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Travel and lifestyle news from Western Australia
June 2025
Kaya ,
Welcome to the June edition of This is WA, bringing you the latest dreamlike travel and lifestyle news from across Western Australia.
June marks the beginning of the Noongar season of Makuru, signified by clustering clouds, wetter weather and the blueberry lilies and purple flags beginning to bloom.
This edition showcases an exclusive wine event coming to the Margaret River Region, the highly anticipated completion of The Lodge Wadjemup, and the return of Italian football to WA. We’re also celebrating the new Qantas flights set to boost WA’s connections with the eastern states.
Meanwhile, there’s many new products to discover around the State. Think indulgent dining in Broome, an Australian-first tour offering in Walpole and an eco-friendly addition to Willie Creek’s award-winning farm tours.
Read on to discover more exciting updates from Western Australia.
Header image: whale watching, Dunsborough
What's Hot
Margaret River Region to host prestigious wine event
In an Australian first, the Margaret River Region has been announced as the host of The World’s 50 Best Vineyards awards in November. To be held on 19 November, the prestigious awards will celebrate outstanding vineyards across the globe that combine exceptional wine, food and visitor experiences. It marks the first time vineyards will be recognised under the esteemed ‘50 Best’ global brand. The event will align with the return of the four-day wine and food event Pair’d Margaret River Region set to follow from 20–23 November.
Exclusive AC Milan v Perth Glory match announced
Italian football powerhouse AC Milan will return to Perth/Boorloo for an exclusive showdown against Perth Glory next month - the only chance fans will have to see AC Milan play in Australia this year. A competing team in the prestigious Serie A league, AC Milan is one of the most successful clubs in world football history. This friendly match will take place on Thursday, 31 July, with thousands of fans expected to flock to HBF Park to see the action. The Australian-exclusive game will be AC Milan’s final stop on its pre-season tour, following matches in Hong Kong and Singapore. It will be the second time AC Milan has played in Perth in recent years, after its clash against AS Roma at Optus Stadium in May 2024.
Straight to the pool rooms: The Lodge Wadjemup unveils new accommodation
New Rottnest Island/Wadjemup hotel, The Lodge Wadjemup is now taking bookings for its newly built Poolhouse rooms officially opening on Tuesday, 1 July, marking the much-anticipated completion of the project. The 46 stunning new-build rooms offer lake, pool or island views. The minimalist and practical rooms feature high ceilings, large living spaces and luxurious bathroom amenities, with some also featuring deep soaking baths. The rooms have an airy coastal feel, with sustainable materials, king beds, expansive glass sliding doors, cork flooring and light timber enhancing the barefoot luxury aesthetic. Poolhouse rooms offer seamless access to the 12-metre adult pool and five-metre kids pool, as well as to Sunsets Bar & Dining. Earlier this year, The Lodge Wadjemup was included in TIME’s esteemed ‘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.
Image credit: Shot by Thom
WA to welcome new flights from Newcastle
Qantas is launching a new route between Newcastle and Perth/Boorloo, starting in spring 2025. It’s the first time Perth has been directly connected to New South Wales’ Hunter Valley region and will make it easier than ever for travellers from northern NSW to visit Western Australia. The route improves connectivity from interstate markets and will offer an additional 23,400 inbound seats to WA annually. Operating three times per week, the non-stop flight will offer a year-round service, starting Monday, 8 September.
Major Perth music venue announced
The Perth/Boorloo music and entertainment scene will be bolstered by the launch of Northbridge Music Hall, by Live Nation, opening in summer 2026/27. Boasting a 3,000 capacity, the venue will be in the heart of the buzzing nightlife district of Northbridge. It will feature two performance spaces, a main room and club room, and is anticipated to host 120 shows in its first year alone. Catering to a diverse taste in music and entertainment, the venue will showcase local and international talent across the arts, music, comedy and theatre.
Image credit: Live Nation
Truffle season is officially underway
WA’s famous truffle season is officially underway with some producers reporting a bumper season ahead. The revered black truffle is a world-renowned delicacy grown in the rich soils of Manjimup and Pemberton in WA’s stunning Southern Forests region. Around the region, a delicious array of activities is on offer throughout the season including truffle hunts, tours and special food events. Back in Perth/Boorloo, many chefs create seasonal menus and dishes centred around the delicacy, offering foodies a distinctly West Australian dining experience.
Tours, Attractions & Accommodation
New eco tour with WOW factor
WOW Wilderness EcoAdventures has launched a commercial Australian first – bike-rafting tours through the spectacular Walpole region in WA’s South West. A combination of guided hiking, mountain biking and packrafting, there are a variety of single and multi-day tour options available, perfect for nature lovers seeking a low-impact, unique experience in one of Australia’s most biodiverse environments. Each tour is guided by environmental educator Emma Bennett, offering guests an enriching and immersive experience where they can learn about the region’s incredible flora and wildlife. Tours depart from the spectacular Valley of the Giants, are fully guided and include all equipment, so guests simply need to bring an adventurous spirit. The new tour offerings signify the next chapter of WOW Wilderness, a renowned operator known for leading visitors on EcoCruises on the Walpole-Nornalup Inlets Marine Park.
Solar powered vessel launches at Willie Creek
Willie Creek Pearls in WA’s Kimberley region has unveiled its latest gem - the Mimi Pearl, a solar-electric, eco-friendly tour vessel. A West Australian first, the vessel is an exciting initiative in the sustainable tourism space and will cater for 46 guests, increasing Willie Creek’s touring capacity. The Mimi Pearl operates almost silently, and the vessel also offers a mobility friendly ramp for accessibility, a covered roof providing shade, and wifi connectivity. The vessel has been lovingly named after Willie Creek’s matriarch Valda Banfield - affectionately known as 'Mimi' by her family (meaning Grandmother in the traditional Aboriginal language). The new vessel is now in operation, and will enhance visitor experiences of Willie Creek Pearl Farm tours, which take visitors behind-the-scenes of sustainably farming the revered Australian South Sea pearl. Willie Creek Pearl Farm is located 38 kilometres from Broome and can be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles, coach or scenic helicopter transfer.
An elevated high tea launches at Roebuck Bay
Broome Adventure Cruises has launched an elevated high tea experience focussing on the flavours of the Kimberley region. The Boab and Myrtle Chandon High Tea takes guests on a culinary and cultural journey, hosted at the company’s private venue, Broome Weddings and Events, located on the water edge of beautiful Roebuck Bay. The exclusive, immersive experience includes a Chandon garden spritz welcome drink on arrival, a Kimberley pearl meat appetiser, a Chandon sparkling tasting flight, theatrical flambéed camembert and a delicious tasting paddle of homemade cakes. The menu has been designed with local flavours in mind, including boab nut and aromatic myrtle, and the experience includes complimentary return transfers from Broome/Rubibi resorts.
Good Boy gets tails wagging in Jurien Bay
Luxe yet pet-friendly holiday home Good Boy Goes North has opened in Jurien Bay, on WA’s Coral Coast. Located 220 kilometres north of Perth, Good Boy is the result of an extensive and thoughtfully considered beach shack renovation. This adults-only accommodation welcomes sun-kissed, salty visitors to enjoy everything the region has to offer, including swimming with sea lions, dolphin spotting and boating. Located moments from the beach, the two-bedroom home was originally designed for Henry, a well-behaved labradoodle, but happily it’s now available for all good boys and girls, and any accompanying furry friends. The home is the ultimate in casual beachside luxury living, with soft linen, king sized beds with plush bedding and pillow menu, premium furniture, commissioned artwork, and quality appliances. For four-legged companions, a giant jar of dog biscuits, basket full of toys and bespoke outdoor shower await – for a truly pampered pooch experience.
Image credit: Rachel Claire
Exmouth bus charters launches new tour
Visitors to Exmouth on WA’s Coral Coast can now enjoy a scenic orientation in comfort, onboard the Cape Range Discovery Tour by Exmouth Bus Charters, which started twice-weekly tours this month. Designed to showcase the area’s most iconic landscapes in one morning, the tour takes visitors to the dramatic canyons of Charles Knife Gorge, the iconic Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, offers a glimpse of the SS Mildura shipwreck (tide-dependent), and a short drive through Exmouth town centre. Offering a relaxed touring experience, visitors will learn from a friendly local guide in air-conditioned comfort, enjoy light refreshments and bottled water, and benefit from the convenience of hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Shore House welcomes guests in Dunsborough
Luxury short stays provider, Private Properties has welcomed a new holiday home to its portfolio in Quindalup, near Dunsborough in WA’s Margaret River Region. The Shore House is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home perfectly positioned along Geographe Bay. Offering direct, road-free beach access, the home has uninterrupted views of the bay plus an expansive lawn and pergola, fully equipped kitchen, well-stocked bookshelves and an outdoor shower. Carrying a coastal-cottage aesthetic, the warm and inviting home is located just a five-minute drive from Dunsborough and within close proximity of the region’s world-renowned wineries, beaches, forests, caves, restaurants and breweries.
Quest on Rheola reveals fresh new look
Visitors to Perth/Boorloo can now experience the recently refurbished Quest on Rheola located in West Perth. Each of its spacious 20 one and two-bedroom hotel apartments have been revitalised, with a clean design and soft colour palette, contemporary furnishings, full-sized kitchen amenities and a new workspace area. The refurbishments complement Quest on Rheola’s existing features which include private balconies, full kitchens, laundry facilities and access to onsite parking. Quest on Rheola is conveniently situated on the leafy fringe of the Perth CBD, ideally positioned near Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Swan River, and the vibrant Northbridge and Subiaco precincts.
Image supplied by: Destination Perth
Food & Wine
New dining venue bound for iconic City Beach site
The team behind Perth foodie hotspots The Rowing Pavilion and General Public Food Co has announced a relaxed new venture in City Beach. Bert’s will be a new full-service pub and dining venue set to open in August 2025, offering a laidback dining experience which embodies coastal living. Its name is a tribute to ‘Bert’s Shop’, a former beach kiosk and surf hangout which served up ice creams and snacks to the surfing crowd during the 1950s and early 1960s. The modern revival will retain the sense of community and spirit of the original shop, bolstered by the hallmarks of modern dining – seasonal local produce, sustainable practices and thoughtful design. City Beach is one of Perth’s 19 metropolitan beaches, located around ten kilometres from the city centre.
Image credit: Woods Baggot
Lifestyle & Culture
Melt Saunas launches Sunday Sessions
Newcomer to the wellness space, Melt Saunas & Cold Plunge is bringing the heat this winter through its Sunday Sessions with a difference. The luxe sauna and cold plunge studio tucked away in Subiaco has launched ‘Melt Sessions’, giving early-risers the chance to start their Sundays with DJ sets and a sauna session. The members-only events aim to bring the ‘health, hospitality, and high vibes’ and are held 8am to 10am every Sunday. Melt Saunas is a serene and welcoming studio which offers a place to recharge and unlock all the benefits of ‘contrast’ hot and cold therapy, including improved circulation, stress reduction and boosted mental clarity.
Space star lands in the Perth CBD
The City of Perth has unveiled a new temporary public artwork, the Boonji Spaceman, which has taken one small step in Stirling Gardens, alongside Council House. A striking seven-metre high sculpture, the Boonji Spaceman by US artist Brendan Murphy symbolises Perth’s City of Light identity, and has been created especially for Perth/Boorloo. It is a visual link to the City’s glowing reputation, which was originally coined by astronaut John Glenn’s 1962 orbit during which Perth residents turned their lights on and shone torches to make the city visible from space. It’s one of only six Boonji Spacemen worldwide, with others residing in major cities like New York, Washington and London, making the Perth artwork a must-see attraction over the next 12 months.
Image credit: City of Perth
Events
Cabin Fever set to sizzle the South West
The Margaret River region is poised to welcome the return of the popular Cabin Fever event in July, sure to appease hungry and thirsty visitors from near and far. Spanning 10 days of cosy festivities, the 2025 lineup includes nearly 40 food, wine, fire and music experiences, perfect for the winter season. Going by the tagline ‘when it rains, we pour’ Cabin Fever is the ultimate winter warmer, which this year features a Food Truck Frenzy, truffle hunting, barrel hall banquet, bonfire night, plus special dining events and chef experiences at various venues throughout the region.
Image credit: Lauren Trickett
Matildas to return for exclusive matches
Women's world-class football is set to return to WA with the CommBank Matildas geared up to play four international ‘friendly’ matches in June and July. Three games will take place at HBF Park in Perth/Boorloo, while one fixture will take place at Bunbury’s Hands Oval; the first-ever Matildas match to take place in regional WA. Tickets are now on sale, with the Matildas taking on Slovenia and Panama in a two-match series commencing on Thursday, 26 June and concluding on Tuesday, 8 July. The matches will be the Matildas' first WA games since the Olympic Qualifiers in October 2023 and offer the last opportunity to see the team in action in WA before the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™.
Image credit: Getty Images
State of Origin
18 June | Perth
State of Origin II is coming to Perth/Boorloo on Wednesday, 18 June at Optus Stadium. This fierce rivalry sees the New South Wales ‘Blues’ and Queensland ‘Maroons’ battle for state pride in a best-of-three series that has captivated rugby fans for decades. Game II in Perth promises to be a thrilling contest, as it often serves as a pivotal turning point in the series—either sealing victory for one side or setting up a dramatic decider in Game III.
Image credit: NRL
Ningaloo Sky Festival
27 to 29 June| Exmouth |Coral Coast
The Ningaloo Sky Festival is a new biennial event held in Exmouth. Organised by the Shire of Exmouth, this festival showcases the magic of the Ningaloo Coast and includes live music, a dazzling drone show, bustling food stalls, degustation dinners and insightful astronomy talks that unlock the secrets of the universe.
British and Irish Lions v Western Force
28 June | Perth
For the first time in 12 years, The British & Irish Lions tour will return to Australia for a festival of rugby across the country. The world’s biggest and most in-demand rugby tour kicks off in Perth when the Lions take on WA’s Western Force at Optus Stadium on Saturday 28 June. The tour will see the Lions — a team of the best men’s rugby players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – play nine matches across Australia in six different cities.
Image credit: Getty Images
Hockey Australia U18 Championships
4 - 12 July| Perth
The 2025 Hockey Australia Under 18 National Championships will take place in Perth/Boorloo. Played over two venues at the Perth Hockey Stadium and Melville Toyota Hockey Stadium, a total of 24 male and female teams (12 each) from each State and Territory will compete in the Under 18 Championships to determine the Australian Champions.
Collie River MTB Marathon
5 July | Collie| South West
The Collie River MTB Marathon welcomes back riders for 2025. Riders get to pick their challenge - either the 70-kilometre marathon distance or 40-kilometre mountain bike single track - plus two short course options of 15-kilometre or 25-kilometre to get a taste of MTB Marathon racing. For 2025 the event village and start/finish line will be based at the beautiful Harris River Estate Winery just five kilometres north of Collie - on the doorstep of the Arklow MTB Trail Network.
Shinju Matsuri
23 August - 7 September | Broome
Shinju Matsuri, Japanese for 'festival of the pearl', has been a celebration of Broome's unique multicultural and pearling history since 1970. Held annually over 16 days in August and September, this iconic festival unfolds across a series of vibrant events showcasing the flavours, sounds, and colours that define this outback gem. Join fellow foodies for the Sunset Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach or enjoy cultural performances at the Carnival of Nations.
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