So Perth

Lightscape is back at Kings Park and Botanic Garden, running Wednesday to Sunday evenings until Saturday, July 26th, with extra dates across the school holidays. This year’s trail carries more than 20 light and sound installations, including several new installations.

Among the new pieces are light-morphing shadow lanterns, a kaleidoscopic tunnel of squares, illuminated flowers floating high in the tree canopy, and sculptures that tower over the event trail. Tucked through the native gardens are illuminations drawn from nature, including the detailed structure of fungi and the fleeting forms of seeds.

Lightscape has always paired international artistry with WA’s own, and in previous years, schoolchildren’s artworks have been transformed into lanterns, projections, and columns of light. This year adds ‘Conservation Cubes’, featuring acrostic poems written by children alongside their own recorded readings.

“Lightscape brings the Perth community together every year with its international artistry mixed with a uniquely local connection,” Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said. “The crafted trail and floral sculptures inspire a new understanding of our State’s biodiversity amid the magnificent Western Australian Botanic Garden. Lightscape continues to grow each year — don’t miss it.”

Tickets

Tickets start at $36.00 for adults and $96.00 for a family pass, available through Ticketek.

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North Melbourne is back in Western Australia for two home games in successive weekends, starting with a clash against Fremantle at Bunbury’s Hands Oval later today, before taking on West Coast at Optus Stadium next Saturday.

The fixtures sit inside a three-year agreement between the Cook Government and North Melbourne Football Club to host two home games in WA each year. Both matches are expected to draw thousands of interstate and intrastate visitors, with flow-on effects for local tourism operators, hospitality venues, and businesses.

Last year’s fixture at Hands Oval was the first in-season AFL match ever held in regional WA, and it sold out, pulling more than 12,000 footy fans to Bunbury. This year’s return builds on that, and the South West Tasting Experience marquee comes back with it, pouring premium food and wine from producers across the region right at the ground.

“Last year’s Bunbury match proved how successful hosting AFL matches in regional WA can be, with strong visitation delivering real economic benefits for local tourism operators, hospitality venues and businesses across the South West — and the State more broadly,” Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said.

“The return of Western Australia’s South West Tasting Experience is another fantastic addition to the Bunbury fixture, helping showcase the incredible food and wine experiences that make the South West such a sought-after tourism destination while delivering an elevated game day experience for fans.”

Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti added, “Last year’s historic clash at Hands Oval brought thousands of visitors to the region and I can’t wait to see Bunbury painted purple this weekend.”

“These major sporting events bring our community together and encourage more people to get involved in grassroots sport by inspiring the next generation of players, coaches, umpires and volunteers.”

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The Perth Wildcats begin their NBL27 campaign against South East Melbourne Phoenix, the first of five consecutive home games. 

Opening with such a front-loaded home-game schedule is quite unusual, so it’s hard to know whether it’s a blessing or a curse. The team and the Red Army are used to having a strong run of home games late in the season after a long away schedule over Christmas, while RAC Arena is used for other sports like tennis. That has generally given them a slight edge coming into the Finals.

The opening five rounds of the Perth Wildcats’ NBL27 season bring the Adelaide 36ers, the New Zealand Breakers, and South East Melbourne Phoenix to RAC Arena, so a strong start would put us in a comfortable position on the ladder. When the Wildcats finally do hit the road, it’s a hard first trip — a match-up with the defending NBL champions, the Sydney Kings, who ultimately ended our Finals run last season.

Perth Wildcats NBL27 home fixtures OpponentDateArenaSE Melbourne PhoenixSaturday, September 19th, 2026RAC ArenaAdelaide 36ersThursday, September 24th, 2026RAC ArenaNew Zealand BreakersSaturday, September 26th, 2026RAC ArenaSE Melbourne PhoenixFriday, October 2nd, 2026RAC ArenaNew Zealand BreakersSaturday, October 10th, 2026RAC ArenaSydney KingsSaturday, October 17th, 2026Qudos Bank ArenaMelbourne UnitedFriday, October 23rd, 2026RAC ArenaSydney Kings*Wednesday, October 28th, 2026RAC ArenaIllawarra HawksSaturday, October 31st, 2026RAC ArenaBrisbane Bullets*Wednesday, November 4th, 2026Venue TBCCairns TaipansSunday, November 8th, 2026RAC ArenaTasmania JackJumpersThursday, November 12th, 2026RAC ArenaIllawarra HawksSaturday, November 14th, 2026RAC ArenaCairns TaipansFriday, November 20th, 2026Cairns Convention CentreBrisbane BulletsThursday, December 3rd, 2026Brisbane Entertainment CentreSydney KingsSunday, December 6th, 2026Qudos Bank ArenaSE Melbourne PhoenixSunday, December 13th, 2026Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports StadiumMelbourne United*Wednesday, December 16th, 2026RAC ArenaCairns TaipansSunday, December 20th, 2026Cairns Convention CentreAdelaide 36ersThursday, December 24th, 2026Adelaide Entertainment CentreTasmania JackJumpersFriday, January 1st, 2027MyState Bank ArenaNew Zealand BreakersSunday, January 3rd, 2027Spark ArenaIllawarra HawksWednesday, January 6th, 2027WIN Entertainment CentreAdelaide 36ersSaturday, January 9th, 2027Adelaide Entertainment CentreNew Zealand Breakers**Friday, January 15th, 2027RAC ArenaSydney KingsFriday, January 22nd, 2027RAC ArenaSE Melbourne PhoenixSunday, January 24th, 2027State Basketball CentreAdelaide 36ersThursday, January 28th, 2027RAC ArenaIllawarra HawksSaturday, January 30th, 2027WIN Entertainment CentreCairns TaipansFriday, February 5th, 2027RAC ArenaTasmania JackJumpers*Wednesday, February 10th, 2027MyState Bank ArenaBrisbane BulletsFriday, February 12th, 2027RAC Arena

*Ignite Cup game / **HoopsFest game

Join the Red Army and get behind your Perth Wildcats this season.

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Nokturnl has today revealed its newest restaurant, BANGLA, a modern Asian eating house opening beneath The Station in South Perth. Its name and direction come from Bangla Road, the famously chaotic strip in Phuket, and it’s bringing that Bangla Road attitude with it: big flavours, electric energy, and a little bit of late-night mischief.

BANGLA will be taking over the site previously occupied by the moody French restaurant, Ludo, and will draw on the DNA of some of the group’s other Asian restaurants — Lotus at The Beaufort, Tonic + Ginger at The Old Synagogue, and KARLA at Stories — bringing the best of all of them into one venue.

Sundoo Kim in the kitchen

Running the kitchen are Nokturnl Executive Chef Sundoo Kim and newly appointed Head Chef Thanapat “Teddy” Rattichot.

Kim started his culinary journey in Melbourne, where he worked for the acclaimed Lucas Collective, the group behind Chin Chin, Grill Americano, Maison Bâtard, and many more. He moved west in 2022 to open The Beaufort, coming in as Head Chef of Lotus, and was later promoted to Group Executive Chef across Lotus and Tonic + Ginger. In 2024, he took on Stories and the three new restaurants that came with it, including the multi-award-winning KARLA.

He’ll be reuniting with The Station’s General Manager, Fran Diettrich, who worked alongside him at Lotus as Restaurant Manager. 

“It’s really special to be working alongside Sundoo again at this stage in our careers,” said Diettrich. “We helped build something really exciting together at Lotus, and to now reunite for BANGLA feels incredibly rewarding.”

What’s on the menu

Kim says the menu draws on influences from across Asia rather than a single region or technique, and is built around share-style dishes and big flavours.

“BANGLA is about capturing a feeling,” he said. “Some of the best dining experiences across Asia are loud, energetic, flavour-packed and full of life — there’s movement, music, spice, smoke and atmosphere all happening at once.”

“Over the years, Asian cuisine has become such an important part of our identity and we’ve built an incredible pool of talent around that passion,” Co-Director Ross Drennan said. “This venue brings together everything we love most about dining across Asia — the flavour, colour, energy, movement, late nights. It’s designed to feel alive from the moment you walk in.”

Bookings now open

Bookings are open now ahead of the official opening on Friday, June 19th. BANGLA sits beneath The Station in South Perth.

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The State Government has announced $6 million in grant funding for community organisations working to prevent family and domestic violence before it occurs, with applications closing at 3:00 pm on Thursday, July 16th.

The Family and Domestic Violence Primary Prevention Grants will run over two years and are aimed at organisations delivering programs that address the root causes of violence, rather than responses after the fact. The funding is part of the Cook Government’s broader $109.9 million package to strengthen WA’s family and domestic violence response, announced in December 2025.

Who the funding is aimed at

Programs supported through this round are expected to focus on specific cohorts, including men and boys, Aboriginal communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and the LGBTIQA+ community. The brief is prevention work tailored to the people most affected, rather than broad-stroke campaigns.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are being strongly encouraged to apply, with the government flagging a preference for prevention work that is culturally safe and grounded in healing approaches for Aboriginal families and communities.

Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski said the funding is built around the idea that the problem can’t be solved through crisis response alone.

“Family and domestic violence has a devastating impact on victim-survivors, their families, and the wider community,” Stojkovski said. “That is why the Cook Labor Government is committed to supporting initiatives that address the root causes of violence by investing in primary prevention.”

“This funding will spread the message at a community level that if we all work together, we can make a difference.”

What’s already been funded

This is the second round of the program. The previous Primary Prevention Grants Program allocated $6 million to 16 Western Australian organisations in 2024, and this round builds on that work. The grants align with Path to Safety: Western Australia’s Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030 — the state’s long-term framework for prevention work.

Alongside the grants, an additional $840,000 has been allocated to the Preventing Violence Together workforce initiative over the 2026–27 and 2027–28 financial years. That money will go towards foundational training for the prevention sector, a community of practice, and tailored support for organisations that receive grants.

How to apply

There’s a mandatory online briefing session for prospective applicants on Wednesday, June 17th, and attendance is a condition of applying.

Registration details and application information are on the Department of Communities’ grants page.

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From Monday, June 1st, new fixed safety cameras on the Mitchell Freeway will start issuing caution notices for drivers caught not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone behind the wheel. The cameras, installed at Vincent Street and Karrinyup Road, also detect speeding, and unlike the other two offences, speeding will be enforced from day one.

The Karrinyup Road cameras join the previously announced Vincent Street location and bring the Mitchell Freeway in line with the two existing fixed cameras already operating on the Kwinana Freeway. Eight mobile safety camera trailers are also working across the state.

A six-month grace period, but not for speeding

The Cook Government has taken what it calls an education-before-enforcement approach with the new cameras. For the first six months, drivers caught on camera without a seatbelt or using a phone will receive a caution notice rather than an infringement. That period ends on November 30th, with full enforcement starting in time for the Christmas period and summer holidays.

Speeding gets no such reprieve. Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby pointed out that radar camera technology has been enforcing speed limits on WA roads for nearly 40 years, so there’s no argument for a fresh learning curve.

“The Cook Labor Government is committed to investing in proven technology and effective initiatives to change driver behaviour and improve road safety on WA roads,” Minister Whitby said.

“The new fixed safety cameras on the Mitchell Freeway send a powerful message to the community that bad behaviour behind the wheel will not be tolerated and they will be caught.”

The numbers behind the rollout

The state’s existing fixed camera network has produced some sharp results since cameras were first introduced in February 2025. Detected seatbelt offences have dropped by more than 85%, mobile phone offences by 88%, and speeding offences by 51%.

The behavioural shift has also been reflected in fatality data. Between 2014 and 2024, an average of 23% of motor vehicle occupant deaths in WA were directly linked to people not wearing a seatbelt. In 2025, the first full year with the cameras running, alongside dedicated education and enforcement, that figure dropped to 13.8%.

Money collected from safety camera infringements goes into the Road Trauma Trust Account, which funds further road safety initiatives.

Double demerits this long weekend

Drivers should also note that double demerits are in effect from 12:01 am Friday, May 29th, through to midnight Monday, June 1st.

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Viva Leisure, the ASX-listed company behind Club Lime, Plus Fitness, and hiit republic, is opening its first two Zoo Fit gyms in Wanneroo and Mandurah in late July, with more WA sites to follow soon after. It’s the company’s first move into the low-cost market, and WA has been flagged as the market where it will all start.

Memberships start at $8.88 per week for gym access, or $14.88 per week if you want access to the wellness and recovery facilities. By comparison, Perth-founded Revo, which has grown to 30 locations across WA, is $9.69 per week for Level One and $12.69 per week for Level Two memberships.

Zoo Fit founding members who sign up during the pre-sale also get eight weeks free and lock in their price for life.

Viva Leisure has chosen WA as the place to launch, largely due to our love of health and fitness activities. CEO Harry Konstantinou told So Perth, “WA is one of the strongest growth opportunities in the country for fitness, and we saw a clear gap in the market for a genuinely value-led offering that doesn’t compromise on experience. Zoo Fit delivers exceptional value, boasting world-class equipment, wellness and recovery offerings, and 24/7 access at a price point that makes fitness more accessible to more Australians.”

The Wanneroo and Mandurah sites are the start of a national rollout planned over the next 12 to 18 months.

What makes them different from other gyms?

The detail that sets Zoo Fit apart from the rest of the low-cost gym field is its “Fit Fam” membership, which Viva Leisure says is a first for the Australian fitness industry. Starting at $24.80 per week, it covers two adults and two teenagers aged 13 to 17 under one membership, with room to add up to two more teenagers.

Most low-cost gyms are built around solo memberships, so this will make Zoo Fit an attractive option for many families, especially with cost-of-living pressures biting hard. 

Viva Leisure has grown quickly since listing on the ASX in 2019, going from 29 locations and 47,500 members to more than 510 sites and over 650,000 members across Australia, New Zealand, and India. Its portfolio includes Club Pilates, GROUNDUP, and Supp Society, plus stakes in World Gym Australia and Boutique Fitness Studios.

Konstantinou added, “We already operate premium and mid-market brands successfully, but we identified an opportunity to create a dedicated low-cost, high-value proposition that reflects changing consumer expectations. Consumers are increasingly value-conscious, but they still expect quality, flexibility and convenience. Zoo Fit has been built specifically for that shift.”

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James Street has been the spine of Perth’s nightlife for as long as most Perth locals can remember, and the City of Perth Council has just signed off on a $22.8 million plan to overhaul it. The Final Concept Plan for the James Street Revitalisation was passed at Tuesday’s council meeting, which means the street that runs through the middle of Northbridge is now locked in for significant upgrades, with construction set to commence in 2028.

The plan covers James Street from Fitzgerald Street to William Street, including the stretch connecting Russell Square, Northbridge Piazza, and the entrance to the Perth Cultural Centre. The headline changes are more trees and greenery, wider footpaths, upgraded lighting, new paving and street furniture, new public artworks, and infrastructure built in to allow temporary street closures for major events.

James Street already shuts down regularly for many major events, but doing so currently requires significant logistics. Building event infrastructure into the street itself is smart and suggests the City of Perth is planning to welcome more big events to Northbridge.

The plan was shaped by community consultation that ran through 2024 and 2025, including an online Engage Perth survey and a community drop-in session at Northbridge Piazza in July last year. Feedback from that process pushed strongly for better lighting and safety, more greenery, improved cleanliness, and greater recognition of the cultural diversity that has defined Northbridge for decades.

First major upgrades in almost 20 years

James Street hasn’t had a major upgrade in close to 20 years. In that time, the street has cycled through identities from a nightclub strip to a restaurant precinct, while much of the surrounding area has changed and been upgraded. Russell Square has been redeveloped. The Perth Cultural Centre is mid-renewal as part of a separate State Government project. Northbridge Piazza has become a regular event space. James Street is what connects it all, and it’s showing its age.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said the plan reflected what the community had asked for.

“James Street is one of Perth’s most recognisable and culturally significant streets, and this plan reflects what the community told us they want to see. It incorporates more trees, better lighting and wider footpaths to support a safer and more vibrant precinct,” he said.

“The revitalisation will create a more connected and event-ready street while strengthening Northbridge’s role as the State’s cultural and entertainment destination. The upgrade is expected to bring more people into James Street, encourage people to stay longer to support local business and help drive future investment in Northbridge.”

The City of Perth has quantified the long-term benefits, and the numbers are reasonably bullish. An independent assessment estimated the project will generate around $53.5 million in economic, social, and environmental benefits over 20 years — a return of roughly $3.20 for every $1.00 invested.

The project now moves into detailed design. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 and is expected to run through 2030, in line with the City’s Long-Term Financial Plan.

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If you want to experience the Thai pop-up at Crown Perth that’s been widely acclaimed, you have less than two weeks to make a booking.

Fireback wraps up its residency at Crown Perth on Saturday, June 6th, and trust us, it’s worth a visit. The pop-up is sitting inside the old Bistro Guillaume space in the Crown Metropol lobby, so it’s extremely convenient and easy to find. 

The chef behind it

David Thompson’s CV is the reason foodies have been driving from all directions for this one. His restaurant, Nahm, originally opening in London, was the first Thai restaurant to receive a Michelin Star. Nahm Bangkok is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Asia, was featured on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for seven straight years from 2012 to 2018, and was ranked No. 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2014. He picked up the Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award Asia in 2016, and is widely treated as one of the foremost Western interpreters of regional Thai cooking working today.

So if you like exceptional Thai cuisine, this is your chance to taste it without leaving Perth.

What to order

Order everything. No, seriously. 

The Josper grill — a type of charcoal grill — does much of the heavy lifting, producing char-grilled flavours that we all love, but can never quite replicate at home. 

The flame-kissed West Australian king prawns are exceptional, and the Tom Yum soup is quite possibly the best we’ve ever had, so start with those. The Moo Grob (pork belly) was also a standout entree. The Larb Nuea Wagyu was one we didn’t order but wished we had when we saw it go out to other tables.

For the large plates, the dry green curry of beef and the steamed barramundi in a banana leaf, and brushed with a fragrant red curry paste, were our choices and didn’t disappoint.

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By late May, we’ve usually had a little bit of rain in the south west, and places like the Blackwood River and Beedelup Falls are starting to flow strongly, making them quite the spectacle. On cold mornings, a low fog settles over the valley and slowly lifts throughout the morning. Those are just a few of the reasons why the south west makes for a great winter destination.

The towns below sit within a few hours of Perth, mostly along the South Western Highway through the Southern Forests and Valleys. They’re places you’ve likely heard of before, but probably have never visited. Add them to your list and visit them this winter.

Bridgetown, the winter capital Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Bridgetown has gone so far as to brand itself Western Australia’s winter capital, and through June, July, and August, it backs the claim with Fridgetown Fest — a winter program of markets, live music, and one-off events spread across the season. The town sits just shy of a three-hour drive south of Perth, roughly 250 kilometres along the South Western Highway.

If you love walking and hiking, this is the place for you. The Blackwood River Walk is a six-kilometre return trail that starts close to the main street and follows the river above a run of quiet pools and short rapids. In late winter, the valley mist tends to hang in the trees well into the morning, and the trail walks you past mossy fallen logs and bright green pasture that can only be seen that way during the wet season. 

Nannup and the misty Blackwood Valley Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Nannup sits deeper in the Blackwood River Valley, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Perth, and it’s a great place to visit in winter. Walking, cycling, and canoeing trails run straight out of the town centre, with the River Walk Trail tracking the Blackwood through jarrah and karri. 

About ten kilometres west of town, Barrabup Pool is better known as a summer swimming spot, but in winter it’s worth the short drive for the dead quiet and the birdlife alone. It’s very serene. Back in town, there’s a small microbrewery and a scatter of cafes and galleries, enough to fill an afternoon if the weather is a little wet.

Pemberton under the karri canopy Credit: Ampersand Estates

The karri forest around Pemberton is best experienced during winter. After a little bit of rain, the Cascades, a series of small drops on Lefroy Brook, turn from a gentle trickle into a strong rush of water. Pemberton is the longest drive on this list, just under four hours and around 330 kilometres south of Perth, which makes it best for an extended long weekend rather than a day trip or overnighter.

The Karri Forest Explorer is the way to see the country around it — a drive of close to 90 kilometres that loops through the tallest forest in the state, taking in the Cascades and the base of the Gloucester Tree along the way. The Gloucester Tree’s climbing pegs are currently closed while the platform is rebuilt, so treat it as a place to stand and look up rather than climb. 

Dwellingup, the closest forest escape Credit: Hotham Valley Railway

Dwellingup is the place to keep in mind when you don’t have a full weekend, but still want to go somewhere. It’s about an hour and a half from Perth, set in jarrah forest near the Murray River, and both the Bibbulmun Track and the Munda Biddi cycling trail pass straight through town — useful if you want a cold-weather walk or ride without committing to a multi-day trek.

Winter is also the only time the steam train runs. The Hotham Valley Railway’s Steam Ranger operates on Sundays from May through to October, kept to the cooler months because of summer fire restrictions, and it carries passengers through the jarrah on a slow, smoke-and-whistle trip into the forest. 

Donnelly River Village, a mill town frozen in time Credit: Australia’s South West

Donnelly River Village began life in the late 1940s as housing for workers at the Bunnings Bros timber mill, and it has barely changed shape since. The old workers’ cottages still stand around the original mill site, and the former general store now operates as a cafe and gathering point for guests and for hikers coming off the Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi trails.

What people come for is the wildlife. Kangaroos have long since worked out that visitors carry food and will happily sit around the village; the emus are pushier and less charming, and will have a go at your hand if they think there’s something in it. On a cold, still afternoon, with woodsmoke in the air and a roo asleep on the grass outside your cottage, the village often feels like a place frozen in time.

Balingup and its surrounding rolling green hills Credit: Shutterstock

Balingup is a small town in rolling farmland about a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Perth, and the green only deepens through winter. Two kilometres south of town is the Golden Valley Tree Park, a 60-hectare heritage-listed arboretum and the largest in the state, with a tree collection that began more than a century ago and six self-guided walking tracks. Entry is free.

The park is at its showiest in autumn, when the deciduous trees in the World Collection turn, but by late May, there is still colour on the ground and the Australian native collection holds its own year-round. It’s a slow, quiet place to walk off a long lunch, or just to contemplate your thoughts.

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Kununurra was named Western Australia’s Top Tourism Town for 2026 at the Perth Airport WA Tourism Conference Dinner in Carnarvon last night, edging out Geraldton (silver) and Kalgoorlie-Boulder (bronze) in the state’s flagship tourism category. The win comes with a $20,000 airtime package on 7 Regional WA to spruik the East Kimberley town to the rest of the country.

The 7NEWS Top Tourism Town Awards have been running for 37 years, and they remain one of the more closely watched events on the WA tourism calendar. Visitor Centres and Local Governments enter on behalf of their destinations, submitting a short video, itinerary, and editorial article, which then go before an industry judging panel. The public also gets a say, and more than 6,000 people voted across the three categories this year.

In the Small Tourism Town category, Jurien Bay took gold. Carnarvon, the host town for the night, claimed silver, and York rounded out the medals with bronze.

Kalbarri’s win in the Tiny Tourism Town category was its third in a row, earning the Mid West town a place in the Top Tourism Town Hall of Fame. Pemberton took silver and Walpole bronze in the same category.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the three gold medallists had all impressed both the judging panel and the voting public. “Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Top Tourism Town Awards. Kununurra, Jurien Bay, and Kalbarri have all displayed an exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality visitor experiences,” he said.

“All medallists have impressed both an industry panel of judges and the public through consumer voting. The winners will now go on to represent Western Australia on a national level in the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in September.”

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The Gascoyne Food Festival returns in August with a 16-day programme of dining experiences stretched across one of the most remote parts of Western Australia.

The 2025 Festival sold out, and the 2026 edition is expected to be just as popular. It’s the first major event in the region since Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Festival Director Louise Cashmore commented, “This year’s Festival is about more than simply returning. It’s about showcasing the Gascoyne through experiences that are genuinely immersive, deeply connected to place and unlike anything else in Australia.”

“From long table dining in a working mango plantation in full bloom, to fireside storytelling beneath vast outback skies and remote station feasts under the stars, this is a Festival that invites people to experience the Gascoyne in a deeply authentic and meaningful way.”

Running across the entire Festival, the Taste of the Gascoyne Food Trails will see eateries across Shark Bay, Carnarvon, and Exmouth putting signature dishes on their menus under a unifying regional concept: “Put a Prawn On It,” celebrating MSC-certified Exmouth Wild and Shark Bay Wild prawns.

Sea Harvest Australia has covered participation costs for local eateries as part of the region’s cyclone recovery effort, which has helped pull more venues into the programme than would otherwise have been possible.

Here are some of the key festival events.

The Plantation Feast Credit: Australia’s Coral Coast

The Plantation Feast on Saturday, August 22nd sits inside a working Carnarvon mango plantation in full bloom. Jessica Roe — Petition Kitchen head chef and WA Good Food Guide Young Chef of the Year — has built a multi-course seasonal menu paired with Di Latte wines and local beverages.

Fireside Yarns: Land, Sea & Story Credit: Australia’s Coral Coast

Paul “Yoda” Iskov of Fervor heads to Gwoonwardu Mia for Fireside Yarns: Land, Sea and Story — an evening built around food, culture, and storytelling on country.

Whalebone Hoe-Down Credit: Australia’s Coral Coast

Exmouth hosts the Whalebone Hoe-Down, where you can expect live music, a fire-cooked feast, flowing drinks, and line dancing late into the evening. It’s the loosest event on the programme, so it’s a must-attend.

Bullara Station Feast Credit: Australia’s Coral Coast

Bullara Station returns to the line-up with one of the Festival’s most-loved experiences — fire-cooked food, music, and station hospitality under what the Gascoyne does best: a sky absolutely loaded with stars.

Australia’s Last Sunset Credit: Australia’s Coral Coast

The finale takes guests to Dirk Hartog Island for the final sunset over the Indian Ocean, followed by food and storytelling on the beach. It’s pitched as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and from what we’re told, it really will be.

How to get tickets

Tickets are now on sale here, and with several experiences capped at intimate numbers, the signature dinners aren’t likely to hang around for long. Visitors are being encouraged to extend their trip and use the Festival as a way into the region’s reefs, coastlines, and stations.

“In 2026, more than ever, the Gascoyne Food Festival provides an opportunity to celebrate the strengths of the region and the incredible people behind it,” Cashmore said.

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The group behind Hillarys Beach Club, Sorrento Beach Club, and Bar Olé Iluka has just opened its new south-of-the-river venue. The Heart Applecross sits beneath the Riviere Residence on Canning Beach Road, with unobstructed views across the Swan to the Perth CBD and capacity for 300 to 350 guests, including a 60-seat alfresco section.

The centrepiece is a horseshoe-shaped bar — a nod to Ryan and Nikki Esqulant’s former UK venue, The Princess Alice — with 22 beers on tap from Carlton & United Breweries, plus Guinness and Kilkenny.

The venue’s name and character come from The Golden Heart, a Spitalfields pub the Esqulant family has run for nearly five decades. That history has been built through the venue, from the art on the walls to just about everything else.

The interior was designed by Nikki Esqulant herself in collaboration with Hillman Architects. Marble finishes, leather furnishings, booth seating, and locally sourced furniture feature throughout. There’s also a private dining room that can accommodate 24 seated or 50 cocktail-style, catering to just about any function or celebration.

What’s on the menu

Head Chef Navi Kumar, who has spent the past two and a half years at Hillarys Beach Club, leads the kitchen under Executive Chef Steven Finch. The menu features pub classics alongside house-made pasta and pizza, along with an expanded UBON menu — the Nobu-inspired offering that’s already well established at Hillarys Beach Club.

A flambé ribeye, finished tableside, is the signature dish that people will love for the theatrics as much as the dish itself. There’s also King Ora salmon ceviche with nashi pear, a beef cheek cottage pie, and sticky date madeleines to finish.

Part of a growing precinct

The Heart sits alongside Bar Olé Applecross, which opened in March, forming what ELG Australia describes as an entertainment precinct on Canning Beach Road. The two venues together have brought 180 jobs to the surrounding community.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring the ELG Australia style of hospitality south of the river and to become part of the Applecross community,” said Ryan Esqulant, owner of ELG Australia. “What we’ve created here with The Heart and Bar Olé Applecross is something really special — an entertainment precinct where people can come together, enjoy incredible food and drinks, and take in some of the best views in Perth. The uninterrupted outlook over the Swan River is simply stunning, and we can’t wait to share it with our guests.”

ELG Australia’s next project, The Alice in Ocean Reef, is scheduled to open in 2028.

The Heart Applecross is located at 59 Canning Beach Road, Applecross.

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Car Park One at Cottesloe Beach is being torn up and turned into a public plaza, with grass terraces, an event space, and a proper pedestrian and cycling thoroughfare running alongside the beach.

The federal government has committed $10 million through its Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, with the Town of Cottesloe putting in $5 million of its own. That $15 million covers Stage One of a redevelopment plan that’s been sitting on the shelf since 2018, when Council first adopted the Foreshore Revitalisation Masterplan. Detailed construction drawings were approved back in 2021. The funding has now finally been secured to make it happen.

Credit: City of Cottesloe / Supplied

Stage One of the redevelopment concentrates on the strip of foreshore most visitors are quite familiar with — the part directly opposite the cafés and restaurants on Marine Parade. The main car park will be replaced by terraced seating, a landscaped community space, and an event plaza for events such as Sculpture by the Sea, summer markets, and council-run events. Footpaths along Marine Parade will be widened, and the road layout will be reworked with traffic-calming measures so pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers aren’t competing for the same patch of asphalt.

Universal beach access for people of all abilities is part of the brief, along with new tree planting and active transport upgrades. Mayor Melissa Harkins described the project as ready to go.

“This funding allows us to move forward with a project that has strong community support and has been years in the making,” Mayor Harkins said. “It is shovel-ready and will deliver lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.”

A project years in the making Credit: City of Cottesloe / Supplied

The Foreshore Revitalisation Masterplan was adopted by Council in 2018, with detailed construction drawings approved in 2021. What’s followed since has been the long wait for someone to write a big cheque. The federal contribution, announced yesterday at the foreshore by Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman, closes that gap, at least for Stage One.

“Cottesloe beach holds treasured memories for generations of Australians and for our international visitors,” Gorman said. “We are working with the Council to ensure it is protected, celebrated and enjoyed by future generations.”

“Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth’s most recognisable and loved destinations, attracting visitors from across Australia and around the world,” Mayor Harkins said.

The economic case sits on tourism numbers. The foreshore draws year-round visitors who flow through to cafés, restaurants, and accommodation in the surrounding streets, and the redesigned precinct is meant to make those connections more seamless.

Stage One covers roughly half of the overall project, which is costed at just over $30 million. With the federal piece secured, the Town has turned its attention to the WA State Government for the rest.

“Delivery of Stage One represents 50 per cent of the overall project and the Town looks forward to continuing discussions with the State Government to secure outcomes that may deliver the remainder of the project,” Mayor Harkins added.

Stage Two would extend improvements north toward Eric Street and redesign Car Park Two on Napier Street, including the addition of a mezzanine level.

A construction timeline hasn’t been formally announced. After eight years of plans, drawings, and waiting, Cottesloe’s foreshore is finally moving past the masterplan stage.

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