Travel and lifestyle news from Western Australia

July 2023

Kaya ,

Welcome to the July edition of This is WA, bringing you the latest travel and lifestyle news from across Western Australia. 

We’re now in the Noongar season Makuru (winter) in Perth (Boorloo) and the South West regions - the coldest and wettest season of the year. This is when the Noongar people would move away from the sea and head inland, away from the cold winds that bring wet weather.  

Biddijin in Carnarvon on the Coral Coast Highway marks the beginning of wildflower season, and Rennee from Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys confirms the bluebells are already rustling in the breeze. Stunning wildflowers are beginning to bloom across the outback and along the coast, and native animals are beginning to pair for the upcoming breeding season.

Now is the time to spot the gentle giants of the ocean – swim with humpback whales at Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) and spot mother and calf as they make their journey along the WA coastline.  

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White humpback whale calf in Ningaloo. Image captured by Birds Eye Ningaloo

Could Ningaloo have its own Migaloo? Baby white humpback spotted at Ningaloo

An incredibly rare albino humpback whale calf was spotted at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) Reef cruising the calm waters with its mother. Passengers and crew onboard Ocean Eco Adventures and its spotter plane Birds Eye Ningaloo were treated to the stunning sighting last Tuesday, July 11 during a swimming whale sharks tour.  

Gavin Penfold from Birds Eye Ningaloo said the calf only looked to be about a week old and was likely born here at Ningaloo, “We don’t know yet if it is a true albino – we’ll have to wait and see as it grows.” 

The sighting comes as humpback whale swim season starts in Coral Bay, with tours from Exmouth starting from August, until October 30. 

WA's new regional airline, Nexus

WA's new regional airline takes to the skies

WA’s newest regional airline has taken off this week on its first commercial flight – opening up further access to some of WA’s most iconic locations. Nexus Airlines will depart from Geraldton (Jambinu) to Perth (Boorloo) on Monday, July 17. The new high-capacity air service will connect the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid-West regions, with flight services operating between Geraldton, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome (Rubibi) and return; as well as a Broome to Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang) and on to Darwin service. Priding itself as a locally-based airline, amenities, in-flight catering, and services have been sourced locally from regional WA wherever possible, with all aircraft, crew, and operations based in Geraldton and Broome. 

Wildflowers blooming in WA's Wheatbelt region

Greatest wildflower show in Earth set to bloom  

One of the greatest flower shows on Earth is starting in WA – with wildflowers bursting into colour in the northern regions of WA’s Golden Outback and Coral Coast. With more than 12,000 species, 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else in the world, the flowers will colour the landscapes from coast to forest and city to outback from now until November.

One of the best ways to experience and discover WA’s collection of wildflowers is on a guided wildflower tour, or by attending a wildflower-themed event. The WA Visitor Centre’s Wildflower Tracker app also provides travellers with easy-to-use information and sightings reference, with an interactive map showing exactly where the wildflowers are blooming. 

Discover Margaret River Co tour

WA Experiences & Attractions feature in Tripadvisor Awards 

Tripadvisor’s highly anticipated 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards have been announced, with WA experiences and attractions featuring across the best travel experiences in the world. Coming in at number four in the Top 10 Experiences – South Pacific was Margaret River Discovery Co’s Wine Adventure in the Margaret River Region, followed by swimming with whale sharks in Ningaloo with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive, which took number five. Perth’s iconic Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Kaarta Koomba) was ranked number two in the Top 10 Attractions – South Pacific, and Pirate Cruise Mandurah (Madjoogoordap) excitedly made the world list, coming in at number 12 in the inaugural Family-Friendly Experiences – World category. The Margaret River Region also featured in the top Wine Experiences in the World, with All About Margaret River’s Wine, Coffee, Lunch and Forest Tour coming in at number 18 in the Wine Experiences – World category.  

Margaret River wines sweep Decanter World Wine Awards 

Margaret River has again been recognised on the global stage in the world's largest wine competition, as three decadent wines claimed Best in Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Renowned worldwide for its pristine beaches, tall-timber forests, famous surf breaks, and ancient caves, the region's world-class wine continues to attract international acclaim, boasting 104 medals and 30% of Australia's 10 medals in Best in Show, while being responsible for the production of only 2% of Australia's wine.  

The Margaret River wines awarded Best in Show were: 

Domaine Naturaliste Rebus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 
Evans & Tate Redbrook Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 
House of Cards Ace of Spades Chardonnay 2022

Tours, Attractions & Accommodations

Heyscape Tiny Cabin in Esperance

Luxe tiny cabins opening in Esperance 

Heyscape Tiny Cabins will be expanding its location offering with a series of tiny cabins set to open in Esperance (Kepa Kurl) this spring. The premium boutique cabins will be entirely self-sufficient, with fully stocked wine fridges and dreamy outdoor bath – offering a luxe accommodation experience for the coastal town in WA's Golden Outback. The first cabin will become available for bookings this September, located near the spectacular coastline of Cape Le Grand National Park, home to one of the world’s best beaches, Lucky Bay. Since launching in 2019, Heyscape Tiny Cabins has opened 21 eco-friendly cabins across the State, and after a recent successful launch of three new cabins in Yallingup in the Margaret River Region, moving further south to Esperance is an exciting next step in the journey. 

Coral Expeditions guests exploring Hamelin Bay

Coral Expeditions launches new Whales and Trails Cruise 

Coral Expeditions has announced a new itinerary exploring the stunning coastline of WA’s South West. Setting sail in spring 2024, the 10-night voyage onboard the Coral Adventurer expedition ship will follow the annual migration of the Humpback, Southern Right and Blue Whales across the Indian and Southern Oceans with their calves. Departing and returning from Fremantle, each day guests will step ashore to explore the region’s awe-inspiring trails, including the renowned vineyards of the Margaret River Region, sections of the iconic Cape to Cape coastal walk, a trek amongst the native wildflowers in bloom around Dunsborough and Albany (Kinjarling), and a stroll along the white sands in Esperance (Kepa Kurl). The first Whales and Trails of WA expedition will depart on October 5, 2024. 

Rare marsupial returns to Dirk Hartog Island 

One hundred rare brush-tailed mulgaras have been returned to Dirk Hartog Island (Wirruwana) off the coast of Shark Bay in a marathon 844-kilometre journey across WA. As part of the Return to 1616 project – which is working to restore the island to resemble the ecological condition from when Dutch sailor Dirk Hartog first explore the area more than four centuries ago, the rare marsupials travelled from Matuwa Kurrara Kurrara National Park in the Goldfields via plane and helicopter to their new home. Brush-tailed mulgaras are classified as near-threatened and are the eighth species to be translocated to the island. The project has seen the reintroduction of rufous hare-wallabies, banded hare-wallabies, Shark Bay bandicoots, greater stick-nest rats, Shark Bay mice, dibblers and western grasswrens.   

Block 2 at Warders Hotel Fremantle

Fremantle’s Warders Hotel expands its accommodation 

Fremantle’s (Walyalup) historic Warders Hotel has opened its Warders Cottages Block 2 accommodation offering. Following an 18 month multi-million-dollar restoration, the cottages have been converted into additional hotel rooms, adding to the existing Warders Hotel offering which opened in 2020. This unique 150-year-old boutique accommodation experience is part of the Fremantle Prison World Heritage convict establishment, and located right on the doorstep of the iconic Fremantle Markets.  

Ngurrangga Tours new night experience 

Immerse in Aboriginal culture under the starry skies of a new moon with Ngurrangga Tours New Night Time Tour experience. Enjoy a golden Pilbara sunset at Hearson Cove on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha in WA’s North West, whilst discovering traditional hunting and foraging methods with an Aboriginal guide. Sit around a campfire under the stars to hear ancient Aboriginal stories that have been passed down over thousands of years. This new tour comes after Ngurrangga Tours featured on the international YouTube Channel Best Ever Food Review Show – which has more than 10 million subscribers, as part of an Australian traditional bushfood tour series.  

Salt and Bush Eco Tours new multi-day tours  

Salt and Bush Eco Tours, has launched a number of new multi-day guided nature experiences. Guests can join an expert guide to discover the wilderness, wildlife and wildflowers of the Peel, South West and Golden Outback regions, with pick up and drop off in Perth. The new tours for 2023 includes a two-night Wildflower Weekend in Dwellingup, a four night West to East Exploring Biodiversity tour that visits the Dryandra National Park, and a seven night Best of the South West in Spring. The tours are all-inclusive with group sizes of six to eight guests.  

Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse

Accor acquires Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse  

Australia’s largest hotel operator Accor, has expanded its portfolio in the South West seaside city of Bunbury with the opening of Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse. Overlooking the Indian Ocean and the iconic Bunbury Lighthouse, the hotel features 71 guest rooms and suites, Bunbury’s largest conference space for up to 425 guests, an onsite restaurant and bar, and an indoor swimming pool, sauna and spa – ideal for both leisure and business guests. A soft refurbishment of the hotel is set to take place over the next 12 months.  

Experience a working farm under a night sky 

Esperance Farm Experience has launched a night tour offering. The working farm allows guests to see, touch and taste life on a mixed farming enterprise near the town of Esperance. Join the owner of Oake Marsh Farm for a two-hour leisurely stroll to witness and listen to the farm animals nestling, the sounds of bird song, and the rustle of native animals, then gaze in awe at the magnificent night skies with dinner and hot chocolate provided by a campfire.  

Busselton Central Shopping Centre opens Stage One 

Stage One of the Busselton Central Shopping Centre’s major $45 million dollar redevelopment is due to open this month. This exciting development in WA’s South West will see the centre almost double in size, and offer a new level of shopping, entertainment and dining options to the Margaret River Region. Stage One will see the opening of a number of specialty retail stores, with the highly anticipated entertainment and dining precinct set to open this summer, offering a unique indoor and outdoor dining experience. Award-winning WA hospitality stalwart John Parker has also announced that his company Parker Group will open the Busselton Pavilion in the new precinct, featuring an exciting new restaurant and bar, local wine store, provedore and distillery, with former Vasse Felix Head Chef Brendan Pratt as the creative culinary director. 

Lifestyle & Culture

Explore the history of Ancient Egypt at WA Museum Boola Bardip 

Visitors to Perth will be invited to journey back in time at WA Museum Boola Bardip’s Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition. In this must-see exhibition, discover the ancient Egyptian culture, how they lived and their beliefs surrounding the afterlife. Focusing on new insights made possible through excavation, 3D-scanning and recent research, richly decorated coffins and mummified remains will be displayed alongside more than 240 objects on loan from the Netherland’s Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (RMO) treasured Egyptian and Nubian collections. Running until October 8, 2023, the exhibition includes digital experiences and hands-on activities, with plenty to explore for all ages. 

Food & Wine 

Coffee Heads in Vasse near Busselton

Brendan Pratt’s new drive-through restaurant  

Coffee Heads is a new drive-through coffee and sandwich shop in the Busselton suburb of Vasse, and the exciting new venture for acclaimed ex-Vasse Felix head chef Brendan Pratt. Working with local bakers, butchers and providores to source local ingredients, Pratt has created an elevated sandwich and toasties menu that looks to redefine the experience of the traditional road trip lunch stop. With toasties and sandwiches featuring kimchi and cheese, mushroom XO, Bolognese sauce, eggplant parmigiana and smoked brisket pastrami – plus locally brewed coffee – this drive-through restaurant is hoping to reinvent the everyday car ride in the Margaret River Region.   

European-inspired bistro and tavern opens in Subiaco  

Perth’s inner-city suburb of Subiaco welcomed a new European-inspired bistro and corner tavern earlier this month. Subiaco Continental is the latest venture for hospitality heavyweight Mills Hull, managing director of Dark Horse Hospitality Group, bringing a taste of New York and Paris to Rokeby Road. The 300-seater venue offers an all-day dining menu featuring fresh oysters and seafood, pastas and aged steak and an exclusively WA wine and beer menu. The light and bright interiors, featuring local sandstone and timber, is a reflection of the West Australian lifestyle.  

Ampersand Estate's accommodation

Pemberton’s Ampersand Estates new food experiences  

A new partnership between Ampersand Estates and Rockpool Bar & Grill will see a new level of experiential dining available to visitors to the luxury vineyard retreat near Pemberton in WA’s South West region. Ampersand Estates – home to three luxury lodges, a distillery/produce shop, cellar door and vineyard – has partnered with one of Perth’s top restaurants Rockpool Bar & Grill and celebrated Head Chef Brendan Owens. The Rockpool team, led by Brendan, will create bespoke and interactive dining experiences for Ampersand guests staying at the Estate’s accommodation, working with the sommeliers to create paired food and beverage menus featuring limited edition wines and spirits, with each menu custom crafted to celebrate the fresh local produce of the region.   

Truffle hunting in Manjimup with Australian Truffle Traders

New truffle tasting experience in Manjimup  

The truffle season in WA’s South West region is in full swing, with an exciting new offering for black truffle lovers. Hunters who join Australian Truffle Traders with its trained truffle dogs to unearth this decadent fungi can now continue their experience at Manjimup’s new deli and test kitchen - Hound and Hunter Fine Foods.. Guests can delight their tastebuds with truffle cheese, truffle pate and truffle butter accompanied by freshly baked focaccia bread, and have the opportunity to buy their own fresh black truffle. Hound and Hunter Fine Foods is a partnership with WA Truffle Collective, offering truffle products developed by acclaimed WA chef turned truffle farmer David Coomer. It’s the place for truffle lovers to get their fix year-round – with the kitchen serving up lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, and a variety or truffle infused deli delights to take home.   

Woodcutters Restaurant at Nikola Estate

The Swan Valley welcomes a new winery restaurant  

Nikola Estate winery, located in the Swan Valley just a half hour drive from Perth, has welcomed the opening of Woodcutters Restaurant. With an inviting fireplace to dine by in the winter months, the restaurant’s menu is driven by the Swan Valley’s rich and multicultural agricultural heritage, with dry-aged steaks, charcoal roasted produce, woodfired pizza and a degustation offering. Woodcutters is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and dinner on Friday and Saturday.  

FOUND. – another new brewery opens in Perth  

After opening in May this year, FOUND. LAB has been serving up brews in the leafy suburb of Byford - a 40-minute drive south east of Perth. The exciting new brewery comes from a crew of expert brewers, with experience spanning the iconic Little Creatures and Gage Roads in Fremantle. The brew-pubs menu focuses on supporting local farmers, growers and graziers – with French dip inspired rolls, sharing bites and pub favourites; and of course, craft beer brewed on-site, alongside local wines and cocktails.  

Frida Mexicana in Fremantle  

New taqueria Frida Mexicana has opened its doors in the heart of Fremantle. The latest instalment from the owners of the popular Sandrino and Sana Freo, Frida Mexicana is inspired by the vibrant artwork of Frida Kahlo, with a fresh take on Mexican cuisine featuring street-style tacos, loaded burritos, fired tortillas and chipotle-glazed wings. With bold and colourful décor, music, and a lively atmosphere that’s sure to get you in the fiesta spirit – Frida Mexicana promises to transport guests straight to the heart of Mexico. 

Hearth chef Brian Cole and Paul Iskov from Fervor

Fervor comes to Hearth

Native food pop-up dining experience Fervor will be partnering with Hearth at the Ritz-Carlton Perth this winter for a number of dining events. On July 26 and 27, Fervor’s executive chef Paul ‘Yoda’ Iskov will join forces with Hearth chef Brian Cole and his team to serve a five-course menu showcasing the chef’s shared love of WA native ingredients and open-fire cooking. The chefs also worked with Dale Tilbrook from Dale Tilbrook’s Aboriginal Experiences to help source the native bush foods for the meals. The exclusive menu will be paired with handmade textural wines from Chouette in the Swan Valley. Guests will also be treated to an incredibly special musical performance celebrating the rare Noongar language from Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse.

The Goose is back

The Goose is back and once again serving locals and visitors with an all-day dining menu on the iconic Busselton (Undalup) foreshore. The popular restaurant was destroyed by fire in April 2021, but the owners were always committed to rebuilding. Situated right on the beach, overlooking the renowned Busselton Jetty and tranquil waters of Geographe Bay, the Goose is the ideal venue to enjoy cocktails at sunset, local craft brews, a weekend breakfast, lazy lunch or a special dinner out.  

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