PERTH IN AUTUMN!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME TO VISIT PERTH, ONE OF MY FAVORITE CITIES IN AUSTRALIA BUT AUTUMN IS PARTICULARLY ENTICING AS THE WEATHER IS SO PLEASANT!

PERTH IS ALSO 5 HOURS AWAY FROM KLIA SO IT IS NOT A KILLER FLIGHT.

AND THE LIST OF ACTIVITIES IS AS BIG AS THE CONTINENT! JUST SEE WHAT THEY HAVE IN STORE----

Autumn in Western Australia brims with a bumper line up of events

Autumn in Western Australia signals the perfect time to visit with March, April and May offering a range of world-class sporting, food and wine, and arts and culture events happening around the State. Then there are the natural events - chances to witness extraordinary natural phenomenon's including Broome's Staircase to the Moon, a beautiful optical illusion of a staircase reaching up to the moon, and the arrival of the world's biggest fish - the Whale Shark in May.

Stunning sunset at Cottesloe

March kicks off with one of Perth's largest and free public events - Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, where iconic Cottesloe Beach is transformed into a stunning sculpture park with more than 70 local, interstate and international artists displaying their unique works of art. It's just another reason to visit one of Perth's 'must do's' - just be sure to stay for the spectacular sunset. Also on the 'must do' list is a visit to the port city of Fremantle. As well as soaking up the bohemian lifestyle and admiring the century old streetscapes, you can check out the works of leading Australian and international photographers at FotoFreo 2012. While in Perth, you might want to take a day trip to Mandurah and time your visit to coincide with the Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest.

Meantime, the South West region is buzzing and one of the key events to create that buzz will be the Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River, where a stellar line up of surfing professionals will battle it out at Margaret River's world-renowned surf break. It's a great time to experience the region's extraordinary, and world-famous food and wine at the Margaret River Wine Region Festival and Taste Great Southern, celebrate national and international musical talent at the Nannup Music Festival, and see rally drivers sprint across the region for the Quit Forest Rally. Exmouth, along the State's magnificent Coral Coast, will host WA's premier game fishing tournament as GAMEX takes place - the waters around Exmouth are home to more than 40 different game fish species.

Game for game fishing anyone?

Busker in Fremantle as street entertainment is everywhere in Freo

Busker in Fremantle

A hive of activities is the norm at Fremantle

In April, Fremantle will celebrate the 14th Fremantle Street Arts Festival - the largest street arts festival in Australia; bargain hunters and collectors will be in for a treat and a rummage at WA's largest and oldest antique fair - the York Antique and Collectors Fair; car lovers will visit Pinjarra for the 100% Smoke Free: All Australian Car Day IX and Geraldton will offer an insight into military life in the 1940s at the Valley View Vintage and Military Weekend.

Finally, May offers a range of events which combine WA's extraordinary landscapes with activities for all. The East Kimberley region, in the North West, is home to the Arygle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. It's the perfect time to explore the area and take in some of the Muster's key events including the Airnorth Kimberley Moon Experience concert, Waringarri Corroboree, bush tucker cooking and comedy night. The North will also see a diverse line-up of musical performances at the Nguyuru Waaringarrem Halls Creek Music Festival and A Night Under the Stars at Karijini. The world's biggest fish - the Whale Shark - will be celebrated in Exmouth at the Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival, and in nearby Denham, fishers and families will celebrate community life on the Coral Coast at the Shark Bay Annual Fishing Fiesta. Returning to Perth and the action-packed V8 Supercars Trading Post Perth Challenge will fire up motorsport fans while the South West will host the Busselton Festival of Triathlon and the 3 Waters Marathon.

For more information, visit westernaustralia.com/events

Events

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, March 1 to 19
Iconic Cottesloe Beach will be transformed into a stunning sculpture park when more than 70 local, interstate and international artists display their unique works of art. Now in its 8th year, this annual exhibition on the shores of the Indian Ocean has become one of Perth's largest and free public events.W: sculpturebythesea.com

Taste Great Southern, March 2 to 5
In its 8th year, this event showcases the rich and diverse flavours of one of Western Australia's most beautiful destinations. With events spreading from Perth, Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Porongurups, Broomehill and Kojonup - the festival includes long table lunches, markets, tastings, masters classes, exhibitions, workshops and celebrity guest chefs. W: greatsoutherntastewa.com

Nannup Music Festival, March 2 to 5
The lush forest along the banks of the Blackwood River is the perfect location for a long weekend of national and international musical talent. The Nannup Music Festival celebrates its 23rd year with a diverse program of concerts, workshops, dance and activities for children and young people.W: nannupmusicfestival.org

GAMEX, March 10 to 17
Western Australia's premier game fishing tournament where anglers of all experience levels can
compete for the 17 main prize divisions and daily giveaways. The Australian International Billfish
Tournament is held just after GAMEX, from 19 to 23 March. Both events can be viewed from the
crystal blue waters that surround Exmouth, home to more than 40 different game fish species.W: egfc.com.au

Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest, March 16 to 18
The Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest offers two days of vibrant festival activities including live
performances, market stalls, rides and a stunning fireworks display. With its strong food and wine focus, the event offers an array of flavours to tempt anyone's taste buds including cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, local wines and boutique beers.W: mandurah.wa.gov.au

FotoFreo 2012: the City of Fremantle Festival of Photography, March 17 to April 15
FotoFreo is a month-long biennial festival of photography that showcases the work of Australian and leading international photographers. Exhibitions, workshops, film screenings and discussions are part of the program, plus two photographic projects, one by Martin Parr and the other by Western Australian photographer Bo Wong. W: fotofreo.com

Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River, March 19 to 26
A stellar line up of surfing professionals will battle it out at Margaret River's world-renowned surf break for the Telstra Drug Aware Pro Margaret River. Delivering some of the biggest waves in the world, this destination attracts the best surfers on the planet as part of the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour. W: telstradrugawarepro.com

Quit Forest Rally, March 30 to April 1
The nation's motorsport spotlight will be on Australia's South West as the Quit Forest Rally races through Busselton and Nannup. Western Australia's round of the Australian Rally Championship attracts the country's best rally drivers and will see around 200 cars and bikes sprint across the State's extraordinary landscape. W: rallywa.com

Fremantle Street Arts Festival, April 7 to 9
Fremantle is filled with free events, family friendly shows, astonishing physical feats and surprises during Australia's largest street arts festival. Now in its 14th year, the festival showcases some of the world's best performances by street artists from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, New Zealand and Japan. W: fremantle.wa.gov.au/Festivals

York Antique and Collectors Fair, April 7 to 9
Western Australia's oldest antique fair is also renowned for being one of the region's biggest and best. Held in the beautiful historic town of York, the fair includes valuations, auctions, entertainment, unique products and antique stalls. W: avoneventsandmarketing.com

Margaret River Wine Region Festival , 13-16 April
Celebrate Western Australia's extraordinary South West region with a five-day wine, food, art, music and lifestyle festival. Featuring events from Augusta to Busselton, the Margaret River Wine Region Festival includes a street fiesta, vintage festival, long table feast, plus fashion and sporting fun. A must for all foodies. W: margaretriverfestival.com

100% Smoke Free: All Australian Car Day IX, April 15
Pinjarra will be a car lovers' paradise when the 100% Smoke Free: All Australian Car Day IX drives into town. Around 450 classic Australian vehicles will be displayed as motoring enthusiasts enjoy the largest event of its kind in WA. The day features family fun with music, dance and a regional wine and gourmet expo.W: visitmandurah.com

A Night Under the Stars, 19th May 2012, Karijini National Park

This inaugural concert will be held in the rugged, red beauty of the spectacular Karijini National Park. The concert features James Morrison, the WA Jazz Youth Orchestra with Indigenous dancers and performers with Ernie Dingo as MC. A Night Under the Stars will be an unforgettable experience in a unique setting.

Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival 25 to 27 May, Exmouth

The Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival marks the beginning of the whale shark season, welcoming the gentle giants back to the turquoise waters of Exmouth. Showcasing Western Australia’s extraordinary Coral Coast, the festival features a family day in Federation Park with live entertainment, music, exhibitions and educational displays. W: ww.ningaloowhalesharkfestival.com

Ord Valley Muster, 25 May 2012, Kununurra

Highlighting its extraordinary cultural diversity, stunning primeval landscape, friendly folk and warm country hospitality, the ‘Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster’ is an all embracing community celebration of the prodigious talent to be found in the East Kimberley region.

Surfing in Margaret River