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Western Australia is one of the largest states in the world with a diverse climate, landscape, flora and fauna.
Here you can experience Australia’s sunniest capital city, whitest beach and largest expanse of outback, one of the oldest known living cultures on Earth, World Heritage reef and rock formations, rainforests and waterfalls, world class surf, premium food and wines, and some of the world’s most unique wildlife.
In recent years WA has experienced a growth in new product in its capital Perth and regional areas and in 2017 will welcome a variety of new products and experiences. Here is a snapshot of new products and travel trends.
Perth city’s ongoing transformation
People are talking about Perth. Foodies, investors, sun-lovers, entrepreneurs, creatives… and it’s no wonder why, with the capital city undergoing a significant period of change. Perth has always offered a beautiful natural environment – the Swan River, blue skies, clean air, 19 metropolitan beaches, one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, and an esteemed wine region – but most recently the attention has turned to the city’s urban offering.
In 2016, Stage One of the city’s new waterfront development, Elizabeth Quay, opened to the public. Home to a number of wining and dining options, pedestrian and cyclists’ bridge, promenades, public art, island playground and event spaces. In 2018, the precinct will welcome the Ritz Carlton, marking the luxury brand’s return to the Australian market for the first time in 10 years.
Disused heritage buildings and laneways are now home to bustling bars and street art. Independent non-profit group FORM have been at the forefront of Perth’s street art scene, organizing to have more than 80 walls across the Perth and its surrounding suburbs have become a canvas for local, interstate and international artists.
Food trucks have also started appearing on the streets, signaling another new trend for the city. Their presence is so popular, it prompted a local foodie and entrepreneur to start what is anticipated to be an annual affair – the Food Truck Rumble. A gathering of some of the city’s best ‘street food’ trucks in the one place.
The city's new heart
Yagan Square is under construction and will be located in the heart of Perth’s CBD – within the arms of the Horseshoe Bridge – and will be one of the city’s most popular community and meeting places. This carefully thought out and designed area will offer a range of experiences – from green spaces for relaxation and play, to permanent markets offering local produce, kiosks, cafes, interactive digital media, native gardens and engaging public art. At night, the square will come alive with a spectacular lighting installation on the underside of the shade canopies and the iconic digital tower. The square will open in 2017, hosting regular events, performances and celebrations across its various event spaces.
Development of popular tourist spots
- Fremantle (included in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel’ 2016 guide) has more than a billion dollars of redevelopment in the in the planning pipeline, including a new town centre and hotels.
- Scarborough Beach is on its way to becoming one of Australia’s best beachfronts with a $60 million investment in a foreshore redevelopment including a beachside swimming pool, cafes, restaurants, kiosks and public art.
- Rottnest Island is also undergoing an improvement program with upgrades to the golf course, walk trails as well as a new marina. Luxury refurbishments to the Hotel Rottnest and an upmarket ‘glamping’ experience, which is expected to open in 2017.
New hotel openings
Perth will welcome more than 2,000 new hotel rooms by 2019. Here’s a taste of what’s to come next year…
Doubletree by Hilton
Hilton Worldwide is set to open three hotels in Perth under the Doubletree by Hilton brand over the next few years. DoubleTree by Hilton Northbridge will be located on James Street, Northbridge, home to a multicultural melting pot of flavours blended together with a lively mix of bars and nightclubs. The 205-room hotel is expected to open in 2017.
Crown Towers
Crown Limited has shown its long term commitment to Perth with its decision to develop a new six star, luxury hotel to be known as Crown Towers Perth. The total investment in the Crown Towers project (inclusive of land) is expected to be $568 million. The new 500 room luxury hotel will add to the suite of hotel accommodation options at the Crown Perth Complex and upon completion it will be the largest hotel in Perth, taking hotel room capacity at Crown Perth to nearly 1,200 rooms. Construction is underway, expected to be completed by next month.
QT Hotel Perth
Construction has started on a 21-level QT Hotel on the corner of Barrack and Murray Street in Perth CBD. The hotel will have 184 rooms and 21 residential apartments.
2018 will see further hotel openings including the Ritz Carlton at Elizabeth Quay, Westin Hotel and Double Tree by Hilton Waterfront.
WA Food Scene
WA is developing a reputation as a world-class food and wine destination, with its gourmet produce, fresh seafood and premium wines and beverages.
With a landscape and climate as varied as WA, it’s not surprising that you’ll find such a range of produce available – from Albany oysters and Manjimup black truffles to Exmouth’s fresh king prawns and Pemberton’s marron. Then there’s also hundreds of premium wine, beer, cider and whisky producers dotted throughout the State.
Fusing native and seasonal ingredients into fine-dining is a hot trend. Establishments including Wildflower in Perth CBD is serving contemporary dishes revolving around the indigenous ethos of six seasons with farmer and forager-driven menus. Fervor is also becoming one of WA’s most popular food enterprises, known for providing culinary experiences you can’t get anywhere else on earth. Guests are treated to locally sourced, fresh produce and native ingredients such as marron, green ants, crab, youlk, wattleseed, seaweed, wallaby and muntrie berries.
In 2017, WA’s premier wine region will be celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the region’s first contemporary commercial plantings. Located an easy three-hour drive south of Perth, Margaret River is home to more than 220 wine producers and 100 cellar doors, and produces more than 25 per cent of Australia’s premium wine.
WA boasts a diverse mix of world-class food and wine events. The annual Margaret River Gourmet Escape (November) is the State’s premier food and wine event, 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 (June) and the Ord Valley Muster which includes a celebration of the East Kimberley’s fine produce, including mangoes, chick peas, chia, melons, pumpkins and seeds.
Glamping
Locals are continuing to opt for self-drive holiday experiences within WA - and it’s no wonder why with a range of comfortable (and quirky!) accommodation options becoming available across the State. Pop-up glamping sites are a favourite with new product offerings such as WA Wilderness Glamping, Glamping Co, Soul Camping
and Tears of Joy Campers. These pop-up hotel rooms are located in forests, next to rivers or in World Heritage listed national landscapes.
Islands
The waters off WA’s 12,000 kilometre long coastline are regarded as some of the most pristine in the world – and are home to a myriad of marine life and coastal treasures. The Abrolhos Islands, located 80 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton in the State’s Coral Coast, are set to become Australia’s newest national park. Rottnest Island
also continues to be a favourite destination among locals and visitors alike, most known for its postcard perfect beaches and bays, friendly quokka, incredible snorkelling and surfing, and all-round relaxed holiday vibes. Summer 2017-18 will see Pinky’s Eco Retreat and Beach Club open on the island. The resort will comprise 29, four and five-star eco-tents, each with their own ensuite and a high level of comfort, 10 two bedroom ‘family’ tents, and 35 backpacker or budget tents.
Nature based adventure
WA’s national parks, state forests and marine parks provide visitors with the opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most diverse flora, fauna and landscapes. Walk into Luxury
has been accepted as WA’s first Great Walk of Australia member, with its four-day Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk being selected as a ‘great walk’. The guided, small group walk combines the best walking on the Cape to Cape Track with incredible food and wine experiences and deluxe accommodation. This year also saw the trial of swimming with humpback whales commenced in August in Coral Bay and Exmouth, with immediate interaction success at both locations. The world’s largest humpback whale population (estimated at 30,000) provide WA tourists with the chance to interact with the whales as spectators from a close distance on-board a boat, or while in the water as they swim past or rest in the temperate Ningaloo waters.
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 cruises such as the True North and Kimberley Quest
are able to explore secluded gorges of the Kimberley coast that are not accessible to larger vessels. Journey past towering red 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, guests can enjoy the best food and wine, including fresh local product prepared by your own chef, and relaxing at night in the comfort of your own suite.
Cultural adventures
WA is home to more than 85 Aboriginal tourism operations in coastal, urban and outback environments, with a choice of authentic cultural experiences as diverse as the country itself. A new product recently launched in WA is Imintji Campground and Art Centre, inviting guests to experience the magic of the Kimberley from a local’s perspective.
GoCultural Tours is a new Indigenous tour exploring Perth’s history. Husband and wife team, Walter and Meg McGuire, are behind GoCultural Tours, which takes guests on an Indigenous walking tour of Perth’s new waterfront precinct, Elizabeth Quay. Award winning 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.
For further information on any WA travel trends contact media@westernaustralia.com.
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