New events announced for Western Australia Gourmet Escape

The newly expanded Western Australia Gourmet Escape is a 10 day culinary extravaganza running from November 8 to 17, with signature events across the Swan Valley (November 8 to 10), Perth (November 11 to 14), as well as its spiritual home of Margaret River (November 15 to 17). Guests are invited to design their own foodie adventure, with a range of mouth-watering new culinary experiences just announced, including additional events with festival headliners Marco Pierre White and Colin Fassnidge. The new events include:

• Three highly anticipated dinner collaborations, featuring some of Perth’s best restaurants and the world’s most renowned culinary talent – An Evening with Pierre Koffmann at Bistro Guillaume (November 13), Santini Presents The Sicilian Job (November 14) and Redefining Modern Australian: Cloudstreet x Wildflower presented by Singapore Airlines (November 11).
• Tex-Mex Takeover at Mandoon Estate presented by Australian Good Meat (November 8) – a meat-centric dinner under the stars featuring live cooking by “hardcore carnivore” Jess Pryles, and a Mexico inspired menu.
• Back by popular demand, Fraser Gallop Estate Friday Long Lunch (November 15) with matched wines and food from Vue de Monde Executive Chef, Hugh Allen.
• 5 Hats Lunch: Momofuku Seiōbo x Yarri presented by Australian Good Meat (November 16) – a Caribbean-Australian six-course lunch prepared by Momofuku Executive Chef, Paul Carmichael and Yarri’s Aaron Carr.
• Wine & Sign with Marco Pierre White (November 9 and 10) at Gourmet Feast in the Valley. After his first event sold out in minutes, Marco is back by popular demand for meet-and-greets in the Valley.
• Wine & Swine with Colin Fassnidge (November 17) – a new headline chef hits Margaret River's Gourmet Village for an exclusive lunch.

Tickets for all events are limited and are on sale now. 

Perth to host The World Gourmet Symposium

Perth will host some of the world’s most exciting chefs, creatives, sommeliers, food activists and business leaders at The World Gourmet Symposium this November as part of the Western Australia Gourmet Escape.

Taking place on Thursday November 14 at Mandoon Estate in the Swan Valley, The World Gourmet Symposium will be an intimate industry event exploring the creativity, challenges and successes of some of the biggest names in hospitality via a series of thought-provoking talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

Momofuku founder David Chang will headline the Symposium, alongside highly-regarded chefs from around the globe, including Jock Zonfrillo (SA), Kobus van der Merwe (South Africa), Palisa Anderson (NSW), Josh Niland (NSW), Ivan Brehm (Singapore), and Selassie Atadika (Ghana).

Speakers from some of the world’s leading hospitality businesses will also be joining the already impressive line-up, including Syed Asim Hussain (CEO of Black Sheep Group); Fenella Kernebone (Head of Curation at TEDxSydney); Mike Weeks (CEO of Frontline Mind USA); and Rob Laing (CEO of Farm.One).

Day passes and VIP packages are now available, starting from $390.

Perth Festival releases taster of 2020 line-up

Returning to the city this summer from February 7 to March 1, 2020, Perth Festival has provided a taste of what to expect under new Festival Director Iain Grandage, following the exciting release of five headlining shows (outlined below). 

• Bungul (February 8 and 9, Perth Concert Hall) celebrates the music of Gurrumul and Yolngu culture in epic style.​​
• Beloved musical Bran Nue Dae (February 7 to 15, Regal Theatre) will make a triumphant anniversary return.
• Acclaimed circus ensemble Circa present their astounding new show Leviathan (February 26 to March 1, Regal Theatre).
• Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio (February 29 to March 1, Perth Concert Hall) set to thrill in a landmark Perth Concert Hall event.
• Tim Winton’s Australian classic Cloudstreet (February 21 to March 15, His Majesty’s Theatre) reimagined for the 21st century stage.

ANA Flights touch down in Perth

The inaugural All Nippon Airways (ANA) daily direct flight between Perth and Tokyo commenced operations earlier this month. Operating on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the flights depart Tokyo’s Narita International Airport at 11am and arrive at Perth Airport at 8.15pm. The aircraft then departs Perth at 9.45pm, to arrive in Tokyo at 8.25am the next morning. Return ticket prices between Tokyo and Perth start from $861 for economy, $1,561 for premium economy and $3,521 for business class, inclusive of taxes.

Perth’s Cottesloe beach wins the heart of Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman

Pop superstar Taylor Swift declared her love of Perth in a recently released 2012 diary entry that sings praise to Cottesloe Beach, calling it “one of the most beautiful places I’ve been.” Taylor described the iconic Indiana Tea House as an “old fancy hotel” and was drawn to its “old world arches and mouldings, antique tables and big French doors opening out to views of azure blue ocean.” The diary entry was included as part of the deluxe release of her seventh album, Lover.

More recently, Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman visited Australia’s sunniest capital city as part of his national tour of The Man. The Music. The Show. Hugh also visited Cottesloe Beach and enjoyed an iconic WA sunset over the Indian Ocean, which he posted to his 27.5 million Instagram followers.

Port city to celebrate Fremantle Biennale

The Fremantle Biennale is a unique and contemporary visual arts event, set to transform Fremantle with incredible site-responsive installations across the port city. A celebration of Fremantle’s rich cultural heritage and history, the Biennale presents a distinct visual arts program - Undercurrent 19 - that builds on Fremantle’s reputation as a creative city. Running for three weeks from November 1 to 24, the event will feature more than 40 local, national and international artists presenting works that respond to the city’s history, landscape and communities. The large-scale exhibition will take over venues, streetscapes and local landmarks with evocative performances, symposiums, light installations, photography, audiovisual, and dance works. Opening the event from November 1 to 3 at Esplanade Reserve is the internationally acclaimed light installation WATERLICHT by Studio Roosegaarde. Calling attention to rising water levels and climate change, this will be the first time the immersive exhibition has been shown in the Southern Hemisphere.

Inaugural Quantum Words Festival comes to Perth

Quantum Words Perth – a festival dedicated to science, innovation and wonder, will be held for the first time from November 8 to 10 at the State Theatre Centre. The event will feature outstanding thinkers, scientists and creators from across Australia and overseas, covering topics ranging from climate change to orangutan protection, water, alternative facts and Indigenous knowledge. Festival guests include New York-based playwright Baba Brinkman – best known for his ‘Rap Guide’ science-based hip hop albums and theatre shows, and Leif Cox, founder and President of the Orangutan Project.

Get Entwined in the Valley

The Swan Valley wine region, located a 25-minute drive from Perth CBD, will host Entwined in the Valley – a festival showcasing the region’s local wine, beer, cider, spirits, art and produce. With more than 45 home-grown and boutique events held over four days from October 10 to 13, guests can indulge in long lunches and Italian feasts, enjoy masterclasses in cheese, wine, beekeeping and nougat, stock up on local produce at family-friendly markets and browse the work of local artists. Event highlights include the Secret Supper, Fiori Coffee Carnivale at Oakover winery and Picnic in the Sculpture Park at Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park.

The Ritz-Carlton welcomes Hearth

Perth’s newest luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton – due to open at Elizabeth Quay on November 15 - has released details for its signature restaurant. Hearth will be led by acclaimed WA chef Jed Gerrard. As the name of the restaurant suggests, chef Jed will embrace the traditional skill of cooking over fire to deliver a seasonal menu, showcasing produce from WA’s premier farmers, fishermen and artisans, complemented with an exclusive local wine list. Renowned for his local food philosophy, Jed will take guests on a culinary journey that celebrates the stories of local culture and traditions, utilising old world smoke and fire cooking techniques and handpicked ingredients.

New restaurant opens at Illegal Tender Rum Co

Located in the coastal town of Dongara on WA’s Coral Coast, the multi-award-winning Illegal Tender Rum Co has expanded its offering with the recent opening of The Common Place. The new eatery showcases local produce through its share plate style menu, rum-infused cocktails, and homemade cake and treats. Visitors can also enjoy a rum tour and tasting at the distillery, followed by a relaxing meal or drink on the restaurant’s deck. Dongara can be reached in a four hour drive north of Perth.

Margaret River ‘unearthed’ in new podcast

The wonders of the internationally acclaimed Margaret River region have been ‘unearthed’ in a series of new podcasts. Wine Unearthed explores the region’s people, the wineries and the extraordinary natural environment – inviting listeners to discover why Lonely Planet named the region as its Top Destination in the Asia Pacific for 2019. The five episodes uncover how wine connects to Aboriginal custodians, big wave surfers and mountain bikers; shares local love stories that have led to surprising collaborations; investigates family dynamics in the winemaking business; and looks at the pivotal role played by the region’s extraordinary natural environment. Led by local food and wine journalist Fleur Bainger, and joined by wine connoisseur and author Peter Forrestal, the stories focus on the locals who live and breathe winemaking in WA’s South West region. The series is available to download through Apple Podcast​ or Spotify.

WA wins at Gourmet Traveller Awards

WA’s small bar and restaurant scene continues to impress, following a recent win at the 2020 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards. Wines of While, a cosy wine bar and bottle shop located in Northbridge, was awarded Bar of the Year at the highly-acclaimed awards ceremony. Owner and first-time publican Sam Winfield serves up naturally and organically farmed wines, with by the glass selections changing daily thanks to the 200 wines available in-stock. The bar's food menu has a Mediterranean influence, with small plate offerings designed to be served with wine.

In addition, Gourmet Traveller has also named Madalena’s in Fremantle as one of Australia’s 10 best new restaurants of 2020. Overlooking Fremantle’s South Beach, it provides a fitting backdrop to a menu dedicated to WA’s fresh seafood, with a focus on natural wines and a boteco (small neighbourhood bar) style atmosphere.

Olive Farm's new cellar door experience

Olive Farm Wines, located in Perth’s Swan Valley wine region, has introduced a self-service ‘adults-only’ vending machine to its cellar door experience. The four Enomatic Wine dispensing machines allow visitors to try 32 different varieties of Olive Farm produced wine. The custom designed and built display tank uses argon gas, which preserves the quality of the wine once the bottle has been opened. With the assistance of staff, visitors are able to taste a set number of wines from the system by inserting a prepaid card, allowing the machine to dispense a measured tasting serve.

Shelter Brewing Co to open in Busselton

Construction has begun on a new brewery overlooking the iconic Busselton Jetty in WA’s South West. Set to open in spring 2020. Shelter Brewing Co is a family-friendly brewery, featuring corrugated cladding on the external walls and roof which is designed to rust over time, a floor to ceiling glass external wall to showcase the main brewery, indoor trees in the restaurant area, a first floor multi-function room, outdoor area for kids to play, and a beer garden offering stunning ocean views of Geographe Bay.

Sips and bites...What's new in Perth this month

The cultural hub of West Leederville recently welcomed a 210-person bar, restaurant, bottle shop and café. Besk offers visitors a rotating and considered selection of locally brewed beers, minimal-intervention wines and spirits, complemented with a seasonal menu that focuses on produce and producers.

An old world Boston-inspired bar has recently opened in Subiaco. Fenway Subiaco is serving up craft beer, cocktails, soul food and whisky in a dark and cozy setting, complete with a fireplace, booths with chesterfield couches, pool table and big screen TVs. The menu offers classic burgers, sandwiches, large and small plates, salads, sides and deserts. 

One of Perth’s favourite grilled-cheese sandwich-makers, Toastface Grillah, has expanded its offering with the opening of a new flagship café. Located in the edgy Wolf Lane precinct of Perth’s CBD, the new space comprises an indoor area, courtyard and laneway. The menu will feature the same sandwich offering and coffee menu as the existing two shops, but will expand into salads, French fries and soups.

New small bar walking tour in Broome

Visitors to Broome in WA’s Kimberley region can now discover the town’s lively small bar scene on a new walking tour with #SoBroome’s Salty Plum Social. Guests will enjoy a leisurely stroll around the historical and newly revitalised Chinatown precinct, stopping in at three small bars for a drink and canapés. Tours cost $75 per person and run daily.

Perth’s first gin distillery tour

Boutique tour operator Hidden deTours will soon be launching Perth’s first Gin Distillery Tour. On this half day tour guests will visit four of Perth’s local craft gin distillers for behind the scenes tours, guided gin tastings with the distillers or staff, plus food. The gin distillers on the itinerary include High Spirits and Sin Gin in Perth; and the Swan Valley’s Old Youngs and Swan Valley Gin Company. The tours will launch on September 29, and will continue for once a month on a Sunday, with tickets priced at $130 per person.

Summer the greatest show in Perth

Sitting pretty on the shores of the Swan River, and close to beaches and wine regions, Australia’s sunniest capital city Perth is preparing for a sensational summer of arts and culture, food and wine, comedy and sport.

Kicking off Perth’s summer of events early in November is the large scale light installation, Waterlicht, which will transform Esplanade Park in Fremantle from November 1 to 3 as part of the larger Fremantle Biennale - a celebration of visual arts and featuring large scale artworks, installations and performances from over 40 local, national and international artists that will run through until 24 November.

Newly expanded culinary event – the Western Australia Gourmet Escape – begins in the Swan Valley wine region this year (November 8 to 10). Only 25 minutes’ drive from the city, enjoy artisan food, WA wines, celebrity chefs - including Marco Pierre White and Jess Pryles - music and entertainment at Sandalford Estate. In Perth city there will be a series of dinner collaborations at some of the city’s best restaurants (November 11 to 14), before the festival heads south to the Margaret River region (November 15 to 17).

Music lovers will also enjoy some of the very best international and national jazz artists as part of the Perth International Jazz Festival – November 8 to 10.

There’s also plenty of action in Perth this November for sports fans. See Australian tennis star Ash Barty and Alicia Molik play against France in the finale of the Fed Cup - the renowned international women’s team tennis tournament taking place from November 9 to 10 at Perth’s RAC Arena. Then from January 3 to 8, the world’s best male tennis players take centre stage for the ATP Cup - a new nation-versus-nation teams’ event.

Perth hosts its first Twenty 20 International cricket match in nearly a decade when Australia takes on Pakistan at Optus Stadium - ‘the most beautiful sporting facility in the world’ - on November 9. WA’s first day-night Test match between Australia and New Zealand will be held on December 12, before the popular Big Bash League matches kick-off on December 21, when the Perth Scorchers take on the Melbourne Renegades.

Come January it’s time to get your theatre, comedy and music fix at Perth’s annual FRINGE WORLD and Perth Festival – which will bring a smorgasbord of event experiences to the city.

The ever popular WA FRINGE WORLD Festival will make its return from January 17 to February 16, with an exciting world-first star attraction – Fringe on the Water. For one night only on February 1, the intimate Vasco da Gama cruise ship will host a Fringe cabaret act, with the opportunity for guests to stay overnight on-board the ship in the port city of Fremantle.

Now the third largest Fringe in the world, the jam-packed program is due for release from October 2019, offering a line-up of comedy, circus, free and family entertainment, theatre, visual arts, musicals, dance and cabaret, presented by local, national and international artists.

The festival season will continue when Perth welcomes the return of two beloved theatre works Bran Nue Dae and Tim Winton’s Australian classic Coudstreet, as part of the annual Perth Festival. Kicking off from February 7 to March 1, the festival will open with Bungul – and epic celebration of the great Australian song man Gurrumul and the Yolngu culture that inspired his final album. Joining the impressive line-up is one of the world’s most outstanding circus companies Circa, presenting the world premiere of their exhilarating new show Leviathan; along with Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio, set to thrill audiences in a landmark Perth Concert Hall event. Keep an eye out for the full program release on October 31. 

Time your visit with one of Australia’s most anticipated hotel openings on November 15 – The Ritz-Carlton at Perth’s Elizabeth Quay, or The Adnate Art Series Hotel by Accor (to open October 1). Since 2012, Perth has welcomed 37 new or redeveloped hotels, so there’s accommodation to suit all needs and all budgets.

Complementing Perth’s vibrant summer events scene is an incredible range of nature-based experiences located a short drive or ferry ride from Perth city. Below are our top five picks:

1. Discover Perth’s 80 kilometres of metropolitan coastline, where you can swim, snorkel, and surf, or just relax on a pristine beach while taking in one of WA’s iconic Indian Ocean sunsets.
2. Visit Kings Park and Botanic Garden – one of the world’s largest inner city parks offering stunning views over the Swan River and Perth CBD.
3. Spend a day on Perth’s island playground of Rottnest and discover its 63 stunning beaches and 20 bays, and meet the world’s friendliest animal, the famous quokka.
4. Take a day trip to Rockingham where you can swim with wild dolphins, or head into the Perth Hills and discover one of the many walking trails through the forests.
5. Visit WA’s oldest wine region, the Swan Valley. Only a short 25 minute drive from the Perth CBD – you’ll discover award winning wineries, breweries and local providores. The Swan Valley also plays host to a number of events during the warmer months

Summer really is the greatest show in Perth, so visit www.westernaustralia.com to start planning your Perth summer escape.