What's hot in Western Australia

Top Drop Tours

Extra Qantas flights for Broome

Qantas has announced the inclusion of a third direct flight between Melbourne and Broome, making it even easier for east-coast visitors to travel to the exotic pearling town. The service will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with the Sunday service re-commencing on March 20, the Wednesday service on May 4, and the new Friday service from June 3. It means that during the peak months, Broome will have direct flights to cities on the east coast five days a week, with services to Brisbane and Sydney also set to resume in the coming months.
www.qantas.com.au/

Local operators win big at Australian Tourism Awards

Margaret River operator, Top Drop Tours has been named Australia's best Tour and Transport Operator at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards 2015. It's the second year running that the company has brought home Gold in its category. The small family-run business takes guests to the region's best food and wine hotspots as part of a set itinerary, customised or private tour. Tourism excellence was also awarded to Koomal Dreaming, which won Bronze for Indigenous Tourism, and Sandalford Wines, which was awarded Silver in the Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category.
http://topdroptours.com.au/

Locals vote for Elizabeth Quay with their feet

Elizabeth Quay

Recently opened waterfront development Elizabeth Quay has attracted more than 800,000 visitors in its first three weeks. Locals and visitors to Perth have embraced the events and attractions on offer in the CBD including the Perth International Arts Festival and Fringe World Festival, which recorded its most popular season yet with more than 900,000 people attending free and ticketed events across the metropolitan area – a 36 per cent increase on the 2015 Fringe World season which attracted more than 660,000. Transperth ferry services have been expanded in response to the popularity of Elizabeth Quay, with services running on a 15 minute frequency until 9:30pm Sunday to Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/projects-and-places/elizabeth-quay

Rex launch regional flights in WA

Australia's largest independent regional airline, Regional Express (Rex) has started its air services from Perth to Albany and Perth to Esperance, as part of a five-year agreement to provide regulated air services on the two air routes. Residents and travellers in these regional communities will benefit from Rex's timetables which will see an increased number of flights and annual seat capacity when flying to and from Perth, compared to previous services to the regions.
www.rex.com.au

Visitors invited to register interest for humpback whale swims

Ningaloo Reef

Following the November announcement of humpback whale swim trials starting at Ningaloo Reef, a number of tour operators in the region have released their prices and tour structure, and visitors are being asked to register their interest. The tour structure will combine the whale shark tour model with the whale watching eco-tour, with in-water interactions dependent on the whale's behaviour and the weather. There will be a maximum of 10 swimmers per tour, with five people in the water with any one humpback whale. Swimmers won't be allowed near mothers and calves for both the protection and safety of whale and human. All operators are offering a full day tour experience, starting from approximately 10am, concluding at around 5pm, with some offering a whale watching cruise price with an additional cost if there is an in-water experience, while others offer an all-inclusive price. It's anticipated that the season will start in August but could start earlier, depending on the whale migration (traditionally July to October). To register interest and for more information visit this link. And to read more about Ningaloo's marine encounters, read the feature below.
www.australiascoralcoast.com/attractions-events/swim-with-humpback-whales-in-2016