The WA Government has released the Collie Tourism Prospectus, calling on business operators to become a part of Collie’s tourism evolution.
Tourism has been a very successful part of the efforts to transition the region away from a coal-based economy to a more diverse and sustainable future.  Since the transition work has begun, visitor numbers in Collie have increased by over 73%.
The iconic Wellington Dam mural continues to attract local and international visitors, and the final stage of the $10 million Adventure Mountain bike trails in the Wellington Forest is to be open in Summer 2023-24, it is expected these numbers will continue to rise as Collie’s reputation as a premier adventure destination in WA’s South West grows. The success of these attractions means that Collie is now facing high demand for new accommodation, and food and beverage offerings. Some of the future tourism-friendly offerings may include:
» Accommodation: upmarket couples and family accommodation
» Boutique brewery
» Accommodation support industries
» Café/restaurant style eateries
» Mountain biker friendly offerings
» Aboriginal cultural offerings
» Eco/nature tourism offerings
» Heritage, arts and culture offerings

View the prospectus here

As part of the recent State Government 2023-24 Mid-Year Review, the following tourism attractions are to benefit:

• additional $10.7 million to enhance safe and ongoing access to Rottnest Island, under the Rottnest Island Main Jetty refurbishment and upgrade project;
• additional $5.2 million to deliver improved facilities at Karijini National Park including sealed road and car park access to the most popular gorge and visitor sites;
• $4.6 million for the replacement of the Hamelin Pool boardwalk in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area;
• $2.7 million to undertake repairs and upgrades to the Cape to Cape track in the South West region, including updates to signage; and
• $2.7 million to improve access to the Wellington National Park and pedestrian access to the Wellington Dam Mural.

Latest research from the Tourism & Transport Forum (Australia's peak industry group for the Australian tourism, transport and aviation sectors) has found that the South West region of WA has experienced the biggest growth in popularity in regional tourism across the country since the pandemic.

The biggest growth in visitors to the South West was among middle-aged Australians aged 30-64, with visitation nearly 19 per cent above pre-COVID levels, followed by Australians over 65 with a 15 per cent increase, then young people under 30 with an eight per cent increase.

​Among WA residents, the greatest surge in popularity was for the North West region, with visitation nearly 37 per cent above pre-COVID levels.

​​Read the TTF report here

Congratulations to:

• Top Tourism Town - Mandurah WA
• Tiny Tourism Town. Dwellingup. WA
• Top Tourism Guide - Rosanna Angus - WA

​Read Media Statement

Tourism WA is set to implement a new Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan with the aim of growing economic and employment outcomes for Western Australia. The strategy aims to:

• Secure new cruise lines to visit the state.
• Expand the itineraries of existing cruise ships already coming to the state
• Attract more seasonal home-ported vessels to call Fremantle home.  

Access the Strategic Plan

The annual funding round supports smaller and developing regional events to help attract new visitors to WA's five tourism regions and stimulate local economies.
This year's RES round will fund 10 new events and will include $250,000 to deliver Regional Aboriginal Events, including the agritourism event Taste of the Kimberley, showcasing the produce and landscapes of the Kimberley region; and the RAES event Iwarra Wilungga - Spring by the Sea, which is a celebration of Aboriginal culture in the Mid-West.
Other events include the Great Southern Stage Run, a three-day race following the wild and rugged Bibbulman Track; and the Northam Heritage and Multicultural Festival in the Wheatbelt. 

View the full list of recipients

• ​A new website has been created in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association WA and Tourism WA and connects job seekers with available tourism and hospitality roles to help employers fill vacancies.  
• This purpose-built platform will exclusively host tourism and hospitality jobs, while offering job seekers training, visa support, seasonal opportunities and information on regional destinations.   
• The jobs site is free for both employers and job seekers. 
• With the WA border now open, and international and interstate visitors back in Western Australia, there is a need for additional workers across many businesses throughout the State, particularly in regional areas. 

​Click here to access the new website

 

• Thousands of international and domestic tourists are expected to witness the natural phenomenon when the sun, moon and earth align at 11.27am on April 20, 2023.
•  The State Government has committed $19.3 million for Total Solar Eclipse preparation in addition to mid-year review funding, which brings the total spend to more than $21 million 
• The funding is for Beach, road and telecommunications upgrades for Exmouth region

 
Exmouth has been identified as the best land-based place in the world to view the eclipse, with the Exmouth Peninsula set to experience full darkness.
 
Other locations around WA will see a partial solar eclipse, including Perth witnessing a 70 per cent eclipse, Geraldton about 80 per cent, Carnarvon 95 per cent, Karratha 97 per cent and Coral Bay 99 per cent.
 
While the actual eclipse is relatively short, Tourism WA expects visitors to stay in the region for around five days.
 
Thousands of tourists are expected to visit Ningaloo Coastal Reserve, Ningaloo Marine Park, Montebello Marine Park, Pilbara Inshore Islands, Cape Range National Park, Barrow Island Marine Management Area and the Giralia Station.
 
Read the full media statement here

The latest round of the Regional and Remote Festivals Fund has provided a financial boost to eight regional organisations to deliver arts and cultural activities at regional festivals in Western Australia.
The Regional and Remote Festivals Fund is part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP). It is open to groups, organisations or individual artists, WA regional local government authorities and Aboriginal communities to support the costs associated with delivering arts activity that is part of a festival in regional Western Australia. 
Initiatives receiving grants through the program are:

1. Esperance Community Arts for the Kaddatji Nyungar Boodja Community Sculpture project which will be displayed at the Esperance Wildflower Festival in September 2021;
2. City of Greater Geraldton for the artistic program behind the Big Sky Festival 2021;
3. Shire of Yalgoo’s Open Air Sculpture Gallery, part of the Emu Festival 2021;
4. Shire of Mount Magnet for SciArt & Astro-Photography Activities, drawing on local Indigenous artists and culminating in an Astro-Photography Exhibition;
5. York Arts and Events for presentation of the 7th annual York Festival;
6. Shire of Merredin for War Stories Illumination Projections, part of the inaugural Memorial Festival;
7. Big hART Inc for Songs for Peace 2021, a month-long series of events featuring song writing workshops, community feasting and intimate acoustic performances; and
8. Annette Nykiel for the We Must Get Together Sometime exhibition and related events.

 
Media statement 
More information