Tourism Wa Media Kit 2017-18

Transcript

Tourism Western Australia MEDIA KIT 2017-18 OVERVIEW About Tourism Western Australia 2 WA and its visitor experiences 4 WA’s diverse events calendar 10 Marketing update 14 Aviation 18 Cruise shipping 22 Tourism impacts and employment 23 Visitor and market snapshot 24 DESTINATION NEWS The new Perth 29 • Urban offerings 30 • Coastal revival 32 • Day trips 33 • Accommodation explosion 34 • Sports tourism 36 • New-look Perth Airport 36 • Fly non-stop from London 37 Lucky Seven 38 • Wildlife and nature 39 • Active adventures 40 • Cultural ventures 40 • Food Tourism 41 • Glamping 42 • Islands 43 • Small-vessel cruising 43 Characters of WA 44 THE W’A’ LIST Coastal and aquatic adventures 49 Exquisite food and wine 52 Outback 54 Luxury 56 Nature and wildlife 58 Aboriginal WA 60 NEW PRODUCT Accommodation 67 Tours and attractions 72 Food and wine 82 Elizabeth Quay, Perth OVERVIEW OVERVIEW ABOUT TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) is the State Government agency responsible for promoting Western Australia (WA) as an extraordinary holiday destination. The agency works in partnership with the private sector, government and communities to develop and promote WA’s iconic tourism experiences. As an economic development agency, Tourism WA is also responsible for getting the conditions right so the State’s tourism industry can thrive. In the year ending December 2016, visitors spent $10 billion in WA. The State Government, through Tourism WA, is implementing a strategy to increase the value of tourism in WA to $12 billion by 2020. Tourism WA has three core functions: > Marketing the State. The agency is responsible for delivering innovative marketing campaigns to raise local, national and international awareness of WA’s extraordinary destinations and experiences. > Developing, attracting and promoting events. WA’s diverse range of sports, arts, cultural, culinary and business events attract visitors, raise the State’s profile through valuable media exposure and add vibrancy to communities, particularly in regional areas. Major events supported by Tourism WA include the Hopman Cup mixed tennis tournament; the Margaret River Gourmet Escape food and wine festival; World Super6 Perth fast-format golf; the Ord Valley Muster outback experience; and Sculpture by the Sea at Cottesloe Beach. > Facilitating the development of key tourism destinations. Tourism WA works closely with government and industry partners to determine the needs of destinations in terms of access, accommodation, attractions and amenities for visitors. The agency helps to facilitate improvements in these areas through private and public investment, and also seeks to ensure the State’s policies and regulations support tourism development. For more information on Tourism WA, visit tourism.wa.gov.au. Greens Pool, Denmark Photograph by Sean Scott Photography WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND ITS VISITOR EXPERIENCES It’s big, beautiful and billions of years old. WA is around the size of Western Europe and accounts for one-third of the Australian continent. It boasts 20,000 kilometres of mainland and island coastline, the world’s oldest minerals and a host of natural wonders found nowhere else on Earth. Ningaloo Reef by Nathan Willis 4 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA’S NORTH WEST AUSTRALIA’S GOLDEN OUTBACK AUSTRALIA’S CORAL COAST EXPERIENCE PERTH AUSTRALIA’S SOUTH WEST Of the State’s population of 2.6 million people, around three-quarters live in the Perth region. WA’s Aboriginal history dates back more than 40,000 years – making it one of the world’s oldest living cultures. Almost a third of Western Australians are born overseas and 15 per cent of the population speaks a language other than English at home. WA regions and key visitor experiences Extraordinary experiences await you in every region of this vast and diverse State, while the varied climate – Mediterranean conditions in the south through to the northern tropics – means you’ll always find summer somewhere in WA. You’ll see the beauty and grandeur of WA’s ancient landscape at pristine beaches, rugged gorges, unique rock formations, towering forests, secluded waterfalls and the world’s largest wildflower collection. Other unique Western Australian experiences await in the cosmopolitan city of Perth, with unforgettable cultural and wildlife encounters, vibrant events, exquisite wine and food, and more. Regional tourism organisations (RTOs) work with Tourism WA and tourism operators to market extraordinary destinations, experiences and events in WA’s five tourism regions: Experience Perth, Australia’s Coral Coast, Australia’s South West, Australia’s Golden Outback and Australia’s North West. Experience Perth Australia’s sunniest capital, Perth, is consistently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. The city’s spectacular natural surroundings are rivalled only by its vibrant city life, particularly following a major transformation that continues to deliver new hotels, bars, restaurants and public spaces. Check out: • Perth’s transformation. New and returning visitors are relishing dramatic changes in Perth, thanks to unprecedented levels of investment in attractions, dining, entertainment, public spaces, tours and accommodation. At the heart of Perth’s transformation is Elizabeth Quay, an energetic waterfront precinct connecting the city centre and Swan River. Whether it’s food, ferries or festivals, you’ll always find something happening here and at neighbouring Barrack Square, home to the iconic Bell Tower, the world’s largest musical instruments. You can take a ferry around to East Perth, near the soon-toopen Perth Stadium, and explore the culture and history of the Whadjuk people of the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River), or across to the South Perth foreshore for picturesque city views and Perth Zoo’s 1,500 animals. MEDIA KIT 2017-18 5 • Kings Park and Botanic Garden. At 400 hectares, Kings Park is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks. After a short walk or bus ride from the central business district, you’ll be rewarded with superb views, rich Aboriginal and European history, more than 3,000 species of WA’s unique flora, restaurants and picturesque playgrounds and picnic spots. • Cuisine, culture and couture. Head into Perth city and its urban villages of Mount Lawley, Leederville, Northbridge, Victoria Park and Subiaco for an everexpanding range of dining, shopping and entertainment options. World-class art and museum exhibitions, theatre, ballet, music and sporting events are on in Perth year-round, while fashionistas can check out international and home-grown style throughout the city and surrounds. On the outskirts of the central business district is The Perth Mint, where you can watch a live gold pour and see the world’s largest-ever coin, made from one tonne of pure gold. • Day trips. Where to begin? Within an hour of Perth’s central business district you could be taking a quokka selfie on pristine Rottnest Island, tantalising your tastebuds in the Swan Valley or Perth Hills wine regions, swimming with dolphins at Rockingham, cruising canals in Mandurah, or discovering maritime history, a World Heritage listed prison and a bohemian lifestyle in the eclectic port city of Fremantle. • Beach sunsets. With 19 pristine metropolitan beaches to choose from, it’s easy to find your own piece of paradise to enjoy one of WA’s famous coastal sunsets. Cottesloe Beach, Perth 6 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA PERTH & SURROUNDS Lancelin (1 hour) Pinnacles (1.5 hours) Hillarys Scarborough Cottesloe SwanValley Scarborough Airport Rottnest Island Australia’s Coral Coast Home to awesome marine life, endless white sandy beaches and the warm, turquoise Indian Ocean, this region boasts two World Heritage listed sites: the Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay. Check out: • Snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef. If you’re visiting Exmouth, Coral Bay or the oceanside pastoral stations north of Carnarvon, this is an absolute must do. The World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is regarded as one of the last great ocean paradises on Earth, and you can access this watery wonderland by simply stepping off the beach and into the world’s largest fringing reef. • Swimming with gentle giants. Join a whale shark tour from Exmouth or Coral Bay for the ultimate wildlife encounter – swimming with the world’s largest fish. Whale sharks visit Ningaloo Reef from midMarch to the end of July. Also at Ningaloo, you can swim with mighty humpback whales from August to November, with tours returning in 2017 after a successful trial in 2016. You can also swim with giant manta rays while keeping an eye out for sea turtles, dugongs and game fish. Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef • Friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia. One of the world’s most reliable places for wild dolphin encounters, Monkey Mia’s curious bottlenose dolphins have been swimming to shore to interact with humans for more than 40 years. While in the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay area, you can also spot sea turtles and dugongs, admire the world’s oldest and largest living fossils – Hamelin Pool’s stromatolites – and fish, snorkel and dive. Australia’s South West • Wildflowers and pink waters. Head inland to explore some of WA’s most magnificent wildflower country, particularly during July and November when blooms are at their breathtaking best. While spotting some of WA’s 12,000 wildflower species, check out other amazing colours at Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory, where waters could be red, bubble-gum pink or lilac depending on the conditions. The lagoon is located between other Coral Coast highlights – the trendy seaside city of Geraldton and its diving drawcard, the Abrolhos Islands; and Kalbarri, where soaring river gorges meet the sea. • Surfing, swimming, snorkelling. The South West is world famous for its spectacular coastline and magnificent surf and swimming beaches. At Prevelly, you can follow in the footsteps of the world’s best surfers who flock to the perfectly named Surfers Point for the annual Drug Aware Margaret River Pro championship. For more tranquil conditions, you’ll find some of Australia’s top swimming spots at Dunsborough, Denmark and Albany. Witness the wonders beneath the water through shipwreck diving, or you can stay dry at the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory. • Extraordinary rock formations. Acres of incredible limestone spires rise eerily from the sand at the Pinnacles near the coastal town of Cervantes, a little over two hours north of Perth on the Indian Ocean Drive. You can get up close to one of Australia’s most unique landscapes on scenic drives, walk trails and lookouts in Nambung National Park. • World-class wine and fresh local produce. Home to six distinct wine regions including world-famous Margaret River, the South West also serves up some of Australia’s best ‘paddock to plate’ fresh produce. Enjoy fresh marron, trout, venison, chocolates, cheeses, cherries, boutique beers and crisp ciders as well as the rare black truffle – more of them are produced in Manjimup than anywhere else in Australia. An exciting events calendar celebrates local food and wine including Margaret River Gourmet Escape (November), Taste Great Southern (March/ April) and Truffle Kerfuffle (June). Here you’ll find world-class food and wine, beautiful beaches, surfing, cave systems, tall tree forests, whale-watching, wildflowers and the famous wine region of Margaret River. As one of only 36 bio-diversity hotspots on Earth, the South West has thousands of plant species found nowhere else in the world. Check out: • Culture, arts and history. Learn more about the customs and history of the Noongar people – the South West’s first inhabitants – through Aboriginal centres and tours across the region. You’ll also find exceptional South West artistic talent including painters, sculptors, furniture makers, jewellery designers and handblown glass artists. Head to the south coast city of Albany and the multi awardwinning National Anzac Centre for a deeply personal connection with Australia’s ANZAC history. MEDIA KIT 2017-18 Walk into Luxury, Wills Domain 7 • Tall timbers. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of towering tingle trees in the Valley of the Giants, between Denmark and Walpole, where the world-first Tree Top Walk is suspended 40 metres above the forest floor. The South West is also home to giant jarrah, karri, marri and tuart trees. Near Pemberton you can climb a trio of karri trees, up to 75m high, using climbing pegs to reach lookout towers. • Adventure. Get hiking along the spectacular coastal Cape to Cape Track, the bushland Bibbulmun Track, or out to the Porongurup Range’s Granite Skywalk. Take off on two wheels along the Munda Biddi off-road cycling experience and other world-class mountain biking paths, or head underground at Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel caves to explore mesmerising labyrinths decorated with limestone crystal formations. From January to April, take an orca tour from Bremer Bay to see the southern hemisphere’s largest killer whale pod in a deep-sea canyon 60 kilometres offshore. Australia’s Golden Outback Discover historic townships, spectacular desert wilderness, quirky outback charm, gold-rush history and the Southern Ocean’s perfect white beaches. Check out: • White beaches and pink lakes. Home to Australia’s whitest beach at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, just out of Esperance, is so relaxed even the kangaroos sunbathe on the sand. For the full outdoor experience, follow the coastal walk trails or set up at some of Australia’s most picturesque campsites. Back in town, be wowed around every corner along the 40 kilometre Great Ocean Drive. Catching the eye of photographers around the world is the bright pink Lake Hillier on Middle Island – where you’ll witness an astounding medley of colour, either from the air or by cruise (in season). • World’s largest outdoor gallery. The striking salt flats of Lake Ballard form the backdrop of Inside Australia, a truly unique installation of 51 life-sized steel statues by acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley, inspired by residents of the nearby town of Menzies. Which statue do you most resemble? • Golden Quest Discovery Trail. This 965 kilometre journey from Coolgardie to Laverton travels deep into gold-rush territory. Highlights include legendary country pubs, the fascinating Gwalia ghost town, the former home of 31st US President Herbert Hoover and Kalgoorlie’s famous Super Pit, one of the world’s biggest opencut mines, which has harvested more than 50 million ounces of gold. • Wildflowers and wave walking. You can try to surf it… Wave Rock, near Hyden, is a remarkable 110 metre, multi-coloured granite cliff that resembles a huge wave about to crash into the bush. There’s also Hippo’s Yawn (funnily enough, it resembles a hippo yawning), the Humps, and Mulka’s Cave with its collection of Aboriginal rock art. In spring, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful blankets of wildflowers in full bloom, with 60% of the species unique to WA. Gormley Statues, Lake Ballard 8 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Wildflowers • The unexpected. Experience a touching tribute to man’s best friend at the Corrigin Dog Cemetery, country quirkiness along the Tin Horse Highway – a collection of 70 equine artworks in and around Kulin – and the world’s longest golf course: the 1,365 kilometre Nullarbor Links. Australia’s North West A billion years in the making, the North West is one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. Here you’ll find ancient gorges, remote stretches of coastal paradise and rich culture and history. The region is primed for a spectacular 2017 tourism season with thundering waterfalls and lush landscapes from record summer rainfalls. Check out: • Camels on Cable Beach. There’s no better way to experience the 22 kilometres of Broome’s iconic Cable Beach than on a late-afternoon camel ride while basking in the orange glow of a west Kimberley sunset. The town also has a fascinating pearling and wartime history, unique melting pot of cultures, dinosaur footprints and the ‘Staircase to the Moon’ effect over Roebuck Bay on certain evenings between March and October. • Aboriginal experiences. Meet the locals and discover traditional lands, food and cultural practices via Aboriginal tourism experiences throughout the region. On the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome, you can stay with the Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation or award-winning wilderness camp Kooljaman at Cape Leveque. The North West is also home to Australia’s first ‘Camping with Custodians’ sites, offering self-drive visitors the chance to interact with local communities while staying at campsites run by Aboriginal people on Aboriginal lands. Read more on page 62. • Best kept secrets. Get off the beaten path at two of WA’s most spectacular national parks. At Karijini National Park, in the Pilbara region, ancient rocks have been shaped into massive mountains and escarpments, breathtaking gorges and tree-lined watercourses. Stay in the heart of the park at Karijini Eco Retreat’s tents. The World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park in the East Kimberley is home to one of WA’s most striking geological features: the Bungle Bungle Range. The striped, beehive-like mounds are breathtaking from the air, or camp nearby to explore hidden gorges and pools. • Horizontal Falls. Talbot Bay in the Kimberley is home to the world’s only horizontal waterfalls, created when massive tidal movements squeeze water through narrow cliff passages. Aerial tours from Broome and Derby enable you to circle the phenomenon from above, alongside other scenic wonders of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where turquoise blue water contrasts with rugged red cliffs. You can also land and see the falls up close by boat, with the option of staying overnight on a houseboat. • Remote luxury resorts. Chris Hemsworth is one of many celebrities to enjoy truly getting away from it all at one of the North West’s remote luxury resorts. The Berkeley River Lodge can only be reached by boat or seaplane, Kimberley Coastal Camp is accessible only by helicopter, El Questro Homestead is cantilevered atop Chamberlain Gorge, and – true to its name – Faraway Bay is so remote you won’t even find it on a map. Bungle Bungle Range Cable Beach, Broome MEDIA KIT 2017-18 MEDIA KIT 2017-18 7 9 WA’S DIVERSE EVENTS CALENDAR Visitors can experience the WA’s natural beauty, state-of-the-art venues and diverse culture in unique and unforgettable ways through an incredible range of world-class cultural, sporting and culinary events. Tourism WA works closely with the private sector, event partners and the community to strengthen WA’s place as a leading international event destination. This includes extensive marketing activity to promote our robust events calendar to local, national and international audiences to boost awareness and attendance. The 60,000-seat Perth Stadium, due to open in early 2018, will enable WA to attract even more major events. Chelsea Football Club, State of Origin and Bledisloe Cup matches are already confirmed for the new venue, which will feature world-leading technology and facilities. For a full list of WA events visit westernaustralia.com/events. 10 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Margaret River Gourmet Escape Photograph by Elements Margaret River MEDIA KIT 2017-18 11 Key Events Fringe World Festival Hopman Cup Culture – Perth – January-February Tennis – Perth – December/January As the International Tennis Federation’s official mixed-team competition, the MasterCard Hopman Cup’s unique format brings together the world’s top male and female players who represent their countries in singles and mixed doubles. Held at the state-of-the-art Perth Arena, the Cup has welcomed some of the sport’s biggest names to Perth for almost 30 years. Roger Federer made a much-heralded return to tennis at the 2017 tournament, following recent appearances by other high-calibre players such as Serena Williams, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. hopmancup.com Perth International Arts Festival Culture – Perth – February-March The hugely popular Perth International Arts Festival brings the best of the world to WA for three weeks of ground-breaking and energetic music, film, theatre, visual arts and free community events. Originating in 1953, it’s the oldest multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere and continues to attract world attention through events such as The Giants, in which 1.4 million people were thrilled by huge marionettes, up to 13 metres tall, walking through Perth’s city centre; Home, a large-scale exploration of WA history and identity, featuring home-grown hero Tim Minchin; and 2017’s Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak, which illuminated Kings Park with breathtaking multi-media projections. perthfestival.com.au Roger Federer at the MasterCard Hopman Cup. Photograph by Ross Swanborough 12 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Expect the unexpected when the world’s third-largest fringe festival delivers a weird and wonderful program of comedy, circus, family fun, theatre, visual arts, music, dance and cabaret. Local artists mingle with international performers at Fringe World venues in Northbridge, Elizabeth Quay and other Perth metropolitan locations. Box office sales in 2017 topped a staggering $10 million from an attendance of 750,000 people over the month-long extravaganza. fringeworld.com.au World Super6 Perth Golf – Perth – February Golfing history was made in Perth in 2017 when the picturesque Lake Karrinyup Country Club hosted a world-first faster format tournament, ISPS HANDA World Super6 Perth, which will return in 2018. The sport’s biggest names joined fans, media and one or two kangaroos on the course at the tri-sanctioned tournament. The successful format involves 54 holes of traditional stroke play followed by an exciting knock-out format in the final round, with the option of a purpose-built shootout hole. worldsuper6perth.com Sculpture by the Sea Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe Shinju Matsuri Culture – Perth – March Festival – Kimberley – September For a fortnight each year, Perth’s Cottesloe Beach transforms into a giant outdoor gallery to host the immensely popular Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. The free event showcases around 70 massive and magnificent installations by top local and international artists, set against the backdrop of one of the city’s most iconic beaches. Japanese for ‘festival of the pearl’, Broome’s annual Shinju Matsuri is a vibrant celebration of the town’s proud multicultural and pearling history. Since the late 1800s, Broome’s prized South Sea pearls have brought together local Aboriginal people with Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepanger, Filipino and European workers. This cultural fusion continues to flourish in present-day Broome, where Shinju Matsuri’s 10-day whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell showcase the region’s natural beauty and unique history. sculpturebythesea.com/cottesloe Margaret River Pro Surfing – South West – March/April With more than 75 major surfing breaks, Margaret River’s reputation as one of the world’s most consistent big wave destinations comes to life at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in WA’s South West. One of only 11 events on the World Championship Tour, the Pro attracts surfing’s top 36 male and top 18 female ranked competitors – plus thousands of spectators – to the beautiful coastline each year. worldsurfleague.com Ord Valley Muster Culture, music, food – Kimberley – May The Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster celebrates the culture and extraordinary natural landscapes of the East Kimberley region in WA’s North West. The event prides itself on embracing the local community to present an impressive line-up of events including comedy nights, a street party, the Waringarri Corroboree, the Durack Homestead Dinner and the Kimberley Kitchen with a celebrity chef, which showcases the region’s gourmet produce. The Muster’s major drawcard, the Kimberley Moon Experience, is held on the banks of the Ord River and provides an idyllic setting to enjoy a stellar line-up of national and local musical acts under an immense Kimberley night sky. shinjumatsuri.com.au Margaret River Gourmet Escape Food and wine – South West – November Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Alex Atala, Marco Pierre White and Rene Redzepi are some of the international names who have appeared at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape presented by Audi, in the famed South West wine region. The ultimate culinary adventure brings together the world’s best food and wine experts for a weekend of satellite and fringe events including beach barbecues, long-table lunches, sundowners and Q&A sessions. At the Gourmet Village festival hub, in the beautiful surrounds of Leeuwin Estate, consumers can indulge in local produce, wines, cooking demonstrations and master classes with some of the visiting stars. gourmetescape.com.au ordvalleymuster.com Shinju Matsuri MEDIA KIT 2017-18 Ord Valley Muster 13 MARKETING UPDATE Tourism Western Australia’s State tourism brand is Experience Extraordinary. The Experience Extraordinary brand communicates one undeniable truth – that WA is an unspoilt, wide open State that’s naturally full of extraordinary experiences. Every part of our incredible State can lay claim to its own type of extraordinary. And the Experience Extraordinary brand celebrates WA’s easy going, open attitude which means people feel relaxed, and welcomed, whilst experiencing extraordinary. Here, you can swim with the world’s largest fish – the whale shark; walk on the whitest sand in Australia at Lucky Bay; bask in the sunniest capital city in Australia – Perth; or explore the Bungle Bungle Range, thought to be more than 350 million years old. Experience Extraordinary is designed to appeal to people who are naturally curious and value more individual experiences that are a little off the beaten track. The brand encapsulates all that is extraordinary about WA – its landscapes, people, culture, events and experiences – many of which are unique to the State. Elizabeth Quay, Perth 14 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Just Another Day in WA campaign – the evolution of Experience Extraordinary Domestic marketing The domestic market is WA’s largest source of visitors, comprising people from WA (intrastate) as well as the remainder of Australia (interstate). The Just Another Day in WA campaign, launched in June 2016, marks a new expression of Experience Extraordinary. Developed by Tourism WA and its strategic marketing agency Cummins&Partners, Just Another Day in WA showcases a range of personal experiences you can have in various regions throughout WA. Because the brand platform is Experience Extraordinary, not ‘exhibit extraordinary’, the campaign captures lesser-known everyday gems ready to be discovered, as well as the more famous attractions. The aim is to show that these unforgettable moments aren’t a rarity in WA – they’re a daily occurrence. In fact, locals are so spoilt for choice that while an experience may be extraordinary for you, it really is just another day in WA. “ this To promote WA in the domestic market, we focus on brand, events and cooperative marketing. Our campaigns target ‘Dedicated Discovers’ (those who want to discover something new) and ‘Aspirational Achievers’ (those who view travel and holidays as a reward for their hard work and success in life) aged between 35 and 64 years in the core markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. These consumers are generally curious-minded, value experiences and want to get off the beaten track. IMillAGE w STFOARYEVwmiEtehR it was…” . lucky for the kangaroos in Esperance is especially You’ll find that Lucky Bay all day, they get the laze around on the beach Not only do they get to The kangaroos have including, yes, seaweed. pick of the food on offer alone is worth the an occasional swim, which also been known to take this: the sea is as for you to visit? How about trip. Need more incentive for nine months a year, as white as snow and blue as the sky, the sand Read more travellers, to make you a coffee. there’s even a beach barista a.com at justanotherdayinw locals and experts’ stories CE LUCKY BAY, ESPERAN t he 10/06/2016 4:45 PM _v1.indd nd_HP_Lucky Bay_198x262 1 TWA0256_Bra SAMANTHA’S, GWENDA’S & VERENA’S breathe in the FRESH air was…” a red_dirt_gypsy #justanotherdayinWA gwendaleduc #justanotherdayinWA v_e_r_e_n_a_s #justanotherdayinWA Just by tagging your moments out and about in WA, you could win a 5-night or a weekend away at stay at Cable Beach Club Rottnest or the South West. in Broome (including But hurry, entries close or find one in your library, flights) 5pm (WST) Monday, July and tag it with #justanot 4 2016. So get posting. herdayinWA. Remembe Take a photo, r to set your profile to public so you can be seen. For full competition terms and conditions, visit win.justano therdayinwa.com.au n you’ll find aret River regio arked famous Marg for its pale-b ards of the t is famous speak, Near the viney Boranup Fores height. (In city of greenery. 60 metres in different kind Forest is also can often reach ng.) Boranup karri trees which storey buildi alent of a 20 that’s the equiv caves , limestone morning swim doors coast for your River cellar y close to the s of Margaret and experts’ convenientl and to dozen lers, locals time wander, more travel for your lunch ards. Read tasting afterw for some wine H WEST nwa.com THE SOUT notherdayi RIVER AND stories at justa MARGARET BORANUP FOREST, MEDIA KIT 2017-18 15 International marketing Social media Tourism WA continues to focus its marketing efforts in 10 key international markets: To connect with Tourism WA on social media: • United Kingdom • Germany and Switzerland • New Zealand • Singapore • Malaysia • Indonesia • United States of America • China • Japan Internationally, we implement innovative marketing programs that promote WA as an extraordinary holiday destination and aim to drive increased visitation, spend, length of stay and regional dispersal. We also develop and promote a worldclass calendar of events to raise overseas awareness of WA’s extraordinary destinations and experiences overseas, and work with key international trade partners to attract visitors, particularly to regional WA. Digital marketing Tourism WA’s digital marketing activities focus on providing information for consumers across the spectrum of owned, earned and paid channels. Through our social marketing activities, we look to attract new audiences and inspire them to consider visiting WA. Our email marketing seeks to nurture our audiences, while our consumer website – westernaustralia.com – endeavours to address visitors’ information needs across the planning, booking and anticipation stages of their decision-making journey. Our digital channels are also a great resource for media and trade to discover more about WA. 16 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Facebook: facebook.com/extraordinarywesternaustralia @Extraordinary Western Australia Twitter: twitter.com/westaustralia @WestAustralia YouTube: youtube.com/westernaustralia @WesternAustralia Instagram: Instagram.com/westernaustralia @WesternAustralia Our primary hashtags are: #JustAnotherDayInWA #westernaustralia Don’t forget to @mention us and use #JustAnotherDayinWA in your Instagram photos, or post them to our Facebook wall when sharing your photos and stories of WA. Web westernaustralia.com Tourism WA’s consumer website is available in English, German, simple and traditional Chinese as well as Japanese, Korean and Indonesian. It is a source of travel information and inspiration, including itineraries, destinations, experiences, accommodations, tours, events and more. Westernaustralia.com is also mobile friendly, making it easy for users to research and plan while on the go. Mobile app The Experience Western Australia mobile app acts as a personalised travel companion, delivering locally relevant and personalised content in an easy, digestible and useful way. Download it from iTunes and Google Play. Email marketing Tourism WA’s consumer email newsletter, The Westerly, is sent to a growing global database. As a source of inspiration to travel to WA, each edition features a selection of extraordinary destinations, experiences and events, as well as holiday packages and deals. Join our database by subscribing at westernaustralia.com. Gibb River Road, The Kimberley MEDIA KIT 2017-18 17 AVIATION Perth is WA’s major aviation gateway and the first point of contact for many visitors to the State. Perth Airport is curfew-free, providing aviation capacity seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Eighteen international airlines and 12 domestic and regional airlines operate from Perth Airport, connecting travellers to more than 110 destinations around Australia and overseas.1 In 2016, 4.4 million international passengers passed through Perth Airport – representing a 4.4% increase compared to 2015, led by international visitors. Domestic passenger movements decreased slightly (down 3.2%) to 9.3 million, reflecting a slide in WA’s mining activity compared to the recent boom. 2 During December 2016, there were 237 weekly services (flights) operating at Perth Airport providing a total of 61,091 seats per week (up 4% compared to on December 2015). For domestic aviation capacity in this same period, Perth Airport operated 740 weekly intrastate/ interstate services (up 7.2% on the previous year) providing a total domestic seat capacity of 114,245 per week (down 0.9% on the preceding year). 3 18 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA International services Perth Airport’s 18 international carriers provide direct, point-to-point services across the Asia-Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Likewise, Perth has excellent links to key longhaul destinations in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Americas with several carriers including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and all three Middle Eastern carriers – Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates – operating one-stop flights to multiple destinations. Skippers Aviation INTERNATIONAL SERVICES International non-stop frequency levels per week into Perth by route are as follows: Airline Origin Operations per week (April 2017) Seats per week (April 2017) Kuala Lumpur 14 5,278 Air Mauritius Air New Zealand Mauritius Auckland 2 9 550 2,718 Air New Zealand Christchurch 2 604 Cathay Pacific China Southern Emirates Etihad Airways Garuda Indonesia Garuda Indonesia Indonesia AirAsia Jetstar Airways Jetstar Asia Malaysia Airlines Malaysia Airlines Malindo Air Qantas Airways Hong Kong Guangzhou Dubai Abu Dhabi Jakarta 10 4 14 7 4 2,510 864 6,223 2,093 648 Denpasar 5 1,110 Denpasar 21 3,780 Denpasar Singapore Kota Kinabalu 21 12 1 3,780 2,160 160 Kuala Lumpur 7 2,030 Kuala Lumpur Auckland 12 2 2,028 542 Singapore Doha Singapore Singapore 7 7 7 28 1,218 2,506 2,465 7,731 Johannesburg 7 1,899 Bangkok 7 213 1,848 55,161 Air Asia X Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Scoot Singapore Airlines South African Airways Thai Airways TOTAL 1 Perth Airport Pty. Ltd., http://www.perthairport.com.au/FlightInformation/Airlines.aspx 2 Data provided by Perth Airport Pty. Ltd. 3 IATA Airport Intelligence Services, SRS Analyser, Weekly Summary, April 2017 Additional Information Between 9-14 flights per week depending on season Between 6-10 flights per week depending on season This seasonal service occurs December-April This seasonal service occurs November-April MEDIA KIT 2017-18 19 International capacity achievement • From March 2018, Qantas will commence non-stop daily flights between Perth and London – the world’s first direct regular passenger service between Australia and Europe. Using B787-9 aircraft with a capacity of 236 passengers, the 14,500km journey will take around 17 hours. See page 37. • From late October 2017, Cathay Pacific will use Perth’s first Airbus A350 for its daily Perth-Hong Kong service (CX170/171), while its three-times-weekly Perth-Hong Kong CX136/137 service will continue to use the A330-300. The introduction of the A350 will provide more than 17,000 seats per year between Perth and Hong Kong, an 8.1% increase in total capacity. • Qantas Airways has increased its PerthSingapore route to 10 flights per week over the peak holiday season of December to February, operating A330 aircraft due to strong market demand. • As of December 2016, Air New Zealand upgraded its (seasonal) Perth-Christchurch services to the Dreamliner B787-9 aircraft, providing an increase of 144 one-way seats per week on the twice-weekly service. • Since launching its Perth-Kuala Lumpur services in November 2015, Malindo Air operates between seven and 12 flights per week depending on the season. Domestic services Perth is well connected to other Australian states and territories as the four national airlines – Qantas, Virgin Australia, Tigerair Australia and Jetstar – operate multiple flights each day between major ports such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Daily non-stop flights also link Perth with Darwin and Canberra, while other cities such as Cairns and the Gold Coast are served by multiple flights each week. WA’s vastness means regional aviation is vital for connecting the State’s non-metropolitan areas with Perth and wider Australia. Regional airlines include Qantas, Qantas Link, Airnorth, Virgin Australia, Skippers Aviation and Regional Express (REX). Broome, the State’s second largest airport, is connected to Perth by multiple flights per day through Qantas and Virgin Australia, and to northern Australia (including Darwin) through alternative regional services. Qantas also operates direct flights to Broome from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney on a seasonal basis. Other regional intrastate, and some interstate services, operate to multiple destinations around the State including Albany, Broome, Carnarvon, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, and Monkey Mia. Popular tourist destinations such as Albany, Esperance, and Carnarvon/Monkey Mia operate as regulated RPT routes, in which the State Government grants exclusive operation to a single airline to help maintain services to certain regional and remote areas. A $70 million upgrade of the BusseltonMargaret River Regional Airport is expected to be completed by mid-2018, with the aim of securing interstate flights from Sydney and Melbourne to the South West. Works include lengthening, strengthening and widening the runway to enable Code 4C aircraft (A320, B737) to land. Discussions with airlines and tourism marketing groups are continuing to maximise use of the new airport. 20 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA DIRECT FLIGHTS TO PERTH INTERNATIONAL ROUTE MAP Korea Japan Doha Abu Dhabi Dubai Guangzhou Hong Kong Bangkok Kuala Kota Lumpur Kinabalu Singapore Jakarta Christmas Is. Cocos Is. Denpasar Mauritius Johannesburg Brisbane PERTH Adelaide Sydney Auckland Melbourne Christchurch Hobart DOMESTIC ROUTE MAP Darwin Kununurra Argyle Broome Cairns Derby Port Hedland Woodie Woodie Karratha Cloudbreak Ginbata Onslow Solomon Nifty Telfer Learmonth Barimunya Coondewanna Paraburdoo Newman Boolgeeda West Angelas Christmas Creek The Granites (NT) Alice Springs Brisbane Geraldton Leinster Leonora Mt Keith Windarling East Jaurdi Kalgoorlie Gold Coast PERTH Busselton Esperance Albany Sydney Adelaide Canberra Melbourne ** Route maps provided by Perth Airport MEDIA KIT 2017-18 21 CRUISE SHIPPING BUOYANT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA With some 12,500 kilometres of mainland coastline coupled with a Mediterranean climate in the south and tropics in the north, WA is an extraordinary year-round cruise shipping destination. Each of its 10 ports – Fremantle, Albany, Augusta, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton and Port Hedland – offers distinct and diverse tourism experiences. A record cruise season for WA in 2015-16 contributed $275 million to the State economy. Fremantle Port alone welcomed more than 151,000 passengers from 58 cruise ship visits, while the Kimberley port of Broome saw a 74% jump in cruise passengers compared to the previous financial year. The 2016-17 season is shaping up to be another record one for cruise shipping in WA with more than 60 ship visits scheduled for Fremantle Port. Highlights for this season and forthcoming visits include: • In December 2016, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Ovation of the Seas, made its maiden Australian call at Fremantle. The 4,600-passenger vessel is set to return to WA in November 2017. • P&O’s Pacific Eden will be home-ported in Fremantle from April 2017 for its second season of WA coastal cruises, with selected itineraries coinciding with the school holidays. • The Queen Mary 2 returned to WA in February 2017, adding the South West port of Busselton to its itinerary for the first time with shore excursions into the Margaret River region. 22 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • Boutique and expedition cruise lines including Ponant, Azamara, Oceana, Crystal and Silverseas have confirmed WA itineraries for 2017 and 2018. In a first for the State, an overland tour option is available for cruise passengers on Ponant’s luxury L’Austral – travelling between Albany and Margaret River before rejoining the ship in Fremantle in February 2018. • Cruise & Maritime Voyages will home-port the Astor in Fremantle for the fifth season in 2017-18. The growth in cruise shipping opens up opportunities to grow pre and post-cruise visitation to Perth and regional WA. A mix of loyal and new cruise passengers are joining cruises from Australia’s eastern states and overseas, along with regional WA residents who appreciate the opportunity to join cruise ship itineraries from Fremantle. ‘Rail and sail’ is also growing in popularity for passengers joining cruises in Fremantle from Sydney and Adelaide after combining their experience with a journey on the Indian Pacific train. The Sun Princess, Albany TOURISM IMPACT AND EMPLOYMENT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA • G lobally, the travel and tourism industry is one of the world’s largest, directly and indirectly supporting 292 million jobs worldwide in 2016, or approximately one in 10 of all jobs1. • In WA, the tourism industry directly employs 58,000 people (4.3% of the State’s workforce). Indirectly, tourism contributes another 36,000 jobs, which makes 94,000 jobs in total in WA2. • During the year ending December 2016, visitors to and within WA spent $10 billion in the State3. This total figure comprises: > 20 million day-trippers who spent $2 billion in WA > 10.6 million overnight visitors, who spent $8 billion in WA • Of the overnight visitors, 954,000 were international visitors to WA who spent $2.4 billion in the State.3 • Encouraging visitors to travel outside of the ‘Experience Perth’ area into other WA regions is a key focus for the tourism industry. In the year ending December 2016, one-third (32%) of international visitors travelled to regional WA. Along with the 64% of domestic overnight visitors who visited the regions, these visits generate employment, help to stabilise country populations and, indirectly, enable services such as schools and banks to be maintained.3 CURRENT GLOBAL CONDITIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS • G lobally, international tourism continues to improve, showing growth of (+) 3.9% in international tourist arrivals in 20164. • F oreign national arrivals into Perth Airport increased by (+) 4.8% in the year ending December 2016 compared to year ending December 20155. • In July 2016, Tourism Research Australia forecasted a (+) 6.7% growth in international arrivals to Australia during 2016-176. As at year ending December 2016, growth in international visitors to Australia stands at (+) 11.2%, while international visitation to WA grew (+) 12.4% (from year ending December 2015).3 World Travel and Tourism Council – Travel & Tourism Global Economic Impact & Issues 2017 Tourism Research Australia, State Tourism Satellite Accounts 2013-14 3 Tourism Research Australia – International and National Visitor Surveys (YE December 2016) 4 United Nations World Tourism Organisation – World Tourism Barometer; Volume 15, Advance Release January 2017 5 Perth Airport Pty Ltd, December 2016. * DIBP has ceased providing reports on nationality. Only the first 22 days of December 2016 are available. 6 Tourism Research Australia – Tourism Forecasts, 2016 1 2 Laneway art, Perth MEDIA KIT 2017-18 23 VISITOR AND MARKET SNAPSHOT INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 20162 Western Australia YE December 2015 Spend ($ Millions) 2,223 % Change 2,369 6.5% 848,800 954,000 12.4% 28,329,900 28,647,500 1.1% Visitors Visitor Nights YE December 2016 SOURCE MARKETS (BY VISITORS) FOR TOTAL VISITORS TO/WITHIN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 20161 International 3% Interstate 5% Intrastate Overnight 27% 1 Tourism Research Australia – National Visitor Survey (YE December 2016) 2 Tourism Research Australia – International Visitor Survey (YE December 2016) Intrastate Daytrip 65% INTERNATIONAL VISITOR AND MARKET SNAPSHOT 24 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA TOP 20 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2016 (RANKED BY NUMBER OF VISITORS)2 Estimated Visitors Estimated Visitor Nights Estimated Visitor Spend ($ million) 1 UK 150,900 4,019,200 286 2 Malaysia 109,100 1,705,600 199 3 Singapore 104,200 1,509,200 246 4 USA 79,200 1,835,800 154 5 NZ 77,700 1,366,900 112 6 China 51,300 2,159,400 252 7 Germany 39,000 1,308,100 88 8 Indonesia 28,200 691,000 66 9 Japan 25,100 833,900 68 10 India 22,800 1,369,300 75 11 Hong Kong 22,700 784,000 76 12 Canada 19,300 536,500 39 13 France 17,700 798,000 44 14 South Africa 17,000 454,600 37 15 Korea 16,100 1,291,400 73 16 Italy 13,900 696,700 54 17 Scandinavia 12,800 490,900 41 18 Switzerland 12,700 300,900 33 19 Thailand 12,400 519,500 30 20 Ireland 12,200 417,000 31 PLEASE NOTE: The estimates of visitor numbers and nights in this report are based on information obtained from the International Visitor Survey - a sample of 5,910 international visitors coming to Western Australia. While every endeavour is made to provide reliable results, as with all surveys, the estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the survey results may vary from the results that would have been produced if all visitors had been interviewed in a census. The average length of stay is calculated by dividing estimated number of nights by estimated number of visitors. The estimates are based on all visitors (working holiday makers, those visiting for education etc.), not just those visiting for holiday. Lancaster Wines, Swan Valley MEDIA KIT 2017-18 25 26 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA DESTINATION NEWS DESTINATION NEWS Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo Reef Peppers King Square THE NEW PERTH WA’S CAPITAL CONTINUES TO TRANSFORM People are talking about Perth. Foodies, investors, sun-lovers, entrepreneurs, creatives – and even locals – are experiencing the ‘wow’ factor as unprecedented investment in WA’s cosmopolitan capital comes to fruition. Long celebrated as one of the world’s prettiest and most livable cities, Perth is now striding confidently on to the international stage as a leading player in Australia’s cultural, hospitality and events scene. More visitors than ever are marvelling at the explosion in attractions, accommodation and nightlife which complements the city’s natural beauty – delivering an all-round, exceptional destination. So what’s trending in the capital? MEDIA KIT 2017-18 29 URBAN OFFERINGS • The vibrant waterfront precinct of Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016, connecting Perth’s central business district to the Swan River. It’s quickly become a focal point for visitors and locals, with an ever-expanding range of attractions. Look out for the Isle of Voyage restaurant inside a heritage pavilion, kids frollicking in the water playground, GoCultural’s Indigenous walking tours and new river cruises departing from the Quay and neighbouring Barrack Square. Multiple development projects are taking shape, including the Ritz-Carlton’s first WA property in a prime riverfront location. • New Indigenous tours in Perth are enabling visitors to discover more about local Aboriginal lands and culture. Jump on board a solar electric boat for Indigenous Experiences Australia’s two-hour cruise along the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River), learning about ancestral stories, sacred places and legendary warrior Yagan. Back on land, walking tours with Go Cultural’s Noongar guides reveal fascinating alignments between modern Perth and ancient Aboriginal sites and tracks. • Perth’s multicultural and authentic flavours are revving up in the form of food trucks. The mobile meals are so popular that they inspired a local foodie and entrepreneur to launch the Food Truck Rumble – a gathering of some of the city’s best street food in one place. • Previously separated by a train line, the city centre is reconnecting with the Northbridge entertainment precinct through the Perth City Link project, near Perth Arena. Already up and running within the 13.5 hectare development are a state-of-the-art, subterranean bus station and the 120room Peppers Kings Square, which will soon be joined by other accommodation including The Dorsett. Perth City Link’s flagship public space, Yagan Square, is due to be unveiled in late 2017 with a design that celebrates WA through gardens, water feature, public art, and a digital tower and canopies for light, art, video projections and interactive content. • Formerly disused heritage buildings and laneways are now home to bustling bars and street art. Through independent nonprofit group FORM, more than 80 walls across Perth and surrounding suburbs have become a canvas for local, interstate and international artists. Tribe Hotel 30 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Go Cultural Noongar Guides Perth city laneway Elizabeth Quay MEDIA KIT 2017-18 31 COASTAL REVIVAL • Fremantle was included in Lonely Planet’s 2016 Best in Travel guide for good reason. With more than $1 billion dollars of redevelopment in the planning pipeline, look out for new venues such as Seashells and the Sweetwater rooftop bar in the Richmond Quarter, COAST at Port Beach, Segway and self-guided walking tours, a range of cruises and a thriving craft beer scene. • Scarborough Beach is on its way to becoming one of Australia’s best beachfronts. A $100 million foreshore redevelopment is set to be unveiled in early 2018, including a beachside swimming pool, cafes, restaurants, kiosks, public art and a skate park, as well as improved transport. • Slightly further south, popular City Beach is home to lush lawns, white sand and an expanding range of waterfront dining options including the chilled-out deck at newly opened Odyssea Beach Café and watching sunsets from Clancy’s Fish Bar. • Visitors to Rottnest Island will see upgrades to the golf course and walk trails, as well as a new marina. Luxury refurbishments are complete at the Hotel Rottnest while an upmarket ‘glamping’ experience is expected to open at Pinky’s Beach in late 2017. Scarborough Beach Redevelopment Artist impression by MRA Odyssea City Beach 32 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Sweetwater Rooftop Bar DAY TRIPS Few cities have such an impressive range of activities at their doorstep. Journeys between 30 minutes and two hours from central Perth could see you swimming with dolphins in Rockingham, tasting award-winning beverages in the Swan Valley wine region, taking a quokka selfie on Rottnest Island or walking among eerie limestone formations at the Pinnacles. New tours are also showcasing the bushland and culinary creations of the Perth Hills, and it’s now possible to do the Margaret River Region in a day from Perth with sightseeing packages through Swan River Seaplanes. Rockingham dolphins Quokka selfie, Rottnest Island Margaret River Region MEDIA KIT 2017-18 33 ACCOMMODATION EXPLOSION Perth now offers some of the best value hotel and short stay accommodation in Australia following the raft of new and refurbished properties that have opened in the CBD and surrounding urban and coastal areas. Not only are visitors enjoying more choice in accommodation, they’re also saving with Perth hoteliers offering up some great deals. Perth is shaking off its former reputation for costly accommodation stemming from WA’s mining boom, with the average daily rate in the Perth CBD down 16.5% in 2016 compared to 2012 (source: STR Global data). Nowadays, the city is again an attractive option for holidaymakers who will find rooms to suit all budgets. Since 2012, 20 new or redeveloped hotels have opened in and around Perth, adding nearly 1,800 new rooms to the local market. In the next four years, a further 16 new or redeveloped hotels will come online, adding more than 2,800 new rooms. It’s about quality and quantity with a broad selection of boutique, big name and luxury accommodation options coming online including the Ritz-Carlton’s first Australian property in 10 years, The Westin in the eastern CBD and three developments from the DoubleTree group. Peppers Kings Square Ritz-Carlton 34 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA COMPLETED PROPERTIES HOTEL LOCATION DATE OPENED ROOMS City Lights Northbridge April 2015 46 Alex Hotel Northbridge May 2015 74 The Nest on Newcastle Northbridge May 2015 20 COMO The Treasury Perth city September 2015 48 Attika Hotel Northbridge December 2015 22 Quest West Perth West Perth January 2016 72 Seashells Fremantle June 2016 24 Quest Perth, Mounts Bay Rd Perth city August 2016 71 Sage Hotel West Perth August 2016 101 Quest East Perth East Perth November 2016 130 Peppers Kings Square Perth city November 2016 120 Crown Towers Burswood December 2016 500 Quest Fremantle Fremantle December 2016 121 FORTHCOMING PROPERTIES HOTEL LOCATION DUE TO OPEN ROOMS Tribe West Perth May 2017 126 Aloft Perth Rivervale May 2017 224 DoubleTree by Hilton Northbridge Mid-2017 205 The Melbourne Hotel (redevelopment) Perth city 2017 73 Be.Fremantle Fremantle 2017 24 Quest Midland Midland 2017 106 QT Hotel Perth city 2018 184 IHG InterContinental Perth city 2018 240 Westin, Perth Perth city Mid-2018 368 Quest Innaloo Innaloo 2018 80 Park Regis Subiaco 2018 168 Ritz-Carlton Elizabeth Quay First half of 2019 204 DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront Elizabeth Quay 2019 229 DoubleTree By Hilton Fremantle Fremantle 2019 150 EQ West Elizabeth Quay 2019 370 Dorsett Hotel Perth city 2020 250 MEDIA KIT 2017-18 35 NEW-LOOK PERTH AIRPORT Recently named Capital City Airport of the Year, Perth Airport’s $1 billion redevelopment has reached several milestones including the opening of a new $220 million domestic terminal, a $157.5 million Terminal 1 international departures expansion and extra retail, dining, check-in, security and baggage reclaim spaces. An expanded Terminal 1 forecourt opened in November 2016 and, nearby, the state-of-theart T1 domestic terminal is home to all Virgin Australia services, enabling passengers to transfer seamlessly between regional, interstate and international flights with the airline. SPORTS TOURISM With the deluxe 60,000-seat Perth Stadium due to open early 2018 and impressive international fixtures already locked in, Perth is fast becoming a sport lover’s dream destination. Adding to Perth’s other quality sports venues – such as Perth Arena and nib Stadium – the new stadium is already shaping up as one of the world’s most technologically advanced major venues. Events scheduled for Perth Stadium include: • Chelsea Football Club (July or August 2018). In an Australian exclusive, the Premier League powerhouse will take on local heroes Perth Glory. Perth Stadium 36 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • Bledisloe Cup (August 2019). The only time the Australian Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks teams will play on Australian soil in 2019 in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup. • Rugby League State of Origin (2019). Regarded as Australia’s biggest annual sporting event, the New South Wales Blues clash with the Queensland Maroons in a fiercely contested game that will attract thousands of visitors, particularly from interstate. FLY NON-STOP FROM LONDON TO PERTH In 1947, Qantas’ maiden flights between Australia and the UK took four days and nine stops. Now it will take around 17 hours, nonstop. History will be made when Qantas’ daily direct Perth to London flights take off in March 2018, becoming the first regular passenger services directly linking Australia and Europe. WA is ready to roll out the welcome mat for an influx of new visitors as Qantas’ choice of a west-coast hub puts the State firmly on the radar for even more travellers – with the potential to inject up to $36 million a year in visitor spend into the local economy. Many visitors from Europe are expected to kickstart their Australian experience with a stay in Perth, while people from other Australian states will fly domestically to Perth and stay before connecting to the non-stop London service, the world’s third-longest passenger flight. Qantas will mobilise its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet for the 14,500 kilometre each-way journey. Enhanced cabin design, improved air quality, and technology to reduce noise and turbulence are all designed to make the long-haul journey more comfortable for up to 236 passengers across business, premium economy and economy. Tickets for the Qantas non-stop Perth-London flights can be purchased from April 2017 onwards. At Perth Airport, the non-stop flights will operate through Qantas’ existing domestic terminals (T3/4), which will be upgraded to accommodate the new services. The airline’s other international flights from Perth (to Singapore and to Auckland) will also move to this terminal to streamline passengers’ connections. Stay up to date at qantas.com PERTH STOP-OVER – SUGGESTED ITINERARIES 1-2 DAYS: Check out the sights of Perth city, including Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park and its neighbouring cultural hubs of Northbridge, Mount Lawley and Leederville. There is also ample opportunity to catch an iconic Indian Ocean sunset at one the city’s 19 metropolitan beaches, enjoy a seafood feast in Fremantle, take a 25-minute drive to the food and wine mecca of the Swan Valley, and cuddle furry animals at Caversham Wildlife Park. 3-4 DAYS: Why not add a Rottnest Island day trip or overnight stay to your Perth itinerary? With 63 beaches and 20 beautiful bays, there is so much to do and see on this island playground. Or, in less than a 40-minute drive south of Perth, you can swim with wild dolphins off the coast of Rockingham. A WEEK OR LONGER: Head outside of the city to one of WA’s many spectacular regions. From world-class food and wine in Margaret River, and memorable aquatic experiences along the Coral Coast, to the gold rush history of Kalgoorlie and the Kimberley’s ancient landscapes – there truly is something for everyone in WA. Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner MEDIA KIT 2017-18 37 LUCKY SEVEN WA’S TOP SEVEN TRENDING EXPERIENCES What are some of the extraordinary WA attractions creating a buzz in the travel world? Visitors are increasingly drawn to unrivalled opportunities to interact with wildlife and nature; tackle the great outdoors on an active adventure or luxury ‘glamping’ stay; discover fascinating Indigenous cultures; sample world-class food and wine; visit secluded and spectacular islands; and weave through mesmerising landscapes on a small vessel cruise. 38 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Bremer Bay Photograph by Sean Scott Photography WILDLIFE AND NATURE WA’s national parks, state forests and marine reserves will place you up close and personal with some of Earth’s most diverse and dazzling flora, fauna and landscapes. Here’s what’s creating a buzz among the West’s natural wonders: • Swim with humpback whales: Humpback whale interaction tours return to Exmouth and Coral Bay from August to November 2017, following the successful inaugural season in 2016 when 1,644 people swam with the giants of the ocean. The world’s largest humpback whale population (estimated at 30,000) offers tourists ample opportunity to see the whales up close as spectators from a boat, or interact with them in the water as they swim past or rest in the temperate waters of Ningaloo Reef – already famous for its whale shark swimming tours from April to July. • Stop and smell the wildflowers: WA enjoyed one of its best wildflower seasons ever in 2016, with tourists flocking to country areas to see flowers carpeting the State in colours so vivid they could be seen from space. In the wake of this bumper season, increased awareness of the State’s world-leading wildflower experiences – with some 12,000 species to see, 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else on Earth – is expected to blossom in 2017. • Spectacular Kimberley: The word is out…2017 is a great year to visit the Kimberley. Record summer rains in the region mean this dry season (April to October) will be even more spectacular than usual for travellers to the State’s north. Visitors are already enthralled by thundering and rarely seen waterfalls, engorged waterholes and breathtaking aerial views of the lush landscape and thriving waterways. • Quokka selfie: Interest in taking a snap with one of Rottnest’s resident adorable marsupials shows no signs of abating, with the island near Perth welcoming record visitor numbers in 2015-16. The quokka is one of 25 mammal species that can only be found in WA. • Underwater canyons. Orcas (killer whales) are the star attraction of Bremer Canyon, a marine life hotspot 70 kilometres off WA’s south coast. Naturaliste Charters’ boat tours out of Bremer Bay have had an almost 100 per cent success rate in getting close to the southern hemisphere’s biggest orca gathering from January to April. Not big enough? Whale Watch Western Australia is locking in more autumn blue whale tours for 2018 and beyond after a successful inaugural season in March and April 2017, when visitors witnessed the gigantic creatures feasting on krill at Perth Canyon, a 90-minute boat ride from Fremantle. MEDIA KIT 2017-18 39 ACTIVE ADVENTURES • Walk into Luxury coastal hike: In 2016, Walk into Luxury was accepted as WA’s first Great Walk of Australia member for its four-day Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk. The guided, small-group hike combines the best sections of the breathtaking South West trail, from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, along with incredible food and wine experiences and deluxe accommodation. • Mountain biking: WA’s climate, diverse environment and outstanding scenery support a thriving mountain bike scene. From beginner trails in the Perth Hills to the Kimberley’s gruelling Gibb Challenge and the 1,000 kilometre Munda Biddi Trail to Albany, there’s even a specific strategy in place to help the State become a world-class MTB destination. A recent addition to the network is Margaret River’s Compartment 10 trail through the forests of Bramley National Park. • Station stays: Some of WA’s outback pastoral stations are the size of small European countries. From shearing quarters to luxury homesteads, staying at a working station is an increasingly popular option to discover country hospitality, breathtaking scenery, skilled stockmen and the chance to muck in, join a muster and crack a whip. Cattle stations and homesteads are scattered around Carnarvon, Exmouth and Broome, and along the Kimberley’s legendary fourwheel-drive Gibb River Road. Cape to Cape MTB event CULTURAL VENTURES Australia’s Aboriginal people have the world’s most ancient living culture, with a history spanning at least 50,000 years. In WA, visitors can have unique and authentic Indigenous experiences throughout the State as a growing number of Aboriginal tour operators share their stories. As well as adventures on country in regional areas, there are more options to discover the Noongar culture in and around Perth through new walking, food and river cruise tours. See the W’A’ List section on Aboriginal Western Australia and the New Product pages for details of new and established Indigenous tourism experiences. Koomal Dreaming, Margaret River Region 40 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOOD TOURISM With such a varied landscape and climate, it’s not surprising that WA is developing a reputation as a world-class food and wine destination. From Albany oysters and Manjimup black truffles to Exmouth king prawns and Pemberton marron, an ever-expanding feast of gourmet produce and fresh seafood awaits – paired perfectly with premium wines, craft beers and ciders and award-winning spirits. • 50 years of Margaret River wines: In 2017, WA’s premier wine region celebrates 50 years since its first contemporary commercial vineyard was planted in Margaret River’s fertile soil and maritime environment. Located an easy threehour drive south of Perth, Margaret River accounts for more than a quarter of Australia’s premium wine with more than 220 wine producers and 100 cellar doors surrounded by a pristine coastline and tall timber forests. • Fine dining with native/seasonal ingredients: Establishments such as Wildflower in Perth’s CBD are serving contemporary dishes revolving around the indigenous ethos of six seasons with farmer and forager-driven menus. Head chef Jed Gerrard uses a variety of local ingredients and even has a beehive at the rooftop restaurant. • In a similar style, Fervor is becoming one of WA’s most popular food enterprises. The team’s novel, pop-up culinary experiences include intimate, long-table degustation dinners featuring up to 10 courses at unique locations (think caves, atop cliffs, forests, the desert). Guests are treated to locally sourced, fresh produce and native ingredients such as marron, green ants, crab, youlk, wattleseed, seaweed, wallaby and muntrie berries. Wildflower restaurant, Perth • Food trails: A network of visitor-friendly food and wine trails is taking shape as part of a State-wide culinary tourism drive. The first servings are the Cider and Ale Trail and the Sweet Temptations Trail, both in Perth’s Swan Valley, and the Blackwood Valley Food Trail around Bridgetown, Nannup and Balingup in the South West. The culinary maps also link to nearby activities such as hiking, cycling, horseriding and canoeing. • Yagan Square: Fresh food markets will return to the heart of Perth when the Yagan Square multidimensional public space opens in November 2017 near the central train station. Part of the Perth City Link major redevelopment, the lively pedestrian thoroughfare will provide a showcase of WA food and beverages through dine-in and take-away options in laneways and a market hall and plaza. • The spotlight is on Manjimup’s truffle industry, one of the State’s best-kept foodie secrets. In the tranquil Southern Forests region, The Wine and Truffle Company produces more of the world’s most edible commodity than the rest of Australia combined. The region’s annual Truffle Kerfuffle winter food festival is also increasingly popular as word spreads about the rare delicacy. • WA boasts a diverse mix of worldclass food and wine events. The annual Margaret River Gourmet Escape (November) is one of Australia’s top food and wine showcases, bringing together the world’s best chefs and wine experts (think Heston Blumenthal, Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein, AA Gill – the list goes on) for the ultimate culinary adventure. Other standout events include Taste Great Southern (March/April), Truffle Kerfuffle (see above) and the Arygle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, which includes a celebration of the east Kimberley’s vast food bowl (mangoes, chick peas, chia, melons, pumpkins and seeds). MEDIA KIT 2017-18 41 GLAMPING Be eco-friendly and in touch with nature while enjoying an ensuite, chef-cooked meals and guided tours. WA has some of Australia’s best and most unique deluxe camping options. • ‘Glamp sites’ can be found right around WA – deluxe safari tents can be found around the Kimberley on the Dampier Peninsula (Kooljaman, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, Goombaragin) Broome (Eco Beach, The Billi), and at El Questro, Home Valley Station, Bell Gorge, Mitchell Falls, and the Bungle Bungles. POP-UP GLAMPING SITES: • WA Wilderness Glamping gives guests a chance to go camping in national parks with everything provided – kind of like a pop-up hotel room in a forest, next to a river, in a World Heritage listed national landscape. • Glamping Co provides luxury, bohemianstyle accommodation for weddings, festivals, parties, corporate events and romantic weekends away. • Further south, visitors to Ningaloo Reef can unwind and indulge at beachside safari camp Sal Salis, while those around Karijini National Park can rest weary legs at the Karijini Eco Retreat. In the South West, olive farm Olio Bello recently added six safari-style lakeside bungalows to its tranquil Margaret River property. • Pinky’s Eco Resort and Beach Club: Scheduled to open in time for summer 2017-18 on Perth’s popular Rottnest Island, this eco-sensitive accommodation is set to feature 29 ultra-comfortable four and five-star tents, each with an ensuite bathroom, plus 10 two-bedroom ‘family’ tents and 35 backpacker or budget tents. • Soul Camping combines a passion for interior decorating with camping. Situated in the Margaret River region, the tents can be hired for a special occasion or a simple weekend away. • Tears of Joy Campers has introduced a unique way to travel around WA – in a retro Gidget camper! The quirky accommodation can easily be attached to any vehicle’s tow bar and comprise a queen-size bed, a fully equipped kitchen, an 80-litre water tank and a TV and DVD player. A 110 watt solar panel sits on the roof, allowing users to run much-needed appliances while travelling in remote locations. Sal Salis 42 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Eco Beach ISLANDS The waters off WA’s 12,000 kilometre mainland coastline are regarded as some of the most pristine in the world – and home to a myriad of marine life and coastal treasures. Here are some of the island gems primed for increased attention in 2017. • The Abrolhos Islands, 80 kilometres off Geraldton in the Coral Coast, are expected to become Australia’s newest national park by mid-2017. There are also plans to introduce floating hotels, campsites and more diving and sightseeing tours to the coastal paradise, which is home to spectacular coral reef systems and the notorious 17th century shipwreck, Batavia. • Known for its postcard-perfect beaches and bays, friendly quokkas, incredible snorkelling, super surfing and allround relaxed holiday vibe, Rottnest Island continues to be a favourite Perth destination for locals and visitors. Visitation to the island is at an all-time high (year on year), partly attributed to the rising fame of the ‘quokka selfie’. SMALL-VESSEL CRUISING Cruise the pristine waters of the Kimberley on a luxury small vessel and venture into one of the last true wilderness areas on Earth. Small luxury cruisers such as True North, Kimberley Quest and Great Escape are able to explore secluded gorges of the Kimberley coast that larger vessels can’t reach. Journey past towering red • Also within day-trip distance of Perth is the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, around 40 minutes’ drive south of the city centre. As their names suggest, Penguin Island and Seal Island are home to little penguins and sea lions, while eco-tours elsewhere in the marine park offer the chance to swim with wild dolphins. • World Heritage Listed Shark Bay is home to WA’s largest island, Dirk Hartog – named after the Dutch captain who left a pewter plate there in 1616, becoming the first known European to make landfall on Australian soil. Events in 2016 marking the 400th anniversary also revealed Dirk Hartog Island’s many attractions including excellent cliff fishing, four-wheel-driving, bird and marine life, a relaxed homestead and secluded beaches. Dirk Hartog Island cliffs and pockets of rainforest, observe rare wildlife and ancient Aboriginal rock art, swim in crystal clear pools and shower underneath dramatic waterfalls. On board, enjoy the best food and wine, including fresh local produce prepared by a personal chef, and relaxing at night in the comfort of a private suite. Kimberley Quest True North MEDIA KIT 2017-18 43 CHARACTERS OF WA Extraordinary experiences await on any given day, all over WA – and those working in tourism are at the front line when the magic happens. Whether it’s swimming with whale sharks, boating through the Horizontal Waterfalls, lazing with kangaroos on the beach, or grazing through Perth and Margaret River’s fantastic food, here’s a sample of what some of the State’s top guides enjoy every day. “The face of Perth has changed so much since we took our first tour 10 years ago. Walking through the city on any given day – there’s always something new to uncover and share.” Ryan Zaknich Two Feet & A Heartbeat – Perth “The shouts of joy and excitement when you take people out on a 90 minute thrill ride around Rottnest, introducing them to humpback whales, dolphins, osprey eagles, New Zealand fur seals – it’s a pretty nice way to spend a day.” Oliver Merritt Eco Express skipper Rottnest Island “As a chef, I feel blessed to be in Margaret River with access to some of WA’s best seasonal produce to use in our dishes.” Tony Howell Margaret River Hospitality Group “My daily job usually involves taking a very excited group of guests out to the back of Ningaloo Reef and finding a safe spot to jump into the big blue and swim with the biggest fish in the ocean, the whale shark!” Sarah Ellis Ningaloo Discovery Fitzroy Bluff, Mornington Wilderness Camp, The Kimberley 44 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA “I love sharing the experiences that most visitors tend to miss. Tranquil, stunning, no traffic lights and country quiet. The real Margaret River.” Sean Blocksidge Margaret River Discovery Co “The most difficult decision to make is where we’ll have morning tea. The whitest sand, turquoise water as well as the beach kangaroos – the iconic Lucky Bay seems to win each day!” Mark Adamson Esperance Eco Discovery Tours “Even after 27 years, I never get tired of swimming with these guys!” Terry Howson Rockingham Wild Encounters “Taking guests to my favourite spots in the Kimberley is as much fun for me as it is for them. Seeing their faces light up, followed by silence as they take in the moment, is why I do what I do!” Scotty Connell Kimberley Spirit Tour Guide “My average day involves me sharing the cultural values and history of Kennedy Hill and Roebuck Bay. I welcome guests to learn about our traditional hunting and gathering methods, modern-day culture, language and so much more.” Bart Pigram Narlijia Cultural Tours – Broome “It’s my privilege to share the stories of my people and our beautiful home with visitors from all over the world. Many guests have told me it’s an experience they’ll never forget – for my people, it’s our every day.” Brian Lee Tagalong Tours – Pilbara “Yurlburrunha, aka Python Pool, is a very special and sacred place for my people. I enjoy bringing people to this spot for a swim and relaxation, but also to teach them the story of this place.” “I love being on the water along the Clinton Walker magnificent Kimberley coast, watching guests’ Ngurrangga Tours – Pilbara reactions as they witness natural phenomena like Waterfall Reef for the first time. It reminds me why this part of the world is so special!” Jamie Hornblow “We have an adventure every single Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm – Kimberley day. We are lucky to do what we do and show off our Kimberley backyard to guests from all over the world.” Kylie Bartle The Great Escape Charter “I love teaching new friends the stories of my Company – Kimberley land, in the world’s best classroom.” Neville Poelina Uptuyu Tours – Kimberley MEDIA KIT 2017-18 45 46 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA THE W ‘A’ LIST THE W‘A’ LIST Bungle Bungle Range, The Kimberley COASTAL AND AQUATIC ADVENTURES The waters off WA’s 12,000 kilometre coastline and islands are some of the most pristine in the world – and home to a myriad of marine life. Here’s our W ‘A’ list of coastal and aquatic adventures: • Unforgettable encounters – swim with gentle giants. Exhilarating marine experiences await at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef – one of only a handful of places on Earth where you can swim with the world’s biggest fish, the whale shark, and the majestic humpback whale. Whale sharks, measuring up to 18 metres, visit Ningaloo each year around March to July. Tours from Exmouth or Coral Bay will take you into the reef’s turquoise waters for an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants. In 2017, the chance to swim with humpback whales returns to Ningaloo from July to October, following a successful trial of these tours in 2016. During the inaugural humpback swimming season, more than 1,600 people were awestruck by in-water encounters with the migrating whales. Up-close tours with another big and beautiful Ningaloo local, the manta ray, operate year-round. • M ake some waves – surfing. Take the word of the world’s top surfers who flock to WA’s shores for some of the best waves on Earth. The famed Margaret River region, in the State’s South West, is home to more than 40 surf spots ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surf. See the sport’s top men and women in action at the annual Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, in March or April, or learn to hang ten with surf schools that operate around the State. Other WA surfing hotspots include Ningaloo Reef, Esperance, Kalbarri and Rottnest Island. If you’re into different types of boards, an easy 90-minute drive north of Perth takes you to the windsurfing mecca of Lancelin – which hosts the Lancelin Ocean Classic international water sport competition each summer – where you can also try out sandboarding on the white dunes. • Perth’s paradise – Rottnest Island. The ferry crossing to Rottnest Island (or ‘Rotto’, as the locals call it) takes as little as 25 minutes from Fremantle, or you can embark from Perth’s city centre or Hillarys Boat Harbour in the northern suburbs. You’ll soon have the pleasant dilemma of choosing from Rotto’s 63 beaches and 20 secluded bays or being enchanted by the island’s unique marsupial resident: the quokka. The car-free island is 11 kilometres long and 4.5 kilometres wide, so it’s easy to explore by hire bike, tours, Segway, bus or on foot – or head into the water to see fish, coral and shipwrecks at some of the best snorkelling or diving sites this close to a capital city. Surfing at Kalbarri, Australia’s Coral Coast MEDIA KIT 2017-18 49 • Get up close – wild dolphins. Two daytrip options from Perth – Rockingham Wild Encounters (45 minutes by car) and Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre (two hours by car) – offer the chance to swim with wild bottlenose dolphins. The playful and curious animals may choose to approach the boat and swimmers, providing a unique, up-close encounter. Monkey Mia (850 kilometres north of Perth) is famous for a pod of friendly bottlenose dolphins that regularly visit the shore, while further north in Broome, new boat tours enable visitors to see Australia’s largest known population of snubnose dolphins. o fluke! – whale watching. WA is home • N to the ‘humpback highway’ as 35,000 gentle giants move up and down the west coast during the southern hemisphere’s largest whale migration. WA has one of the world’s longest whale-watching seasons – from May to December – and a range of lookouts and tours will help you spot humpbacks, southern right and even blue whales. September to December is the prime time for whale tours off Perth (Fremantle, Hillarys and Rottnest Island), while other hotspots are Albany, Augusta, Broome, Exmouth, Denham, Kalbarri and Geographe Bay. On the south coast, the Bremer Canyon’s marine-rich pocket attracts hundreds of orcas (killer whales) between January and April. Tours from Bremer Bay with Naturaliste Charters have also encountered other whales, sharks, seals, seabirds and even giant squid. • Kangaroos to crocodiles – wildlife. An easy day-trip from Perth takes you to Penguin Island, near Rockingham, where you can see and learn about WA’s largest colony of adorable little penguins. The surrounding Shoalwater Marine Park is also home to seabirds and the rare Australian sea lion. Jurien Bay Marine Park, three hours north of Perth, is another marine life hot-spot while at Hamelin Bay near Augusta you can get close to large, friendly stingrays in the shallow water. In Esperance, on WA’s south-east coast, Lucky Bay’s local kangaroos like to sunbathe on the white sand, while nearby Woody Island is a haven for New Zealand fur seals, Australian sea lions, sea eagles and dolphins. In the State’s far north, an experienced guide can help you spot mighty saltwater crocodiles and their freshwater cousins from a safe distance in the Kimberley. 50 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • W recks and remote shoals – dive and snorkel. No other coral barrier reef is closer to the shore than Ningaloo, where you can wade out from the beach and be snorkelling over superb coral gardens teeming with colourful fish, manta rays, sea turtles and dugongs. Navy Pier, at the Ningaloo gateway of Exmouth, is rated as one of the world’s top 10 shore dives. In the South West, you can explore Busselton Jetty through snorkel, dive or undersea walking tours. WA is also home to extraordinary shipwreck dives including HMAS Swan at Dunsborough, HMAS Perth in Albany and 19 wrecks around the Abrolhos Islands, off Geraldton, including the Batavia, whose sinking in 1629 led to one of the darkest chapters in WA history. If this isn’t remote enough for you, take a tour to the ‘aquarium in the middle of the ocean’ at Rowley Shoals, 300 kilometres west of Broome, where it could just be you diving among coral gardens with giant clams and schools of tuna and mackerel. • S taircase to the Moon. From March to November, when conditions are just right, visitors to Broome are treated to a breathtaking natural spectacle – the Staircase to the Moon. The phenomenon occurs around three times a month at extremely low tide when the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay, creating the optical illusion of lunar stairs. Check in at australiasnorthwest.com for dates and times to see the staircase, which can also be experienced at other north-west locations including Karratha, Port Hedland and Onslow. Swimming with manta rays, Ningaloo Marine Park Lucky Bay, Esperance MEDIA KIT 2017-18 51 EXQUISITE FOOD AND WINE Your taste buds will thank you! WA’s exceptional food and wine, top restaurants and unrivalled culinary events already attract 400,000 ‘gourmet travellers’ each year. Here’s our W ‘A’ list of food and wine experiences: • World-leading wines. From Perth to the rugged Southern Ocean coast, the State’s south-western corner produces some of the world’s most awarded wines. > In 2017, the best known of WA’s nine fine wine regions, Margaret River, is celebrating 50 years of commercial vines. Three hours’ drive south of Perth and hugged by ocean on three sides, the Margaret River region’s unique maritime environment delivers perfect conditions for 150 wine producers – plus some of the most scenic vineyard country on Earth. Short on time? Swan River Seaplanes takes the scenic route, flying along the coast from Perth to Margaret River, where you’ll be met by Top Drop Tours for a deluxe gourmet experience before returning to Perth in the afternoon. > Along WA’s scenic south coast, Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mt Barker and Porongurup are highlights of the Great Southern wine region, which is particularly well known for its exceptional Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. > A 30-minute drive from central Perth will find you in the picturesque Swan Valley, the State’s oldest wine region where you can visit family-run vineyards and meet the winemakers. > A short journey from the city will also take you to the Perth Hills, where local families and progressive vintners produce stand-out Shiraz and Viognier, and the Peel wine region, known for its Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rottnest Island seafood 52 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • A generous serving of unforgettable events. Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein and Marco Pierre White are some of the big names who’ve made a beeline to WA’s South West in November for the annual Margaret River Gourmet Escape. From beach barbecues to long-table lunches, Gourmet Escape sizzles with unique events that celebrate the region’s famed wine and food. Lawson described the festival simply as “astonishing”, adding: “If any of you get the chance to go to Western Australia, you’ll understand why I am so enthusiastic about it. Those of you who actually live there, I envy you.” Other highlights of WA’s culinary calendar are Taste Great Southern – helicopter picnic, anyone? – in WA’s bountiful south-east corner in autumn; Truffle Kerfuffle (see below) and Crab Fest, held in March in the canal city of Mandurah, an hour south of Perth. • Truffles – a rare delicacy. The black truffle is the third most expensive food in the world, and 70% of the Australian supply comes from WA’s tranquil Southern Forests around Manjimup and Pemberton, some 300 kilometres south of Perth. As well as sampling the rare delicacy and learning about its painstaking cultivation, you can watch The Truffle & Wine Co’s specially trained dogs in action, sniffing out the underground delights on a truffle hunt tour from June to August. In Manjimup each June, a lively festival – Truffle Kerfuffle – presents a weekend of hands-on activities and leading culinary talent in the heart of truffle country. • Graze your way through Perth’s restaurants. Perth has the perfect ingredients for even the fussiest foodies – top local produce, celebrated chefs and more restaurants per capita than any other Australian capital. Through an explosion in new dining options, the traditional hubs of Northbridge, East Perth and Mt Lawley have been joined by high-quality suburban and riverfront food, such as The Reveley and Isle of Voyage at Elizabeth Quay. Nearby, you’ll find boutique dining at the beautifully restored State Buildings, including the award-winning rooftop restaurant Wildflower and its WA-focused, farmer-and-forager menu revolving around the Indigenous six seasons. The newly opened Crown Towers adds to the Crown riverside precinct’s range of fine-dining options, while a string of oceanfront restaurants and cafes serve up quality seafood and pub fare with a perfect Indian Ocean backdrop. • Sample succulent seafood. Western Australian seafood and freshwater fish are among the finest and freshest you’ll ever try. Be sure to sample Geraldton rock lobster, South West marron, yabby, trout, North West barramundi, Exmouth prawns, Rottnest scallops, Mandurah crab and Broome pearl meat. Add in a sunset view and a cool boutique beer or a crisp local wine, and it’s a true west coast experience. From fish and chips to fine platters, Perth’s seafood hotspots include Fremantle, Scarborough, Cottesloe and Mosman Park. You can learn about the State’s rock lobster industry in Geraldton and Cervantes, or hook your own catch of the day on deep-sea, game or beach fishing adventures all along the coast. In the Kimberley, the local Bardi people at Cape Leveque’s Kooljaman Wilderness Camp will teach you spear fishing and mud-crab hunting in the mangroves, before you cook the catch on the beach. • Get crafty with local beers. Fremantle is the birthplace of Australia’s flourishing craft beer scene, with the first big-flavour, small-production brews poured at the Sail and Anchor bar, where you can still sample tasty local creations. Check out other unique and seasonal craft beers at Fremantle’s Little Creatures or The Monk – or see how local beers and cold cider are bringing extra flavour and attitude to traditional wine regions such as the Swan Valley (Feral or Mash, for example) and Margaret River (try out Bootleg or Eagle Bay). • Feast in the food bowls. WA’s fertile soils and perfect climate make it a haven for horticulturalists, and you can experience ‘the State on a plate’ at gourmet events or straight from the farm. In the Kimberley, tours of Lake Argyle reveal the massive reservoir’s role in the Ord River vast irrigated patchwork, which has transformed arid desert into a hub for everything from chickpeas and chia to melons and mangoes. The Ord Valley Muster (see page 13), in May, is an ideal time to explore the waterways and fresh produce. Further south, head to the Coral Coast town of Carnarvon to tour banana plantations and meet the farmers behind delicious tropical fruits and vegetables. In WA’s South West, the ‘Genuinely Southern Forests’ trail around Manjimup and Pemberton serves up a smorgasbord of fresh apples, avocado, lime and honey as well as marron, beef and the region’s famous black truffles. • Laze like a local at a Sunday Session. Wrap up the weekend the Western Australian way by relaxing with mates on a Sunday afternoon with food, a tipple or two and live music at a waterfront pub. Perth’s top spots for a Sunday Session (or ‘sesh’ if you want to sound like a local) include Cottesloe’s Ocean Beach Hotel, Elizabeth Quay’s Embargo container bar, The Left Bank in East Fremantle and The Breakwater at Hillarys. Carnarvon banana plantation tour Manjimup’s black truffles MEDIA KIT 2017-18 53 OUTBACK EXPERIENCES Rugged, captivating and inspiring, Western Australia’s outback offers big blue skies, rugged red earth adventure in spades, and at night, you’ll be amazed by the millions of stars lighting up the night sky with clear views to the Milky Way. Here’s our W ‘A’ list of outback experiences. • H appy campers. WA’s size, climate and range of experiences mean you’ll find a perfect spot for camping and caravanning at any time of year. More than 100 national parks and reserves are spread across the State, and many of their campsites can be booked online. Sites and facilities for camping, caravans and recreational vehicles are expanding throughout WA, meaning you have more options than ever to wake up to a milliondollar view without breaking your budget. Stress even less and arrive to find your tent already set up with ‘glamping’ options such as Soul Camping and WA Wilderness, or add a touch of luxury in deluxe safari tents or bungalow style accommodation at Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef and Broome’s Ramada Eco Beach Resort, for example. • Super stars. See why WA is a stargazer’s mecca and why it’s part of the world’s largest radio-telescope project. With lots of space and few people, very little artificial light intrudes into the night sky – showcasing the Milky Way in high-definition clarity. You don’t have to travel far from Perth for clear skies, with photographers capturing spectacular starlight images over the Pinnacles’ eerie limestone formations. You can pitch a tent and enjoy meteor showers at Karijini National Park in the Pilbara, or soak up the stars and the sea along the Shark Bay coast or the Kimberley’s Dampier Peninsula. 54 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • T he last frontier? The Kimberley, in WA’s far north, is one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. A land of spectacular natural beauty, the region is home to the Bungle Bungle Range’s unique beehive formations, in the World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, and the world’s only Horizontal Waterfalls at Talbot Bay. A four-wheel-drive adventure on the epic Gibb River Road, spanning 660 kilometres from Derby to Kununurra, will reward you with gorges, waterfalls, station stays and Indigenous experiences (see page 60). Short on time? Get a bird’s eye view of the majestic landscape on the Kimberley Aerial Highway – a series of remote landing strips dotted throughout the region. Complete your Kimberley adventure in the tropical pearling town of Broome, where the outback meets the ocean. old, ghosts and Gormley. Head into the • G heart of gold country at Kalgoorlie, where you’ll find charming colonial buildings, fascinating gold-rush history and the Super Pit lookout over Australia’s biggest working open cut gold mine – 1.5 kilometres across and 600 metres deep. Driving the 965 kilometre Golden Quest Discovery Trail takes you from Coolgardie to Laverton past legendary country pubs, the fascinating Gwalia ghost town, the former home of 31st US President Herbert Hoover and the world’s largest and most unusual outdoor gallery: 51 life-sized sculptures created by Antony Gormley dotted across the salt flats of Lake Ballard. The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park • W ildflower show. WA is home to the world’s largest collection of wildflowers, with more than 12,000 species – 60 per cent of which aren’t found anywhere else on Earth. From June in the north to November in the south, WA’s wildflowers create colourful carpets so vast that they have even been detected from space in high-rainfall years. In early spring in the Golden Outback and Coral Coast regions, you’ll be surrounded by stunning blankets of everlastings while trying to find the unique wreath leschenaultia. In the North West, vibrant floral shades contrast with the dusty red earth and golden spinifex grass, and the South West is home to delicate orchids. • Station stays. For a whip-cracking, authentic taste of outback life, stay on site at some of WA’s huge sheep and cattle stations where you can see skilled stockmen in action at a muster and experience genuine rural hospitality. Accommodation options range from rustic shearing quarters or a swag under the stars, to the luxury of glamping and grand homesteads. Many of WA’s outback stations welcome visitors – from Home Valley and El Questro in the Kimberley, to Wooleen Station in the Murchison and Bullara between Coral Bay and Exmouth. • Offbeat and extreme. WA’s outback has many claims to fame – the world’s biggest rock (Mt Augustus, more than twice the size of Uluru), oldest rocks (4.4 billion year old zircon found at Jack Hills) and largest outdoor gallery (Antony Gormley’s sculptures at Lake Ballard); cattle stations the size of small European countries; the only two Horizontal Waterfalls on Earth; the world’s longest golf course (the 1,365 kilometre Nullarbor Links, starting in Kalgoorlie); Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park Photograph by Jewels Lynch Photography 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at Broome; and three World Heritage Listed areas (Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Purnululu National Park). You’ll also find quirky experiences and characters, from the touching tribute to man’s best friend at the Corrigin Dog Cemetery, equestrian art along the Tin Horse Highway near Kulin and spooky ghost towns in the Goldfields and Wheatbelt north and east of Perth. • J oin the outback event circuit. Get caught up in the community spirit at cultural, food and sporting events all over WA throughout the year. The multi-award-winning Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster is a true WA original – a series of music, food, comedy and cultural events that celebrate the East Kimberley’s landscapes and cultures. Horse-racing action happens at the Kulin Bush Races and at multiple regional locations through the Country Cup, or see a different kind of race at Yalgoo’s Emu Cup and Goo Fest, where locals dress as the iconic birds; the Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash, a rugged motorsport challenge between Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction; the Leonora Gift sprint along the dusty main street; the Gibb Challenge Kimberley cycling adventure; and the Mullewa Muster and Rodeo. Echidna at Cape Range National Park MEDIA KIT 2017-18 55 LUXURY EXPERIENCES WA is home to some of Australia’s most indulgent retreats and experiences, allowing you to enjoy paradise with privacy, pampering and maybe some pearls? Here’s our W ‘A’ list of luxury experiences: • Luxurious retreats. Follow in the footsteps of celebrities who really want to get away from it all. The Kimberley’s Berkeley River Lodge, accessible only by boat or plane, is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most indulgent adventures – offering luxurious rooms with 180-degree panoramas of the turquoise Timor Sea and the rugged Berkeley River. Also in the Kimberley, you can relax in a suite at El Questro Homestead overlooking Chamberlain Gorge and dine on a private clifftop under a canopy of stars. On the coast, Broome’s Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa has suites themed around famous Australian artists, with private plunge pools and butler service. In the State’s South West, Margaret River’s Injidup Spa Retreat’s private pools overlook the Indian Ocean, and the awardwinning Cape Lodge boutique hotel has hosted the likes of musician Sting and celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. 56 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • Cruise or fly the Kimberley. Experience the pristine waters of a true wilderness area in style on a Kimberley luxury cruise or scenic flight. Small cruisers such as True North, Kimberley Quest and Great Escape can meander through secluded gorges that aren’t accessible to larger vessels, passing towering red cliffs and pockets of rainforest. You’ll observe rare wildlife and ancient Aboriginal rock art, swim in crystal-clear pools and shower under dramatic waterfalls. After feasting on quality food and wine – which could include freshly caught seafood – you’ll relax in the comfort of your own suite. Short on time? The Kimberley is simply spectacular from the air. Operators such as HeliSpirit and Kimberley Air will take you on a soaring safari like no other, with the option to land and explore remote paradises like Cape Leveque and Mitchell Falls. Crown Towers, Perth • Exquisite jewels. WA’s mineral and marine wealth shines bright in the form of worldrenowned Kimberley diamonds – including the elusive pink diamond – as well as Broome’s South Sea pearls and Kalgoorlie gold. In Perth, shop for pearls and diamonds on King and Hay Streets in the city, or Rokeby Road in Subiaco. Broome’s Dampier Terrace is home to pearl showrooms including Kailis, Allure, Paspaley, Cygnet Bay and Willie Creek Pearls – you can also go behind the scenes and explore the town’s fascinating pearl industry. In the East Kimberley outback town of Kununurra, step inside Kimberley Fine Diamonds to marvel at exquisite pink and natural diamonds, and the master jewellers at work. • Wine and dine like a star. WA has the perfect ingredients for world-class food and wine experiences – top international talent combined with fresh local produce like Manjimup’s rare black truffles, Pemberton marron, Broome pearl meat, Rottnest Island crayfish, Exmouth prawns and, of course, the State’s famous wines. Perth’s dining scene is booming and the recently restored State Buildings are home to premium dining experiences including David Thompson’s Long Chim (an Australian first) and the multi-award-winning Wildflower, where you can enjoy rooftop city views and a farmer-and-forager menu based on the Indigenous six seasons. Nearby, the Brookfield Place revitalised heritage precinct is home to high-end bars and restaurants. Across the river, Crown Perth’s top chefs serve up local and international fare at Nobu, Rockpool, Silks and Bistro Guillaume. • Be pampered in Perth. Prestigious publication Conde Naste Traveller recently named Perth’s COMO The Treasury as Australia’s number-one hotel – and second in the world rankings. The exclusive suites occupy the top floors of the immaculately restored State Buildings in the heart of the city. Crown Perth has added to its Burswood riverfront precinct with the luxury Crown Towers, where accommodation options include a top-floor deluxe villa with butler service and panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Boutique hotel options include The Richardson in West Perth, designed by celebrated architect Sir Terry Farrell and featuring an on-site spa. • Eco-retreat ‘glamping’. Enjoy the tranquillity of stress-free camping at safari or cabin-style wilderness accommodation with personalised service. After exploring the pristine natural landscapes with an expert guide, you can relax with fine linens on king-size beds, ensuite bathrooms and gourmet produce prepared by your chef. Kimberley Coastal Camp, Faraway Bay Bush Camp, Ramada Eco Beach Broome, Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef, Kooljaman Wilderness Camp, Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge and Home Valley Station are just some of the options. ‘Glamping’ tents are also due to open on Perth’s idyllic Rottnest Island around summertime 2017-18. El Questo Homestead MEDIA KIT 2017-18 57 NATURE & WILDLIFE WA’s national parks, state forests and marine parks provide visitors with the opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most diverse and unique flora, fauna and landscapes. Here’s our W ‘A’ list of nature-based experiences. • N ingaloo Reef. Easily accessible from shore, you don’t need to travel by boat to snorkel this World Heritage listed underwater wonderland. The massive fringing reef is home to brilliantly coloured coral and tropical fish, sea turtles and manta rays, plus one of the world’s top shore dives at Exmouth’s Navy Pier. From March to July each year, you can swim with the world’s largest fish – the gentle whale shark – and, following a successful trial in 2016, you can now swim with humpback whales during their annual migration between July and October. • B ungle Bungle Range. In the Kimberley, another World Heritage gem, Purnululu National Park, is home to the breathtaking Bungle Bungle Range – a cluster of giant, beehive-like striped mounds, 350 million years in the making. Helicopter flights offer breathtaking views, and you can explore the park’s long narrow chasms and hidden gorges on foot, keeping an eye out for native animals and 130 unique bird species. Take a four-wheel-drive journey or fly into Purnululu from Broome or Kununurra, with the option of bush camping or safari/bungalow accommodation. • S hark Bay. Awarded World Heritage status for its outstanding natural beauty, biological diversity, fascinating ecology and unique insights into the Earth’s history, Shark Bay is where you’ll find one of the world’s largest dugong populations and Monkey Mia’s friendly dolphins. You can experience pristine waters and one of only two beaches in the world formed entirely of tiny white shells, or time travel with the oldest living fossils – the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool – for a glimpse of life on Earth over 3,500 million years ago.

 58 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • V alley of the Giants. Experience some of the tallest timber on Earth at canopy level – 40 metres above ground – at the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk, near Walpole in the South West. One of the first walk trails of its kind in the world, the 600 metre walkway extends through the majestic and ancient red tingle forest where you can find western grey kangaroos, bandicoots, woylies, quokkas and possums. • Karijini National Park. Two billion years in the making, Karijini in the North West is home to massive gorges, crystal-clear rock pools and waterfalls, as well as rock wallabies, red kangaroos, echidnas, dragons and huge termite moulds. Explore tunnels of marbled rock, clamber over boulders, squeeze through narrow tunnels, paddle through waterways and descend deep into ancient chasms. Stay overnight at the unique Karijini Eco Retreat. • S top and smell the wildflowers. It’s a staggering sight to behold – more than 12,000 species of wildflowers in bloom, more than half of which are found nowhere else on Earth. WA is home to the world’s biggest wildflower collection and you can enjoy the glorious carpets of colour and curious blooms for six months. The season begins in June in the north, and sweeps down the State to finish with a flurry on the south coast in November. • Kalbarri National Park. Known for its colourful river gorges, the popular Mid West coastal getaway of Kalbarri will become even more of a drawcard when two new skywalks open in August 2017. Providing stunning vistas of the Murchison River Gorge, the 100 metre high skywalks will extend 12 and 20 metres beyond the gorge rim at the Inyaka Wookai Watju (West Loop). Horizontal Falls, The Kimberley Photograph by Lauren Bath Whale watching Photo by David Ashley Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk Photo by Jean Leggat Francois Peron National Park, Shark Bay • L ucky Bay. Kangaroos on the beach? You’ll see them at Lucky Bay, on the south-east coast, which is also Australia’s whitest beach. The surrounding Cape Le Grand National Park is known for its stunning scenery and idyllic coast, where the landscape changes from massive granite outcrops to freshwater pools and unbelievably white sandy beaches. Enjoy swimming, bushwalking, fishing and camping, or take a breathtaking scenic flight over the bubblegum pink Lake Hillier near Esperance. • Kings Park and Botanic Garden. One of the largest inner-city parks in the world, this 400 hectare expanse of bushland, parks and botanical gardens is a short walk or bus ride from central Perth. Add in children’s naturebased play areas, an art gallery, restaurants and monuments to the State’s history, and it’s easy to see why Kings Park is the most popular visitor destination in WA. • T he Pinnacles. The lunar-like Pinnacles form one of Australia’s most unique and fascinating natural landscapes. Formed over millions of years, thousands of tall limestone spires rise eerily from the yellow desert sands of Nambung National Park, changing colours in different lights. Two hours’ drive north of Perth, the Pinnacles can be visited as a day trip from the city, or stay longer in the picturesque fishing town of Cervantes. • Fitzgerald River National Park. One of only a handful of UNESCO Biospheres Reserves, this 300,000 hectare national park is WA’s own lost world – three-quarters of its 1,800 species of plants are found nowhere else on Earth, and share the environment with 84 bird species, 22 mammal species and more than 50 reptile and frog species. Located on the south coast, it is a perfect spot for bushwalking, wildflower spotting, canoeing, fishing and whale watching. • Whale watching. WA has one of the longest whale-watching seasons in the world, with tours operating from May to December, from the Kimberley in the north to Esperance in the south. Humpback, southern right and the rare blue whale can be seen, as well as the southern hemisphere’s largest pod of killer whales (orcas) off Bremer Bay. WA boasts the largest population of humpback whales in the world – an estimated 30,000 – and visitors can also swim with the gentle giants at Ningaloo Reef from July to November. • Horizontal Falls. Talbot Bay in the Kimberley is home to the world’s only horizontal waterfalls, created when massive tidal movements squeeze water through narrow cliff passages. Aerial tours from Broome and Derby enable you to circle the phenomenon from above, alongside other scenic wonders of the Buccaneer Archipelago, where turquoise blue water contrasts with rugged red cliffs. You can also land and see the falls up close by boat, with the option of staying overnight on a houseboat. MEDIA KIT 2017-18 59 The rich and unique culture of Australia’s Aboriginal people stretches back at least 50,000 years – making it the world’s oldest living culture. 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. Here’s a snapshot of some of the options: ABORIGINAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA • Brian Lee: Hunter’s Creek Tagalong Tours (Cape Leveque, Kimberley). The beautiful and remote Dampier Peninsula was once a camping ground for the Bardi (Saltwater) People of this region. Tagalong with Brian Lee to explore the history, seasonal bush fruit, traditional fishing techniques and stories of this timeless landscape, which is a wildlife haven for turtles, sea birds and whales. brianleetagalong.com.au • Bungoolee Tours (Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberley). Bunuba Elder Dillon Andrews traces the footsteps of powerful freedom fighter Jandamarra, a legendary hero who defended Bunuba country against overwhelming odds. Take a two-hour walking tour through Jandamarra’s hideout in WA’s oldest cave system at Tunnel Creek, hear Dreamtime stories of how the land was created and see ancient rock art that brings the stories to life. New in 2017 is a full-day bus tour from Fitzroy Crossing, visiting Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge’s striking 100 metre walls and the fascinating history of the Lillimooloora ruins. bungoolee.com.au • Go Cultural Tours (Perth). The land (boodjar) where Perth now stands is home to the Noongar people, whose ancestors lived in harmony with the ecosystem and six seasons of the Swan Coastal Wetlands. Your walking tour with a Noongar guide will reveal how some of Perth’s current buildings and roads have fascinating alignments with ancient Aboriginal sites and tracks. The tour will reveal the links between past and present, immerse you in the Dreamtime legends and offer a unique perspective of Perth. gocultural.com.au • Indigenous Experiences Australia (Perth). Take a two-hour cruise along Perth’s Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) on board a clean and quiet solar electric boat. Your local Whadjuk guide will share fascinating ancestral stories and sites along the waterway as you trace the tracks of the legendary warrior Yagan. indigenousexperiences.com.au Brian Lee 60 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA • Kodja Place (Kojonup, Great Southern). Explore this pretty pastoral district’s Noongar history through the Kodja Place’s displays or join local Elder Jack Cox for billy tea, damper and yarns. Jack will show you special features of the centre including a Noongar kodj axe, a tammar-skin rug, a Noongar-Maori wedding cape and a newcomer’s bushfire experience. kojonupaboriginal.com.au MEDIA KIT 2017-18 85 • Koomal Dreaming and Cape Cultural Tours (Margaret River, South West). The Margaret River Region’s big drawcards – beaches, caves and dining – come together on tours led by local Wadandi man, Josh Whiteland. With Koomal Dreaming you’ll journey into Ngilgi Cave for ancient stories and unique didgeridoo acoustics, and forage for and taste native foods and medicines. The menu could include kangaroo, emu, quandong, emu plum and salt bush. Josh’s new sister business, Cape Cultural Tours, helps you see the region’s spectacular coastline through the eyes of the Traditional Owners. koomaldreaming.com.au, capeculturaltours.com.au • L uridgii Eco Cultural Tours (East Kimberley). Kununurra-based tour leader Ted Hall oversees four-wheel-drive tag-along tours, outback camping and cultural awareness programs in Miriuwung country. In 2017, the Luridgii team has added a Jaliwang Diamond Mine Tour through a rugged landscape steeped in traditions and Jaliwang (barramundi) Dreaming to reach the Argyle Diamond Mine, where you can see the precious gemstones – including the rare pink diamond – and the operations involved in their extraction. luridgiitours.com.au • M imbi Caves (near Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberley). One of Australia’s best-kept secrets, this vast subterranean labyrinth is part of a 350-million-year-old Devonian reef system, which houses a significant collection of Aboriginal rock art and some of the most impressive fish fossils in the southern hemisphere. The Mimbi area is a place of strong spiritual significance for the traditional owners, the Gooniyandi people. Spectacular limestone formations, brilliant colours and crystal clear freshwater pools set the scene for a guided tour laced with Dreamtime stories and bush tucker. mimbicaves.com.au • N arlijia Cultural Tours (Broome, Kimberley). Engaging tours by Broome born-and-bred Yawuru man Bart Pigram offer an Aboriginal and multicultural perspective of the pearling town and its fascinating history. You’ll learn about saltwater people, the seasons, the land and the food that sustained this ancient coastal culture for thousands of years. Scour for oysters and other tasty morsels in Broome’s mangroves, where you can spot mudskippers, mudcrabs and a variety of birds at low tide. toursbroome.com.au • Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours (Bunbury, South West). Bunbury’s original inhabitants, the Noongar people, hunted and fished throughout the Koombana Bay area for thousands of years. Artist and didgeridoo player Troy Bennell weaves his cultural knowledge into an array of Dreamtime stories and whimsical yarns about traditional and contemporary Aboriginal life, sacred sites, the Noongar six seasons and Dolphin Dreaming, linking to Koombana Bay’s population of wild bottlenose dolphins. ngalangwongi.com.au • Ngurrangga Tours (Burrup Peninsula, Pilbara). This unique archaeological area houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Aboriginal rock carvings, with more than one million petroglyphs dating back as far as the last ice age. Tour this amazing outdoor art gallery and surrounding coastal landscape with Clinton Walker, a descendant of the local Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people, who has spent his entire life learning about his ancestors and culture. ngurrangga.com.au • Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures (Kimberley). Design your own tour with expert guides whose ancestors have known the breathtaking Kimberley for thousands of years. Whether it’s flying, driving, cruising or staying at the tranquil Oongkalkada Wilderness Camp between Broome and Derby, Uptuyu specialises in tailor-made itineraries that go beyond the views to reveal the local Aboriginal people’s fascinating culture, ancient rock art and bush tucker. uptuyu.com.au • Wandjina Tours (Wijingarra Bard Bard/ Freshwater Cove, Kimberley). Accessible from Broome and Derby by air, cruise, sailing or fishing boat, this remote coastline lies in the heart of the humpback whale breeding ground, amid vast white beaches, red rock formations, stunning waterfalls and ancient cave paintings. Local Worrorra tour guides and artists offer visitors a unique opportunity to view and interpret rock art sites, stay on country and be immersed in their traditional lifestyle and cultural ways. wandjinatours.com.au • Wula Guda Nyinda Eco Adventures (Shark Bay World Heritage Region). Francois Peron National Park is a picturesque peninsula of acacia-cloaked red dunes and shrub surrounded by turquoise water. Teeming with marine life such as dolphins and rays, the tranquil lagoons are perfect for kayaking and snorkelling. Join award-winning guide Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell for an inside view of the deep spiritual connection between the local Nhanda and Malgana Aboriginal people and this breathtaking saltwater paradise. wulaguda.com.au CAMPING WITH CUSTODIANS Visitors to WA have more options than ever to combine outback camping with authentic Aboriginal experiences through Tourism WA’s Camping with Custodians project, in which Aboriginal communities operate commercial campgrounds and other tourism initiatives – such as art galleries and guided tours – on their own land. The award-winning project broadens Aboriginal people’s involvement in tourism and provides much sought after experiences of Indigenous lifestyle and culture for visitors. The first campground opened in 2016 at Imintji (pronounced ‘Immi-jee’), around 220 kilometres east of Derby on the scenic Gibb River Road four-wheeldrive route. The site operates during the Kimberley dry season (May to October) and is a convenient breakpoint for drivers and an ideal base for excursions to Bells Gorge and Tunnel Creek. In 2017, two Camping with Custodians sites will be up and running in North West cattle country – from May at Mimbi, near its mystical Kimberley caves (see tour listings) and from August at Peedamulla Station, a pastoral lease that extends to the Pilbara coast near Onslow. Other sites will follow in 2018 and beyond. All the campgrounds provide hot showers, flushing toilets, gas barbeques and a potable water supply. Visitors can meet local Aboriginal people, support the community, and gain unique insights into the life and culture of some of Australia’s most remote and spellbinding locations. For more information on Aboriginal tourism experiences in WA, visit the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council website waitoc.com 62 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Tunnel Creek National Park Photograph by Sean Scott Photography MEDIA KIT 2017-18 63 MEDIA KIT 2015 87 88 64 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA KU DE TA, Perth NEW PRODUCT NEW PRODUCT WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S NEW PRODUCT Read about Western Australia’s selection of new and revitalised attractions, andand food and Read aboutaccommodation, Western Australia’ s selectiontours of new wine products from the lastattractions, 12 months. tours and food and revitalised accommodation, wine products from the last 12 months. The following abbreviations indicate the region in which the products and services can be found: EP Experience Perth Australia’s South West ASW Australia’s Coral Coast ACC AGO Australia’s Golden Outback ANW Australia’s North West WA All of Western Australia Busselton Jetty ACCOMMODATION Big Lagoon Campground (ACC) Crown Towers (EP) – represented at ATE Located within Francois Peron National Park, Big Lagoon Campground has opened following a year of renovations. The camp has been revitalised and now offers a kitchen and several new raised areas, including tent platforms. It also offers five drive-through camp sites for campertrailers and eight lagoon-side camping spots. The day use area combines large undercover areas with wind relief, brand new barbeques and plenty of seating with spectacular views. Perth’s newest luxury hotel, Crown Towers, is also the city’s largest, complete with premium resort facilities, including expansive lagoon-style swimming pools, private cabanas, poolside bar and dining, a Crown Spa and fitness centre and the Crystal Club lounge with views across the Swan River to Perth. Lead in rooms start from $650 a night, with some special midweek rates available from $338 a night. parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/big-lagoon Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa (ANW) Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa has introduced three new Club Apartments to its Broome accommodation offering. Spacious and relaxed, these two bedroom apartments feature a large central living space and fully equipped kitchen. Later this year, the resort will launch a new Meditation Room, engaging its health and wellbeing focused guests. The property has also welcomed two new dining concepts. Located at the boardwalk surrounding the Club Restaurant, Cichetti Club is a modern Italian dining experience with an all-day share menu. Kichi Kichi will present an east meets west lunchtime offering with classic resort favourites, plus additions with an Asian twist. crownperth.com.au Downunder Farm Stays (EP) – represented at ATE Downunder Farmstays have launched three farmstay experiences in Perth and surrounds. Groups and independent travellers (60 pax) can now be fully-hosted at private accommodation in the Swan Valley, Chittering Valley and Pinjarra. Guests have the opportunity to connect with their Aussie hosts and experience a rural lifestyle in Perth’s beautiful surrounds. All meals and farmstay activities are included in the overall tour price. downunderfarmstays.com.au cablebeachclub.com Crown Towers - Crystal Club Terrace MEDIA KIT 2017-18 67 East Kimberley Tours’ Bungle Bungle accommodation (ANW) Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments (ANW) - represented at ATE East Kimberley Tours’ Bungle Bungle accommodation has undergone a transformation over the past few years and now includes canvas safari-style tents with shared facilities and comfortable cabins with ensuite bathrooms. Seven standard twin share cabins, and 20 superior cabins are now available to guests. Kitchen and dining facilities have also been upgraded with new appliances Bungle Bungle Savannah Lodge will open for the 2017 season on April 1. Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments has again been successful in ranking among the Top 10 hotels in Australia in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2017. The award highlights the world’s top properties based on the millions of reviews collected in a single year from travellers around the globe. As Kununurra’s newest executive-style, self-contained accommodation, Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments provides the ideal relaxing environment for your business trip or holiday adventure. The property has a selection of fully self-contained one, two and three bedroom apartments with modern fittings and fixtures. eastkimberleytours.com.au/accommodation El Questro Wilderness Park (ANW) • In celebration of its 25th year, El Questro Wilderness Park is offering a number of special deals and unique events to tourists across the dry season, from adventures in the sky to culinary delights. • El Questro Station has introduced new campground amenities blocks with universal facilities and new camp kitchens with gas barbecues. The campground itself has also expanded, with more sites now available. The property’s Riverview Rooms have been updated with new bathrooms, furnishings and timber floors. • Meanwhile, El Questro Emma Gorge has refurbished its tented cabins with new exteriors and fresh décor, as well as new bedding and linen. freshwaterapartments.net.au Imintji Campground and Art Centre (ANW) Imintji Campground and Art Centre invites guests to experience the magic of the Kimberley from a local’s perspective. Located close to Bell Gorge, the new, pet friendly campground features plenty of facilities, including flushing toilets, hot showers, barbecue area, local art sales, store and fuel. The site is the first Camping with Custodians development, which aims to create a network of campgrounds on Aboriginal land. Once an important rest point for bullock drivers on the Gibb River Road, Imintji is a welcome stop-over for Kimberley travellers. imintji.com.au elquestro.com.au El Questro Homestead 68 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA InterContinental Perth City Centre (EP) – represented at ATE Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort (ACC) represented at ATE Due to open late-2017, InterContinental Perth City Centre will feature 240 rooms, five modern executive meeting suites, and four lively restaurants and bars. The hotel is located at the heart of Perth’s King Street precinct; a diverse hub of culture, fashion and art. The hotel features a vibrant collection of restaurants and bars offering a fresh local perspective in a lively and social environment. Elevate your experience with Club InterContinental where you can enjoy true luxury and exclusivity with dramatic views across the Perth cityscape. Novotel Ningaloo in Exmouth has rebranded as Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. The property is built in harmony with the environment and is the only resort located on the beach in Exmouth. The 4.5 star hotel is an ideal gateway to the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park. ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/perth/ perha/hoteldetail Formally known as Bayview Coral Bay, Ningaloo Coral Bay is an ideal place to soak up WA’s sunshine and experience World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef, within just a few metres’ walk. Ningaloo Coral Bay combines Bayview Coral Bay, the Ningaloo Club, Bill’s Bar, Coral Bay Charter and Glass Bottom Boats, as well as the Coral Bay Arcade – providing visitors with an all-inclusive holiday experience. Mackerel Islands (ANW) Visitors to the Mackerel Islands (part of the Great Fishing Adventures group) will enjoy new and improved features, including refurbished beachfront cabins, daily ferry services to and from the islands, world class fishing and diving and a range of family friendly activities. The Mackerel Islands have been operating since the 1970s and are committed to providing an unforgettable and unique island experience. The region is made up of 10 islands, located 22 kilometres off the coast of Onslow in the State’s Pilbara region. Two of the 10 islands, Thevenard Island and Direction Island, offer accommodation and easy access to exciting holiday experiences. mackerelislands.com.au mantaraysningalooresort.com.au Ningaloo Coral Bay (ACC) - represented at ATE coralbaywa.com Onslow Beach Resort (ANW) Located on the Pilbara coast, Onslow Beach Resort offers tourists a premium seaside stay, following a complete rebuild in 2015. As part of the development, the resort also established the Onslow Beach Club, a polished and contemporary venue with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. With stylish comfort, fantastic food, stellar views and a team of dedicated staff, a sensational Pilbara experience starts here. onslowbeachresort.com.au InterContinental Perth City Centre Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort MEDIA KIT 2017-18 69 Peppers Kings Square (EP) – represented at ATE In November 2016, a new level of hotel sophistication arrived in Perth with the grand opening of Peppers Kings Square Hotel. The 120-room hotel is WA’s first property under the indulgent Peppers brand. Boasting elegant designer rooms, the hotel also offers a range of bespoke benefits synonymous with the Peppers experience such as a complimentary shoeshine service, Perth’s fastest hotel Wi-Fi service, and a focus on serving only the finest provincial cuisine. The hotel is centrally located on Wellington Street in Perth’s CBD, a short stroll from Perth Arena, boutique shopping, dining and laneway bar districts. peppers.com.au/kings-square Australia Pacific Hotels Group, owner of Goodearth and Perth Ambassador Hotels, has announced a major rebrand with both hotels sets to join the Choice Hotels franchise. The Perth Ambassador Hotel has been renamed as the Quality Hotel Ambassador Perth and the Goodearth Hotel is now the Comfort Inn and Suites Goodearth Perth. Meanwhile, the newly acquired Karratha Motel is now called the Econo Lodge Karratha. choicehotels.com.au Sage Hotel TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA A new, four-star boutique hotel opened in West Perth in mid-2016, following a $35 million redevelopment of a landmark heritagelisted building. Sage Hotel brings modern elements to the heritage site, providing a unique accommodation offering for the inner city market. The hotel is conveniently located a short distance from Perth’s CBD and major attractions. snhotels.com/sage/west-perth Peppers Kings Square Quality Hotel Ambassador / Perth Comfort Inn (EP) - represented at ATE 70 88 Sage Hotel (EP) Seashells Hospitality Group (EP) represented at ATE This stylish, short-stay boutique property offers guests a choice of studio, and one and twobedroom fully self-contained apartments, plus deluxe rooms with kitchenettes. All 24 studios and apartments have free Wi-Fi, Foxtel and reverse cycle air-conditioning, as well as a dedicated reception area. Seashells Fremantle is situated on the top two floors of the new Richmond Quarter precinct, alongside the newly opened Sweetwater Rooftop Bar. seashells.com.au/fremantle Sullivans Hotel (EP) - represented at ATE Sullivans Hotel underwent a soft refurbishment in December 2016, which included the introduction of king size and king single beds to its 55 standard rooms and 16 deluxe rooms. All of the property’s 71 rooms have also been equipped with a safe and Bluetooth clock radio. Ongoing renovations are also planned for 28 of the hotel’s standard rooms, with three already completed. Overlooking Perth CBD, Swan River and adjoining Kings Park, Sullivans Hotel is ideally positioned to take advantage of Perth’s outdoor lifestyle. sullivans.com.au Tribe Perth (EP) – represented at ATE Tribe Perth is the city’s newest contemporary, boutique hotel. Created by some of Australia’s leading designers, Tribe Perth provides an innovative alternative for modern travellers who want something more, for less. Located on the burgeoning doorstep of the ever-expanding Perth CBD, Tribe Perth is conveniently based next door to Kings Park and minutes away from some of the city’s premier restaurants, bars and tourist attractions. Seductive and striking, Tribe Perth brings a bold new energy to the market. Part collaborative workspaces, part social club, the hotel’s 126 luxurious rooms have been cleverly created to complement its unique and innovative living areas, all complete with free Wi-Fi, signature beds, smart TVs and always something to excite and inspire. tribehotels.com.au Westbrook Merredin (AGO) A new bed and breakfast combining comfort and style with modern convenience has opened in the Wheatbelt town of Merredin. Westbrook Merredin houses two self-contained studios, offering guests private accommodation surrounded by 3.7 acres of picturesque gardens and bushland located minutes from the town centre. The studios feature comfortable beds, with ensuite amenities. They also include tea/ coffee making facilities, fridge, LCD television and electric blankets for the cooler nights, along with split-system air conditioning and overhead fans. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. westbrookmerredin.com Tribe Perth MEDIA KIT 2017-18 71 TOURS & ATTRACTIONS Abrolhos Islands (ACC) Geraldton Air Charter has teamed with Shine Aviation and Eco Abrolhos to launch a new tour to the Abrolhos Islands. The five and nine day packages take guests to Eco Abrolhos’ ‘floating hotel’, where they have the opportunity to experience a day charter out to the region’s 122 islands. ecoabrolhos.com.au ADAMS Pinnacle Tours (EP & ACC) represented at ATE ADAMS Pinnacle Tours have commenced a new low cost tour to the Pinnacles and Coral Coast region. The full day Pinnacle Desert Explorer tour accommodates between six and 48 guests, and departs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. Tour highlights include Hillarys Boat Harbour, the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park, sand-boarding and swimming at Lancelin and lunch at Lancelin Beach Hotel. adamspinnacletours.com.au APT Wilderness Adventures (ANW) • APT’s Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge has introduced a new Ungolan Pavilion, featuring a lounge, bar, library, dining room and commercial kitchen. • The tour operator has also launched a new 15-day ‘Kimberley Active’ experience, which is based on the most popular ‘Kimberley Complete’ tour, however is aimed at the active traveller keen to take on long walks at a fast pace. • The business is chartering cruise vessel L’Austral from Ponant for an 11-day itinerary of the magnificent Kimberley coast. • Based on popular demand for longer stays in Broome, APT has introduced a ‘Broome Discovery’ package, which includes three nights in Broome alongside iconic experiences such as a sunset camel ride on Cable Beach and Willie Creek Pearl Farm. kimberleywilderness.com.au Airnorth (ANW) Regional airliner Airnorth has scheduled a weekly seasonal service from Kununurra and Darwin to Perth from June to September 2017. Services will depart Kununurra and Darwin for Perth on Friday afternoons, and will return on Saturday mornings between the scheduled dates. Fares are on sale now at www.airnorth. com.au and start from $299 one way from Kununurra to Perth, and $309 one way from Darwin to Perth. Abrolhos Islands APT Wilderness Adventures 72 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Aviair (ANW) - represented at ATE Bungoolee Tours (ANW) Aviair offers the only air-conditioned fleet of aeroplanes in Kununurra. The new and modern fleet provides a high level of safety, and is maintained to an airline standard at a privatelyowned airport terminal in the North West town. All customers receive free refreshments, including bottled water and sandalwood-scented towels. The company has introduced a new day tour from Kununurra, a ‘Mitchell Falls Discoverer tour’. The flight takes guests over the stunning Kimberley coast by plane, before they jump on a helicopter to Mitchell Falls. The return tour costs $998 per person. Bungoolee Tours has launched a new 4WD bus tour from Fitzroy. Travellers can now fly or drive into Fitzroy, stay at the Fitzroy River Lodge and be taken on a journey through the region’s national parks, including Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge, with respected Bunuba elder, Dillon Andrews. aviair.com.au Beach and Bush Tours Perth (EP) A new tourism product showcases Perth’s pristine and remote beaches and bush in a one-day adventure. Beach and Bush Tours Perth offers several tour experiences, including a full day beach tour, bush tour and custom tour. Guests will be amazed by stunning vistas and views, only accessible by 4WD. beachtoursperth.com Bundy’s Kimberley Coastal Adventure (ANW) Bundy’s Kimberley Coastal Adventure takes guests (max of six per group) on a spectacular tour of Broome’s Dampier Peninsula. Guests will hear the history and stories of the land as they fly along the stunning coastline from Broome to Kooljaman, where they can enjoy lunch on the beach, a swim, fishing (the traditional way), tasting seafood cooked over coals and listening to traditional owners and tour guide, Bundy. bungoolee.com.au/index.php/tours Busselton Jetty (ASW) After four years of planning and one year of building, the Busselton Jetty in WA’s South West will receive its first new train in 22 years. The new electric train can accommodate up to 90 people and is powered by solar panels. Extending 1.7 kilometres out to sea, Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, and the second longest in the world. busseltonjetty.com.au Cape Cultural Tours (ASW) Indigenous tour operator, Koomal Dreaming Tours, has recently launched a sister business, Cape Cultural Tours, showcasing Indigenous interpretive experiences along the spectacular capes and coastlines of the Margaret River region. Tours include coastal foraging, tasting of traditional foods and dream time stories of country. The tour begins with a Welcome to Country, followed by an easy guided walk around the top of the cape, finishing with local dreamtime stories and an interactive didgeridoo music session. capeculturaltours.com.au/our-tours kooljaman.com.au Busselton Jetty MEDIA KIT 2017-18 73 Captain Cook Cruises (EP) – represented at ATE The new ‘Fremantle Craft Beer Tour & Cruise’ from Captain Cook Cruises provides the perfect opportunity for those wanting to broaden their palates in beer appreciation while taking a tour around a city that is steeped in history. Guests can expect an extensive tasting of 15 craft beers at three of Fremantle’s top bars, including The Monk, Sail & Anchor and Clancy’s. Usually incorporating a return cruise from Perth’s Elizabeth Quay precinct, guests can also enjoy a historic walking tour to three of Fremantle’s iconic venues as a tour-only option. Tours depart daily and are available at just $109 for the touronly option from Fremantle, or $149 including your return cruise from the Perth CBD. captaincookcruises.com.au Derbal Yerrigan Cruise (EP) Indigenous Experiences Australia has launched a new tour in Perth. The Derbal Yerrgian Tour takes groups of up to 10 people on a cruise of the Swan River, where they will explore the culture and history of the Whadjuk people of the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River). Guests will experience the land owners’ connection to the waterway and surrounds through language and stories, while enjoying the picturesque sights of the Swan River. The two-hour tours depart from and return to Elizabeth Quay via the Little Ferry Co, and costs $75 for adults, $50 for children and $200 for families (two adults and two children). Group bookings are also available. indigenousexperiences.com.au/tours Eco BBQ Boats (EP) Eco BBQ Boats is the first floating barbeque experience to be launched in WA, located at Mandurah’s Ocean Marina. This unique circular boat does not require a boat license to drive, allowing anyone to have a barbeque on the water. There is a six or ten seater option, with booth seating around a gas barbeque and circular table, along with a large overhead umbrella for shade. All you need to bring for the day is food and drinks, with all other appliances provided, including cooking oil. ecobbqboats.com Exmouth Diving and Whaleshark Centre (ACC) – represented at ATE Exmouth Diving and Whaleshark Centre (part of the Australian Wildlife Collection) has acquired a new boat, SeaDragon. The 11m, mono hull vessel is comfortable and smart-looking, and suited for the luxury guests who will experience private, tailor-made tours – ideal for whale shark swims; humpback whale interaction tours, and diving and snorkelling tours. exmouthdiving.com.au Explore Tours Perth (EP) - represented at ATE Explore Tours Perth offer small group tours in Perth and surrounds. The tour company received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016, and was ranked number one in TripAdvisor’s category for transport companies by visitors to WA. The company has recently launched several new tours, including a Cheese and Wine Experience, and a half-day Swan Valley Tour. ExploreToursPerth.com.au 74 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Exmouth Diving and Whaleshark Centre GoCultural Tours (EP) Instyle Adventures (ANW) An Indigenous tour exploring Perth’s history has launched in the State’s capital. Husband and wife team, Walter and Meg McGuire, are behind GoCultural Tours, which takes guests on an Indigenous walking tour of Perth’s waterfront precinct, Elizabeth Quay. GoCultural Tours share dreamtime stories of Perth and its surrounding areas from a local Nyungar guide, as well as interactive an session with Indigenous artefacts and heirlooms. Guests will learn of the city’s sacred sites located in and among the foundations of Perth’s CBD and surrounding suburbs. Two tour options are available – a 90-minute tour or an extended three-hour tour. North West tour operator Instyle Adventures has introduced new tour offerings, including a fiveday ‘Pilbara and Station Explorer’ experience, ‘Rock to Reef’ Pilbara tour and four-day ‘Kimberley Gorges’ tour. gocultural.com.au Helispirit (ANW) - represented at ATE Kimberley helicopter charter company, Helispirit, has introduced several new tours to its operation. The multi-award winning company’s new tours include; a Luxury Group Kimberley Helicopter Safari; Bungle Bungle Cultural Tours; Bungle Bungle Helicopter Tours; Piccaninny Gorge Cultural Heli-hike; and King George Falls Helicopter Adventure. These unforgettable, private helicopter safari allow passengers to explore the stunning Kimberley wilderness in true, outback style. instyleadventures.com.au Kalbarri National Park Skywalk (ACC) Construction is expected to finish on Kalbarri National Park’s new skywalks this year. Located at the Inyaka Wookai Watju site (the West Loop), the two, 100 metre-high skywalks will offer stunning vistas over the Murchison River Gorge as the walk’s project 20 and 12 metres beyond the gorge’s rim. Additionally interpretative signage, toilets and shade shelter will also be erected in the area, to further enhance the environmental aspects of the park, known for its individual and endemic wildflowers. dpaw.wa.gov.au helispirit.com.au Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures (ANW) - represented at ATE Gold winner in the ‘adventure tourism’ category at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures has introduced a new ‘24 hour stay’ tour experience - the only tour to see both incoming and outgoing tides of the Horizontal Falls. The tour combines adventure and luxury, with a thrilling seaplane flight over the massive tidal plains, and the McLarty Ranges, Buccaneer Archipelago and Horizontal Falls. Guests will then land at the Horizontal Falls by fast boat, where they can experience a range of other tours. They’ll then spend the night on a luxury houseboat with ensuite cabins, before returning to Derby the next day. Prices for the new tour begins at $1,390 for a twin cabin. Helispirit flying over Mitchell Falls Photography by BJK Photo horizontalfallsadventures.com.au/tour/ HorizontalFalls-24-hour-stay Walk into Luxury MEDIA KIT 2017-18 75 Luxury Outback Tours (All of State) represented at ATE Luxury Outback Tours has added new tours to its product offering, including a Perth to Broome 11 Day Tour, Broome to Perth 11 Day Tour, and fourday Esperance Tour, which includes a scenic flight over the pink bubble-gum coloured Lake Hillier. The privately-run tours are tailored to suit the customers’ interests, and showcase the best of WA onboard a luxury 4WD vehicle. luxuryoutbacktours.com.au Mandurah Cruises and Gift Shop (EP) represented at ATE Mandurah Cruises and Gift Shop has introduced a new Crabbing and Eco Tour, which runs from January to May each year. The half-day cruise departs the coastal city of Mandurah, located an easy 45-minute drive south of Perth, and gives guests the opportunity to scoop, cook and taste their own blue manna crab, followed by a relaxing cruise through the region’s scenic waterways. mandurahcruises.com.au Naturetime Tours (ACC) Join us and experience the highlights of Shark Bay and the inland Gascoyne region in-style, on an organised 4WD tour, starting from Denham/ Monkey Mia or Carnarvon. The tours include a visit to Francois Peron National Park, the Kennedy Range and majestic Mount Augustus. Guests can book a full day tour, or four or five night package stay. naturetimetours.com Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours (ASW) Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural and Scenic Tours has introduced new tours to its current offering. The Ferguson Valley Aboriginal Cultural and Scenic Tour gives an insight into traditional and cultural stories, as well as scenic views of the region, including heritage sites. A gourmet winery lunch is included as part of the tour. Guests participating in the two-hour Koombana Bay Eco Tour get to experience Dreamtime stories, the sounds of the didgeridoo and wildlife spotting, including the region’s resident dolphins. ngalangwongi.com.au The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park Photograph by Grahame Kelaher 76 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Njaki Njaki Aboriginal Cultural Tours (AGO) Poornarti Aboriginal Tours (ASW) Join Njaki Njaki Nyoongar traditional owner Mick on various tours exploring the rich Aboriginal culture and heritage of the Wheatbelt region, including a walking tour of Merredin Peak or full day Moulyk Tour that takes guests across a number of locations in the region. Learn about seasonal bushfoods and bush medicine and get hands on with traditional tools and weapons. Poornarti Aboriginal Tours has sprung from the passion of Aboriginal Elder and Law man, Joey Williams, and his drive to share his Noongar culture and knowledge. The tours bring the country of the Noongar people to life through deeply immersive, intimate and interactive experiences in the beautiful surrounds of the Great Southern. njakinjaki.com.au poornarti.com.au Paul’s Eco Bike Tours (EP) RedSands Campers (All of State) represented at ATE Experience the latest technology in electric bikes and take the work out of riding to enjoy the journey and views of the spectacular waterways around Perth, including the iconic Swan River. Offering four guided tours through the swan coastal plain and northern lakes systems through to the sunset coast, Paul’s Eco E Bike Tours take in the wonders of Perth’s unique flora, fauna and local Aboriginal culture. paulsecoebiketours.com.au Perfect Nature Cruises (ACC) Operating a catamaran out of Monkey Mia, Perfect Nature Cruises has revitalised its tour options and now offers a Wildlife Cruise, Blue Lagoon Pearl Farm tour and Sunset Cruise. The region encompasses some of Australia’s most amazing natural assets and is one of the world’s most unique eco systems. perfectnaturecruises.com.au/cruises/ Perth Platinum Tours (EP) Perth tour operator, Perth Platinum Tours has relaunched with new product offerings, including private and exclusive tours in modern and high-quality vehicles. The business now offers five full-day tours and two half-day tours to the Margaret River region, Pinnacles at Nambung National Park and the Swan Valley, WA’s oldest growing wine region. The company can also tailor tours to suit customers’ needs. RedSands Campers is a premium fully-equipped 4WD camper hire company offering customers a truly off-road experience in WA. RedSands Campers are designed around the reliable and robust Toyota Hilux 4WD, both two person and five person campers are customised with rooftop tents, including a high density and comfortable mattress. The campers are also fitted with a light weight camping pod containing high-end fittings, such as camp kitchen, gas bottles, 80L water tank, Engel fridge, LED lighting, table and chairs, and shower. With WA depots in Perth and Broome, customers have flexibility to discover Australia’s largest State at their leisure. redsandscampers.com.au Rottnest Express (EP) - represented at ATE Rottnest Express has launched new Perth to Fremantle cruises on the Swan River. The new service departs daily from Barrack Street Jetty and Elizabeth Quay, and take guests to the port city of Fremantle where they have the opportunity to enjoy a discounted seafood lunch at Kailis at Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour. rottnestexpress.com.au RedSands Campers perthplatinumtours.com.au MEDIA KIT 2017-18 77 Rottnest Fast Ferries (EP) - represented at ATE Thanks to the addition of 24m catamaran MV Voyager in October 2015, this year will be Rottnest Fast Ferries’ second year offering its services all year-round. In the past year, the business has added two new tours to its product offering, providing a greater range of flexible and guided bus tour options around Rottnest Island. All whale watching cruises are now accompanied by a dedicated marine biologist host from the Aquarium of Western Australia, providing informative and entertaining commentary. Rottnest Fast Ferries was also proud to receive two awards at the 2016 Perth Airport Tourism Awards – Silver for Excellence in Chinese Tourism, and Bronze for Major Tour and/ or Transport Operator. www.rottnestfastferries.com.au Sacred Earth Safaris (ANW) Sacred Earth Safaris has introduced new vehicles, allowing for a variety of group sizes. Its fleet includes the Range Rover Vogue (max four adults and two children), OKA 4WD (max nine guests) and Tatra (max 26 guests). All vehicles are equipped with air-conditioning, UV protective window tint, first aid kits, satellite phones and recovery gear, giving guests the experience of a lifetime through the Pilbara and Kimberley. sacredearthsafaris.com.au Sail Ningaloo (ACC) - represented at ATE Sail Ningaloo has expanded its product offering to include a six and eight night sailing tour package, adding to its already established three, five and nine night tour options. The highly-regarded Coral Coast tour operator won Silver in the Ecotourism category at the 2016 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, and took home Gold in the Ecotourism category at the 2016 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards. 78 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Scenic Flights (ANW) Scenic Flights has updated its Broome offering with new tours. The company now offers 10-minute Broome joy flights from $90pp, 20 minute flights over Broome and Willie Creek from $150pp and a Welcome to Country package, including a 50-minute flight, Aboriginal smoking ceremony and barbecue tasting, from $490pp. Scenic Flights also offer transfers to Eco Beach, and heli-fishing experiences, with equipment and a fishing guide included. scenichelicopters.com.au/broome-scenicflight-packages Scenic Helicopters (ASW) Get a bird’s eye view of Margaret River with a scenic flight around town on a Scenic Helicopter. Tourists can now book a 20 minute tour over the picturesque wine region. Prices start from $150 per person, for a minimum of three passengers. scenichelicopters.com.au/margaret-riverscenic-flight-packages Segway Tours WA (EP) - represented at ATE Segway Tours WA has added Fremantle to its tour offering. The 90-minute tour focused on the port city’s heritage buildings, and includes commentary on Fremantle’s history, including details on how it become such a historic port city. The Perth-based company also offers tours Segway in Perth and at Rottnest Island. segwaytourswa.com.au Sail Ningaloo Silversea Cruises (ANW) - represented at ATE Commencing in 2018, Silversea Expeditions’ Kimberley season will run from July to earlyAugust. A sleek, 120-guest ship, Silver Discoverer, is the perfect platform to experience the region’s untamed landscapes, with all ocean-view suites and plenty of deck space. The vessel’s shallow draft allows it to navigate close to shore, and with a fleet of 12 Zodiacs, guests can land on isolated shores and explore wetlands and submerged ecosystems up-close. A complimentary program of unique experiences, led by a team of expert guides and lecturers, allows you to fully experience these lands - take an aerial tour of the Bungle Bungle Range, view ancient Aboriginal artwork at Raft Point and listen to Dreamtime stories about the Wandjina spirit. Silversea.com/Expeditions Shark Bay Dive and Marine Safaris (ACC) Tourists can now dive around the remote coastline of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, including Steep Point and Dirk Hartog Island. The region’s aquamarine waters are full of beautiful corals and brimming with marine life, making it the perfect dive and snorkelling location. Shark Bay Dive and Marine Safaris offer dive tours as well as accredited PADI open water dive courses. The Amazing South Coast is a new regional tourism brand for the South Coast of WA and provides a diverse range of tourism experiences. From charming accommodation, an ANZAC commemorative centre, coastal walks and bike trails, Indigenous experiences, whale watching tours, food, wine and artisan crafts – this South West region has it all. Combining the shires of Albany, Plantagenet and Denmark, the Amazing South Coast offers fly-drive packages, regional self-drives, extended coach tours and cruise shore excursions. Skydive Geronimo (EP) Skydive Geronimo has partnered with luxury helicopter tour specialist Corsaire Aviation to offer Rottnest Island helicopter skydives. Corsaire’s Eurocopter EC130 helicopter is spacious and comfortable, including leather seats and air conditioning. It can also reach jump altitude in half the time of an airplane. After a jaw-dropping scenic flight to Rottnest Island, clients touch down and meet the skydiving crew. Then it’s back up to 10,000 feet above sea level for WA’s only island heli-skydive. After the rush of free fall and a short parachute ride, skydivers come in for a beach landing where friends and family await. skydivegeronimo.com.au oceanpark.com.au/dive-adventures Swan River Seaplanes (EP) Recently launched Swan River Seaplanes offer return day tours from Perth to Margaret River aboard a seaplane during Perth’s summer months. The aircraft flies up to 12 passengers along the stunning WA coast before landing at Margaret River airstrip. On arrival, guests are taken on a guided tour with Margaret River’s Top Drop Tours to hand-picked wineries to taste award-winning wines and enjoy a gourmet lunch. The seaplane then flies back to Perth, landing on the Swan River near South Perth. The day tour is priced at $795 per person, and departs Perth at 9am on scheduled days. Segway Tours WA swanriverseaplanes.com.au Swan River Seaplanes The Amazing South Coast (ASW) represented at ATE MEDIA KIT 2017-18 79 The Margaret River Ride (ASW) Tours Broome (ANW) Jesters Flat, in conjunction with Globetrotting, has launched a new five-day horseback riding trek. The new tour features some of the natural treasures of the Margaret River region, including a ride to the Berry Farm for a gourmet lunch, Aboriginal cultural afternoon with a Welcome to Country, breakfast at Cranebrake Pool, beach riding at Forest Beach and a glamping experience with Soul Camping. The perfect experience for the equine enthusiast. Bart Pigram has introduced new product to his Tours Broome offering. The ‘Bagul Bagul Mangrove Tour’ takes guests on a fascinating journey through Broome’s mangrove forest, where they scour the mangroves for tasty morsels, see remnants of Asian fish traps and hear stories from a bygone era of Broome’s pearling days, followed by a relaxing stop at Matsos Brewery. The ‘My Heritage Tour’ takes guests on a journey back through Broome’s early days as a frontier pearling town. They will also enjoy a taste of Broome cuisine and live acoustic music. get.globetrotting.com.au/ ultimateglobetrottingguide-margaretriverride Top Drop Tours (ASW) - represented at ATE Top Drop Tours have partnered with Swan River Seaplanes to launch a new full-day tour from Perth to Margaret River return, available between September and April. Passengers will embark from the banks of the iconic Swan River and enjoy an exhilarating low level flight along WA’s coastline, before landing in Margaret River. Top Drop Tours then host guests with a memorable day exploring some of Margaret River’s best wineries and seasonal producers, before returning to Perth via seaplane. topdroptours.com.au Torndirrup National Park (ASW) One of WA’s tourist hotspots, the Gap and Natural Bridge in Albany, reopened in 2016 following a $6 million redevelopment. Located in Torndirrup National Park, the Gap and Natural Bridge now features a new world-class lookout structure that extends 10 metres off the cliff face and almost 40 metres above the Southern Ocean, well as connecting paths, picnic areas and interpretive facilities. The steel platform is see-through making it easy for visitors to feel the ocean’s salty spray as the waves rush through the Gap. Torndirrup National Park is surrounded by windswept coastal heaths giving way to massive granite outcrops, sheer cliffs and steep sandy slopes and dunes. 80 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA toursbroome.com.au True North Adventure Cruises (ANW) Trading for 30 years as North Star Cruises Australia, a popular WA cruising company has changed its trading name to True North Adventure Cruises. The cruising operator conducts luxury adventure cruises along WA’s pristine coastline, including the spectacular Kimberley region. truenorth.com.au/cruise Ultimate Watersports (ACC) Ultimate Watersports is the newest attraction to Geraldton. Situated centrally at the city’s foreshore, the company offers jet skis, jetpacks, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, biscuit rides and more to tourists keen to immerse themselves into the seaside city. ultimatewatersports.com.au Top Drop Tours Ultimate Winery Experiences (ASW) – represented at ATE Three new Ultimate Winery Experiences have launched in the State’s South West. In collaboration with luxury Margaret River tour operator Experiencesmith, the new experiences include a one-day tour, overnight experience, and five-day luxury itinerary. Each itinerary has been designed to capture the true essence of Margaret River, and start and finish in Perth. Transfers via private plane or cars are included in the package. experiencesmith.com.au/ultimate-wineryexperiences Whale Watch WA (EP) For the first time in Perth, Whale Watch WA has launched a new Blue Whale Expedition. The full-day tour takes guests 48 kilometres off the coast to Perth Canyon, in search of the rare and endangered blue whale. Thought to be carved from the Swan River mouth, the area is abundant with marine and bird life that gathers for an annual feeding fest. The tour is available from March until the end of April and costs $297 per person. whalewatchwesternaustralia.com Walk into Luxury (ASW) The Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk by Walk into Luxury (one of the Great Walks of Australia) has introduced a new winery dinner on the first night of its all-inclusive four day walk. The five-course dinner with wine matches takes place at award-winning Rusticos at Hay Shed Hill winery, with guests enjoying a truly magical dinner overlooking the vines. Walk into Luxury is also set to relaunch its website in June 2017 with exciting updates to its private luxury walk itineraries and new corporate/incentive options. Bibbulmun Track walk options will also be introduced its product offering. walkintoluxury.com.au Walk Into Luxury Ultimate Winery Experiences Blue whale tours, Whale Watch Western Australia MEDIA KIT 2017-18 81 FOOD & WINE Arthouse Dine (EP) Epicurean (EP) Opened in June 2016, Arthouse Dine is a contemporary bistro located within the Art Gallery of WA, with prints of current exhibition pieces showcased on the venue’s white walls. Owner John Parker operates several other hospitality venues in Perth, including The Standard and Halford Bar. Take your senses on a remarkable journey at Epicurean – a sophisticated open-kitchen dining experience nestled within the luxurious Crown Towers Perth. Boasting prime position overlooking the resort’s premier lagoon pools, guests can enjoy an unparalleled array of Western and Asian cuisine that showcases the freshest local produce. With four live cooking stations, watch as acclaimed chefs create masterpieces in front of your eyes, bringing all the excitement and theatre of the kitchen to you. artgallery.wa.gov.au/Arthouse COAST Port Beach (EP) COAST Port Beach in Fremantle takes advantage of the city’s natural coastline, sitting only five steps from the Indian Ocean. There is something for everyone at the newly refurbished venue, previously known as Salt on the Beach. From a casual coffee after your morning swim or a fine dining experience, the restaurant caters to all. The menu offers share plates, slow cooked dishes as well as an array of wood fired pizzas. coastportbeach.com Cucina on Hay (EP) Mecure Perth has welcomed a new Italian eatery, providing diners with an authentic Italian menu complete with house-made ingredients and local WA produce. Simple but bold, the all-day eatery is a contemporary take on provincial. The nonchalant, thrown-together vibe in comfortingly casual. It’s a lively, but relaxed atmosphere focused around giving and sharing; sharing food, wine, memories, stories and laughter. crownperth.com.au/restaurants/premium/ epicurean Guildford Hotel (EP) The stunning restoration of the State Heritagelisted Guildford Hotel has reopened to the public, following an eight year closure. The 1886 hotel is a jewel in the crown of the historic town of Guildford. The refurbished hotel offers a casual atmosphere with a beer garden and an upstairs bar featuring a retractable roof. The history of Guildford has been woven into the restored hotel, with original tiles, fireplaces, doors and windows retained. Guildford can be reached in a short, 25 minute-drive from Perth CBD. theguildfordhotel.com.au mercureperth.com.au/Dining/cucina-on-hay. html Guildford Hotel 82 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Cucina on Hay Hippocampus Distillery (EP) KU DE TA (EP) A boutique West Perth distillery is handcrafting small batches of fine spirits with minimal impurities and superb flavours. With an ambition to craft superb Australian small batch spirits using local ingredients, founding Little Creatures directors Howard Cearns, Nic Trimboli and David Martin and ex-Creatures chief financial officer Jason Markwart and Jye Glaskin, decided to leave the beers and create Hippocampus Metropolitan Distillery. It’s open to visitors for pre-booked tours, and the distillery bar and cellar door is open every Friday afternoon. KU DE TA has opened its new 850-capacity bar and restaurant in Perth – the first sister venue for the well-known Bali sunset spot. The precinct is activating the Swan River’s eastern corner with three distinct zones; the Deck, extending over the water and offering 270-degree views; The West, offering an open seafood bar and sharing plates; and the a la carte Dining area. Led by chefs Daniel Fisher and Liam Atkinson, the cuisine has a strong Australian focus, with many ingredients sourced from local WA producers and suppliers, complemented by craft beers, wine, spirits and an extensive cocktail selection. hippocampusmd.com.au kudeta.com/ku-de-ta-perth Isle of Voyage (EP) Housed in the historic Florence Hummerston Kiosk, Isle of Voyage celebrates local produce and reflects WA’s unique climate and lifestyle. Fresh salads, cold press juices, wood-fired pizza and decadent cakes are all on offer. Whether it’s an early morning coffee, lunch break with colleagues or evening dining and cocktails with friends, Isle of Voyage is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. The relaxed family restaurant is owned by the operators of Voyage Kitchen in Sorrento, located on Perth’s coast. isleofvoyage.com.au La Fattoria Perth (EP) Offering authentic Italian food and wine experiences, La Fattoria, located in the Perth Hills, celebrates the owner’s Sicilian heritage. The venture combines a cellar door, trattoria overlooking a vineyard and orchard, hands-on experiences of family traditions including sauce, sausage and pasta making, and a farm shop selling freshly grown produce. lafattoria.com.au Lucky Bay Brewing (AGO) Kalbarri dining venues (ACC) Several new dining venues have opened in the seaside town of Kalbarri, including Dirt Dust n Diesels Restaurant, dining with an outback flair; Flamin Galah Café, a small café in a tranquil setting; and The Grace of Kalbarri, serving authentic, spicy, rich, flavourful and diverse Indian cuisine. Esperance has welcomed its first commercial brewery, Lucky Bay Brewing. Located on the State’s south coast in the heart of the Esperance farming community, Lucky Bay Brewing is the first and only brewery in Australia to use up to 75 per cent raw barley direct from local farmers. The venue also takes a sustainable approach to its production, selling reusable containers that customers can refill on an ongoing basis. luckybaybrewing.com.au Isle of Voyage, Elizabeth Quay KU DE TA MEDIA KIT 2017-18 83 Lulu La Delizia (EP) Sweetwater Rooftop Bar (EP) One of Perth’s finest Italian chefs (most well-known for his time at Lalla Rookh), Joel Valvasori-Pereza has opened a new trattoria in Subiaco. Celebrating the craft of handmade pasta, Lulu La Delizia takes the pasta experience to the next level. The venue’s top five pasta dishes include tagliatelle della delizia, spaghetti vongolae, squid ink bigoli, smoked garganelli and chestnut ‘cjalsons’ - all set to get the tastebuds of Perth foodies watering. Forming part of Fremantle’s new $90 million Richmond Quarter development, Sweetwater Rooftop Bar offers a stylish and easily accessible option for those wanting to enjoy WA’s sunny weather with a delicious beverage in hand. Former head chef at Melbourne’s Gingerboy and former bar manager at Mechanic’s Institute have joined forces to create a new local haunt for Perth, serving tasty cocktails and Asian-inspired cuisine which can be enjoyed while looking out to incredible river views from the sixth story venue. lululadelizia.com.au New breweries (ASW) The Margaret River region, famous for its fine wine production, is now rising in the craft beer industry and is ranked as one of the fastest growing microbrewery regions in Australia. New craft breweries who recently turned on their taps include The Beer Farm and Black Brewing Co, while on the edge of Margaret River town is the Brewhouse Margaret River, which opened to the public in early 2016. beerfarm.com.au blackbrewingco.com.au brewhousemargaretriver.com.au Sweetwater Rooftop Bar 84 TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA sweetwaterbar.com.au NOTES NOTES Grand Hotel, Kookynie Lake Hillier near Esperance Photograph by Ockert Le Roux MEDIA CONTACT Tourism Western Australia Destination & Events PR team Level 9, 2 Mill Street Perth WA 6000 Australia T +61 (8) 9262 1700 F +61 (8) 9262 1735 [email protected] tourism.wa.gov.au westernaustralia.com Disclaimer: All information contained in this guide was correct at the time of printing. Tourism WA accepts no responsibility for any person claiming they have been misled or deceived by any matter published herein.