WHAT'S HOT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Humpback interaction success at Ningaloo

The four month trial of swimming with humpback whales commenced this month in Coral Bay and Exmouth, with immediate interaction success at both locations. The world's largest humpback whale population (estimated at 30,000) will migrate south along the Coral Coast. Tourists have the chance to interact with the whales as spectators from a close distance on-board a boat, or while in the water as they swim past or rest in the temperate Ningaloo waters. Further information in the feature story below.

Swiss Superstar announced in Hopman Cup line-up

One of the world's greatest tennis players, Roger Federer, will return to Perth for the first time in 15 years to compete in the 2017 Hopman Cup. The 17-time Grand Slam singles champion will represent Switzerland alongside world No.16 Belinda Bencic in the unique mixed-team competition, which will run from January 1 to 7 at Perth Arena. The Hopman Cup launches the Australian summer of tennis and has previously attracted some of the world's biggest names, including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray and Martina Hingis. Federer is a welcome addition to the annual event, which kicks-off Perth's lively summer festival of sport, culture and the arts. All session packages and final tickets are available to purchase via Ticketek. Single session tickets will go on sale to the general public in October.

Perth set to sizzle following TPFF program release

Fashionistas will flock to Perth this September 20-29, for the 2016 Telstra Perth Fashion Festival. Celebrating local, national and international fashion – this year's festival features world-class runway shows, free public events and fashion lunches at a range of venues including the festival village at the Perth Concert Hall and the Art Gallery of WA. Highlights from the Perth program include, Opening Night featuring Bianca Spender, Dion Lee, Flannel, Romance Was Born and Zhivago, Adam Heath: 50 years of Australian fashion and music, Australian designers Manning Cartell will debut its Diaphanous Resort 17 collection, Singaporean label Whole9Yards will make their first Australian runway appearance, and Closing Night: The Art of Fashion will be a spectacular showcase of WA's most progressive designers. Regionally, the outback town of Kalgoorlie will also host its own fashion event, Kalgoorlie Fashion Week, from August 6 to 12.

Two major rugby events coming to Perth

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Perth when the Rugby League State of Origin series (arguably Australia's biggest sporting event) comes to Perth in 2019. In a break from tradition, the second match of the season will be played on a weekend instead of a Wednesday evening at the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium. The major event will see sporting rivals the New South Wales Blues take on the Queensland Maroons as part of the annual series.

Perth will also be a Rugby League World Cup host city for the first time when sporting powerhouses England and France, along with two other European qualifiers, descend on nib Stadium for a double-header clash in 2017.

New program of events for Margaret River Gourmet Escape 2016

More than 40 culinary superstars from around the world will share their knowledge and passion across an abundance of mesmerising food events at this year's Margaret River Gourmet Escape. New events include Local Origins at Vasse Felix, including a Q&A with Nigella Lawson; Crenn Collaboration at Wills Domain with Dominique Crenn; a twilight dinner with Andoni Luis Aduriz; lunch with Ana Ros set in Margaret River's Secret Garden with George Cooper; and A Voyage to Dinner with Ashley- Palmer Watts and Janice Wong. Alongside the new line-up of events is the festival epicentre, the Gourmet Village, located in the stunning surrounds of Leeuwin Estate Winery and the refreshed Gourmet Beach BBQ. The 2016 Margaret River Gourmet Escape program provides a unique opportunity for visitors to discover local produce, taste world-renowned wines and meet internationally celebrated chefs, food producers and winemakers among the extraordinary surrounds of the Margaret River region. Tickets to the event can be purchased via Ticketek.