeridoo performance inside a cave or share in stories and food tastings around the campfire amidst the forest with Josh Whiteland from Koomal Dreaming. Josh is also a passionate cook, and shares his culture and love of bush foods with chefs from around the world each year at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape. koomaldreaming.com.au
Urban and coastal adventures
In Perth, Western Australia's capital, head to Kings Park & Botanic Garden and learn how the park was used as a place of ceremony and celebration by the local Noongar People. Next stop is the historic port city of Fremantle, where your guide from Indigenous Tours WA will share stories from the Dreamtime until white settlement. indigenouswa.com
Urban Indigenous Tours (urbanindigenoustours.com) is another Perth based operator that offers a fresh insight into the Perth Aboriginal community. The day trip includes an art class with a local Indigenous artist; contemporary bush tucker tastings, lunch at an Aboriginal Café in the heart of Perth and a didgeridoo lesson in Fremantle.
The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee (WAITOC) supports the growth of the Indigenous tourism industry in Western Australia and now represents more than 65 Aboriginal tourism operators ranging from accommodation, traditional dance and Dreamtime stories to contemporary history, bush tours and art. waitoc.com
Events
JANUARY
Hopman Cup
January 4 – 10, Perth
Perth's premier tennis tournament showcases top international talent at the state-of-the-art Perth Arena. The 2015 all-star line-up includes World No.1 Serena Williams and defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, joining Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios, Casey Dellacqua and Eugenie Bouchard. In total, nine of the world's current top 20 players, including three top-ten women, will start the tennis season in Western Australia. Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, USA and France are set to join Australia, Great Britain and Canada at Hopman Cup 2015.
hopmancup.com
WA Country Builders Albany Half Triathlon
January 9 – 10, Albany
Individuals and teams can take part in the triathlon which features a 1.9 kilometre swim, a 90 kilometre cycle and a 21.1 kilometre run throughout the beautiful Great Southern region. Male and female athletes who place first will take home a prize of $2,000, while first placed team receive $1,000.
albanyhalf.com.au
WA's Great Southern to host Vintage Music Festival
The Stray Sisters and Ash Grunwald will pervade the surroundings of Wignalls Winery in Albany on Saturday, January 10 as the headline act of the iconic and newly named 18th Wignalls Vintage Music Festival. Formally known as the Vintage Blues Festival, 2015 will see the festival approach its roots with a new name an introducing new fresh talent that has been selected to enhance the overall experience for our patrons. One of the first Australian events offering a day-long, non-stop musical event, Wignalls Vintage Music Festival is renowned for showcasing emerging artists in a family-friendly environment.
vintageblues.com.au/future.htm
Lancelin Ocean Classic
January 15 – 18, Lancelin
The Lancelin Ocean Classic is the longest running windsurfing event in Australia, attracting world-class competitors. The event attracts up to 5,000 visitors and athletes from over 19 countries. It remains as one of the most recognised events on the world water sports calendar.
lancelinoceanclassic.com.au
Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd Grapes and Gallops
January 18, Mount Barker
Grapes & Gallops is the biggest event on the Mount Barker Turf Club's calendar. This exciting race day features an eight-race program, including the Great Southern's richest race, the $100,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint over 1300 metres.
grapesandgallops.com
Western Australian Circus Festival
January 24 – 26, Karridale
This event features local, national and international contemporary circus performers. Circus, comedy, cabaret and theatre shows from around the world showcase across the three day festival from midday to midnight, as well as music, food, market stalls, bars and a flying trapeze for the adventure seekers.
lunarcircus.com/2015-western-australian-circus-festival
BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series
January 30 – February 1, Perth
A festival of water-based sport featuring one of the world's richest international swimming meets. The BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series features some of Australia's finest swimmers, and is the only annual event in Australia featuring the national swim team and water polo team competing on the same stage. Swimming powerhouse, the United States of America, will compete in next year's BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series (BASS). The US men's water polo team will also be in town to take on the Australian men's team, promising to be a great competition. Now in its third year, BASS is a unique home-grown event, which sees some of the world's best swimming teams compete over two nights for cash prizes. Other teams competing in pool competitions include Australia, China and Japan.
aquaticsuperseries.com.au
FEBRUARY
Perth International Arts Festival
February 13 – March 7, Perth
The Perth International Arts Festival is the oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere and annually offers some of the world's best theatre, music, film, visual arts, street arts, literature and free community events. The festival's 2015 program is jam-packed with big ideas and big-name artists including, an Australian exclusive of Royal De Luxe, The Giants commemorating the centenary of the Anzacs; Madama Butterfly; The Rabbits and much more.
corporate.perthfestival.com.au
SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim
February 8, Busselton
The State's premier ocean swim around the iconic Busselton Jetty. Since 1996, the Busselton Jetty Swim has grown from a local event to an internationally recognised event attracting in excess of 1,750 competitors. The course is a swim of 3.6 km around the Busselton Jetty. Solos and relay teams of two and four are welcome.
busseltonjettyswim.org.au
Boyup Brook Country Music Festival
February 11 – 15, Boyup Brook
WA's premier country music festival, the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, will celebrate its 30th anniversary from February 11 to 15, 2015. Over the past 30 years the country music festival has presented some fabulous local, national and international artists, with this year's line-up including country music legends, Troy Cassar-Daley, Tania Kernaghan, Ray Kernaghan, Amber Joy Poulton, Brian Letton, Country Horizon, Codee Lee, Vicki Lee and Hideaway, Kate Hindle and Band of Mates.
countrymusicwa.com.au
Club Marine Geographe Bay Race Week
February 15 - 20, Busselton
The Club Marine Geographe Bay Race Week is WA's premier yachting regatta and highly anticipated among the yachting fraternity. Competitors, spectators, family and friends come together to enjoy the festival atmosphere of the event's on-water and off-water schedule. Hosted on the pristine waters of Geographe Bay in Busselton in WA's South West, the event enjoys some of the best sailing conditions in the world. Racing will commence on Sunday February 15 and conclude on Friday February 20.
gbyc.com.au
Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic
February, Perth
The opening leg of the prestigious Australian Athletics Tour, the Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic welcomes a host of international superstars as well as Australia's finest athletes. Athletes go head to head in a range of track and field competitions.
South West Craft Beer Festival
February 14, Busselton
Brings together some of the region's best brewers so locals and visitors alike can experience award-winning brews and ciders, mouth-watering local produce and live music at Old Broadwater Farm in Busselton.
swbeerfest.com.au
Taste Great Southern
February 19 – March 31 2015, Great Southern
Taste Great Southern is a celebration of the unique and award-winning food and wine of the Great Southern in WA's South West. The 2015 line-up includes headline cook, Adam Liaw, supported by locals Anna Gare and Don Hancey. A wide variety of individual events will be hosted at participating vineyards, restaurants and public venues – ranging from farmers markets, cooking demonstrations, degustation dinners, beach barbecues and stunning performances from the 2015 Perth International Arts Festival line-up. The full program will be available from December 2014.
greatsoutherntastewa.com
MARCH
Great Southern Sustainable Living Festival
March 13-29, Great Southern
The week-long Great Southern Sustainable Living Festival features a range of events and activities taking place at a number of venues including Denmark, Albany, Mount Barker and Cranbrook. The activities include markets, wind power and kite festival, sustainable home tours, recycled art exhibitions and hands-on workshops.
festival.greenskills.org.au/
Quit Forest Rally
March 27-29, Nannup/Busselton
The Quit Forest Rally is WA's round of the Australian Rally Championship. It is the longest consecutively run rally in the Championship. Past and present competitors and officials will come together in WA's South West for another year of fun and excitement.
rally.com.au/quit-forest-rally/quit-forest-rally
Karri Valley Triathlon
March 21, Pemberton
The Karri Valley Triathlon is a competitive triathlon held in WA's picturesque South West. Starting in the clean, fresh waters of Lake Beedelup, competitors will then be challenged by the undulating bike course under the canopy of the tall-timber Karri forest, followed by a run surrounded by majestic views and natural charm of the Karri Valley Resort.
karrivalleytriathlon.com
Northam Flying 50
March 28-29, Northam
The Northam Flying 50 is a two-day classic motoring event held in the Avon Valley region, around 90 minutes from Perth. The event encompasses a hill climb at Mt Ommaney on Saturday with the 'round the houses' re-enactment in the streets of Northam on Sunday. The event attracts more than 100 cars to compete in up to 24 timed regularity heats for varying classes of vehicles. There are also special parades organised for specialist car clubs and local interest groups to participate in throughout the day, as well as a free Family Fun Fair.
vsccwa.com.au
Sculpture by the Sea
March 6-23, Perth
Sculpture by the Sea will return to Perth's Cottesloe Beach in 2015. More than 70 local, interstate and international artists will transform Perth's most popular beach into a stunning sculpture park overlooking the Indian Ocean with some of the most glorious sunsets of any major city in the world.
sculpturebythesea.com/Home.aspx
Country Cups – XXXX Gold Bunbury Cup
March 13, Bunbury
The Country Cups – XXXX Gold Bunbury Cup is the biggest horse racing event in WA's South West with live music and activities throughout the day. WA Country Cups are events to be celebrated, where regional communities welcome visitors from near and far to experience a truly unique racing holiday.
wacountrycups.com.au
Action Sports Games Mandurah
March 15 – 16, Mandurah
The Action Sports Games is part of the Mandurah Crab Festival and features expo stalls, local seafood dishes, licensed areas, live music, DJ's, fun for the kids and families plus world-class Freestyle Moto Cross action, Australia's riches Skate and BMX competition, world number one wakeboarders, and waterskiing action. Mandurah is located south of Perth, around a 65 minute drive, or 50 minute train ride.
actionsportsgames.com.au
Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest
March 15-16, Mandurah
Year after year, the Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest showcases Mandurah's vibrant foreshores, Mandjar Square, arts and cultural precincts and the beautiful Peel-Harvey Estuary. This exciting free weekend festival features a plethora of fun and activities including live cooking displays, art competitions, jam-packed line-up of entertainment and a fireworks show. Mandurah is located south of Perth, around a 65 minute drive, or 50 minute train ride from the CBD.
mandurah.wa.gov.au/crabfest.htm
Gamex Fishing Tournament
March 14-21, Exmouth
Recognised as WA's premier game fishing tournament, GAMEX offers anglers a chance to compete in a variety of categories over six full days. The tournament, held in Exmouth along WA's Coral Coast features family events, a Ladies Day and fun and education activities for the whole family to enjoy.
egfc.com.au/2014/09/24/gamex-2015/
Velofest
March 22-29, Perth
Velofest offers spectators a unique opportunity to see world-class international cyclists compete in the heart of Perth. It is made up on three main events including the Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma, Tour de Perth and UWCT Perth.
velofest.com.au
Anzac Centenary
March 25
Between 2014 and 2018, Australia and New Zealand will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since their involvement in World War I. Albany, located in WA's South West, was the location where the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand troops departed for the First World War. A range of commemorative events will be held across WA to mark the Anzac Centenary and pay respect to Australian service men and women.
anzaccentenary.gov.au
