Kulin saddles up for 2024 Bush Races

The legendary Kulin Bush Races is set to return in 2024, bringing a weekend of racing, entertainment, and community spirit to the Wheatbelt town from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29.

Now in its 29th year, the Kulin Bush Races is an event that has gone from strength to strength since its inception. The event was inspired in 1995 by the local community to promote the town and encourage tourism in the region. From 1,500 attendees in its first year, the annual event now sees over 4,000 racegoers each year and is run by over 250 volunteers from Kulin and beyond.

“This event is not just about racing; it’s about bringing people together to enjoy a day of fun, entertainment, and camaraderie,” said Chairman Tom Murphy. “We are thrilled to welcome CRISP Wireless as our naming rights partner. Supporting rural communities is a value that our event and CRISP share, making our partnership a natural choice.”

As part of this partnership, CRISP Wireless will play a pivotal role in supporting the infrastructure and operations of the event, ensuring that all food and beverage outlets stay connected throughout the whole weekend.

Since its humble beginnings, the Kulin Bush Races has contributed over $1.8 million from the event’s proceeds back into the community by supporting local community initiatives and projects.

More than just a race, the event features plenty of family fun, from rock climbing walls and laser tag to face painting and novelty races. There will also be live music from Mil House, Pinstripe, Sally Jane and more, plus a variety of food stalls offering everything from classic Aussie BBQ to gourmet treats.

The Kulin Bush Races run from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29, 2024. For more info and to buy tickets, head to kulinbushraces.com.au

Western Australia’s biggest 4WD and adventure show returns

The Australian 4WD and Adventure Show returns to Perth this year, taking over McCallum Park in Victoria Park from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10.

Western Australia’s largest outdoor leisure event, the show will be a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, showcasing major brands in caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, 4WDs, SUVs, camping gear, fishing equipment and more.

This year, the show will introduce several exciting new features, including the Bush Mechanics Area, presented by Geoff Lewis from Seriously Series; the Toyo Tires’ Open Country Zone; the Hema Maps Adventure Travel Stage; the Isuzu Iron Summit and more.

The Engel Bush Camp Stage also returns this year with special guests Graham Cahill from 4WD24/7, Ronny Dahl, Sam Eyles and Bridget from Red Dirt Diary, and the team from Channel 7’s The 4WD Adventure Show. Unsealed 4×4 will host this stage, offering a line-up of engaging talks and demonstrations.

Show Your Dirt makes a comeback as an exclusive show-and-shine competition, showcasing the top 20 vehicles selected by Sam Eyles from Built Not Bought. Judges will evaluate these rigs and announce the winners on Sunday afternoon.

The show will also feature popular YouTube creators in its Content Creator area, where visitors can meet them, explore their vehicles, and learn about their latest travels.

Visitors can also enter a draw for a chance to win the Ultimate Gibb River Road Adventure, a six-day outback tour valued at $25,000.

Tickets for the 2024 Perth 4WD and Adventure Show are available online and at the gate, priced at $25 for adults, $12 for children, $20 for concessions, and $55 for families. Children under five enter free. The event runs daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Australian 4WD and Adventure Show takes over McCallum Park in Victoria Park from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10, 2024. For more info and to buy tickets, head to perth.4wdshow.com.au

Broome’s ‘Festival of the Pearl’ Shinju Matsuri returns

The annual Shinju Matsuri festival returns to Broome this year, taking over the Kimberley town with a series of events and cultural celebrations from Saturday, August 17 until Sunday, September 1.

Shinju Matsuri, which is Japanese for ‘Festival of the Pearl’, has been a celebrated fixture of Western Australia’s regional events calendar since its inception in 1970. The festival originated from three cultural festivals—the Japanese Obon Matsuri, the Chinese Hang Seng, and the Malaysian Hari Merdeka—which celebrates Independence Day from British rule in 1957.

Shinju Matsuri rekindles the excitement and romance of Broome’s early days as a world-renowned producer of South Sea pearls, when the Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Koepangers, Filipinos, and Europeans flocked to Broome in the late nineteenth century to be a part of this prosperity. This unique multicultural population of pearl industry workers joined with the local Aboriginal people and Europeans to work on up to 400 pearling luggers that sailed out of Broome.

Each year, the people and businesses of Broome come together to celebrate the heritage and history of the town. The volunteer Board of Shinju Matsuri is community-driven, viewing the festival as a platform to educate and enlighten people about Broome’s cultural heritage. Their goal is to pass on this knowledge to young people and new arrivals, ensuring that Broome’s distinctive and diverse identity is recognised and preserved for future generations.

Shinju Matsuri kicks off on Saturday, August 17, with the Opening Ball at the Shinju Matsuri Festival Hub at the Town Beach. A modern take on the historic Shinju Ball, the event will include live music, dinner, and drinks under the starlit sky of Roebuck Bay.

The Chinatown Feast is a starlit Hawker-style dining event with a Kimberley twist. Held in the heart of Chinatown on Wednesday, August 21, it’s an opportunity to tantalise your taste buds with a selection of dishes from Broome’s finest food vendors, with entertainment from roving performers and live musicians throughout the evening.

Festival favourite, the Pearl Meat Cook Off, is making its return to Pearl Luggers in Chinatown on Friday, August 23. Delight your taste buds as you try a selection of pearl meat dishes from Broome’s best chefs as they compete for the title of 2024 Pearl Meat Cook Off Champion.

Experience the spectacular Floating Lantern Matsuri on Sunday, August 25. This is a ticketed event for the whole family and includes access to the Floating Lantern Festival Hub, one lantern kit per person, a drink on arrival, and a special menu of Japanese canapes served throughout the evening.

Arriving for the first time in 2024 is Shinju Matsuri’s very first Cable Beach Sunset Cocktail Party. Taking place on the iconic beach on Friday, August 30, guests will enjoy a delicious canape menu designed with local ingredients and seasonal produce, as some of Broome and WA’s best DJs get the dance floor pumping until late.

Indulge in an opulent night dining under the stars at the festival’s premier dining event, the Sunset Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach on Saturday, August 31. Renowned as one of the most exclusive dining tables in WA, the dinner is the most anticipated Shinju Matsuri event each year, with an exciting menu inspired by Broome’s rich cultural tapestry that showcases local ingredients and seasonal produce from the region.

The program also includes a Family Fun Day, a Float Parade and dance performances at the Carnival of Nations event on Sunday, August 18, as well as pearl grading classes, all-ages events, art exhibitions and more throughout the two weeks of the festival.

Shinju Matsuri festival takes over Broome from Saturday, August 17, until Sunday, September 1, 2024. For more info and to buy tickets, head to shinjumatsuri.com.au

State government announces new Outdoor Adventure Tourism Package

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the State Government’s $165 million Outdoor Adventure Tourism Package for National Parks, trails, and marine tourism, announced today.

In 2023, there were 1,823,000 Western Australians who visited a National Park, botanical park, or went bushwalking while holidaying overnight in WA. These were the most popular activities for Western Australians on holiday, after dining out, and were even more popular than visiting the beach.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said visiting National Parks was the most important and popular attraction for Western Australians, as well as for international and interstate visitors.

“Visiting National Parks is an important part of Western Australians’ lifestyle and culture, and adventures and experiences in National Parks are critical for driving tourism and jobs in regional WA,” Mr Hall said.

“We particularly welcome the $3 million in funding to re-open the Gloucester Tree, however further funding is needed to re-open visitor attractions such as Penguin Island wildlife encounters and to properly maintain current National Park facilities, so they can always remain safe and open for Western Australians.”

Mr Hall said Western Australia had to maintain its current nature-based tourism offerings and create new exciting outdoor adventures across WA’s National Park system.

“Western Australians are craving outdoor adventure experiences such as ziplining, rope courses, mountain biking, jet boats, marine tours, camping and overnight trails. Western Australians don’t want just things to see, they want things to do things in our National Parks,” he said.

“It is critical for the State Government to maintain and expand adventure tourism activities in our National Parks and support nature-based and adventure tour operators who provide access and amazing experiences for Western Australians.”

The Government of Western Australia has announced a new Outdoor Adventure Tourism Package for National Parks, trails, and marine tourism. For more information, head to www.wa.gov.au