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Hi ,Welcome to the September edition of This is WA, bringing you the latest travel and lifestyle news from around Western Australia. |
What's Hot |
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Jasper Jones cast revealed at CinefestOZThe cast has been announced for the movie adaptation of Craig Silvey’s best-selling Australian novel, Jasper Jones, which will be directed by Rachel Perkins (Bran Nue Dae, Radiance). The cast will include Australian actors Levi Miller (upcoming Blue Dog), Angourie Rice (These Final Hours) and Aaron McGrath (Glitch). Jasper Jones is a coming-of-age story that follows 14-year-old Charlie Bucktin over the summer of 1965, as he gets caught up in the aftermath of a murder and small-town racism. Filming is scheduled to commence in October in WA’s south west. |
Perth announced in top 10 best citiesPerth has been listed as the world’s eighth best city in the world to live by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The latest Global Liveability Ranking rates cities out of 100 in the areas of health care, education, stability, culture and environment and infrastructure. As Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth is an ideal place to live, work and visit. In the next few years the city will be home to a brand new billion-dollar waterfront development, underground train line, sports stadium, transformed Perth Airport, a new museum, outdoor community spaces and several new hotels. |
Halliday ranks Fraser Gallop among the bestMargaret River’s Fraser Gallop Estate has once again been awarded five red stars by one of the country’s most revered wine critic’s James Halliday in his 2016 edition of the Wine Companion. The estate’s 2013 Parterre Semillon Sauvignon Blanc was awarded a whopping 97 points, making it the equal best SSB blend in the country. The newly released 2012 Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 96 points, while the 2013 Parterre Chardonnay received 95 points. Visitors can enjoy the estate's fine wine on a Margaret River Discovery Tour, or at one of its Margaret River Gourmet Escape events including Fraser Gallop's Sundown Soiree and a Long Table Lunch. |
Guilderton awarded Australia's cleanest beachThe town of Guilderton, located a one and a half hour drive north of Perth, has won the national 2015 Australian Clean Beaches Award. The national Keep Australia Beautiful title was secured over finalists from across Australia and recognised the small town’s renowned sparkling, clear water and coastline. It also acknowledged the community’s proactivity and support in keeping Guilderton’s coastline beautiful. Guilderton is located at the mouth of the Moore River in the Shire of Gingin, and is built around an intact coastal estuary system on the Swan Coastal Plain, where sweeping white sandy beaches give way to tranquil estuary habitats teeming with fish and wildlife. |
Lifestyle and Culture |
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Emergence Creative announces festival dates for 2016Emergence Creative will take place between Wednesday, March 16 and Saturday, March 19 in 2016. Each year, creative entrepreneurs, thought leaders, change-makers and professionals from music, film, advertising, digital and the visual arts descend on Margaret River for a world-class conference embedded in a mind-blowing creative festival. Join the mailing list to stay up-to-date with program and ticket announcements. |
Be inspired at the Kimberley Writers FestivalThere will be plenty of inspiration for book and writing lovers at this year’s Kimberley Writers Festival, taking place in the stunning Kimberley region from September 11 to 13. Celebrating its 10th year, the festival will feature some of Australia’s most popular writers and actors. Highlights of the festival include a literary luncheon at the Kununurra Country Club with William McInnes, David Whish-Wilson and Ian Reid; free sessions for kids with children’s author Wendy Binks and Ken Spillman; a champagne brunch Ord River cruise; a concert at Emma Gorge with Tura New Music; and an afternoon sharing stories with Mirima elders. |
Music and comedy collide at RottofestRottnest Island’s annual comedy and music festival, Rottofest, has announced its 2015 line-up, with 18 comedy performers and 11 music acts set to entertain across four venues on Saturday, September 19. This year’s headline comedy acts feature Triple J Breakfast presenter Matt Okine, Irish-born Dave Callan, American comedian and TV star Eddie Ifft and Australian comedy legend Fiona O’Loughlin. Set against the backdrop of Thomson Bay, Rottofest’s music line-up boasts an eclectic mix of acts including electronic dance trio Art vs Science and hip hop crew Jackie Onassis. Festival tickets are on sale now, and Rottnest Express is providing discounted return ferries to the festival, including a special late night ferry service back to the mainland. |
Food and Wine |
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Margaret River’s newest bar and bistro opens for businessThe Common, located in Margaret River, is open for business following a $300,000 fit-out and eight weeks of construction. Owned and operated by the Margaret River Hospitality Group (MRHG), the new venue is a cool yet comfortable casual bar and bistro with a focus on locally brewed craft beer, delicious bistro food and has wine served on tap. MRHG Executive Chef Tony Howell, previously of Aravina Estate and Cape Lodge, said that the menu is based on local seasonal produce and is designed to be flexible to take full advantage of the exceptional produce in the Margaret River region and beyond. The Common is open seven days a week from 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 12pm on weekends in off peak season, and seven days per week from 12pm in peak season. |
Leederville welcomes new caféTucked away in a sunny plant-filled courtyard in Leederville, Babylon Café combines luxurious leafy surrounds with delicious, freshly ground coffee. Open 7am to 3pm from Monday to Friday, and 7am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, the venue serves up delicious breakfast and lunch dishes, as well as raw treats and desserts of the more traditional variety including banana bread and homemade brownies. Well worth a visit when travelling through the bustling streets of Leederville, one of Perth's urban villages. |
New dive bar opens in NorthbridgeLate night country bar, Alabama Song, has opened above an already established dive bar, Joe’s Juice Joint, on William Street in the cultural hub of Northbridge. Alabama Song specialises in draught Australian craft and American canned beers, cocktails and a selection of more than 130 rye whiskeys and bourbons. The hidden gem is open from 6pm to 2am Wednesday to Thursday, 6pm to 3am Friday to Saturday and 8pm to 12pm on Sunday. |
Tours, Attractions and Accommodation |
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Golden Quest Discovery Trail website now availableGoldfields Tourism Network has launched a website for one of the Golden Outback’s most popular trails, the Golden Quest Discovery Trail. The website provides valuable background information on the 965 kilometre trail which runs from Coolgardie to Laverton in the Goldfields, including the region’s rich history and heritage, tools to help plan a trip, sites to see along the way and interesting trail tales. Since its launch in 2003, tens of thousands of adventurers from across the globe have embarked upon the Golden Quest Trail. |
Shoalwater Marine Park comes alive this springRockingham Wild Encounters will resume its wildlife tours this month at Shoalwater Marine Park, located a 45 minutes’ drive south of Perth in the seaside town of Rockingham. The incredible Swim with Wild Dolphins tours started at the beginning of September, while sea lion and dolphin watching tours will commence on September 15. Penguin Island, located within the marine park, is also opening on September 15, where visitors can swim, snorkel, surf, kayak and feed penguins all within five minutes by ferry off the mainland. |
Adventure tour operator launches in Margaret RiverA new tour operator has launched in the Margaret River region, Capes to Coast. The outdoor adventure tours offers something for everyone, whether it’s riding a fat bike on the beach or forest, jumping off rocks into the Indian Ocean, snorkelling in the Ngari Marine Park or getting up close to the region’s local wildlife. For more information, get in touch with knowledgeable tour guide, Cam O’Beirne at www.capestocoast.com.au. |
Rottnest Island prepares for adventure raceNew event and distance categories have been added to The West Australian Race Around Rottnest, set to take place on October 17. There will be a new Off-Road Triathlon category open to both solo competitors and teams consisting of a 1km ocean swim, 16.5km bike ride and 7km trail run, while the original Adventure Race has the added challenge of a 6km or 2.5km paddle leg on either a ski or stand up paddle (SUP) board. Also new this year is an on-road Olympic Distance Triathlon consisting of a 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run around the island. It’s a perfect training event for people looking to compete in the summer triathlon season and with the stunning Rottnest Island location as an added bonus. |
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