What’s New in Western Australia – March 2018
Perth’s world class Optus Stadium now open
Perth’s Optus Stadium
Perth recently welcomed the opening of the state-of-the-art 60,000 seat Optus Stadium, which will be home to the 2018 AFL season in WA, and will play host to international act Taylor Swift later in the year.
The stadium has already played host to major international sporting events, with English Premier League Champions Chelsea Football Club now set to play an Australian-exclusive match against Perth Glory on July 23. The game will be the first international soccer club appearance at the stadium. Tickets to the match are on sale now.
Other major events scheduled for Optus Stadium include:
- Home to Australian Rules Football in WA, the first match for the men’s AFL will be between West Coast and Sydney on March 25.
- In August 2019 the stadium hosts the Bledisloe Cup. It will be the only time the Australian Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks team play on Australian soil in 2019 in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup.
- 2019 will also see one Australia’s biggest annual sporting event, the Rugby League State of Origin, at the stadium. The New South Wales Blues will clash with the Queensland Maroons in a fiercely contested game that will attract thousands of visitors, particularly from interstate.
- The stadium will also host six International Cricket Council (ICC) World T20matches in 2020. This is the first time the World T20 will be played in Australia, and the matches are expected to draw thousands of visitors to Perth.
- Live music performances will also be part of the stadium’s offering this year, with major international artist Taylor Swift performing on October 19.
Visitors can also catch jaw-dropping views of the stadium on a public tour of the precinct. The new tours include a walk around the stadium, behind-the-scenes change-room access, a visit to locker and coach’s rooms, and views of the playing surface, Swan River and Perth city skyline from the stadium’s highest vantage point.
The surrounding Stadium Park has also welcomed the opening of The Camfield – Perth’s biggest pub, offering family friendly dining and stunning riverside views of the Perth CBD.
Yagan Square opens to the public
Perth’s latest major public precinct development – Yagan Square – is now open to the public. Located in the heart of Perth’s CDB, and part of the Perth City Linkproject, it showcases around 20 food vendors, a 45 metre digital tower and canopy, amphitheatre, children’s playscape and a new inner city mall connecting William Street from the CBD to Northbridge. The precinct is a place to meet, connect and experience WA culture, heritage and landscape, and is designed to reflect Aboriginal stories and the unique WA landscape.
All of the food and beverage operators for the precinct have now been confirmed – with most now open to the public – and include a number of new venues, alongside a few local favourites.
- Wheat Street – fresh European inspired salads, pastas and bruschetta. OPEN
- Shy John Brewery and Yum Cha – fusion style dumplings served alongside locally brewed WA boutique beers.
- Street Eats Eatery – street food from around the globe, with boutique beers, local wines and gastronomically inspired cocktails. OPEN
- Jersey Jack Gelato – mouthwatering handcrafted gelato. OPEN
- Lena Lu – cult donut bar serving Italian bomboloni donuts.
- Sue Lewis Chocolatier – the second CBD store will feature display cases filled with artesian chocolates. OPEN
- The Honeycake – originating at Fremantle Markets, this will be the fourth store selling the light honey flavoured cakes. OPEN
- Primal Pantry – the second CBD store offering clean eating breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The final tenancy overlooking the upper level amphitheatre will be Ficus – a casual dining collaboration by Kevin Ofperkuch of Bunbury Farmers Market and Paul Vanderplancke of Cantina 663, offering a farm to plate menu with a strong focus on south west produce.
Yarri opens its doors
The much anticipated restaurant and bar – Yarri – opened its doors this month. Located in the centre of Dunsborough in the Margaret River region, it’s been established by the co-founders of Snake + Herring Wines – Redmond Sweeny, Sal and Tony Davis and Aaron Carr – and is an in-town extension of the popular winery. Yarri, named after the Indigenous Noongar name for the blackbutt trees, is chef Aaron Carr’s first restaurant after 21 years at Vasse Felix Winery. The menu uses ingredients sustainably sourced from the land and many of the small producers in the region, and is based on the six seasons of the Noongar people and country. The wine list features all 20 of the Snake + Herring wines, bespoke beer from local Eagle Bay Brewing Co., local and Australian gins, cocktails and Seedlip – the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit.
Guy Grossi to open flagship restaurant in Perth
Perth is the chosen destination for celebrated restaurateur Guy Grossi’s Garum – the restaurant brand’s first foray outside of Melbourne. Set to open mid-April, it will be the flagship hospitality venue at Hibernian Place, a new interactive public space incorporating food and beverage alfresco areas, and the terrace of the soon to be opened Westin Hotel. Garum will showcase Roman food and dining culture, and will feature rustic dishes inspired by the Italian region using local WA produce. The large venue will combine an outdoor dining area, private dining room and separate bar with its own menu featuring Roman snacks.
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Corsini Collection arrives in Perth
The only Australian showing of A Window on Italy – The Corsini Collection: Masterpieces from Florence has recently opened at the Art Gallery of WA. This is the first time the collection has toured outside of Italy, where it has been for 500 years. The exhibition features masterworks from the private art collection of Italian noble family the Corsinis, with Renaissance and Baroque paintings by Italian artists such as Botticelli, Tinoretto and Caravaggio. These works of art have been preserved over centuries, surviving the devastation of World War II and the great flood of Florence. Also on display will be decorative items and objects form the Corsini family home, the Palazzo Corsini. Tickets to the exhibition are on sale now through the Art Gallery of WA, and will be showing until June 18, 2018.
Dine in luxury under the stars at the Ord Valley Muster
The 2018 Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster’s pinnacle event – the Aviair HeliSpirit Kimberley Moon Experience, is set to dazzle with tickets and travel packages now available for the prestigious Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner. Held on Saturday 19 May on the banks of the Ord River in Kununurra in WA’s North West, the back-tie multi-course dinner allows guests to dine in luxury under the stars. Tickets to the dinner include river boat transfers, a pink carpet entrance, a celebrity moment, exclusive dance floor, champagne, canapés and a full sit-down multi-course dinner by the acclaimed Heyder & Shears. Luxury travel packages are also available, which include airport transfers, three nights’ accommodation, a private Kimberley Fine Diamonds shopping experience, a Triple J boat cruise, plus tickets to the dinner, starting from $1,144 per person.
Major beachside Scarborough redevelopment in final stages
The much anticipated revitalisation of popular coastal precinct Scarborough is now moving into its final stages. A milestone of the redevelopment was the recent opening of the scenic eight-lane, 50-metre Scarborough Beach Pool. The other developments underway include a new, three level Surf Life Saving Club, which will become an iconic landmark at Scarborough Beach. The multi-level building will be home to the surf club in the lower level, with a grassed area overlooking the beach for outside training, and the upper levels will include a function space, community centre and retail space. For sport and recreation enthusiasts, the ‘Snake Pit’, due to be finished in early March, includes a climbing wall, skate bowl, two skate areas and a basketball court. Also due to be completed in early March is a Whale Playground, which offers many different play elements including a main whale feature, cubby house and spectacular views.
FOOD & WINE
Join a cocktail tour in Perth
Unleash your inner cocktail critic on Two Feet & a Heartbeat’s new Two Feet Cocktail Tour. The tour will visit three of Perth’s most stylish venues, each competing for the best cocktail creation of the night. Between drinks you’ll hear quirky stories about the areas you’re visiting and little known fun facts about Perth. Tours are $99 per person, which includes three cocktails and food, and will run on Thursday and Saturday, leaving at 6.30am from Perth Town Hall.
Perth welcomes more rooftop bars
Adding to the city’s lively hospitality scene, Perth has welcomed the addition of two new rooftop bars.
Crown Perth has just opened its first rooftop bar, Hi-Line. Situated above the Crown Theatre, the venue offers a chic and spacious outdoor terrace, with stunning views of the Perth CBD skyline. Offering a selection of bar bites and bespoke signature cocktails, it provides a perfect destination for an after work sunset drink, or catch-ups with friends before heading to a game or show at nearby Optus Stadium.
Prince Lane is the newest rooftop offering Perth’s CBD. Formerly The Emerson Bar, the three-storey venue has received a substantial refresh. Each level has a different offering, with casual vibes found at the ground floor Public Bar, sophisticated elegance in the second level Glamour Bar, while the Rooftop Bar delivers city views, airy vibes and lush décor. The food menu is traditional pub fare with a twist, while the cocktail list is fun and inventive.
Victoria Park welcomes neighbourhood cafe
Husband and wife team Hadleigh and Carolynne Troy (formerly of Restaurant Amuse) have just opened their latest venture – Hampton & Maley in Victoria Park. Visitors to the relaxed neighbourhood cafe can expect flavorsome food driven by technique, including pasta with ragu and substantial sandwiches. Sweets treats will include baked goods such as fudgy cookies and eggy custard tarts, and to drink there’ll be coffee, cold brew and juices.
Margaret River Gourmet Escape returning in 2018
Margaret River Gourmet Escape (MRGE) will return from November 15 to 18, 2018. Set against the iconic backdrop of the stunning Margaret River region in the State’s South West, MRGE is a world-class food and wine festival like no other. Held across four extraordinary days, the festival brings together the world’s best chefs, sommeliers and critics to host more than 45 incredible events across 20 unique and breathtaking locations in the region. Previous guests have included Heston Blumenthal, Nigella Lawson, Curtis Stone and Marco Pierre-White. Further details will be announced in the coming months.
Perth’s first New York-style cookie joint
After huge success at Fremantle Markets, Get Chunky has opened a permanent store in the urban hub of Mount Lawley. The mouth-watering venue offers Perth’s first New York-style cookies (triple the size of a normal cookie) freshly baked with a thick, chewy and chunky centre. The permanent store has a milk bar vibe, serving-up nitro cold brew coffee, and gives visitors the option to create their own ice-cream cookie sandwiches.
TOURS, ATTRACTIONS & ACCOMMODATION
Segway tours in Kings Park
Segway tours are now operating at Kings Park and Botanic Garden. At 400 hectares, Kings Park is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, and boasts suburb views of the city, rich Aboriginal and European history and is home to more than 3,000 species of WA’s unique flora and fauna. The Kings Park tour route takes-in scenic views of Perth’s city skyline, iconic Swan River and Canning River for up to 10 kilometres. Segway Tours WA currently operate tours in Perth CBD, Fremantle and Rottnest Island. The tour connects Kings Park with the Swan River and attractions in the city, allowing visitors to experience Perth as part of one tour that takes in the impressive natural, built and cultural heritage.
Sweet temptations in the Swan Valley
Visitors to Perth’s Swan Valley region, located a short 25-minute drive from the Perth CBD, can now follow a trail designed to satisfy a sweet tooth. The Sweet Temptations Trail features eight stops, including delicious French macarons, nougat, gourmet nuts, cakes, handmade chocolate, pure, signature fortified wines and sparkling moscato handcrafted by third and fourth generation winemakers. The trail also includes a stop at Maali Bridge Park – a picnic spot located on the banks of the Swan River. Download the map and start your adventure here.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse renovations complete
Margaret River’s Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse has recently undergone a $1 million upgrade. Visitors to the historic landmark can now enjoy panoramic ocean views from the new observation platform, beautifully landscaped lawns, a nautical themed playground, and refreshments from the restored lighthouse keeper’s cottage, which now houses a new café operated by Busselton’s popular restaurant, The Goose. The café offers a ‘step back in time’ experience, with the opportunity to enjoy coffee and a bite to eat in one of three charming rooms fitted out with vintage furniture and ornaments, and local art displays.
New luxury walk tour of Bibbulmun Track
Walk into Luxury has launched a new tour option on the Bibbulmun Track – the 6 day Best of the Bibbulmun Walk. The walking trail showcases the track’s most spectacular sections from Albany to Walpole, including West Cape Howe National Park, Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks, Conspicuous Cliffs, Peaceful Bay and the giant karri and tingle trees of the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Guests will enjoy a luxurious five night stay at Parry Beach Breaks villas, overlooking native bushland and breathtaking beaches. The all-inclusive package is $3350, and includes a private in-villa chef and a celebration lunch with matching wines. The walk is available year-round, excluding July and August.
New tours for Captain Cook Cruises
Captain Cook Cruises is offering two new tours – The Cheese and Wine Swan River Cruise and a Seafood Buffet Dinner Cruise, commencing April 1. Departing from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth’s CBD, both tours offer scenic views of the Swan River and a number of Perth’s iconic sights. The Cheese and Wine Swan River Cruise is a 1.5 hour tour and allows guests to enjoy a Perth sunset with a glass of wine, while grazing on a cheese buffet. The Seafood Buffet Dinner Cruise is a three hour tour, offering a selection of fresh and local seasonal seafood dishes, plus live entertainment.
Subsea Explorer Tours at Rottnest Island
Sub Sea Explorer has started operating 60 minute educational tours at Rottnest Island on board WA’s only semi-submersible vessel. Running until April 8, 2018, the tours offer a unique window to the ocean, allowing passengers to sit below the water line in an enclosed vessel and experience views of Rottnest Island’s reef systems, see real shipwrecks and learn about the island’s maritime history from a marine biologist.
New campground open in Margaret River
The first stage of a new campground near State Heritage-listed Jarrahdene Mill has recently been completed at Jarrahdene Campground, located in the Margaret River region. Nestled within a mix of jarrah, marri and peppermint bushland, stage one of the project includes 24 individual camp sites, five double-cubicle toilets and four barbecue shelters, as well as tables and fireplaces for each campsite. Once complete, the campground will feature 36 camp sites, two large group camping areas and interpretive signs about the heritage of the Jarrahdene Mill.
Aboriginal gallery opens in Denmark
A new Aboriginal Art Gallery has opened in the Great Southern town of Denmark operated by Poornarti Aboriginal Tours. Poornarti Aboriginal Art Gallery is the first Aboriginal owned gallery in the region, and a natural extension of the tour company’s offering. Original Aboriginal art is on display at the gallery, and provides an outlet for local Noongar artists to display and sell art, craft and artefacts. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 9am till 5pm.
New Aboriginal tour experience to launch in the Kimberley
Luridgii Tours has launched a new tour for 2018 – the Jaliwang Journey – which follows the path of the dreamtime Barramundi (Jaliwang) into the heart of the Kimberley region in the State’s North West. Visitors will enjoy seeing the tour from the air, land and on boat when it launches in May 2018. Key highlights include a flight over the Argyle Diamond Mine, a visit to the local Mandangala community and a sunset cruise on Lake Argyle. The unique tour is a collaborative partnership between Kingfisher Tours, Luridgii Tours and Lake Argyle Cruises, and offers a spectacular small group encounter with the heart and soul of the Kimberley.
EVENTS
MARCH
March 1 – 31 | Perth | Experience Perth
Get a taste for Perth in March during the Eat Drink Perth festival. More than 100 venues throughout the city will be participating in the event to showcase Perth’s amazing foodie offerings and culinary trends. The extensive calendar of events features long table degustations, wine tasting sundowners, foodie walking tours, roulette challenges and lunchtime markets – plus over 115 special offers from various venues throughout the city.
March 2 – 19 | Perth | Experience Perth
One of Perth’s largest free public events, Sculpture by the Sea, sees Cottesloe Beach transform into a sculpture park with more than 70 sculptures on display from artists across Australia and the world. Enjoy exhibits from some of the world’s top sculptors against a backdrop of one of the city’s most popular beaches.
March 8 – 25 | Great Southern | Australia’s South West
IGA Taste Great Southern runs for 18 days, stretching over three weekends and two weeks with events in Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Porongorup, Frankland River, Kojonup and Katanning. It includes a line-up of more than 40 events with festivals, markets, degustation’s, dinners and lunches, wine tasting, beer, coffee and spirit sessions, food and wine pairing, masterclasses, seminars and community events. The event will feature internationally renowned chef, author, restauranteur and TV star Marco Pierre White, along with other local and international chefs including TV cooking presenter Justine Scholfield, top Indonesian chef Chandra Yudasswara, Vincent Lim, Anna Gare, Paul Iskov and Russell Blaikie.
March 16 – 24 | Exmouth | Australia’s Coral Coast
The GAMEX Fishing Tournament is held at the tip of Ningaloo Reef off WA’s Norwest Cape. No other event in Australia offers such diverse fishing within such a short distance from shore. The event incorporates social evenings, scientific studies, educational sessions and product information. There are ladies’ functions, children’s fishing clinics and celebrity chef cooking demonstrations.
March 17 – 18 | Pemberton | Australia’s South West
Karri Valley Triathlon is held annually at Karri Valley Resort near Pemberton. The event, which has been running since 2003, was originally conceived as a way to provide a unique and iconic race for the WA triathlon community and promote the South West as a premier tourist destination. The event showcases the beauty of WA’s South West while providing triathletes with a unique racing experience.
March 17 – 18 | Mandurah | Experience Perth
The Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest is Mandurah’s premier event, enjoyed by more than 100,000 locals and visitors. This must-visit annual event celebrates Mandurah’s vibrant coastal lifestyle. The jam packed weekend festival features a plethora of fun and activities, including live performances from international and local talent, cooking displays, and free family entertainment. Of course, food is in abundance with tasty crab-inspired dishes, fresh seafood and sweet treat delicacies available for festival-goers to enjoy.
LiveLighter Harvey Harvest Festival
March 18 | Harvey | Experience Perth
Experience the atmosphere of Italy at the LiveLighter Harvey Harvest Festival. Set in the picturesque gardens of Snell Park, the festival offers a feast for the senses with arts, culture, food, wine and markets. Local produce will be transformed in true paddock to plate style cooking demonstrations, with many of the region’s local brands on offer, including Harvey Cheese, Harvey Fresh, and Harvey Beef.
BMX Australia National Championships
March 20 – 24 | Bunbury | Australia’s South West
Watch Australia’s best riders battle to take out the number one plates in the country at the BMX Australia National Championship, including dual-Olympian and Bunbury-rasied Lauren Reynolds. More than 2,000 interstate competitors and supporters are expected to attend the event, which will be held over four days in March and will feature warm-up sessions, heats and finals. All riding classes are represented by divisional male and female riders aged five to 50. The 2018 event will be held at the Bunbury BMX Track, while the 2021 event will be in the Perth metro area.
March 21 – 24 | Margaret River, Busselton | Australia’s South West
The Emergence Creative Festival turns the iconic Margaret River region into a creative playground for three days of inspiring keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, out-of-the-box collaborations and satellite events. Each year, the festival attracts professionals and emerging creatives from music, film, photography, advertising, digital and the visual arts to one of the world’s most beautiful locations. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate, create, network and be inspired; while keynote speakers share emerging trends and recent developments in their disciplines.
March 29 – April 1 | Carnarvon | Australia’s Coral Coast
The Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash is a genuine desert race, held in the State’s Coral Coast region. It’s an extraordinary challenge across some of the harshest and remote country in WA, and is situated between the seaside town of Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction – the desert by the sea. In excess of 350 kilometres over two days, the Dash is long and tough, and worth the ultimate challenge.
Fremantle Street Arts Festival
March 29 – April 2 | Fremantle | Experience Perth
The Fremantle Street Arts Festival is set to bring some of the world’s best street, outdoor theatre, music, comedy, circus and cabaret performers to the iconic port city of Fremantle. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, the streets of Fremantle are transformed into an open-air theatre of the amazing, weird and wacky, while Fremantle’s famous alfresco dining steps up a notch, with pop-up bars and eateries extending into the streets.
March 31 | Albany | Australia’s South West
Albany’s Festival of the Sea celebrates the region’s proud maritime history, highlighting fresh fish, produce and wines alongside family activities and entertainment. Popular WA chefs Peter Manifis and Don Hancey will headline the festival, which will also feature an array of food, wine, beer and live cooking demonstrations, plus a boat building competition and display.
APRIL
April 7 – 8 | Northam | Experience Perth
Northam’s historic Motor Sport Festival, including the iconic Flying 50, is on again in April when the streets of Northam will be closed to all but very fast traffic. Visitors can expect classic racing cars competing in regularity time trials, as well as a display of sports cars, racing cars and historic touring cars.
April 7 – 8 | Kalgoorlie | Australia’s Golden Outback
The Goldfields KidsFest gives families and children the opportunity to enjoy live performances from national artists, which would normally only be accessible in Perth or other major cities in WA. Visitors can participate in interactive and educational workshops, including arts and crafts, science, dance, magic, cooking, circus skills and, of course, mining.
April 11 – 22 | Margaret River | Australia’s South West
The top 34 ranked male and top 17 ranked female surfers in the world descend upon the Margaret River region to surf its world-class waves each April. The event sees thousands of spectators flock to Surfers Point in Prevelly to watch the world’s best surfers take on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak and the Box. The Margaret River Pro has been awarded World Championship Tour status in part thanks to the fact that it offers some of the best surfing conditions in the world.
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
April 14 – 22 | Scarborough | Experience Perth
Members from Australia’s 311 Surf Clubs come together to compete in more than 400 beach and ocean events. It will see champion title holders defending their titles, while members and families come together to celebrate the Surf Life Saving Australia community. This year the event will return to Scarborough Beach, after the completion of its $100 million foreshore redevelopment.
April 15 | York | Experience Perth
The York Motorcycle Festival is held on the town’s main strip and is a family friendly day of events. Visitors can expect to find market and trade stalls along with entertainment across the two day festival. Highlights include exciting freestyle motocross demonstrations, live music, competitions, custom bike displays, and children’s activities.
April 17 – 24 | Karijini National Park | Australia’s North West
The Karijini Experience is a celebration of culture and connection in the magnificent Karijini National Park, located in WA’s Pilbara region – the perfect setting for a unique celebration of art and culture. The five day program offers a selection of intimate, authentic, once in a lifetime experiences presented by a mix of traditional owners, nationally renowned artists and talented locals. Experience Opera Under the Stars by internationally renowned Aboriginal opera soprano Deborah Cheetham, adult didgeridoo workshops, bush tucker high teas with celebrity chef Mark Olive, plus culinary experiences by pop-up restaurant sensation Fervour.
April 21 – 22 | Dunsborough | Australia’s South West
X-Adventure Dunsborough is recognised as Australia’s largest off-road triathlon and is the ultimate mix of triathlon and adventure racing, featuring ocean swims, trail runs and mountain bike rides in the scenic Margaret River region. The weekend includes long and short course races, two kids’ events plus a new Aquathon-X event.
April 26 – May 6 | Pemberton | Australia’s South West
Unearthed Pemberton presents a series of open studios and events under three categories: food and wine; adventure; and art and heritage. The festival’s mission is to encourage visitors to explore off the beaten track destinations and meet locals at their labours, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Southern Forests region.
Make Smoking History Forest Rally
April 27 – 29 | Busselton, Nannup | Australia’s South West
WA’s round of the Australian Rally Championship attracts Australia’s best cars and drivers, including the best classic cars. The rally also incorporates motor bikes, making it a weekend of Motor Sport Extravaganza. With more than 200 cars and bikes expected to compete across the weekend the Quit Forest Rally is a motorsport extravaganza you don’t want to miss. rallywa.com/rallyevents/2017-forest-rally
April 28 – May 13 | Margaret River | Australia’s South West
More than 130 artists will be opening their studios for the Margaret River Open Studios event, making it the largest open art studio in Australia. Across the 16-day event, visitors and art enthusiasts can discover, enjoy and purchase original art from established and emerging artists based in the region, including painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramicists, jewelers, photographers, textile artists and environmentally friendly up-cycling artists. Entry is free, with each participating studio clearly identified on maps featured in the event catalogue, which will soon be available online and distributed across the region in visitor centres.
MAY
May 4 – 6 | Perth | Experience Perth
Get your pulse racing with a ticket to the Supercars Perth SuperSprint. Support categories, training sessions and qualifying races complete your V8 Supercars package. Don’t miss out on seeing your favourite motorsport drivers take to the track again for some fast-paced, fuel-injected action at Barbagallo Raceway.
SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon
May 4 – 6 | Busselton | Australia’s South West
SunSmart Busselton Festival and Triathlon consists of a 1.9 kilometre swim, 90.1 kilometre bike ride and 21.1 kilometre run, making it the largest event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a world class weekend festival of multisport with something for everyone, including an open-water swim, health and lifestyle expo, kid’s triathlon as well as a fun run. busseltonfestivaloftriathlon.com.au
First National Lake Argyle Swim
May 5 | Kununurra | Australia’s North West
Each year the First National Lake Argyle Swim departs from a deep water start at the heart of Lake Argyle and finishes in the spectacular Bamboo Cove near the Lake Argyle Boat Ramp and Resort. Swimmers can choose to race between two distances – 10 or 20 kilometres with event categories including solo, duos and teams of four. Situated 75 kilometres from the town of Kununurra, Lake Argyle is 21 times greater in size than Sydney Harbour. Recognised as one of the most spectacular places to visit in Australia, the Lake Argyle Swim provides experienced swimmers with an unsurpassed outback adventure.
May 6 | Toodyay | Experience Perth
Once again the town of Toodyay steps back in time to celebrate the annual Moondyne Festival, bringing infamous Moondyne Joe and his various escapades back to life. The Moondyne Festival is a display of life during the pioneer years, from the re-enactment of the 1860 Rifle Regiment to the grace of the enchanting Clydesdale horses. With a variety of stalls, exhibitions, games and rides there is something for everyone at this family fun day.
TX Civil & Logistics WA PGA Championship
May 10 – 13 | Kalgoorlie | Australia’s Golden Outback
The TX Civil & Logistics WA PGA Championship will be played at Kalgoorlie Golf Course in Kalgoorlie, WA’s iconic mining town. The 72-hole tournament forms part of the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, with the winner receiving Official World Ranking Points and becomes fully exempt on to the PGA Tour of Australiasia for the remainder of the season plus a further two years. The 2018 championship will also coincide with the 125th anniversary of Paddy Hannan striking gold for the first time in the Kalgoorlie region.
May 11 – 18 | Kimberley region | Australia’s North West
The Gibb Challenge is an extraordinary cycling adventure, tracing the iconic Kimberley Stock Route of the Gibb River Road, from the deep port town of Derby, through the vast pastoral leases of the central and east Kimberley and on to the community celebrations of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster in Kununurra. The Gibb Challenge is a socially competitive, team relay mountain bike event promoting active recreation whilst raising community awareness and funds for charity.
May 11 – 20 | Kunnunurra | Australia’s North West
The Ord Valley Muster is a celebration of all that is unique about the east Kimberley region, including its cultural diversity, incredible landscapes and local charm. Some of Australia’s biggest musical performers have been confirmed for the Muster’s pinnacle event – the Aviair Helispirit Kimberley Moon Experience on May 19 – including country music legend Lee Kernaghan, along with The Cat Empire, renowned for their live performances. The annual festival will take over Kununurra and surrounds, offering a variety of unique experiences, including black tie dining under starry skies, Indigenous food, culture and dance, intimate dinners in secret locations, a challenging bike ride, art exhibitions, local talent quests, a country rodeo and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow.
May 25 – 27 | Exmouth | Australia’s Coral Coast
The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival marks the beginning of the whale shark season, welcoming the gentle giants to the pristine Ningaloo Reef in the State’s Coral Coast region. The festival aims to enhance the education and celebration of the Whale Shark and its annual migration. Celebrations over the weekend have previously included a Gala Festival Opening, live music, market stalls, and a festival day.
Airnorth Cable Beach Polo 2018
May 26 – 27 | Broome | Australia’s North West
A sporting spectacular attracting people from around Australia and the world – beach polo is not only unique to Broome, it is rare in the world. Cable Beach is one of a select number of exotic locations to host the unique sporting event, which brings some of the world’s best polo players to the North West paradise.
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