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| whale shark |
The ocean’s gentle giants have been sighted at Ningaloo Reef on Australia’s mid-north coast, heralding the start of the 2019 whale shark season. The number of visitors to World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef continues to increase each year, with a record breaking 32,054 people experiencing a whale shark swim in 2018. Last year saw a total of 1,845 tours take place, with a whale shark sighting success rate of 97 per cent – the highest to date. The typical WA whale shark season runs from March to August. Tours have started operating from Exmouth and Coral Bay – with consistent whale shark sightings expected from mid-March. The tours allow visitors to have a face-to-fin encounter with the friendly marine giants – which generally grow between six and 11 metres in length.
Luxury eco-retreat Sal Salis is also due to open on March 15. Overlooking NIngaloo Reef in Cape Range National Park, the beach-side safari camp offers whale shark swims as well as a range of guided wildlife tours.
Record breaking win for WA at National Tourism Awards
Seaplane adventures over Australia’s only horizontal waterfalls, Aboriginal cultural tours, Kimberley cruising and foodie walking tours are just some of WA’s award winning tourism experiences, recognised at the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Taking home a record breaking 16 awards, WA tourism businesses won eight gold, two silver and six bronze from the 25 categories. This is the biggest win for WA at the national awards, which have been operating for more than 30 years, and recognise and celebrate Australia’s best tourism businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
The WA gold medal winners are:
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures – Tourist Attractions
The Beach House at Bayside – Hosted Accommodation
Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences – Qantas Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Swan Valley Visitor Centre – Visitor Information Services
Kimberley Quest – Tour and Transport Operators
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures – Adventure Tourism
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures - The Horizontal Hotel – Unique Accommodation
Two Feet and a Heartbeat – Excellence in Food Tourism
In addition, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures and The Beach House at Bayside in Albany were added to the tourism Hall of Fame.
For the full list of WA winners visit westernaustralia.com.
Glamping now open on Rottnest Island
Discovery – Rottnest Island, the first new accommodation to open on Perth’s island paradise in more than 30 years, has officially opened. Nestled behind the sand dunes at Pinky Beach, the property comprises 83 fully furnished eco-tents, a resort pool and bar, and a signature Pinky’s Beach Club. All eco-tents include an ensuite bathroom, pillow-topped bed and furnished private decks, while the deluxe tents offer beachfront views and walk-in robes. The tents are linked via walkways and boardwalks to Pinky’s Beach Club, the heart of the property, offering a range of locally inspired dining options, refreshments and takeaways.
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| Ord Valley Muster |
Amy Shark and Pete Murray to headline Ord Valley Muster
The North West town of Kununurra will welcome some of Australia’s biggest musical performers in May for the 2019 Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. Indi-pop singer-songwriter and four time ARIA award winner Amy Shark will headline the Muster’s pinnacle event – the Aviair HeliSpirit Kimberley Moon Experience on May 25, along with singer-songwriter Pete Murray and Skinnyfish Sound System – a group that brings together Australian music producers with Aboriginal artists and their communities. The event includes a ticketed Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner, family-friendly general admission picnic area and a new mid-tier hospitality offering, the Vintage Garden. The annual festival, which will take over Kununurra and surrounds from May 17 to 26, combines Aboriginal food, culture and dance, intimate tours in secret locations, a challenging bike ride, art exhibitions, local talent quests, a country rodeo and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. Early bird general admission tickets are now on sale, with travel packages including flights from Perth and self-drive from Broome available soon.
The North West town of Kununurra will welcome some of Australia’s biggest musical performers in May for the 2019 Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. Indi-pop singer-songwriter and four time ARIA award winner Amy Shark will headline the Muster’s pinnacle event – the Aviair HeliSpirit Kimberley Moon Experience on May 25, along with singer-songwriter Pete Murray and Skinnyfish Sound System – a group that brings together Australian music producers with Aboriginal artists and their communities. The event includes a ticketed Kimberley Fine Diamonds Dinner, family-friendly general admission picnic area and a new mid-tier hospitality offering, the Vintage Garden. The annual festival, which will take over Kununurra and surrounds from May 17 to 26, combines Aboriginal food, culture and dance, intimate tours in secret locations, a challenging bike ride, art exhibitions, local talent quests, a country rodeo and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. Early bird general admission tickets are now on sale, with travel packages including flights from Perth and self-drive from Broome available soon.
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