What’s on: The best upcoming events in WA

By Carla Grossetti
From music festivals with ancient backdrops to contemporary light projections, here are the immersive exhibitions and performances you need to plug into your diary for 2022-23.

1. Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever returns to Margaret River with a 10-day program designed to be an expression of winter in the region: showcasing the food, drinks, and fun it is famed for. All up, there will be more than 40 events held between Busselton and Margaret River.

When: 15–24 July, 2022

Where: Various Margaret River Venues

Cabin Fever at Chow's Table, Wine glasses clinking, Events in WA

Cabin Fever is designed to be an expression of winter in the region. (Image: Isolated Photography)

2. Shinju Matsuri

Shinju Matsuri is Japanese for ‘Festival of the Pearl’ and this annual event is a celebration of the many diverse cultures that shaped Broome during the peak of the pearling industry. Event highlights include a long-table dinner on Cable Beach and a parade that captures the colour and character of Broome.

When: 20 August – 4 September, 2022

Where: Broome

Shinju Matsuri, Events in WA

Shinju Matsuri is a celebration of the many diverse cultures that shaped Broome.

3. Tracks We Share: Contemporary Art of the Pilbara

This exhibition brings together the works of about 70 Indigenous artists from the Pilbara. It includes everything from paintings to works on paper, film, animation and carvings, while sharing profound cultural knowledge that has been passed down over thousands of years.

When: Ongoing until 28 August, 2022

Where: Art Gallery of Western Australia

Untitled work by Illyampi Victor Burton, Indigenous Art from Pilbara, WA

This exhibition brings together the works of about 70 Indigenous artists from the Pilbara. (Image: Illyampi Victor Burton, Spinifex Hill Studio)

4. Illuminate: Timescapes

This permanent digital projection uses WA Museum’s Old Gaol as its canvas. Held daily, from sunset, the series also weaves together a collection of Indigenous narratives about ‘deep time’ and traditional knowledge.

When: Ongoing

Where: WA Museum Boola Bardip

Illuminate: Timescapes, Exhibition in WA

This permanent digital projection uses WA Museum’s Old Gaol as its canvas. (Image: Sandpit Act 2)

5. Wave Rock Weekender

Dust off your fezzy boots and give Wave Rock Weekender a follow so you’re first in the queue for tickets when this year’s line-up drops. Last year, the festival organisers cast a wide net to procure acts such as Death by Denim and Arno Faraji to the weekend-long festival and camping experience at Wave Rock.

When: 23-26 September, 2022

Where: Hyden

Wave Rock Sky, Event in WA

Be first in the queue for tickets when this year’s line-up drops. (Image: Wave Rock Weekender)

6. Falls Festival

The Falls Festival 18+ gig is back bigger and better than ever before in 2023. Expect a lot from this year’s line-up which includes Amyl and the Sniffers, Spacey Jane, Arctic Monkeys, Genesis Owusu, Ocean Alley, Peggy Gou, Lil Nas X, and G Flip.

When: 7-8 January, 2023

Where: Fremantle

Crowd at Falls Festival Fremantle, Western Australia

The Falls Festival 18+ gig is back bigger and better than ever before in 2023. (Image: Falls Festival)

Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Wonil Hotel Perth combines riverside living with a sense of purpose

    By Kirsty Petrides
    Continue
    Perched on the banks of Perth’s Swan River, the Wonil Hotel Perth pairs contemporary rooms and sweeping waterfront views with a sense of purpose that sets it apart.

    In a rare model for the hospitality world, Wonil Hotel Perth operates as a not-for-profit hotel, directing 100% of its net revenue toward medical and scientific research across Western Australia’s five major universities. So while guests enjoy the calm of riverside living, their stay also quietly contributes to the future of science, innovation and health in Australia. And it’s a refreshing stand-out in Perth’s hotel scene.

    Location

    an aerial view of Swan River, Perth

    The peaceful riverside hotel is set on the banks of the Swan River.

    Wonil Hotel Perth is located in the inner-city suburb of Crawley, a peaceful riverside locale about 10 minutes from Perth’s CBD. It’s positioned steps from Matilda Bay Reserve, where walking trails hug the shoreline and black swans glide along the water. From here, it’s a short drive or bike ride to Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay and the city’s arts and culture precincts. Though close to the action, the setting feels removed – quiet, leafy and surrounded by nature.

    Style and character

    the reception area at Wonil Hotel Perth

    The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of Matilda Bay.

    Named after the Noongar word for peppermint tree, of which there are many shading the riverbanks outside, Wonil Hotel Perth is the first Australian property in Accor’s Handwritten Collection. The overall style is minimal without being sterile – warm wood finishes, tactile furnishings and clever lighting create a relaxed, understated space that melts into its natural surroundings.

    The lobby is stunning, spacious and filled with inviting leather couches, well-stocked bookshelves and Indigenous art and sculpture work. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors open out onto a sheltered outdoor deck filled with tables and chairs overlooking the river. During the day this serves as the world’s most picturesque coworking space, but come 5pm, it’s where you’ll find most guests milling around, cocktails in hand.

    Facilities

    the library nook at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Spend time reading books in the cosy library nook.

    Wonil Hotel Perth leans toward a pared-back offering, focusing on what guests actually need. While there’s no on-site fitness centre, hotel staff can provide access to the nearby University of WA gym and pool. But why would you, when the hotel is in prime location for an outdoor workout. Walk along the trails that meander through Matilda Bay Reserve, run along the riverfront to the iconic Kings Park, or even tackle the nearby Kokoda Trail – a steep 150-step ascent designed to simulate the exhaustion and effort of the original Kokoda Track soldiers in WWII.

    The hotel includes West Kitchen & Bar, a small but well-curated restaurant, plus free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and secure paid parking. Limited parking is available on-site with an advanced booking.

    Rooms

    the premier king room with river view at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Each room is sleek and spacious with views over the Swan River.

    The hotel’s 66 rooms range from Standard to Executive and Premium, many with balconies and uninterrupted views over the Swan River, and some with interconnecting options for families or groups. My room was a Deluxe King with a balcony and river view.

    the bathroom at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Bathrooms are luxe and spacious.

    The space somehow manages to be both modernly sleek and warmly inviting – textured grey walls illuminated by warm sconce lights, an exposed concrete ceiling offset by rich timber accents, and a black wrought iron balcony met with earthy-hued, upholstered leather furnishings. The spacious king bed, roomy shower with luxe Mr Smith toiletries, and complimentary coffee add a special touch.

    Food and drink

    the outdoor terrace at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Gather for sunset drinks on the outdoor terrace.

    West Kitchen & Bar offers a truly local experience. When it comes to the drinks, you won’t find anything – wine, beer, spirits – from outside WA. Even the soda water hails from the west. The wine list sees big WA makers like Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager dance alongside smaller producers like Ironcloud, Singlefile and LS Merchants; with beers from local legends Gage Roads, Little Creatures, Beerfarm and Eagle Bay Brewing.

    The dinner menu features seafood, steak and small plates designed for sharing, showcasing local producers. Standouts are the Rottnest kingfish with ruby grapefruit, the barramundi with Tuscan cabbage and the Harvey beef tri tip with smoked bone marrow butter and red wine jus. For dessert, a unique take on a classic – spiced red wine pannacotta, served with poached pear and fresh honeycomb.

    Come morning, the hotel offers a curated selection of buffet breakfast options including seasonal fruits, homemade granola, pastries and sourdough. Plus, guests also get a choice of one item from the à la carte breakfast menu – the tomato bruschetta with balsamic, basil, feta and poached eggs on rye was exceptional.

    Does Wonil Hotel Perth have access for guests with disabilities?

    There are accessible rooms to accommodate guests with accessibility needs.

    Is Wonil Hotel Perth it family-friendly?

    Yes – the interconnecting rooms make family stays appealing, and the vast grassland and river foreshore of Matilda Bay Reserve are a beautiful spot for kids to run, splash and play in nature.

    Best for: Couples, families, business travellers

    Address: 21 Hackett Drive, Crawley