Latest travel and lifestyle news from WA

WHAT’S HOT

Hollywood superstars holiday in WA

Two of Hollywood’s most recognisable actors, Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon, recently enjoyed a family holiday in WA, with Hemsworth hailing the trip one of his ‘best ever’. Joined by their families, Hemsworth and Damon’s WA adventure included time on the Coral Coast and Perth, including a visit to Rottnest Island. The families enjoyed safari-style accommodation, surfing, fishing and swimming during their stay at Quobba Station, located a one-hour drive north of Carnarvon; while their Rottnest visit included cycling around the island, treats from Rottnest Island Bakery and a host of #quokkaselfies. As part of the island getaway, Hemsworth and his family enjoyed a stay in an eco-glamping cabin at the recently opened Discovery – Rottnest Island. Hemsworth documented his WA trip in a video posted to his Instagram account, and actor Elsa Pataky (Hemsworth’s wife), posted a series of images to her 2.8 million followers.

Truffle Kerfuffle excites with culinary line-up

The heart of truffle country, Manjimup, will host a spectacular line-up of top Australian talent at this year’s Truffle Kerfuffle. Taking over Manjimup from June 21 to 23, the much-loved WA foodie festival will welcome one of Australia’s most recognisable chefs, Pete Evans, alongside popular television personality and cook Poh Ling Yeow, and a stellar list of local talent, including Nic Wood (Santini Bar & Grill), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Russell Blaikie (Must), Amy Hamilton (Liberte) and Paul Iskov (Fervor). Guests can expect long table dinners, cosy brunches, masterclass sessions in the Chef’s Cabin, intimate wine tastings, a lively festival village, cooking demonstrations, kids cooking school and much more. Manjimup is located in WA’s Southern Forests region, a 3.5 hour drive south of Perth.

One-way car hire between Perth and Exmouth

Visitors can experience the wonders of Ningaloo and the Coral Coast at a significantly discounted rate, following the launch of one-way rentals between Perth and Exmouth with Avis Australia. Customers will now pay a $250 car relocation fee – reduced from $1000 – if hiring a car to drive from Perth to Exmouth, and $150 if hiring from Exmouth to Perth – on top of the standard daily car hire rates and conditions. The seasonal trial will run from April 1 to October 31 in 2019 and 2020, and allows visitors to spend more time enjoying local experiences, including seasonal swims with whale sharks (March to July), humpback whales (August to October) and manta rays (year-round). Exmouth is located a 13-hour drive north of Perth, with Qantas operating 12 flights per week to and from the locations.

Perth to host new ATP Cup

Perth will host some of the world’s best tennis players as part of the new nation-versus-nation Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Cup teams’ event. Perth is joining Sydney and Brisbane as one of three host cities, with the new competition set to take place from January 2020. RAC Arena will host the event, which will feature 12 sessions played over six days. The ATP Cup will be second only to the four Grand Slam tournaments, and will see the world’s top male players compete for 750 highly coveted ATP ranking points and $A22 million in prize money. The tournament will involve players from 24 nations, with the Perth group stages featuring at least two of the top six players in the world, and four of the top 12.

LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE

Dates announced for Margaret River’s Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever will take over Margaret River from July 19 to 28, showcasing the region’s wineries, seasonal produce and restaurants across its cosy winter months. The 10-day festival will feature more than 30 unique events at various venues in the South West region, with a key focus on sustainability and waste-free eating. Guests can expect collaborations with local and national chefs, including ‘Game On’ – a six-course degustation series designed by award-winning Oakridge Estate Chef Matt Stone and local culinary master Aaron Carr at Yarri in Dunsborough. More details on the program and tickets are available online.

FOOD AND WINE

New restaurant offering for Kimberley Sands Resort & Spa

Broome’s Kimberley Sands Resort & Spa has welcomed the opening of a new restaurant, La Perle – formerly known as The Deck Poolside & Restaurant. The restaurant specialises in quintessential French cuisine using standout local WA produce, such as Kimberley beef, local Cone Bay barramundi and pearl meat. Guests at the resort can still enjoy full hot and cold buffet breakfast options and casual lunch time dining, but at night the restaurant transforms into fine dining in a quintessentially Broome outdoor setting.

Fremantle welcomes new live music venue

A historic artillery drill hall dating back to 1895 has been restored as a live music venue in the eclectic port city of Fremantle. Freo.Social hosts a mix of live shows and events, including music gigs, theatre, comedy, quiz nights, dinner functions and community events. The 900-person venue combines a live music space, four bars, permanent food truck, creative co-working spaces and a playground. Brought to life by the team behind Otherside Brewing Co., the venue also houses an on-site microbrewery. The 56 taps will pour Otherside brews alongside local and international craft beer and local wine. The rotating food menu is served from a food truck and roaming carts, and features barbeque and American diner-style food.

TOURS, ATTRACTIONS AND ACCOMMODATION

New Aboriginal tour offerings for WA

Across coastal, urban and outback WA, more than 85 Aboriginal tourism operators proudly share their fascinating stories, distinctive cultures and traditional lands with visitors through a variety of authentic experiences. Several new Aboriginal tour offerings have launched following the start of the annual tourist season in WA’s Kimberley, including:

• Rock art tours at Windjana Gorge – Bungoolee Tours is now offering exclusive Aboriginal rock art tours in the areas surrounding Windjana Gorge National Park in the Kimberley. Guests will join Aboriginal elder Jimmy Dillon Andrews at rock art sites such as Jumburrurru (Carpenters Gap), which show that Bunuba people have been on the land for 46,000 years. The tour is operated as a tagalong departing and returning on the same day to Windjana Gorge campground. The tours are $195 per person, with bookings required a minimum three days in advance.
• New tours at Kooljaman at Cape Leveque – Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, a remote wilderness camp located on the Dampier Peninsula in WA’s North West, has released new tours for the 2019 season. The ‘Sunday Island Adventure Tour’ allows guests to cruise, fish and explore with Traditional Owners, while on the ‘Southern Cross at Lullumb Coastal Walk’, guests can join local Aboriginal guide Bolo on an inspirational journey along the stunning coastline, learning bush survival skills and meeting the local Bardi Jawi people. Also on offer is night fishing, spear making, shell polishing, tucker talks, coastal walks and a sunset cruise. Kooljaman is owned and operated by the local Bardi communities of Djarindjin and Ardyaloon.
• Discover the Kimberley’s Kakadu Plum – Kimberley Wild Gubinge Tours is a new tour offering for the Whale Song Campground, which is set amongst the lush Kimberley bush at Pender Bay on the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome. Often called Kakadu Plum, the fruit is known as Gubinge, Madoorr or Madoorroo by the Bardi people, and is the highest natural source of vitamin C on the planet, and grows wild around the region. The Gubinge tour is a unique experience, where guests are educated on its Aboriginal cultural and modern uses; and experience the processing facility, cellar door tastings and sales, as well as gaining insight into the harvest season.

Accommodation upgrades at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, located 200 kilometres north of Broome in WA’s North West, is expanding its accommodation with new camping and caravan facilities opening in May. The additions include new deluxe safari tents, offering stunning views of Cygnet Bay; and additional bush campsites, which will triple the size of the property’s current offering. A new tour option is also available – a coast to Creek walking tour with local Aboriginal guide Terry Hunter.

Deluxe cabins at Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park

Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park has recently introduced new deluxe waterfront cabins to its current accommodation offering of powered and unpowered sites and self-contained cabins. Set on the banks of Lake Kununurra in WA’s North West, the cabins provide uninterrupted waterfront views of the lake from a private deck. The new cabins are fully self-contained with modern furnishings, including a fully equipped kitchen, coffee pod machine, dishwasher, full refrigerator, deluxe bathrooms, queen size bed, plus an alfresco dining area with private barbecue and outdoor day bed.

Family safari tours in the Kimberley

Kimberley Wild Expeditions has launched a five-day Kimberley Family Safari tour. The outback four-wheel-drive family adventure offers an escape to the dramatic gorges, wildlife retreats and ancient cave passages of the rugged Kimberley region in WA’s North West. Families will be able to share the experience with other like-minded families, and immerse themselves in nature with a range of activities available including swimming, wildlife spotting, trekking, campfires and stargazing.

Cattle station experience with InStyle Adventures

InStyle Adventures has added to its tour offering for 2019 with a new two or three day Kimberley Station Adventure tour. The guided four-wheel-drive tour is available for small groups, with a maximum of four guests. The tour includes accommodation at one of the Kimberley’s most iconic cattle stations, Yeeda Station, on the banks of the Fitzroy River. A private tour of the property takes guests through pastoral and river wetlands, learning about the life of the jack and jillaroos and the station’s conservation land management practices. The tour includes a cruise through the spectacular Geikie Gorge, exploring Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge.

Optus Stadium AFL packages with Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises is now offering AFL Optus Stadium Cruise Transfers. Guests attending an Australian Rules Football (AFL) match at Optus Stadium can enjoy return transport from either Mosman Park, Point Walter or Barrack Street Jetty via the Swan River on-board Captain Cook Cruises. The transfers also include complimentary gourmet snacks and full cash bar facilities. Guests have the option to book a package tour, and add on either a two-course set menu at The Reveley, or a Swan Valley Gourmet Wine Cruise before being dropped at Optus Stadium for an AFL match.

New tours at El Questro for 2019 season

Located in the heart of the Kimberley in WA’s North West, El Questro is a 700,000 acre property offering a range of unique experiences and accommodation options. Now open for the 2019 season, a number of new tour offerings have been introduced. Guests can enjoy a scenic morning helicopter flight to Champagne Springs and breakfast on the ‘Champagne Breakfast at Champagne Springs’ tour. The ‘Horizontal Falls and Kimberley Coast’ tour allows guests the opportunity to witness one of nature’s most unusual phenomena’s from the air, and the new ‘Bungle Bungles & East Kimberley Helicopter Safari’ offers guests an ultimate Kimberley adventure. Enjoy spectacular views over the east Kimberley, including the Saw Ranges Bow River and Osmond Range, before arriving at Purnululu National Park for a private four-wheel-drive tour of the Bungle Bungles.