Travel and lifestyle news from Western Australia

February 2023

Kaya ,

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

With the new month, we also welcome the Noongar season Bunuru (season of adolescence), characterised by hot summer days and a cooling afternoon sea breeze. Warm weather and longer days are perfect for adding activities to a summer vacation bucket list. Skywalk across Kalbarri and take in epic views of gorges and cliffs, indulge your senses with southern European-inspired restaurants and events in Perth, or venture through the Great Southern with wilderness or coastal tours.  

 This is WA in February. 

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Australia's best venue, Optus Stadium, in the evening 

Optus Stadium is voted Australia’s best venue

Perth’s state-of-the-art Optus Stadium has taken out a hat-trick after being named Austadium’s Best Venue in Australia for the third consecutive year. Winning a whopping 42 per cent of the vote, the 60,000-capacity stadium is a stunning multi-purpose venue designed to host blockbuster events. Since opening five years ago, Optus Stadium has hosted more than 180 major events and more than 2,000 meetings and special events. It has also conducted 6,435 tours for visitors wanting to look behind the scenes at the venue. Located alongside the iconic Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan), Optus Stadium is at the heart of a standout precinct with picturesque parkland, The Camfield, public art, nature playground and the 370-metre long Matagarup Bridge.

Optus Stadium is no stranger to hosting world-renowned musical acts, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing a couple of weeks ago and Ed Sheeran on March 12, while the 2023 AFL Premiership Season kicks off from March through to August.

Alongside star-studded performances, visitors seeking a thrilling experience will love Stadium Karts, which returns on a custom outdoor racecourse, designed by professional racers for the adrenaline junkies.

Kimberley vouchers for holidaymakers

Ancient rock formations, untouched wilderness and remarkable wildlife – no place captures the imagination quite like the Kimberley. Despite recent flooding the Kimberley is still welcoming holidaymakers and preparations for the 2023 season are continuing. The Western Australian Government has announced a $6 million Tourism Flood Recovery Package to support local businesses and inspire travellers. Visitors can snap up 19,000 discounted airfares from Perth to Broome and Kununurra and a voucher incentive program to boost bookings for local tourism operators will launch in March. Travellers are urged to contact their accommodation or tour providers before changing bookings, if they are unsure if their Kimberley trip has been impacted.

Discounted airfares are currently on sale for travel from 27 March and available until allocations are exhausted, from $219* one-way Perth to Kununurra and $259* one-way Perth to Kununurra. For more information visit www.virginaustralia.com.

Wonil Hotel located on the banks of the Swan River 

A first for the Australian Hotel industry

International hotel group Accor will open Wonil Hotel in Perth this month - the first of the company’s unique Handwritten Collection of specially curated hotels to open in Australia. Wonil is a Noongar word that translates to ‘peppermint tree’ which are located on the banks of the Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan) and are known for having healing properties, providing a rich natural habitat for animals and shade for the community. Hotels in the Handwritten Collection are personalised to their surroundings and are one-of-a-kind concepts.  

The 66-room hotel is located adjacent to The University of Western Australia’s Nedlands campus, with panoramic views of the Swan River in most of the rooms and a premium dining experience at the Wonil restaurant. The hotel has a unique operating model, with profits going directly to supporting the Forrest Research Foundation, which provides young scholars with the opportunity to conduct research at one of Western Australia’s five universities.  

Credaro Family celebrations

Credaro Wines celebrates a centenary of winemaking

The Credaro Wine story began in 1922 when Cesare Credaro migrated from Italy and planted his first Fragola vines in the beautiful Margaret River Region. Four generations of farming later, the family-run estate marks 100 years of creating award-winning wines and memorable experiences. In addition to Fragola, guests can enjoy premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays while overlooking the Yallingup vineyard. Nestled among green verdure and picturesque views of the Wildwood Valley, Credaro Wines offers group tastings and host weddings and events.  

Tours, Attractions & Accommodation 

Tagalong Tours connecting you to Aboriginal culture

Become immersed in the world’s oldest living culture with authentic guides from Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys.  Tour through Western Australia’s Gascoyne and North West regions and uncover a vast landscape of rich Aboriginal history. Tagalong Tours Through the Gascoyne include half-day tours to the spectacular blowholes of Quobba Station, north of Carnarvon, and overnight tours of Mundathurra Kennedy Loop. Each tour offers a chance to connect to Country in these remote areas.  

8 Paddocks luxury cabin located in Treeton, Margaret River

Couples escape to hidden gem 

Escape to 8 Paddocks retreat – a hidden gem in Treeton, just north of Cowaramup township in the Margaret River Region. Three new luxury cabins feature wood fires, north-facing decks and an outdoor bath overlooking 180 acres of bushland, pasture and vineyards. Each freestanding chalet has been designed to take in the views of the valley and with privacy  front-of-mind. Owners, Kristie and Shane, wanted to create a space for people to come and lose track of time, unwind, reflect and reconnect in  nature. Every aspect of the chalet design has been carefully considered, built with local materials, furniture and craftsmen. 

Walking the Cape to Cape track in the Margaret River region

Never get lost again when hiking through remote national parks   

Nature explorers, avid hikers and national park lovers can now track their location while in the middle of the most remote parts of Western Australia without mobile reception and extra roaming charges. The WA Parks Smartreka App uses a smart device’s built-in GPS to track your every move. Smartreka maps continue to add parks to its growing list of destinations, now including Mount Augustus National Park in the Gascoyne region and D’Entrecasteaux National Park, near Pemberton in the lower South West. Maps can provide information on access, parking, toilets, different trails, camping locations, picnic spots and other facilities. This free app can be accessed via the Avenza Map site.   

Escape to the outback with new experiences

Great Southern Outback Tours and Accommodation has launched three new extended tours. Based out of the beautiful Kalgan River Valley, close to the port city of Albany in WA’s South West, these are small safari-style tours that explore the changing landscapes from the towering cliffs and forests along the southern coast, to WA’s vast Wheatbelt and Goldfields regions. The new tours are the South West Edge Wilderness Escape 12-day tour, the South West Gourmet Wine and Food 13-day tour and the Wheatbelt to Goldfields Epic Outback Wilderness 15-day tour.  

Lifestyle & Culture

Takeshi Tanabe's light artwork 'Between the Sky and Earth'

Sculpture by the Sea returns

Sculpture by the Sea returns to Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach for its 19^th year. A spectacular light installation shining two kilometres into the sky will be exhibited by a renowned international artist as part of the annual event. Japanese artist Takeshi Tanabe's light artwork, Between Sky and Earth (Exchanging Messages) will be among more than 70 artworks on display at the popular event, which will take place 3 to 20 March 2023. This annual outdoor art exhibition is located on the sea wall, sand, and set amongst surrounding grassed areas, the perfect place to watch golden hour over the Indian Ocean. There is an array of new dining options for visitors to enjoy in and around Cottesloe including Indigo Oscar and Al Lupo.

Western Australia landmark in Lego

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands on the edge of the Australian continent, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Now visitors can also appreciate the lighthouse with a replica made entirely from Lego by Chris McRae, an avid Lego builder and member of the WA Brick Society. It took 12-months of planning and construction to build the Lego lighthouse and it will be on display landmarking the Lighthouse Cottage Interpretive Centre until the end of February. Visitors can also experience a guided tour to the top of the lighthouse, which stands as the tallest on the mainland of Australia at 39 metres. 2022 marked the 400th anniversary of the Dutch first discovering the Cape.  

Upper Reach Winery will host a long table lunch this weekend

Harvest in the Swan Valley

The Swan Valley’s highlight event of the year, Harvest, will see growers, makers and producers celebrate the season’s delights from February 16 to March 5. Visitors are encouraged to experience the Valley like a local by going behind the scenes at harvest time. See how grapes are picked, get messy at a traditional wine stomp, try your hand at making nougat with native ingredients, or experience local wineries in the midst of their new wine vintage. Across three weeks, more than 25 businesses in the Swan Valley will open their doors, stands, vineyards, and fields for visitors to enjoy the region.

Subi Spritz festival is back for another year 

Subi Spritz returns to the Perth city-fringing suburb of Subiaco for another year, running from 10 – 19 March. The event is bringing back festival classics as well as welcoming newcomers to the line-up. Subiaco will be painted in orange with more than 20 events dotted through the city over 10 days, including a conti roll contest, cooking masterclasses, and European wine tastings from loved locals such as Subiaco Hotel, Bark Bar, Dilly Dally, as well as Subi’s newest additions, Lums and La Condesa.  

Food & Wine 

Peninsula Farm Cafe

Peninsula Farm Café — a sustainable and simple option for coffee lovers 

A colonial-style farmhouse on the banks of Perth’s Swan River in Maylands has been refurbished and opened as Peninsula Farm Café. Owners of BODHI Spa Group, husband and wife duo, Danny and Tania Taylor, are pioneers in WA’s health and wellness industry and bring their wealth of knowledge to this new venture. The pair has created a venue and menu that is motivated by their passion for sustainability, simplicity and respect for the history of the land and its traditional owners, just a stone’s throw from the city centre.  

Perth welcomes back The Claremont Hotel

The Claremont Hotel was acquired in 2022 by Australian Venue Company - the country’s second largest pub operator - and re-opened in January, having been returned to its former glory. The original corner pub was built in 1902, and is an institution of Perth’s western suburbs. The Claremont Hotel, has been expanded, restored, modernised and completely reimagined. The two-level hotel has expanded its footprint by doubling in size and now includes a sports bar, lounges, a bistro, rooftop dining terrace, and significant functions and meeting spaces, all enveloped by original balconies and newly-created open-air dining and relaxing terraces.

Sailing for Oranges located in the heart of Fremantle

Feel like you’re visiting the Mediterranean at Sailing for Oranges

Located in the heart of Fremantle (Walyalup), Sailing for Oranges, is brought to you by the much-loved owners of Asian-fusion-restaurant, Emily Taylor. A delightful Mediterranean seaside tapas-style menu  is inspired by locally sourced ingredients, cooked simply. Open each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and anytime in between.

Al Lupo opens in popular summer hotspot

North Fremantle’s newest summer restaurant and bar, Al Lupo, has opened at Leighton Beach. The 120-person venue is adjacent to one of Perth’s most sheltered beaches, Leighton Beach, with wrap-around windows, a sunken sunroom and alfresco dining. The drinks list boasts a mix of Australian and European wines, matched to a menu focused on locally sourced ingredients and championing WA seafood.

West Winds Distillery in Cowaramup

Classic West Winds opening new distillery

West Winds Distillery has opened in Cowaramup, in the Margaret River Region of WA’s South West. West Winds produces exceptional spirits that source unique botanicals from local growers and traditional landowners. Take a tour and discover how their spirits are distilled and crafted and enjoy tasting their award-winning Australian gins, vodkas and whisky. Enrich your senses when sampling and experience natural aromas of Banksia honey, native bush tomatoes, Davidson plums, native thyme and more. If you are looking for good food, great cocktails made using the West Winds range of spirits, and some of the best WA beer and wine, then come into the tavern which boasts a great pub menu and charcuterie boards.

The Swan Valley’s newest addition

Upper Reach has launched its new Treehouse Pizza Bar, in the shade of the majestic river gum tree overlooking the vineyards that sit on the banks of the Swan River. Here visitors can tuck into Neapolitan-style pizza and enjoy a glass of wine or draught beer. Upper Reach is a family-owned boutique winery located just 25 minutes from Perth CBD in the Swan Valley and offers twilight concerts, wine classes and a restaurant. For visitors wanting to extend their stay, Upper Reach Cottage provides unique accommodation. Originally built in 1907, the cottage has since been revamped and provides the feeling of living at your own private vineyard.

Birdbath is a must to add when attending Perth’s Festival

The Rechabite has opened a new venue which perfectly complements’ Perth’s Cultural Centre. Birdbath is the ultimate summer backyard beer garden providing an oasis space for friends to gather and enjoy good food, drinks and fun. This new bar is a must-stop for lovers of Rocky Ridge brews, good food and delicious cocktails. Perch up at Birdbath and enjoy weekly entertainment including cabaret, circus acts, music, silent discos, and a stack of art installations. The Rechabite Hall is a year-round performance venue and a key location for Perth Festival acts.

Award Winning Restaurant Miss MI opens in Perth

Melbourne's award-winning modern Asian restaurant, Miss MI, recently landed in one of Perth's inner-city laneways; flanked by the Novotel Perth Murray Street hotel and signposted by a towering, illuminated wall mural. Miss MI Perth uses the traditional art of an Asian grill, with the menu showcasing a mix of dishes influenced by South East Asia. Head chef Alex De Leon has over 16 years of experience in some of Perth's most prestigious restaurants including Apple Daily, Low Key Chow House, and Dainty Dowager.

Margaret River’s latest new venue

A new bar has opened in Margaret River and joins an array of incredible spots to dine and wine. Rhum Burgundy is a 69-person venue spread over a frisky two-story building, with décor inspired by the old rum runners. There is no holding back on the international wine list, with a selection of 140 wines from classic European wine regions like Piedmont, Burgandy, and Chianti that share the spotlight with local Margaret River favourites. Equally extensive is their cocktail list - each recipe is made with many inhouse infusions like their Pineapple Sage White Negroni Sour.

Breakfast overlooking North Beach

Spinifex Brewing Company takes over loved local North Beach Deli

North Beach Deli has been purchased by craft beer company Spinifex Brewing Co. The iconic seaside café is located between North Beach and Trigg Beach and will continue its breakfast and lunch options with a dinner service being rolled out in the coming months. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Indian Ocean views and WA’s remarkable sunset. Spinifex Brewing Co’s award-winning craft beer range will now be on offer to complement the menu’s focus on using local WA ingredients.

Events

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