In this month's edition of This is WA, read about the chef line-up and program of events recently announced for Margaret River Gourmet Escape 2015, Denmark being chosen as the location to film Tim Winton's award-winning novel Breath, the opening of COMO The Treasury in Perth and recent orca sightings at Ningaloo Reef. There's also all the latest news on WA tours, accommodation, food, wine and events. 

What's Hot

Margaret River Gourmet Escape chef line-up and program revealed
The 'Godfather of modern cooking' Marco Pierre White will be the international headline chef at Margaret River Gourmet Escape (MRGE) 2015. Marco will take part in the three-day culinary extravaganza, with a full program of events hosted by more than 40 of the world's leading food and wine personalities showcasing the best of WA and the Margaret River region from November 20 to 22. Exciting new experiences on this year's program include a dinner on the Busselton Jerry with Rick Stein; The Godfather Dinner at Vasse Felix with Marco Pierre White; Stokehouse Restaurant setting sail on the Kimberley Quest II luxury cruiser; events specifically for beer lovers; a seafood discovery tour in Augusta; and a didgeridoo cave experience with bush barbecue dinner hosted by local Wadandi man, Josh Whiteland. Further information on this year's chef line-up can be read in this month's feature story below. The full program of events in now available at www.gourmetescape.com.au; and tickets are available through Ticketek, www.ticketek.com.au. 

Award winning Tim Winton novel to be filmed in Denmark
The WA south west town of Denmark has been chosen as the location to film the movie adaptation of Tim Winton's best-selling and award-winning novel, Breath. The film will be directed by Australian actor Simon Baker, who will also star in the film. Breath tells the story of two teenage boys who form an unlikely bond with reclusive older surfer, Sando (Baker) and his mysterious wife. Most of the filming will take place in Denmark and will feature infamous surf break The Right. The majority of the key production creative and 100 crew will be West Australian.  In addition, 150 Great Southern locals will be employed as actors, extras and surfing doubles. Filming is expected to start in late 2015, with pre-production expected to last six weeks and filming up to seven.
www.screenwest.wa.gov.au 

Hilton Worldwide announces third DoubleTree by Hilton for Perth
Hilton Worldwide has announced a third DoubleTree by Hilton property to open in Northbridge in 2017. The 205-room hotel will be will be the first DoubleTree by Hilton to open in WA. Last year, Hilton Worldwide and SKS Group announced their partnership for two additional WA hotels including DoubleTree by Hilton – Perth Waterfront and DoubleTree by Hilton Perth – Fremantle. The Northbridge hotel will be located centrally on James Street, and will feature 205 rooms including four suites, a restaurant and bar, event space, business centre, gym and outdoor pool. Positioned immediately north of the Perth CBD, Northbridge is home to a multicultural melting pot of flavours blended together with a lively mix of bars and nightclubs.
www.doubletree.com 

COMO Hotels and Resorts makes its Australian debut in Perth
COMO Hotels and Resorts has announced it will open a new hotel in Perth as the centrepiece of a city centre development designed by architect Kerry Hill. COMO The Treasury will be COMO's first Australian property, providing access to the State capital and business hub of Perth. The hotel is set within a new artisanal precinct called the Cathedral Square Development. This re-vamped heritage site contains a group of buildings which have played an important role in the city's history for the past 140 years. COMO The Treasury will comprise 48 elegant rooms and suites averaging a generous 70 m2 each. Amenities will include COMO's signature aromatherapy-based COMO Shambhala toiletries, minibars and the customary luxuries of a leading-edge hotel, including Wi-Fi technology. The hotel will have a fine-dining restaurant on the rooftop with views across the Swan River. There will also be a casual restaurant on the ground-floor serving modern Australian dishes. COMO The Treasury will open 15 October 2015.
www.comohotels.com/thetreasury 

Lifestyle and Culture

Australian greats to attend CinefestOZ 2015
Australian actor David Wenham will attend the CinefestOZ film festival as Jury Chair for Australia's biggest film prize, the CinefestOZ Film Prize. The Film Prize encourages excellence in Australian filmmaking by providing a $100,000 award to an Australian film or feature-length documentary, with the winning film to be announced on August 29. Feature films selected as finalists in the Film Prize will screen during CinefestOZ film festival (August 26 to 30), along with an exciting program of short films, documentaries, industry workshops and related events throughout the South West. Hugo Weaving will also attend CinèfestOZ 2015 as this year's Screen Legend, and will be recognised for his achievements as an Australian actor at the festival's gala night on August 29. The full CinefestOZ film and event program and ticket sales are available at www.cinefestoz.com. 

Jai Courtney to star in local production, Of Mice and Men
Rising Hollywood star Jai Courtney will perform with the Perth Theatre Company in the stage adaptation of John Steinbeck's 1930s classic Of Mice and Men. Jai graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2008, before hitting the big screen with starring roles in Divergence, Felony and Terminator: Genisys. Performing alongside Courtney is Australian actor and writer Ian Meadows, actor Gary Sweet, and rising Perth star Rose Riley. The stage production will open on December 4 and finish on December 20, and tickets can be purchased online at www.perththeatre.com.au/show/mice-men/. 

Wildflower photo competition underway
Australia's Golden Outback's wildflower photo competition is back for another year, giving budding photographers and wildflower enthusiasts the opportunity to showcase their favourite snaps. WA is famous for its unique and beautiful wildflowers, and to celebrate the Golden Outback is encouraging tourists and locals to share their wildflower images online. People can enter via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, by simply following Australia's Golden Outback and using the hashtag #AGOwildflowers. The winner will receive a cash prize and their image will be featured in Australia's Golden Outback's marketing material. For full details, visit www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/enter-our-2015-wildflower-competition. 

Carnivale returns to Rottnest
Following a successful launch in 2014, Rottnest Island Carnivale returns for its second year on Rottnest Island.  Proudly supporting Telethon, the October 31 event will be jam-packed full of free entertainment and activities for all to enjoy. This year's Carnivale will feature a new “By Night” component set to transform the island from a day of family fun into a fine evening of mouth-watering food, dance and entertainment. Live music performances, face painters, giant bubble blowing, Aboriginal sand art and a treasure hunt will be available during the day, while poolside tapas, Calypso tunes and a market style food village will transform the island from 5pm onwards. Special ferry tickets are available for purchase, including afternoon and late night ferries for those wishing to attend the evening entertainment.
www.rottnestisland.com/carnivale 

Food and Wine

Print Hall wins Wine Spectator's Prestigious Grand award
Print Hall has received the highest honours from US magazine Wine Spectator, joining the exclusive ranks of 73 restaurants globally to take out the 'Grand Award'.  The Grand Award celebrates excellence in restaurant wine selections, and according to the magazine, identifies Print Hall as a 'must-visit destination for wine lovers'. Honoured restaurants typically offer 1,500 wine selections or more, and their wine list features 'superior depth and breadth in many of the world's major regions'. This recognition adds to Print Hall's tally of awards with the venue taking home The Good Food Guide's 2014 Wine List of the Year award in November 2014.
www.printhall.com.au

New restaurants open in Perth
Two new restaurants have opened in Perth, adding to the city's diverse food and wine offering. Located in the heart of Northbridge, Sauma presents a modern Indian street-food experience – emphasising freshness, creativity and raw charm. In the nearby cultural hub of Mt Lawley, Mary's (the night time alter-ego of Mary Street Bakery) combines Japanese and Korean flavours in a modern menu set to tantalise the tastebuds. The hip venue is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm till late.
www.sauma.com.au 
www.marystreetbakery.com.au 

Gastronomic experience in an outback oasis
The Gascoyne Food Festival is back for another year, showcasing the amazing array of fresh food located in and around Carnarvon. The four day event runs from August 13 to 16, and includes a Chef's Paddock Tour, Barbecue on the Beach, Long Table Lunch and Gascoyne Growers Markets. The main event is the Long Table Lunch where guest chefs will cook up culinary tapas delights for 180 guests on the banks of the Gascoyne River.
www.gascoynefood.com.au 

Tours, Attractions and Accommodation

New wellness spa opens in Perth
A new Bodhi J Wellness Spa on Pier Street in East Perth has officially opened. Spanning 440 square metres, the new spa features a suite of luxuriously appointed treatment rooms – including three with twin bed for couples or friends; two with raindrop showers, and four with a hydrotherapy bath. There is a dedicated pedicure and manicure lounge, as well as a tranquil relaxation lounge and outdoor courtyard. There are private change rooms for guests, a sauna and a studio space where yoga classes are held every morning from 6am. The East Perth spa builds on the success of Bodhi J Health and Beauty Spa in Wembley, which achieved national recognition as one of Australia's top five day spas in the 2014 Australian Beauty Industry Awards.
www.bodhij.com.au 

Local Aboriginal operators feature in Tourism Australia campaign
Brian Lee's Tagalong Tours, Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, Bundy's Cultural Tours and Lombadina feature in Tourism Australia's short film to promote Aboriginal tourism experiences. Entitled Aboriginal Australia: Our Country is waiting for you, the film was created in collaboration with renowned Australian filmmakers Brendan Fletcher and Warwick Thornton. Visit Tourism Australia's website to view the film and find out more about the locations and products shown, the filmmakers and the research behind the project.
www.tourism.australia.com/campaigns/aboriginal-film.aspx 

World's biggest mega slide coming to Adventure World
Adventure World has revealed its newest attraction for summer – a fully themed, heart-stopping monster mega waterslide. The ProSlide Tornado 60 will be the longest, steepest and tallest Tornado slide on the planet, dropping 30 metres along the 260 metres of ride. The iconic Tornado 60 is widely recognised as the world's favourite water ride, with riders reaching speeds up to 6.7 metres per second at certain points of the ride. Construction of the slide is currently underway and due to be complete for the park opening in October.
www.adventureworld.net.au 

Orca sightings at Ningaloo Reef
Orcas have been spotted at Ningaloo Reef as the whale shark season comes to a close. In July, a resident orca put on an unforgettable display for a group of tourists. The male killer whale, known to those in the area as Augie, was intent on ensuring all the attention was firmly on him as he playfully jumped in and out of the water several times. Humpback whales have also been visiting the region on their annual migration along Australia's Coral Coast.
www.australiascoralcoast.com  

Ramada Eco Beach celebrates new partnership
Eco Beach has joined the Wyndham Hotel Group and rebranded as 'Ramada Eco Beach Resort'. The four-and-a-half-star resort, located just over an hour's drive south of Broome in the Kimberley, provides guests with a beachfront location boasting stunning views of the Indian Ocean. With a strong focus on conservation, Ramada Eco Beach practices sustainable energy and water use throughout the property, including the use of solar power, fluorescent lighting and recycled water to maintain the property's expansive landscaped grounds. In addition to being 70 per cent self-sustainable, the property features over one kilometre of elevated boardwalks to ensure minimal impact on the native bush land, all-natural bathroom products and the promotion of responsible fishing.
www.wyndhamap.com/wps/wcm/connect/wyndham/home/resorts/australia/wa/ramada-eco-beach/overview 

Australia's Coral Coast is alive with wildflowers this spring
The wildflower season has officially begun on Australia's Coral Coast. Just two hours north of Perth, there's a charming blend of wildflowers and historical treasures around Jurien Bay, Coorow and Badgingarra. Make Geraldton or Dongara-Denison your base to explore the wide-spanning carpets of everlastings at Coalseam Conservation Park and Mingenew. Bushwalk or hike the gorges of Kalbarri National Park and view the numerous native orchids including the Banded Green Hood, Snail, Spider and Cowslip. Now is a great time to visit the region and discover secluded beaches, untouched coral reefs, unique marine and wildlife and endless species of stunning wildflowers. WA is home to 12,000 species of wildflowers - 50 per cent of which cannot be seen anywhere else on earth.
www.australiascoralcoast.com 

FEATURE

Bring your senses to life in the Margaret River region

Local delights abound in the Margaret River region, with a seemingly endless supply of world-class wineries, boutique breweries, gourmet produce and eateries with sweeping vineyard, forest and beach views.

With more than 220 wine producers, 100 cellar doors and producing more than 25 percent of Australia's premium wine, this chilled out surfing town has evolved into the ultimate smorgasbord of wineries, unique accommodation, quality local restaurants, art galleries and touring options.  

Here you can stroll through vineyards with a glass of local wine, or dine at one of the many winery restaurants, where local chefs celebrate the local produce. Favourites include Aravina Estate, Cullen, Wills Domain, Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate. There's also plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from in town including Muster, Miki's Open Kitchen, Morries Anytime and Swings Taphouse.

Margaret River also boasts an abundance of local cheeses, chocolates and ice cream, while boutique shops, luxury retreats and pampering spa treatments offer plenty of indulgent treats.

An emergence of award-winning boutique breweries are becoming internationally recognised for their range of brews, from traditional pale ales and pilsners, through to ginger or chocolate flavoured beers. Sample a local favourite at one of Margaret River's many breweries, including Eagle Bay Brewing Co, Cowaramup Brewing Company, Colonial Brewing Company, Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery, and the most recently opened Young Henrys Brewery.

The Margaret River region is also home to WA's annual premier food and wine event, the Margaret River Gourmet Escape (MRGE). Each year, MRGE features an unparalleled line up of international and local food and wine celebrities, iconic and breathtaking host locations, money can't buy culinary experiences and a premium focus on 'the world's best'.

Marco Pierre White will be the international headline chef at MRGE 2015. Other chefs involved with this year's MRGE include Gaggan Anand (Gaggan, Bangkok), Rick Stein (chef and restauranteur), David Thompson (Nahm, Bangkok), Ashely Palmer-Watts (Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London), Guillaume Brahimi (Guillaume, Sydney), Matt Moran (ARIA, Sydney) and George Calombaris (The Press Club, Melbourne).

Margaret River is famous for its consistently spectacular surf with breaking waves across 40 scenic kilometres of coastline. It's now officially considered one of the world's top ten surfing breaks and has recently been named Western Australia's first national surfing reserve. Surf beaches alternate with secluded bays blessed with crystal clear water and pristine white sand, perfect for a cooling dip or a peaceful stroll.

Artists are also attracted to Margaret River's beauty and relaxed atmosphere, and the list of internationally and nationally acclaimed photographers, jewellers, painters, glass blowers and wood and metal working crafters is endless. Days are easily spent wandering the artisan trail and shopping for an original work of art bought direct from the artists themselves.

And when it comes time to rest, accommodation in the Margaret River region ranges from rustic wood cabins in the middle of the forest to five star luxury resorts that will delight even the most discerning traveller.

The Margaret River region is a three hour drive south of Perth.

For more information visit www.australiassouthwest.com. 

Events

AUGUST

Nannup Flower and Garden Festival
August 14-17
Nannup, Australia's South West
The Nannup Flower and Garden Festival includes a wine dinner, open gardens, art workshops, quilt displays, garden talks and market stalls. The main component of the event is the floral display at the Town Hall. A new element was added to the 2013 event program titled Garden Gourmets, featuring regional food and wine products. Evening entertainment and regional choir performances are also provided.
www.nannupgardens.org.au 

Shinju Matsuri
August 28 to September 6, 2015
Broome, Australia's North West
Japanese for Festival of the Pearl, Shinju Matsuri celebrates the unique culture, history and diversity of Broome. A traditional Chinese dragon is the centre-piece of the festival, and people proudly display their ethnic origins, and celebrate a pearling history that has made their getaway town the envy of the world. The festival will tempt your senses with an exciting whirlwind of colour, sound, taste and smell. This year's event will include an Opening Night celebration, Shinju Matsuri Art Awards, Floating Lantern Matsuri and a Sunset Long Table dinner.
www.shinjumatsuri.com.au  

National Ballooning Championships
August 28 to September 6, 2015
Northam, Experience Perth
All eyes will be on the skies in Northam when the National Ballooning Championships descends on the Avon Valley town. Balloon pilots from around the world will compete over five days, testing their skills at varying winds and altitudes. Approximately 30 balloons will be in flight during the event. A number of community events and a range of great entertainment will support the Championships, highlights include the Northam Fiesta and Northam and Districts Small Farm and Business Expo on the opening weekend.
www.northamnationals.com 

SEPTEMBER

Telstra Perth Fashion Festival
September 15-20, 2015
Perth, Experience Perth
Perth is fast becoming a fashion hot spot and with iconic events like Telstra Perth Fashion Festival, there's little wonder why. Now in its 17th year, the Festival sees fashionistas experiencing high fashion events at a range of unique venues. With world-class runway shows, free public events and fashion lunches, the Festival's line-up keeps getting better. Highlight events from the 2015 program include Opening Night with Dilettante; a debut runway show by Australia designer Akira; Myer Fashion Lunch; and Closing Night with Wheels and Dollbaby.
www.telstraperthfashionfestival.com.au

Red Earth Arts Festival
September 18-27, 2015
Karratha, Australia's North West
The Red Earth Arts Festival (REAF) is one of Australia's largest regional arts festivals. Taking place in the City of Karratha, REAF will host a range of events for everyone. There will be activities for kids, a live music night with Bluejuice and Miami Horror, dance performances, a huge film festival, a street festival launch and an adults only Vaudeville Village night.
www.karratha.wa.gov.au/events/reaf-2015 

XXXX Gold Kalgoorlie Cup
September 27, 2015
Kalgoorlie, Australia's Golden Outback
The Kalgoorlie Race Round features the Boulder Cup, Hannans Handicup and culminates in one of the Goldfield's most iconic events, the XXXX Gold Kalgoorlie Cup, where professional jockeys battle it out on the 2,300m track for a handicap of $160,000 plus trophies valued at $3,135 for the owner, $1,780 for the trainer and $1,780 for the rider.
www.kbrc.com.au/race-round-kalgoorlie.php 

OCTOBER

2015 Yalgoo Emu Cup
October 10, 2015
Yalgoo, Australia's Golden Outback
The Yalgoo Emu Cup & Goo Fest features emu-themed races, activities and competitions.  The program incorporates novelty emu costume races, small sculpture competitions and a Goo Fest concert. There will also be various live music, art activities and fireworks to conclude the evening.
www.yalgoo.wa.gov.au/2014-goo-fest-emu-cup.aspx 

Cape to Cape MTB
October 22-25, 2015
Augusta, Australia's South West
Cape to Cape MTB is a four day mountain bike race through the Margaret River region, set to an iconic backdrop of world famous surf beaches, private farmlands, wineries, rocky outcrops and national forest. Each year a large number of national and international elite mountain bike riders descend on WA's South West specifically for the Cape to Cape MTB. The mix of riding trails from world famous beaches to rock paths through the pines forest make the Cape to Cape one of the most popular and well recognised endurance stage races in Australia.
www.capetocapemtb.com 

Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash
October 23-25, 2015
Carnarvon, Australia's Coral Coast
Featuring extreme off-road racing machines such as buggies, 4WDs, bikes and quads, the 520km event provides a challenge for even the toughest competitors. The event continues to grow every year and in 2012 it won the Gold Award in the Festivals and Events category at the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards. The Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash received the award for bringing economic benefits to the local community, attracting visitors to the region, generating media exposure and promoting the destination. 
www.gasdash.com