No images? Click here
Travel and lifestyle news from Western Australia
April 2025
Kaya ,
Welcome to the April edition of This is WA, bringing you the latest dreamlike travel and lifestyle news from across Western Australia.
April heralds the start of the Noongar season of Djeran, which brings cooler nights and dewy mornings, and vibrant red flowers like Red Flowering Gum and Summer Flame. Around Perth/Boorloo, Sheoaks bear red 'rust' and seed cones, and Banksias bloom, providing nectar for small mammals and birds. This was the time Noongar people began preparing their Mia Mias (homes) for the heavier rains to come.
In this edition there is lots to celebrate about the Dream State. Western Australia’s eucalypt forests were crowned the nation’s best; the Lodge Wadjemup gained international acclaim in TIME; Western Australia’s culinary scene was celebrated at the WA Good Food Guide Awards; and whale shark season got underway in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park.
We have also recently welcomed an exciting influx of new dining venues across Perth city and gained a direct Perth to Busselton-Margaret River flight, making it easier than ever to get to the world-class Margaret River Region.
Read on to discover more exciting updates from Western Australia.
Header image: Cape Naturaliste, near Dunsborough
What's Hot
Qantas announces direct Perth to Busselton-Margaret River flights
Travelling to Australia’s South West is set to get even easier, with the announcement of a new direct Qantas Perth to Busselton-Margaret River route. Starting Thursday 27 June, the service will run on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, offering more than 31,000 seats annually. Perfectly timed to coincide with the Australian school holidays and whale-watching season. Flights are now on sale, with introductory fares starting at $149. The service will support Jetstar Australia’s existing routes from Sydney and Melbourne into the region.
The Lodge Wadjemup gains international acclaim
The Lodge Wadjemup has been included in TIME’s prestigious ‘2025 World’s Greatest List’. Curated annually, the World’s Greatest List includes the most extraordinary places to visit and stay for the year ahead from around the globe. The Lodge Wadjemup stage one opened over Christmas and is the only Australian hotel to feature. When fully complete in mid-2025, the laidback luxury hotel will comprise 109 rooms, with a variety of room types and configurations, plus two on-site hospitality venues – Sunsets Bar and Dining and Pelican, alongside a conference facility and ‘gathering ground’, which acknowledges the cultural history of Rottnest Island / Wadjemup.
Swim with the world’s biggest fish in Ningaloo
The biggest fish in the world has once again been spotted at Western Australia's World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park / Nyinggulu, heralding the start of the swimming with whale sharks season. Almost 40,000 visitors travelled to Exmouth and Coral Bay last year to swim with whale sharks, that migrate to the shores of WA between February and July each year to feed on plankton and krill. In 2024, tours ran through to late July in Exmouth, and late June in Coral Bay, offering visitors the opportunity to have a face-to-fin encounter with the friendly giants – which are up to 11 metres long. Ningaloo is one of the only places on Earth where visitors can experience swimming with three big marine wonders in the one location – manta rays, humpback whales and whale sharks – offering incredible wildlife encounters year-round.
Western Australia takes out Eucalypt of the Year Award
Western Australia’s towering eucalypts have been crowned Australia’s best. The ‘Wondrous Forest of the Walpole Wilderness’ was named Eucalypt of The Year on National Eucalypt Day. This year, travellers were invited to vote for their favourite ‘holiday amongst the gumtrees’. The Walpole forest is famous for its giant Tingle and Karri trees, which can be admired up close at the region’s renowned Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. In second place, the Great Western Woodlands is home to around 30 per cent of the nation’s eucalypt species. Spanning an area twice the size of Tasmania, it’s the world’s largest intact temperate woodlands.
Mandurah and Denmark take out top 10 in Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards
The coastal city of Mandurah / Mandjoogoordap in Perth's Peel Region and Denmark in WA's Great Southern have made the top ten in Wotif's 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards. Now in its eighth year, the Awards recognise trending Aussie destinations for the year ahead. This is based on the Wotif data index that looks at accommodation affordability, quality and traveller satisfaction. Taking out number three in the top 10 destinations, Mandurah is known for its stunning beaches and thriving estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour, offering a variety of aquatic adventures, and ideally located less than an hour south of Perth. The town of Denmark followed closely at number four. Renowned for its natural beauty and insta-famous Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks, the town has recently welcomed the opening of the newly renovated Denmark Hotel, and is located just over a 4.5-hour drive south from Perth.
Best of the West recognised at WAGFG awards
Western Australia’s culinary elite have been recognised at the West Australian Good Food Guide 2025 Awards. Sophisticated Cottesloe brasserie-grill, Gibney, was awarded Restaurant of the Year, along with Wine List of the Year, while Blaze Young took out the coveted title of Chef of the Year. Bar Love was named Bar of the Year, and West Leederville establishment, Besk, was named Pub of the Year. Australia’s South West’s reputation as a foodie hotspot was amplified further, with Voyager Estate winning Regional Restaurant of the Year; De’sendent awarded New Restaurant of the Year and Vasse Felix Restaurant Head Chef Cameron Jones named Regional Chef of the Year. See the full list of award winners here.
Tours, Attractions & Accommodation
Immersive wellness experiences to rejuvenate visitors
Eco tours operator Down Under Discoveries offers immersive wellness experiences in the Perth Hills, Mandurah / Manjoogoordap, Dwellingup, and the South West to promote relaxation and renewal. Its newly launched South West Explorer tour is a multi-day, transformative experience which takes in two world-class trails, the Bibbulmun Track and the Cape to Cape, as well as the Donnelly River. The tour includes mindful hiking, tranquil paddling, and intentional wellness practices to nourish both body and mind. These guided activities through pristine water and forest environments allow nature-loving visitors to truly connect with nature. Other tours include a Waterfalls & Wildflower Immersion in the Darling Range; and Seascapes: Ancient Forest and Coastal Serenity, a two-hour guided experience in the Mandurah region.
New luxury stays available from Private Properties
Private Properties has added a further three luxury homes to its portfolio in the Margaret River Region. The Yallingup properties Cooinda, Ocean Views and Millbrook Farmhouse are available for short stays, Cooinda (the Dharawal word for ‘happy place’) is perched high on the Yallingup hill, offering spectacular ocean views, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a glistening plunge pool. Sleeping eight guests, Ocean View is a laidback retreat featuring an expansive balcony and barbecue, plus an outdoor shower. Millbrook Farmhouse is an elegantly appointed four-bedroom, three-bathroom homestead set in sprawling grounds, complete with a firepit and serene bushland views, just a short drive from the beach.
Coral Expeditions introduces new cultural experiences
The 2025 season is officially underway for remote cruise operator Coral Expeditions, with a schedule of more than 50 tours through the Kimberley wilderness this year. In addition to existing partnerships on sea country in Ngula and Vansittart Bay with the Wunambal Gaambera people, Coral Expeditions has expanded its cultural experiences to include visits with the Murajuga Rangers on the Dampier Archipelago to discover art, ancient petroglyphs and fish traps.
Ultimate Watersports brings the adrenaline to Hillarys Boat Harbour
The adventurous crew behind WA’s Ultimate Watersports has zoomed into Hillarys Boat Harbour. Offering jet ski hire, guided jet ski tours, fishing jet skis, paddleboarding, kayaking; Flyboard X, an exhilarating hydroflight; and the Waydoo Flyer E-Foil, an electric foil board; the Hillarys location is fully equipped for a thrilling or leisurely day out on the water. Ultimate Watersports Hillarys Boat Harbour is a welcome addition to the existing locations in Broome/Rubibi, Exmouth, Geraldton and Perth/Boorloo.
Cruise the Kimberley
in style
Kimberley Spirit Tours has unveiled its latest offering – remote cruising in the Kimberley aboard its luxury houseboat, Nyawoorn. Meaning ‘large gathering of people’ in Kija, a language of one of the region’s Traditional Custodian groups, the Nyawoorn is comfortably equipped to sleep six passengers for the ultimate Kimberley experience. Guests can opt for private hosted journeys, meandering along the river from Kununurra to Lake Argyle; book a fully catered event; or hire out the boat as a ‘floatel’, and enjoy a memorable overnight stay beneath a dazzling Kimberley sky. All tours and stays include gourmet cuisine, plus the use of additional boats and kayaks for exploring the abundance of wetlands, creeks and waterfalls in the region.
Discover the wonders of the Exmouth evening sky
Exmouth is continuing to garner acclaim as a dark sky tourism hotspot, thanks to its pristine natural environment and exceptional stargazing conditions. Ningaloo Stars is a new stargazing experience, inviting visitors to witness the region’s celestial wonders against the backdrop of Cape Range National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo region. Led by owner operator Paul Woods and his team of expert guides, each Ningaloo Stars tour offers an inclusive and accessible experience, catering to all ages, with a focus on sensitive and sustainable astro-tourism. Tour highlights include Milky Way and Southern Cross sightings, along with otherworldly planets and spectacular constellations.
Djoona launches cultural tours series
Djoona has launched a series of enriching and engaging cultural tours in the Perth/Boorloo area. The tours offer a dynamic mix of cultural experience, storytelling and truth-telling, along with sightseeing, and offer visitors a unique insight into the region’s rich Noongar history. Visitors can opt to cycle along the Swan River/Derbal Yerrigan; join a guided bus tour through Perth city and surrounds, kayak along the Canning River wetlands, or discover the historical landscape of the South Perth Old Mill.
Enriching experiences with Goolamwiin tours
Visitors to the Mandurah/ Mandjoogoordap region can discover the rich history of the area on a unique cultural tour hosted by local operator Goolamwiin. Meaning ‘winds blowing from the southwest’, Goolamwiin delivers a variety of experiences which include storytelling, ceremonies, sand art, bush tucker and yarns around the campfire. Experiences include the Goolamwiin Mangala Tour, a guided cultural walking tour along Seascapes Beach in Halls Head, Mandurah; and the Goolamwiin Day Tour, a half-day bush experience including a campfire morning or afternoon tea, traditional game and Aboriginal dance.
Proudback adds Kennedy Range to its itineraries
Off-road touring company Proudback has expanded its Adventurer and Explorer tours. The 11-night Adventurer tour takes intrepid travellers from Perth to the Ningaloo Reef, while the Explorer is a 12-night expedition from Perth to Australia’s Coral Coast, visiting Shark Bay and across to Dirk Hartog Island. Both tours will now include the Kennedy Range National Park loop track to offer visitors the ultimate red outback experience, and the chance to traverse through this spectacular and otherworldly plateau. Proudback leads adventure-seekers on four-wheel-drive tours with training provided prior to departure. Each tour includes catering and comfortable swags for an unforgettable ‘sleeping beneath the stars’ experience.
Kingfisher Tours creates cultural partnership
Two women-led businesses, Kingfisher Tours and Garingbaar Bush Botanicals, have collaborated to create a unique and sustainable eco-tourism partnership in Purnululu National Park. Kingfisher Tours specialises in authentic, Aboriginal-led travel experiences, while Garingbaar Bush Botanicals harnesses the healing properties of native botanicals to craft beautiful handmade soaps. Through the partnership, Garingbaar founder Bec Sampi, a proud Gija Woolah custodian for country, will lead visitors through spectacular Gija and Jaru Country. Along the way, visitors will hear Dreamtime stories, see ancient rock formations and discover the wonders of bush tucker and bush medicine.
Food & Wine
Light Years makes it way over to WA
East Coast culinary mainstay, Light Years will brighten the Perth CBD with an outlet to launch at the popular 140 William Street precinct. The latest installment of the iconic Byron Bay establishment brings an elevated holiday atmosphere to the heart of the city, with a 200-seat venue inside the heritage Gordon Stephenson House. Its Asian-inspired menu, curated by culinary director Robbie Oijvall (pictured), encourages share-style dining with newly developed dishes including an expanded dumplings selection, steak tartare and lobster noodles sitting alongside Light Years’ favourites such as kingfish ceviche, crispy pork belly and miso corn ribs. Meanwhile, its extensive wine list will showcase West Australian winemakers plus globally sourced varieties and the cocktail menu features the boldly flavoured and colourful options that Light Years is known for.
Monelli brings Amalfi-inspired dining to Burns Beach
Meaning ‘mischievous rascals’, Monelli is a playfully elegant new addition to Perth’s Italian dining scene. Opening in the northern coastal suburb of Burns Beach, Monelli offers an elevated Mediterranean dining experience in a sophisticated setting, and is helmed by husband-and-wife owners Ezio Patrizi and Cinzia Di Pio in collaboration with their daughter Eleonora Patrizi. Its menu heroes seasonal produce, fresh seafood and handmade pasta, alongside classic desserts and an Amalfi-inspired cocktail list. Embracing an understated design, Monelli gives a subtle nod to its coastal setting and effortlessly blends alfresco and indoor dining. Monelli serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is set to offer events and functions soon.
Image credit: Ryan Cubbage
Newcomer Chelsea Social delivers London charm
Bringing some British-inspired flair and a whole lot of West Australian atmosphere, Chelsea Social has arrived in Murray Street, in the Perth CBD. Open from morning until evening, it serves a delicious and expansive menu, filled with all-day brunch options, pub classics and abundant share platters.The interiors are light and airy, with pops of post-box red delivering the London charm. Chelsea Social is located within the Ibis Perth hotel, in the heart of the buzzing Murray Street district, and close to the prestigious King Street precinct.
Freo gains a barbecue inspired hotspot
Visitors to the historic port city of Fremantle / Walyalup can enjoy an authentic Aussie barbecue experience at the recently opened Aussie Ribs restaurant. This relaxed, family-friendly steakhouse serves up classic fare with a distinctively Australian twist, including Aussie beef burgers and pub favourite, the ‘parmi’, in addition to a varied seafood menu. The standouts are of course the ribs – slow cooked for over eight hours and served with fresh slaw and fries. With salad options and a dedicated kids’ menu, plus tempting desserts, Aussie Ribs is proving a flavourful new addition to Freo’s famous dining and entertainment precinct.
Cherubino launches exclusive event series
In the heart of Subiaco, Cherubino City Cellar is an inviting space renowned for its extensive wine list and thoughtfully crafted dining menu. This autumn, the team is launching a series of intimate dinners hosted in the venue’s cosy and artfully designed private dining room. Guests will have the opportunity to sample both Cherubino wines and a curated selection of wines from Italy and France, expertly paired with a four-course seasonal menu by Chef Giacomo. Each event is a one-night-only exclusive, with places strictly limited.
Somewhere in the Park opens on Albany Highway
Victoria Park is now home to another bustling wine bar, with the recent opening of Somewhere in the Park, along the popular Albany Highway precinct. It offers a rotating list of more than 200 wines from around the world, along with a refined craft beer selection, and an accompanying menu bursting with share plates, gourmet pizzas, local seafood and upscale pub classics. The venue carries a relaxed aesthetic with indoor-outdoor seating and an open mezzanine, in addition to a dedicated kids’ play area and free arcade games. Plus, the venue doubles as a lively café by day, serving up an extensive breakfast selection, fresh smoothies and coffee to the morning crowd.
Crouching Monkey springs into Northbridge
Northbridge icon The Brass Monkey hotel has expanded its repertoire with the opening of Crouching Monkey restaurant. Taking over the upper level, this dynamic Asian fusion restaurant is serving imaginative share plates and colourful cocktails, with an emphasis on fresh flavours and a vibrant atmosphere. The ‘Tuk Tuk Menu’ offers a chef selected feast, while classics like Massaman Beef Curry and Red Curry Duck feature in the curry line-up. Crouching Monkey enhances The Brass Monkey’s existing options which include a main bar, sports bar and rooftop bar.
Wild Lot Distillery opens in Margaret River Region
Led by a passionate female distiller, Wild Lot Distillery is a family-owned establishment which has opened in the heart of the Margaret River Region. Gaining traction with locals and visitors, Wild Lot Distillery offers guided tastings and curated cheese boards in a picturesque, family-friendly setting. Each gin batch is infused with local botanicals, fresh fruits and indigenous herbs, resulting in a lively product range which reflects its surroundings. The team prides itself on its thoughtful, sustainable approach at every stage of production.
Image credit: Jasmine Ann Gardiner
Lifestyle & Culture
Rejuvenating treatment series by Bodhi
Bodhi Spa Group has unveiled a suite of unique wellness therapies inspired by Aboriginal healing. Signature treatment, the Bodhi Kodo Massage is a sensory and calming experience which incorporates a flowing style of massage. Its name Kodo means ‘big melody’, reflecting the dance-like rhythm of this rejuvenating treatment which includes warm rocks and activation of pressure points to ground and calm. Each Kodo massage begins with a smoking ritual, clearing the energy in the room to create a healing space. Several luxurious spa journeys are also on offer, revitalising visitors with mineral body wraps; a cocooning experience using Australian mineral-rich mud; scalp massages and exfoliating treatments featuring Australian salts and warm botanical oils. Bodhi has locations in Perth / Boorloo, plus a luxury wellness retreat overlooking the tranquil waters of Gunyulgup lake in the Margaret River Region.
Events
Taste Great Southern reinvigorated for 2025
The Great Southern region’s flagship food and wine festival returns in 2025 with a fresh new look. Following the theme ‘Wander in the Wild’, Taste Great Southern celebrates the region's local talent and venues, premium produce, unique cultural heritage, and rugged beauty. Based primarily in Albany / Kinjarling and Denmark, the festival will run in a new four-day format from 1 to 4 May 2025, and will include interactive town takeovers in Mount Barker, Porongorup, Frankland River and Katanning, to encourage visitors to explore undiscovered locations. The full program is now live, with highlights including long table lunches, wine pairing masterclasses, produce markets, and a four-course luxury dinner party.
Image credit: Jenny Feast Photography
Surfing pros set to descend on Margaret River in May
The eyes of the surfing world will once again be firmly fixed on Australia’s South West, when the Margaret River Pro rolls in from 17 to 27 May 2025. A World Surf League Championship Tour event, the Pro attracts surfing's global elite to battle it out at the famous Main Break, with the world's best men and women surfers competing for Championship points. The 2025 Margaret River Pro will be the last competition before the mid-season cut, and marks the 11th year of Western Australia hosting a round of the prestigious World Championship Tour.
Image supplied by: World Surf League
Sculptures at Bathers
4 to 21 April | Fremantle | Perth
Sculptures at Bathers returns to the shores of Fremantle / Walyalup for its sixth event. Taking over Fremantle’s Bathers Beach Art Precinct / Manjaree, the free exhibition showcases contemporary sculptures by established and emerging WA artists from across the State. This year's event will also include an exhibition of indoor sculptures at the WA Shipwrecks Museum, as well as a program of events including engaging artist-led tours, twilight torchlight tours and hands-on workshops for all ages.
The Karijini Experience
11 to 14 April | Karijini | Pilbara region
The Karijini Experience is a four-day festival celebrating the culture, art, food and music of the Banjima People on Country, set amongst the awe-inspiring landscape of Karijini National Park. The event’s diverse program offers authentic, high-quality arts and cultural experiences, with a rich array of activities that aim to provide a genuine and immersive understanding of the region's culture and natural beauty. The program of events includes live entertainment, guided walking tours, cultural storytelling, cooking demonstrations, Aboriginal traditional healing workshops, art exhibitions and workshops, showcasing renowned artists, emerging performers, and grassroots experiences.
Jamba Nyinayi Festival
18 to 20 April | Coral Bay | Ningaloo region
Jamba Nyinayi (rest awhile) will captivate audiences again when it returns for a third consecutive year in 2025. Held at Cardabia / Gunjayindiya Station near Coral Bay in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo/Nyinggulu Region. Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation invites people of all cultures, communities and nationalities to join them for a soulful celebration of connection, culture and community. Camping packages for three, four and five nights are available, which includes festival entry and a range of inclusions and options. All campers and festival attendees will enjoy the hugely popular campfire sessions, main stage dance and music performances, cultural workshops, food and arts markets and station amenities.
Fremantle International Street Arts Festival
18 to 21 April | Fremantle | Perth
The Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is returning in 2025, transforming the streets of Fremantle / Walyalup into an open-air theatre of the amazing, weird and wacky. This year's program will feature events for all ages, with day and night programming and international acts from France, Japan, Canada, Finland, Argentina, Peru, Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand and Australia. Roving performers will be popping up in surprising and interesting locations across the city, and Fremantle’s alfresco dining scene will be bursting with pop-up bars and eateries extending into the streets.
Perth Comedy Festival
21 April to 18 May | Perth
The Perth Comedy Festival is WA's biggest annual comedy event, where the best comedians from Australia and beyond take to the stages across Perth for a massive month of comedy. The festival program features performances from the finest local and Australian acts, alongside some of the biggest international stars and promising emerging talent, ranging from stand up to sketch, satire, improv, musical, absurdist, theatre, magic and children’s comedy. The festival is held at venues across Perth including the Regal Theatre in Subiaco, Astor Theatre in Mount Lawley, The Rechabite in Northbridge and Freo Social in Fremantle.
Shore Leave Festival
23 to 27 April | Various| Geraldton
Shore Leave is a multi-day event celebrating the culture, food and adventure that makes the Midwest region unique. In addition to paying homage to the area's rich maritime heritage, the name Shore Leave also connotes vacation, leisure, and adventure. The festival offers the Abrolhos Long Table Lunch, one of the most distinctive dining experiences in Western Australia. Other major attractions include the Geraldton foreshore festival hub The Helm, The Beach Price Markets at the Geraldton Fishermans Wharf and guided tours north to Kalbarri and inland to the Chapman Valley.
Image credit: SoCo Studios
Bickley Harvest Festival
3 to 4 May| Bickley Valley | Perth
The Bickley Harvest Festival is an annual celebration of the Bickley Valley’s rich heritage in wine, cider, spirits and local produce - located just 35 minutes from Perth’s CBD in the Perth Hills Wine Region. The first weekend of May will be filled with activities, with satellite events happening across the month at multiple participating venues including wineries, distilleries, cideries, restaurants and galleries. Each venue will offer a unique experience, from intimate wine tastings to family-friendly activities. Sample award-winning wines, savour gourmet meals or simply enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the Bickley Valley.
Ord Valley Muster
16 to 25 May | Various | Kununurra region
The beloved Ord Valley Muster returns to the East Kimberley from 16 to 25 May to share rich Aboriginal history, told through storytelling, art, and performance, alongside popular music performances, comedy, tours, dining experiences, and family activities. Major highlights include the Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner; Party in the Park, a free family event, and new experiential dining events. The annual festival recently won Silver in the 2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, in the Festivals and Events category.
Image credit: Ben Broady
Ningaloo Sky Festival
27 to 29 June | Exmouth| Ningaloo
The Ningaloo Sky Festival is a new biennial event held in Exmouth. Organised by the Shire of Exmouth, this festival invites visitors to experience the magic of the Ningaloo Coast, where culture, cuisine, and celestial wonders collide. The Festival includes live music performances, a dazzling drone show, bustling food stalls, degustation dinners and insightful astronomy talks that unlock the secrets of the universe.
 |