New luxury accommodation in the Margaret River Region 

Chambré Estate is a new accommodation offering in the south of the Margaret River Region set on three hectares of charming native bush and farmland. The newly renovated lodge includes seven luxurious suites with private ensuites, a private two-bedroom lodge, three cabins offering a range of two- and three-bedroom options, plus a honeymoon suite. Guests can wander along the tranquil trails and immerse themselves in the wilderness, or soak in one of the property's outdoor wood fired hot tubs set in nature. The lodge also offers a spacious kitchen for hosting corporate events, retreats and weddings, plus long table dinners in the olive groves and picnics by the dam.  

Mount Hart Lodge new Kimberley experiences 

An authentic outback Kimberley wilderness experience awaits at Mount Hart Lodge, located off the iconic Gibb River Road in the Wunaamin Conservation Park. Originally a cattle station, this historically rich and rustic accommodation offers an ideal base to explore the wonders of the Kimberley. New for the 2023 season, the accommodation offering now includes luxury bell tents with single and queen beds – adding to the existing safari tents, campgrounds and homestead accommodation. Mount Hart Lodge Helicopter Tours are now also available, taking guests over the regions’ waterfall wonders – including a scenic flight over the magnificent Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim). 

Ancient empire of discovery now more accessible  

Exploring an ancient valley of giants has now become more accessible thanks to a major upgrade of infrastructure. The Ancient Empire at the Valley of the Giants near Walpole in WA’s Great Southern region has now reopened with more than 400 metres of new accessible trails for wheelchairs or strollers, allowing more visitors to experience a magical loop of discovery through the towering tingle tree forest.  

Spring Stargazing

Experience the dreamy wonders of WA’s night skies with a series of stargazing events this spring. On September 2, enjoy an evening under the stars at One Gate Farm near Darkan, an hours’ drive east of Perth (Boorloo), and immerse in Wilman Noongar culture with Aboriginal storytelling around a campfire, didgeridoo music and the discovery of Aboriginal star patterns. There’s also a family fun Springtime Stargazing Space Adventure under the skies of Chittering on September 9, with telescopes provided to get a closer glimpse of Mars and Saturn. Further details can be found on the AstroTourism website.   

Kaleidoscope Tours new experiences  

Mandurah’s (Mandjoogoordap) Kaleidoscope Tours has released three new tours this winter. Offering private day tours for small and large groups around the Peel region – an hour from Perth (Boorloo) – the new tours include an Underground Wine Cellar Experience with wine tastings at Peel Estate Wines in a private cellar with grazing platter, and the A Taste of Italy Experience where guests can enjoy private wine tastings and a behind the scenes tour at Vineyard 28 with an Italian flavoured grazing board. There’s also a new Sip, Paint & High Tea or Beachside Lunch where guests can experience a private art class with wine and snacks, followed by a high tea or lunch at a seaside location. 

New beachfront accommodation in Mandurah 

WA's leading luxury holiday home specialist, Private Properties, has added a glamourous new beachfront property to its growing portfolio. Located in the waterfront city of Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap), an hour from Perth, The Breakers can accommodate eight guests and offers stunning seaside views and an ideal location for exploring the natural wonders of the Mandurah and Peel regions.  

Scenic Eclipse II brings new level of luxury to the Kimberley  

Scenic Eclipse II will bring a new level of luxury cruising to the Kimberley in 2024, as the only ship sailing the region with two helicopters on board, allowing for unparalleled exploration of its ancient wonders. From May 2024, the new Discovery Yacht will bring a 6-star ultra-luxury experience catering for up to 228 guests, with spacious all veranda suites, personalised butler service, a spa, two vitality pools, up to 10 dining experiences, next-generation Zodiacs and the two state-of-the-art helicopters, each capable of carrying up to six passengers. Guests can enjoy up to 10 exhilarating helicopter excursions of the awe-inspiring Kimberley. Bookings are available now for the inaugural Discover the Kimberley Coastline: An Ancient Wilderness itinerary, with 12 departures between May and August 2024. 

Discover Broome’s pearling history with Salty Plum Social  

Salty Plum Social in Broome (Rubibi) has just released a new tour where guests can discover the unique history of Australia's pearling capital. Offering small group walking tours, the new The Pearling Master's Trek tour winds its way through heritage-listed buildings and the architecture of Broome’s Chinatown precinct, discovering the unique blend of cultures from China, Japan, Malaysia and beyond. The tour will also take guests through public art galleries and points of historical significance which make the pearling town so unique.  

Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers now available in the Kimberley 

The WA EV Network continues its roll out across regional WA, with the first of eight electric vehicle fast chargers for the Kimberley now operational in Broome (Rubibi). Located at Town Beach carpark, the 150-kilowatt fast charger allows drivers to top up their electric vehicles in as little as 20 minutes. The next EV charging station will open in Carnarvon next month, while construction has started in Exmouth, Denham, Derby and Karratha, with Geraldton (Jambinu) and Northampton receiving the first fast chargers in April 2023. The WA EV Network is set to be the longest in Australia stretching over 7,000 kilometres from Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang) in the north, to Esperance (Kepa Kurl) in the south and east to Eucla, with 98 charging stations across 49 locations connecting Perth (Boorloo) and regional WA. 

WA's pearl oysters build sustainability credentials 

WA’s iconic pearling industry is shining brightly after achieving its successful recertification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard. With the initial certification in 2017, it became the first gem fishery in the world to achieve the sustainability standard. The recertification expands the sustainability credentials of the pearling industry to include hatchery-produced Pinctada maxima pearl oysters grown in WA's pristine northern waters, as well as the collection of pearl oysters from the wild. WA has the only significant wild stock pearl oyster fishery in the world, with most of the pearls farmed in Australia’s pearling capital of Broome (Rubibi). 

Rays brings flavour and palm springs flair to Port Hedland  

The North West town of Port Hedland is set to welcome a new Palm Springs-inspired food and beverage experience this spring. Thanks to a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of The Hedland Hotel by WA company the Prendiville Group, Rays at The Hedland Hotel offers a casual eatery with expansive ocean-front views, with a refreshed food, beverage and functions offering to include three bars and eight different spaces for patrons to sit and soak up the rays. The menu will feature quality produce from WA’s coastline and inland local suppliers. Rays is the first area to go through the venue’s extensive refurbishment, with the makeover looking to restore the beloved 1960s seaside hotel back to its heyday. 

Edward & Ida’s opens in Northbridge  

Perth’s (Boorloo) cultural hub of Northbridge has welcomed the opening of a two-story bar along the popular William Street. Edward & Ida’s offers a corner pub aesthetic at ground level, with a cocktail den unearthed in the building’s basement. This will be the third venue for owner Dimitri Rtshiladze, owner of Foxtrot Unicorn and Nieuw Ruin. The main bar will have a gastropub feel, with award-wining chef Blaze Young serving up a menu of comfort food classics such as ploughman's boards, chicken schnitzel and a variety of gourmet pies, plus late-night jaffles. The ground floor will have a beer and wine focus, with downstairs offering weird and wonderful cocktail concoctions. Originally built in 1922, the historic venue also offers a small beer garden and outside veranda area.  

Spinifex Brewing Co takes over North Beach Deli 

Spinifex Brewing Co is giving the popular North Beach Deli a summer makeover, rebranding as Spinifex North Beach. Located in North Beach, Perth (Boorloo) and with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, this WA-based company brings the flavours of the Australian bush to its brews. Patrons can expect premium craft beers, local wines, a new cocktail bar and a food menu showcasing locally sourced ingredients and native indigenous botanicals.

Lantern lights up Elizabeth Quay  

A luxe new Cantonese restaurant will open its doors at Perth’s (Boorloo) Elizabeth Quay this month. Lantern on the Quay will offer a sophisticated dining experience with a lantern-inspired 140-seat dining room located in the brand new One The Esplanade high rise development. Led by executive chef Ricky Kwok, the menu will showcase WA’s premium seafood offering – including lobster, abalone, scallops and crab, plus WA wagyu beef. 

Margert River welcomes a new cocktail bar  

The Margaret River Region welcomed the opening of a new wine and cocktail bar this year – Rhum Burgundy. Located right on the main street of the Margaret River townsite, the small bar is a collaboration between the crew at boutique winery LS Merchants and award-winning cocktail bartender Billy Phillips. Spread over two floors with a nautical-inspired décor, the venue serves up a 100 plus wine list of local and international varieties, and a cocktail menu of classics and experimental twists.  

Perth’s latest inner-city brewery  

Perth (Boorloo) has recently welcomed another inner-city brewery to its growing collection. Phat Brew Club opened in early 2023, offering a 400-capacity clubroom with taphouse and on-site brewery, outdoor beer garden and restaurant. Located in West Perth, beer lovers can sample up to 16 varieties of beers on tap, and dine on an Asian infused brewpub menu.