New hotel and entertainment precinct for Perth CBD

Perth’s biggest entertainment venue, Perth Arena, will be complemented with a new hotel and entertainment precinct to be built on Milligan Street in the CBD. Construction on the Avani brand, 4.5 star, 250-room hotel is due to start in late 2016.More than 200 one and two bedroom serviced apartments will also be built as part of a 14-story development. There will be a roof top bar at the hotel and the new precinct will include restaurants, a public plaza and open lawns and paved areas. The hotel is just one of several recent hotel announcements including the Ritz Carlton, Doubletree by Hilton, Rottnest Lodge and State Buildings development.

Top Drop Tours wins big at Australian Tourism Awards

South West tour company Top Drop Tours were announced as the gold medal winner of the Tour and Transport Award category at the 2015 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. The coveted award recognised Top Drop Tours as the best tour operator in Australia. In its 30th year, the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards is Australia’s premier event recognising the best of the nation’s tourism businesses who deliver excellence in product and experiences. Top Drop Tours are a family owned tour company specialising in small group and private wine tours of the Margaret River region.

Socceroos to kick-off FIFA World Cup in Perth

Perth will be the first Australian city to host the Socceroos as they start their 2018 World Cup Campaign. Fresh from their AFC Asian Cup win in January, the Australian team will kick off their first qualification match against Bangladesh at the revitalised nib Stadium, on Thursday, September 3. The world-class match is a major drawcard for interstate and overseas visitors, as well as fans across Australia.

Hoodoo Gurus headlining Cable Sounds with Eskimo Joe

Two of Australia’s greatest rock and roll bands, Hoodoo Gurus and Eskimo Joe, will headline Cable Sounds – a music festival set overlooking one of Australia’s most famous beaches, Cable Beach. On Saturday, August 8, Cable Sounds will kick off the Broome Cup Carnival, with ticket holders receiving free entry to Broome Turf Club’s Ladies Day on Tuesday, August 11. Tickets go on sale 9am Thursday, 30 April. For tickets head to www.ticketmaster.com.au (136 100) or Broome Visitor Centre (08 9195 2200).

Local musicians kick-off WA Day celebrations

What better way to celebrate our great State than by dedicating an entire music festival to WA artists? Perth born rock band Birds of Tokyo will headline the State of the Art (SOTA) music festival on Saturday, May 30, as part of the Western Australia Day long weekend celebrations at Perth Cultural Centre. WA Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in June each year to commemorate the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Presented by Celebrate WA, in association with West Australian Music, SOTA 2015 will have three ticketed stages as well as free entertainment for festival goers.

Jazz festival returns to town

Perth International Jazz Festival will return to the city from Friday May 29 to Sunday May 31. The three-day festival will feature a blend of 52 ticketed and free community events by a host of celebrated local and international jazz artists; including Grammy nominated pianist, keyboardist, composer and arranger, Barney McAll from New York City; Perth-born Parisian, revelled for her jazz and hip-hop style, Rachel Claudio; and award winning Sydney vocalist and songwriter, Tina Harrod. The jazz performances will take place across 17 venues in Perth, including The Ellington Jazz Club, The George, Laneway Lounge and Brookfield Place.

South West gets ready for truffle season

WA’s truffle season is almost upon us – the black truffles are ripening in the soil and will soon be harvested. Each year, the South West town of Manjimup plays host to the Truffle Kerfuffle Southern Forest Food Festival, a weekend celebration of the renowned black truffle that flourishes in the region as well as the diverse food and wine of the Southern Forests. The event provides a great opportunity to experience a masterclass, take part in a truffle hunt and participate in a delicious gourmet dinner, from June 26 to 28. Manjimup produces more of the world’s most edible commodity than the rest of Australia combined.

Chocolate cafe opens in Margaret River

Temper Temper has opened next door to Yahava Koffeeworks south of Margaret River town. The new café makes fine chocolate sourced from sustainable farms around the equator, serving alongside fresh coffee and a delicious menu of fresh produce.

Northbridge welcomes The Nest on Newcastle

Located on Newcastle Street in the heart of Northbridge, The Nest on Newcastle offers guests a comfortable and homely experience with 20 individually styled rooms. The majority of the hotel’s rooms have their own private balcony with views overlooking Perth city. They also come equipped with free WiFi, smart televisions, iPod docks, individually controlled air conditioners and a Nespresso machine with complimentary pods. All guests have exclusive use of the hotel’s rooftop terrace and have access to reception 24 hours, seven days a week.

New camp sites open in Cape Range National Park

Improved camping facilities are now available near Exmouth for the peak tourist season from April to October with the reopening of Osprey Bay campground in Cape Range National Park. The popular campground within the Ningaloo World Heritage area now has 45 camp sites and new walking tracks to the beach, following a $1.25 million redevelopment. New campground facilities include toilets, shade shelters, picnic tables, sunset viewing platforms and a walk trail to Sandy Bay, while each campsite offers a scenic view of Ningaloo Marine Park. A separate area for day users was also built to provide direct access to the offshore kayak mooring, snorkel trail areas and beaches.

Elizabeth Quay's hospitality ventures takes shape

A landmark construction inspired by the Kimberley’s world famous Argyle pink diamonds will be one of the first to open for business at Elizabeth Quay in Perth. It is believed the $1.8 million building will be one of two kiosks ready in time for the waterfront development’s November opening. It’s also been announced that three well-established local businesses have been selected as the preferred proponents for three of the five venues around the Quay. The operators of Voyage Kitchen café in Sorrento will bring casual dining to the Florence Hummerston Kiosk located on The Island, while the team at V Burger Bar in Floreat and Victoria Park will develop their flagship store at Elizabeth Quay adjacent to the BHP Billiton Water Park. The operators of popular Perth CBD venue, Stables Bar, will transform the two-story Eastern Promenade outlet into a new restaurant and bar.

Double your stay for nothing with Seashells Hospitality Group

Accommodation provider Seashells Hospitality Group is currently offering a two for one deal across its Yallingup, Broome, Mandurah and Scarborough properties. Visitors can stay two or more nights at the hotel, and receive the second half of their holiday for free. The ‘Double your Stay’ offer is valid for stays from April 29 until December 17 2015 at Seashells’ Mandurah, Scarborough and Yallingup properties, and stays from October 11 2015 to May 31 2016 at Seashells Broome. Bookings must be made before May 24 2015 at reservations@seashells.com.au.

Kimberley dreaming

Australia’s winter months are the perfect time to visit the spectacular Kimberley region, located in Western Australia’s North West. Between April and October, the Kimberley experiences dry and warm weather and is an ideal getaway for those seeking adventure, relaxation, tranquillity or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

There are many elements that make the Kimberley extraordinary. From dramatic landscapes to cultural events and activities – there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets.

One of the region’s most iconic events, the Argyle Diamond Ord Valley Muster will return for its 15th year, with an outstanding line-up of concerts and activities from May 15 to 24.  Highlight events include the Kimberley Moon Experience featuring live music from The Living End, Dan Sultan, The Whitlams and Megan Washington, while renowned Australian chef and restaurateur Matt Moran will be dishing up gourmet delights at the Kimberley Kitchen and Durack Homestead Dinner.

The Essence of Ardi will celebrate Aboriginal culture and community of the Dampier Peninsula, located north of Broome, on May 30, presented by the local Lombadina community. Whilst learning about one of the world’s most ancient cultures, visitors can enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers, cultural workshops and market stalls showcasing the flavours of the Dampier Peninsula at the one-day event.

On August 8, Aussie rockers the Hoodoo Gurus and Eskimo Joe will headline Cable Sounds, a music festival set on world famous Cable Beach, while keen punters must not miss the Kimberley’s biggest race days held in August, including the Kimberley Cup, Ladies Day and Broome Cup.

A Taste of Broome celebrates the town’s unique multicultural community from now until September. Showcasing the vibrant soul that is the essence of Broome’s identity, A Taste of Broome features music, media, dance, food, arts and crafts and heritage events each month of the dry season.

Venture outside of the region’s two major gateways of Broome and Kununurra and explore rugged ranges, beautiful gorges and waterfalls, and dramatic coastline. Regarded as one of the world’s last true wilderness areas and more than 20 million years in the making, the Kimberley is home to the world’s only Horizontal Waterfalls, the unique beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, and Lake Argyle - the largest freshwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere.

Multiple daily flight options are available from Perth to Broome year round, with direct flights from Melbourne operating twice a week. During peak season, direct flights are also on offer from Sydney and Brisbane. Broome can be reached by plane in just two and half hours north of Perth, and Kununurra is a one-and-a-half hour flight from Broome.