Get Gourmet in WA

Western Australia's world-renowned food and drink reputation and ever-expanding list of unique culinary offerings is attracting visitors from near and far to indulge in its gourmet delights.

The State's varied landscape and climate has led way to a smorgasbord of top-quality produce – from Albany oysters and Manjimup black truffles, to Exmouth's fresh king prawns and Pemberton marron – which is complemented by the hundreds of premium wine, beer, cider and whisky producers dotted across WA.

In the foodie capital of Perth, visitors will find new small bars, cafes and restaurants in all corners of the city. The welcome trend of new hotels housing signature standalone restaurants has added to the city's mix of dining options, including The Westin's Garum (represented at ATE), Santini Bar and Grill at QT Perth(represented at ATE), Ascua at InterContinental Perth City Centre (represented at ATE) and Uma at Pan Pacific (represented at ATE).

Housed within the beautifully restored State Buildings, COMO The Treasury's(represented at ATE) award-winning rooftop restaurant Wildflower presents a menu revolving around the Indigenous ethos of a six season calendar, while guests will find a contemporary Italian osteria at Post.

Located a 25-minute drive from Perth is WA's oldest wine growing region, the Swan Valley, comprising a selection of wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, fresh produce, and arts and crafts. A number of travel options are available to access and experience the region, including a new hop-on hop-off bus service, the Swan Valley Explorer (represented at ATE under Adams Pinnacle Tours), and gourmet wine cruises with Captain Cook Cruises (represented at ATE).

For the first time, Perth and the Swan Valley will host the inaugural Western Australia Gourmet Escape in November 2019, which will also combine events in the Margaret River region. A natural progression of the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, the event has previously attracted the likes of Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre-White and Rene Redzepi.

Producing more than 20 percent of Australia's premium wine, the Margaret River region in WA's South West is home to more than 150 wine producers and 85 cellar doors. Here, visitors can stroll through vineyards with a glass of chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon – the heroes of the region, or dine at one of the many award-winning winery restaurants. There is a noticeable movement for naturally-produced and minimal intervention wine, with many organic varieties sourced from Margaret River, the Great Southern wine region and Swan Valley.

WA has also welcomed a rise in breweries utilising local and native ingredients in its craft selection of beer and ciders. This includes the Beer Farm in Margaret River, Lucky Bay Brewing in Esperance, Whale Bone Brewery in Exmouth and the most recently opened Wild Hop Brewing Co in Margaret River. The birthplace of Australia's flourishing craft beer scene can be found in the port city of Fremantle, home to local favourites Little Creatures and The Monk.

Meanwhile, award-winning spirits can be found across the State – from Illegal Tender Rum Co in Dongora (represented at ATE), Hoochery Distillery in Kununurra and Great Southern Distilling Co in Albany.

The Southern Forests towns of Manjimup and Pemberton continue to produce the largest amount of black truffle in the Southern Hemisphere. Sample the rare delicacy, learn about its cultivation and watch the specially trained truffle dogs in action at The Truffle & Wine Co in Manjimup.

Unique dining experiences can be enjoyed State-wide – from an indulgent degustation served eight metres below the ocean's surface at Busselton Jetty, to pop-up dining enterprise Fervor, who work in partnership with local communities and traditional owners to promote the beauty and assets of WA's regions.

The North West town of Broome is home to a variety of cuisines aligned to the town's history and melting pot of cultures. Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian and Japanese flavours can be found at many restaurants or bars located in the town centre and at Cable Beach.

An Aboriginal cultural tour introduces tourists to new bush flavours and fascinating facts about Indigenous foods. Join Koomal Dreaming or Cape Cultural Tours in Margaret River, Wula Gura Nyinda at Monkey Mia (represented at ATE) or Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures, Kooljaman and Narlijia Tours in the Kimberley (allrepresented at ATE), and Poornarti Aboriginal Tours (represented at ATE) in the Great Southern.

Thanks to 12,000 kilometres of coastline, WA's variety of seafood options are among the finest and freshest in the world. Get a close-up encounter of the State's rock lobster industry at The Lobster Shack in Cervantes (represented at ATE), or pull up your own lobster catch with Mandurah or Rottnest Cruises' (represented at ATE) wild seafood experience.

Here's a snapshot of upcoming WA foodie events in 2019:

• Gascoyne Food Festival, Carnarvon (August 2019)
• Shinju Matsuri, Broome (September 7 to 15)
• Western Australia Gourmet Escape, Perth, Swan Valley and Margaret River (November 8 to 17)

For further information on WA's food and wine scene www.westernaustralia.com