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Western Australia

Travel Stories: Roadtripping Western Australia’s Coral Coast

17 May 2019 by Kate

Road trips aren’t measured by mile markers, but by moments. I read that somewhere and it has stuck with me. I think that’s one of the things I love most about road trips. The best part of the adventure is not necessarily the end destination, but the experiences you have and the things you see along the way. For me, that’s what makes a road trip so memorable and fun.

Whether it’s completely spontaneous or well planned, the idea of taking off in my car has always appealed to me. There’s nothing quite like the freedom of the open road. And although I’m quite comfortable with my own company, I think the best kind of road trips involve good company. With long conversations, laughter, spontaneous detours, pit stops, music and even the occasional sing-a-long.

Taking time out to admire a beautiful sunset
Photo copyright Kate Anderson


So it was a dream come true for me when I had the opportunity to explore a bit of Western Australia’s Coral Coast during a week long road trip from Perth to Monkey Mia. Heading north of Perth as we did, meant travelling along the scenic Indian Ocean Drive for a large part of the journey. FYI: Indian Ocean Drive begins in Lancelin and ends in Geraldton. It’s certainly a much more pleasant experience than driving inland on Brand Highway.

If you’ve never visited Western Australia before, one thing you need to know is that it is huge. HUGE. It is the largest state in the country, geographically speaking and covers more than 2.6 million square kms. In fact, if Western Australia was separate from the rest of Australia, it would be the 10th largest in the world. So exploring the state means covering a lot of miles – and that takes time, especially when you’re travelling by car. It’s just over 900 km from Perth to Monkey Mia, so we decided to split the journey. And Kalbarri was our first major stop.

Perth to Kalbarri

It took about eight or nine hours to drive from Perth to Kalbarri, including quite a few pit stops along the way. Our accommodation for two nights was the Kalbarri Edge Resort. The hotel was a great base to explore the charming seaside town and the main attraction, Kalbarri National Park. After settling in for the night, we made sure to wake up early the next day so we could head over to the foreshore to watch the pelican feeding. You’ll need to be there for 8.45 in the morning, if you want to watch local volunteers feed these beautiful wild birds. Better still, gets hands on and feed the pelicans yourself. It’s a really fun thing to do, whatever your age. Interestingly, the pelican feeding has been taking place along the foreshore for 40 years.

Pelican feeding time at Kalbarri foreshore
Photo copyright Tse Yin Chang


With one full day of adventure ahead of us, we made our way to Kalbarri National Park. Having seen plenty of photographs of the national park showcasing its natural beauty, I was beyond excited to explore this extraordinary place. As much as I loved the pelican feeding experience, this was the main highlight of Kalbarri for me. From the inland river gorges to the coastal cliffs, Kalbarri National Park is breathtaking, in every sense of the word. The park is huge – and I mean huge. It covers around 186,000 hectares, so we had to be a bit selective about the areas we wanted to explore. It’s not free to enter, but at just $13 (for a vehicle of up to 12 passengers) it’s well worth the entry fee.

First stop on our itinerary was Nature’s Window. So we headed inland to check out this amazing natural rock arch, which is formed from layers of Tumblagooda Sandstone. It’s an extremely popular spot for tourists and probably the park’s top attraction, enjoying incredible views of the Murchison River below. If you’re into hiking, I highly recommend walking the Z Bend Gorge river trail. It’s not the longest hike at just 2.6 km, but the terrain is challenging and demanding in parts. The trail includes loose rocks with steep descents and ladder climbs. But it is well worth the effort, just to take in the views from the bottom of the gorge.

The rugged seascape of Kalbarri National Park
Photo copyright Kate Anderson

Kalbarri National Park isn’t just beloved for its 400 million year old rock formations and river gorges. The contrasting landscape of its rugged coastal sandstone cliffs is equally beautiful and breathtaking. Most of the coastal sites are accessible by car, caravan or motorhome. Island Rock and Natural Bridge, Red Bluff, Pot Alley and Eagle Gorge all offer spectacular vantage points.

Kalbarri to Shark Bay

We left Kalbarri and headed for Denham and Shark Bay, which was to be our next base for the night. It’s a four hour direct drive, but along the way we detoured to check out a few of the sights along the World Heritage Drive, including Shell Beach and the Hamelin Pool stromatolites. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, Shell Beach is a photogenic snow-white beach made up of billions of teeny tiny shells. The beach – which incidentally, has no sand – stretches for more than 70 km. Walking on Shell Beach is a truly unique experience, because it’s one of only a handful of similar beaches in the world.

Shell Beach is in the Shark Bay Heritage area of Western Australia
Photo copyright Tse Yin Chang


Shark Bay is also home to the Hamelin Pool stromatolites, living fossils which date back some 3.7 billion years. They are the oldest and largest living fossils in the world, and one of only four places where living marine stromatolites exist on the planet. Which makes them pretty special. Take a stroll along the purpose-built jetty and marvel at this natural wonder that provides a window into the origins of life and what the earth was like 3.7 billion years ago.

After several stop offs, we finally made it to Denham and Shark Bay and our home for the night, On the Deck @ Shark Bay. The location of this b&b is excellent and the accommodation was amazing, especially the decked area with a hot tub, where we sat and drank and watched the night sky in awe. Unfortunately, we were only there for one night, and despite the adventures we had ahead of us, it was hard to leave this lovely home away from home.

Francois Peron National Park

There’s lots to see and do in the Shark Bay area, but perhaps the number one visitor attraction is Francois Peron National Park. We headed to the Shark Bay Visitor Centre and booked a personal tour guide (Shark Bay Coastal Tours) to take us into the park. The majority of the track isn’t accessible by two wheel drive vehicles: due to the deep soft sand it is only suitable for high clearance four wheel drive vehicles. Although we had a four-wheel drive, we felt more comfortable letting someone else drive. The idea of getting stuck in the deep soft red sands was not appealing. Luckily for us, our guide Keith was brilliant and very knowledgeable about the area. And we didn’t get stuck once!

The incredible colours of Francois Peron National Park

We found that hiring a local guide was the best way to experience and enjoy the park’s exclusive spots. It also gave us an opportunity to learn about the rich history of the area from a passionate local. Exploring Francois Peron National Park – which is just a 10 minute drive from Denham – was an incredible experience. During the day we ventured to Cape Peron, the most northerly tip of the park. With red cliffs, red sand, bright blue skies and beautiful turquoise water, the landscape is phenomenal. Head to Skipjack Point, which offers a great vantage point to take in the amazing views. And marvel at how clear the water is. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see manta rays, dugongs and small sharks cruising the water below.

Francois Peron National Park is pretty vast, covering over 52,000 hectares of arid shrublands and sand plains. It’s also home to some really cute little critters, like the Australian Thorny Devil. Also known as a Thorny Dragon or Mountain Devil, they have a lifespan of around 20 years and can grow up to 20cm in length. Our guide Keith managed to spot one wandering along the red sandy track.

Me holding a Thorny Devil
Photo copyright Tse Yin Chang

Our Coral Coast road trip took us as far north as Monkey Mia, where we had organised an overnight stay at the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. There had already been so many wonderful moments during this trip, but getting so see the local bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat was a definite highlight for me. They visit the shores of Monkey Mia Beach up to three times a day to feed (from 7.45 in the morning to 12 noon) and you’ll have the opportunity to interact with these incredible creatures. Monkey Mia is actually one of the most reliable places for dolphin interaction, not just in Australia but the world. So the chances of you getting to see them is pretty high.

Given the fabulous location, we were really looking forward to our stay at the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. However, while the location is hard to beat, the accommodation when we stayed in 2015 was somewhat disappointing. Although clean (which is what’s most important!) it was dated and expensive. The one saving grace was that we had a room overlooking the beach. So not only did we enjoy a great view, but we were able to fall asleep listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean.

Waiting for the dolphins at Monkey Mia Beach
Photo copyright Kate Anderson

Back to Perth via Geraldton

The World Heritage-listed area of Shark Bay – with its gorgeous hidden bays, pristine white-sand beaches and towering limestone cliffs – stretches from Kalbarri to Carnarvon. But Monkey Mia was as far north as we were travelling on our road trip. And so, after 6 days away, it was time to head back to Perth. Rather than drive the entire 900 km in one swoop, we decided to break up the journey by stopping over in Geraldton. It was a perfect opportunity to explore a little bit of the coastal city and the area further afield.

About an hours drive from Geraldton is Pink Lake, also known as Hutt Lagoon. It’s become a hot spot for tourists and has made a name for itself as one of the Coral Coast’s most Instagrammable locations. Also worth a visit is the Heritage-listed Oakabella Homestead. Located between Geraldton and Northampton, just off North West Coastal Highway, it’s a short 30 minute drive from Geraldton. Not only is the tearoom a perfect place for a pit stop, you’ll also be visiting one of Western Australia’s most haunted houses. If you’re into ghost and ghouls and things that go bump in the night, make sure you pay the homestead a visit.

Taking in a stunning sunset in Geraldton
Photo copyright Kate Anderson

Someone wise once said that it’s all about the journey, not the destination, which for me truly sums up a great road trip. After my Coral Coast adventure, it reinforced my belief that there really is no better way to traverse this part of Western Australia. It’s certainly a lot more fun than sitting on a plane.

Filed Under: Blog, Travel Tagged With: Australia, blogging, road trip, travel, travel blog, Western Australia

Travel Stories: Escape From Reality at Hidden Valley

27 March 2017 by Kate

A world of peace and tranquility awaits you the moment you check into Hidden Valley Forest Retreat. Located just 20 minutes drive from Margaret River town centre, this secluded luxury retreat, set deep within an untouched pocket of pristine southwest bushland, is the perfect base for exploring the stunning Margaret River region.

The southwest region is one of my favourite places in Australia. So naturally, I was really excited about a little road trip to Margaret River from the moment we set off on the three hour drive from Perth.

Technically Hidden Valley Forest Retreat is in Carbunup River, a small town between Margaret River and Dunsborough. The retreat itself is set in approximately 110 acres of beautiful natural bushland and forest, accessed via a 1.6km unsealed road. There are five cabins on the estate, but they are at enough distance from one another, that you barely notice you’re sharing the space with anyone else, apart from the wildlife.

Hidden Valley Forest Retreat
Eco Lodge, Hidden Valley Forest Retreat

Guests can choose between two Eco Lodges, Stone Stable Cottage, Wilderness Cabin or Deepwater Retreat. The accommodation offers varying degrees of luxury to suit different budgets. Converted from an old stable, Stone Stable is a mix of old and new, with a recently renovated modern kitchen and bathroom, and its own outdoor spa and courtyard.

The Wilderness Cabin boasts a contemporary design and a private outdoor spa, while Deepwater Retreat enjoys views of the lake and its own private jetty. According to their website, the accommodation reflects a contemporary statement about innovation and design, which combines to capture the spirit of the surrounding environment to create tranquility and inner calm for guests.

Hidden Valley Forest Retreat
Peace and tranquility awaits at Hidden Valley

After checking in at the farm house/reception, we were directed to our accommodation. The beautiful Eco Lodge we stayed in was just perfect for our needs. We entered via a long timber boardwalk and walked into a tastefully furnished and spacious lodge. The cabins are superbly designed and feature bamboo floors and large windows with stunning views of the surrounding bushland. Our lodge was well equipped with a kitchen, spa bath, air conditioning, gas barbecue, TV, DVD/CD player and a log burning stove to keep us warm on a chilly autumn night. We especially enjoyed relaxing on the private decking, cup of tea in hand, listening to the sound of silence, which was only broken by bird song. If you’re really lucky, you might even enjoy a visit from one of the locals – possums and roos have been known to pop by and say hello.

Hidden Valley Forest Retreat Eco Lodge
Eco Lodge, Hidden Valley Forest Retreat

Margaret River is a popular destination for locals and tourists, and the region has plenty of luxury accommodation providers to choose from. But there’s something special about Hidden Valley Forest Retreat. With luxurious little touches – like the in-lodge spa treatments and the personal chef on hand to cook up a gourmet meal – to the high standard of accommodation and warm welcome from the owners (although we only met Lily, who was lovely), a getaway to Hidden Valley is a delightful experience. Despite our short stay (one night is definitely not enough!) we left relaxed and rejuvenated, and with a far greater appreciation for the natural environment. And yes, disappointed that we had to leave. But eager and excited to come back again to experience more of this hidden gem.

You can find out more about Hidden Valley Forest Retreat by visiting their website or Facebook page.

Things to see and do in the Margaret River Region

Explore the caves – There are approximately three hundred and fifty caves in the Margaret River region, but not all of them are open to the public. Lake Cave, Jewel Cave, Mammoth Cave, Ngilgis Cave or the lesser known Calgardup Cave, are all must-see natural attractions. Whether you opt for a guided or self-guided tour, you’ll be amazed at the spectacular limestone and crystal formations, which date back over 350,000 years. You’ll find the caves located off Caves Road, which just so happens to be one of the most scenic drives in Western Australia. If you have a 4WD, take a drive through Boranup Forest and marvel at the towering Karri trees.

Calgardup Cave, Margaret River

Scenic Caves Road Margaret River
Scenic Caves Road, Margaret River

Wine tasting – Margaret River is home to over one hundred and fifty wineries producing world-class wines, making the region a holiday haven for wine lovers. Here you can explore the vineyards, tour the facilities and sample some of finest wines produced in the whole of Australia. Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix, Cullen Wines, Xanadu and Leeuwin Estate are amongst the best in the region, which has built up a fine reputation for its cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

Vineyards at Cullen Wines, Margaret River

Whale watching – Head to Dunsborough and experience a whale watching tour with Naturalist Charters. During late September to early December, migrating Humpbacks and Blue Whales can be spotted in the area. Seeing these incredible ocean giants up close and in the wild is a once in a lifetime kind of experience.

A maze’n – Located in Margaret River, A maze’n is a popular attraction, providing hours of fun for the whole family. Explore the giant maze (plus 5 others), play a round of mini golf and take a leisurely stroll around five hectares of beautiful botanical gardens.

See the friendly stingrays at Hamelin Bay – Less than a 30 minute drive from Margaret River, a visit to Hamelin Bay is highly recommended. One of the area’s most pristine beaches, stingrays come within touching distance of the shore. It’s an incredible experience.

Cape Naturalist Lighthouse – You’ll find this working lighthouse approximately 13km from Dunsborough. The lighthouse is open to the public and offers spectacular views of Cape Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay coastline. If you’re visiting between September and December, you might even catch a glimpse of migrating whales.

With its spectacular scenery, pristine beaches, world-class wineries, excellent dining options and unique attractions, there’s so much to see and do in the Margaret River region. If you need more inspiration, check out the official Margaret River website.

Canal Rocks, between Yallingup and Margaret River

Filed Under: Blog, Reviews, Travel, Writing Tagged With: accommodation, Dunsborough, getaway, Hidden Valley Forest Retreat, holiday, Margaret River, short break, travel, Western Australia, where to stay, Yallingup

Discover Perth and Western Australia

2 September 2015 by Kate

Perth and Swan River from Kings Park
Perth and Swan River from Kings Park

Welcome to wonderful Western Australia and the vibrant state capital city of Perth. Whether you’re visiting for a couple of days, a week or two or several months, in Perth and Western Australia you’ll enjoy adventures and experiences that are as extraordinary as they are unique.

Averaging over 300 days of sunshine every year, Perth is a playground for adventure lovers and just about everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. With beautiful white sandy beaches, stunning natural scenery, hot sunny weather and a laid back lifestyle, there’s so much to love about the beautiful west coast of Australia.

The largest of all Australian states (more than 2.5 million square kilometres!) if you love the ocean, the outdoor lifestyle and lots and lots of sunshine, Perth and Western Australia will exceed your expectations. With a huge 12,500 km coastline, Western Australia is home to an abundance of beautiful beaches – 19 of which are in the Perth area alone, including the iconic Cottesloe Beach.

Of course there’s so much more to Perth than just our amazing beaches! Hire a catamaran or go kayaking and paddle boarding on the Swan River; take a trip to the Avon Valley for hot air ballooning; and visit the Perth Hills and enjoy some bushwalking. Check out top attractions like Kings Park, Caversham Wildlife Park, Perth Zoo and Fremantle for the prison and markets. Alternatively, browse our museums and galleries, eclectic markets and stylish malls. We even have free Cat buses to help you explore our amazing city.

Experience and explore Perth and WA

Escape to Kings Park… Right in the heart of our vibrant and busy city is Kings Park. With around 4.06 square kilometres of botanical gardens, tranquil parkland and bushland, it’s one of the largest inner city parks in the world; bigger than New York’s Central Park, in fact. Kings Park is the perfect place to head to if you want a change of pace, with spectacular views of the city and the Swan River. If you’ve got a head for heights, try out the Lotterywest Federation Walkway and walk among the treetops!

Busselton Jetty, Busselton

Explore Margaret River and the great South West… Around 280 kilometres from Perth is the picturesque town of Margaret River. Known for its gourmet food and world-class wine, the area has over 200 vineyards producing award-winning wines. It’s also a renowned surfing location, attracting surfers from around the world. You can’t venture down south without visiting Busselton and its timber jetty, the longest in the southern hemisphere, or Bunbury where you can swim with wild dolphins. If you want more breathtakingly beautiful beaches and coastline, head to Albany.

Enjoy a day in paradise… Paradise awaits, a mere 19km off the coast of Perth. It’s called Rottnest Island. Take the short ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle and be entranced by over 60 pristine beaches and 20 beautiful bays. This paradise island is 11km long and home to some of the state’s best natural attractions. Spend a day exploring the island by foot or bike – no cars are allowed at Rottnest. Alternatively you can use the jump-on, jump-off bus. Visitors can swim, snorkel, fish or simply lie on the beach and soak up the sun. Rotto (as the locals call it) is also a popular location for surfing and diving, kayaking and paddle boarding. A protected nature reserve, keep an eye out for the island’s friendly resident marsupials called quokkas.

Get cultural at the cultural centre… Arts and exhibitions, food and drink, music, markets and shopping: Perth’s cultural centre has something for everyone. Major attractions include the West Australian Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia and the Blue Room Theatre, the home of cutting-edge performance in Perth.

Hit the beach and learn how to surf… Water sports and activities are a big part of the Aussie way of life. And Perth alone has 19 stunning white sandy beaches. From City Beach and Cottesloe Beach, to Leighton Beach and Brighton Beach, whether you want to swim, surf or just work on your tan, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Scarborough Beach and neighbouring Brighton Beach are two of Perth’s best surfing spots, with numerous surf schools in the area offering lessons for beginners.

Fern Pool in Karijini National Park
Fern Pool in Karijini National Park

Swim with dolphins and whale sharks… Experience the thrill of swimming with wild dolphins and whale sharks in the beautiful Indian Ocean. Around 2 hours drive south of Perth the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury is one of the best places to enjoy this amazing experience. Closer to home, and just 45 minutes south of Perth, Rockingham Wild Encounters also organises similar activities. Between April and July, head north of Perth, to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef to swim with whale sharks. Swimming with these gentle ocean giants is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Explore the North West… Apparently the northern region of Western Australia has fewer people per square kilometre than pretty much anywhere else in the world. Rivers, mountains, bushland and deep gorges are the natural features of WA’s extraordinary outback. Highlights include Broome, Cable Beach, Karijini National Park, Lake Argyle, the largest manmade lake in the southern hemisphere and the Kimberley, famed for its rugged red landscape.

And the Coral Coast… You can’t head north without checking out the amazing Pinnacles, located in the Namburg National Park. Best visited at sunrise or sunset, these limestone formations protruding from the sand are a unique sight to behold. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more adventurous, visit Lancelin for sand surfing and four-wheel driving down massive sand dunes.

The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park

To find out more about Perth, visit Experience Perth and check out the official Tourism Western Australia website.

This article was written for Haus Accommodation website.

Filed Under: Blog, Online copywriting, Portfolio, Travel Tagged With: Perth, tourism, travel, Western Australia

Design For Life

31 July 2015 by Kate

For the past three years, Tse Yin Chang has been working her creative magic to help produce the Chung Wah Association’s flagship magazine. Tse Yin spoke to Kate Anderson about how she came to be involved with the Chung Wah Magazine, and what led her to choose a career as a graphic designer.

“Like most freelance designers, you’ve always got one eye open looking for more work to help your business grow. I remember browsing through Gumtree one day and I came across an ad the Chung Wah Association had placed for a graphic designer,” explains Tse Yin.

“At the time I was looking to expand my freelance business, so I enquired, popped along for a chat, showed them my portfolio and ended up getting the job. I guess it was a question of right time, right place.”

As a web and graphic designer, Tse Yin works with images and text to create material that is visually appealing, be it to convey a message or promote a product. On any given day she can be working on the layout for a magazine, designing a new website or working on branding solutions, such as creating a logo.

“Basically it’s my job to make things look good,” she says with a smile. “Okay, I’m just joking; it’s not quite that simple.

“I’ll usually be given a brief with a specific outcome that needs to be achieved, or a message that needs to be conveyed. As a designer I have to figure out the best solution.

“I’m a visual-thinking problem solver. Of course it’s not just about making something look good.”

Tse Yin began her career working as a web designer for an advertising agency, before setting up her own business in 2005. She also works with Western Australia’s popular music festival, Fairbridge Festival, volunteering her design skills.

“I put a lot of time and effort into my graphic design work for Chung Wah. It’s not my full-time job; I’m a partial volunteer. But whether I’m getting paid or working for free, I believe that what I produce reflects on my skills and professionalism. So I’ll always give 110 per cent.”

Tse Yin was also responsible for the Chung Wah Association’s new look website, which went live earlier in the year. It’s proved to be a huge success, both in terms of visitor traffic and feedback.

When touching upon the skills needed to pursue a career in graphic or web design, Tse Yin says you don’t necessarily need to have a formal education to break into the field. But for those of you just finishing school, a design degree will provide you with the opportunity to meet and work with other up-and-coming designers, as well as mix with cool creative folk and get access to design resources and guidance from professional tutors.

“I never went to design school. In fact, I have a commerce degree! But I learned by reading books, practising my craft and working in the field for free to build up my portfolio.

“What you really need to become a good designer is practise, practise, practise. It’s extremely important to have an impressive portfolio of work to show off your artistic fair and creative eye. You won’t get a job, paid or otherwise, without one.

“Oh, and don’t think you have to be great at drawing to be a good graphic designer either, because you don’t. Which is great, because my drawing skills are pretty much limited to stick figures!”

10 things NOT to say to a graphic designer

“Can you make it look like this, but better?”

“But my target market is everybody.”

“I don’t really have a design idea yet, but can you tell me how much it would cost?”

“I love the logo, but can you just make it pop a bit more?”

“I love the design, but can you do another 5 or 6 and come back to me with them all?

“Can you jazz it up a little?”

“Can you do lots of versions? I’ll know what I want when I see it.”

“We haven’t finished writing the copy, but can you design a draft?”

“You’re the designer, you’ll know what to do.”

“Can you bold and underline all the text so it stands out?”

Article originally written for and published in the Chung Wah Magazine, volume 24 July 2015

Filed Under: Magazines, Portfolio, Writing Tagged With: Chung Wah Magazine, graphic design, Perth, Tad Graphics, web design, Western Australia

Chung Wah Magazine: A Street Celebration With Style

29 June 2015 by Kate

A street celebration with styleThere’s nothing quite like a good celebration to bring people and communities together, especially free community events. This year I had the opportunity to experience my first ever Chinese New Year festival, when I popped along to Northbridge for the Chung Wah Association’s family-friendly one-day street celebration.

Now Perth, as I’ve discovered during my relatively short time here, is a wonderfully diverse multicultural city. And the Chinese community plays a big part in its growing diversity. For Chinese people, the New Year is the most important date of the lunar calendar and a major festival for most Australian cities, Perth included.

Sichuan Opera Fire Breathing
Sichuan Opera Fire Breathing

Street parades, with lion dancing, firecrackers and food stalls, are a big part of these celebrations. And given the importance of New Year, the festivities, organised by the Chung Wah Association, certainly did the Chinese community proud. Colourful, fun and entertaining, it’s fair to say that Perth’s Chinese community certainly knows how to celebrate in style!

In true Perth fashion, the weather on the day was sunny and warm (although thankfully not as hot as last year’s 41 degree heat I’m told!) with people of all ages out to have a good time, enjoy the pleasant weather and help the city’s Chinese migrants usher in the Year of the Goat. With over 100 stalls selling food and drink and a range of products and services, it was fun to mingle with the crowds on James Street and soak up the lively atmosphere. I especially enjoyed the multi-cultural entertainment – even, dare I admit it, the Morris dancing! But as fun as the daytime festivities were, for me the best was yet to come.

Chinese Mask Changing
Chinese Mask Changing

The day was brought to a close with a multicultural concert at Northbridge Piazza. A treat for both the eyes and the ears, like the rest of the crowd I was in awe of the amazing performances. I loved the lion dance; a traditional Chinese dance performed to bring good luck and fortune, and to scare away evil spirits.

The concert also included the show-stopping Chinese mask changing and fire breathing, and the eye-catching Sichuan Kung Fu tea act, which involves pouring tea from an elaborate long-spouted teapot. For me, a Western woman who grew up in a relatively small village in England, this was my first opportunity to experience traditional Chinese culture.

The Chinese New Year Fair left me entertained, educated and much more culturally aware. I felt it was the perfect opportunity to showcase Chinese culture, and perhaps most importantly, allow as many people as possible to learn more about China.

8 fun facts about Chinese New Year

Sichuan Kung Fu Tea Act
Sichuan Kung Fu Tea Act

  • The date changes every year. Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. Which means Chinese New Year will always fall between 21 January and 20 February.
  • During the Chinese New Year red envelopes are exchanged, which contain cash. Older people give envelopes to younger people, while bosses are known to give out red envelopes to their employees.
  • It’s a popular festival in the UK. Over 300,000 people take part in the celebrations across the capital.
  • The period just before Chinese New Year is the busiest travel time of the whole year. Everyone that can goes home to celebrate with their families.
  • Every Chinese New Year brings with it a new animal zodiac year. 2014 was the Year of the Horse, this year is the Year of the Goat, and next year it will be the Year of the Monkey.
  • The traditional Chinese New Year celebration lasts for a whopping 15 days.
  • The colour red is said to be a lucky colour. Hence the reason why decorations are always red.
  • It’s a big no-no to wash your hair on the first day of Chinese New Year. Apparently some Chinese people believe doing so means washing away your good luck and fortune for the year ahead.

Article published in Chung Wah Magazine, volume 23 April 2015

Filed Under: Magazines, Portfolio, Writing Tagged With: Chinese New Year, Chung Wah Magazine, Perth, Western Australia

Learning to Surf in Perth

10 April 2015 by Kate

Me with my surfing instructor Tom
Me with my surfing instructor Tom

For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved spending time at the beach. I guess it stems from childhood. When I was growing up, family holidays usually meant a few weeks vacationing in various seaside spots around the Norfolk coast in England.

As a kid I relished every opportunity to be close to the ocean; I loved splashing about in the sea and exploring rock pools. But coming from a small village, the nearest beach was almost 10o miles away. So for me the seaside represented some of the most fun and carefree times of my childhood.

As an adult, I’ve remained a bit of a beach bum at heart. Stick me on a beach and I’m as happy as Larry.  Strolling along the sand, the sound of waves crashing on the shoreline, the smell of the sea caught up in a breeze… for me life doesn’t get much better than that.

I guess it’s one of the (many) reasons why I have such an affinity for Australia. The country has some of the best beaches in the world.

Take Western Australia for example. The State boasts a 12, 500 km coastline and some of the most beautiful crystal clear blue waters you’re ever likely to feast your eyes upon. The state capital of Perth alone has 19 beaches – so it’s fair to say that if you love beach life, Western Australia is definitely the place to be.

Despite having visited Perth on two previous occasions, I’d never tried my hand at surfing. But that was about to change during my third visit in December 2013. It was finally time to get on a surf board and channel my inner surfie!

Now I’m a pretty decent swimmer and I love the ocean, but surfing has always seemed a) difficult and b) rather scary. I can’t pretend that the State’s spate of shark attacks didn’t cross my mind either. Of course it did. But I’ve never let it put me off getting in the ocean to swim, so why should surfing be any different? So I took the plunge and booked a one-to-one lesson with a local surfing instructor at Brighton Beach in Scarborough. It was a perfect blue-sky summer’s day, and the waves were pretty gentle. It was the perfect spot for a beginner like me.

Now to say it was one of the best things I’ve ever done would be an understatement. Sure, I initially felt nervous and a bit self-conscious, especially since I had to wear a wet suit and a bright orange rash shirt that screamed “look at me”. For the record, orange is definitely not my colour! Although I arrived at the sands pretty early, it was set to be a very hot summer’s day, even for Perth. So it wasn’t long before the beach got busy and I had a bit of an audience, to my initial dismay.

Brighton Beach is ideal for beginners
Brighton Beach is ideal for beginners

Still, I was on a mission and the adrenaline was starting to kick in. After practising a few moves on the sand – namely how to stand up on the board – it was time to venture into the open water with my lovely instructor, Tom. Now I can’t pretend that learning to surf is easy, because it’s not. It’s hard work. I lost count of the number of times I ended up falling into the ocean. And by the end of the hour I’d used muscles I wasn’t even aware I had. But I adored every single minute of the experience.

I’m not exactly the strongest person, and I’m pretty petite. So the hardest part for me was finding the upper body strength to get myself up into a crouching position. But I persevered and by the end of my first lesson I was actually standing up and surfing a wave. Yes, a real wave. Several in fact! I can’t begin to find the words to describe the buzz I felt riding across a wave. It was unreal. A truly exhilarating experience.

By the time my hour lesson was up I was aching, I was exhausted but I was walking on air. Surfing had me, hook line and sinker.

Learn to surf in Perth

Perth is the perfect playground if you’re into water sports. And surfing is no exception. The Perth area is littered with surfing schools, and a quick Google search will provide you with a few to choose from. Popular areas include Scarborough Beach, Leighton Beach and Secret Harbour. You need to make sure your instructor is accredited with the Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI). I can heartedly recommend the team at Go Surf in Scarborough, and my friendly and patient instructor, Tom.

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, Travel Tagged With: Perth, surfing, travel, water sports, Western Australia

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About me

I work with small businesses, helping them to address their marketing needs by providing copywriting and communication services for digital and print. This could be blog content, optimised website content, copy for emails or newsletteres. I also provide social media management services, taking care of social channels for small businesses.

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