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Western Australians can get a free flu vaccine from May 1st as part of the Cook Labor Government’s annual immunisation program. The campaign, branded “Be Wise, Immunise”, is launching off the back of one of the worst flu seasons WA has ever recorded, with thousands of people of all ages hospitalised last winter.

Premier Roger Cook said the rollout was about reducing pressure on hospitals before winter takes hold. “Last year, WA recorded one of the worst flu seasons on record — our best defence this winter is for more of us to get vaccinated,” he said. “By working together and rolling up our sleeves, we can reduce pressure on our hospitals and protect our community this winter.”

The 2026 program also brings the rollout of FluMist, the first needle-free flu vaccine available in WA, for children aged two to 11. It’s a nasal spray rather than an injection, and the State Government has put $6.6 million behind getting it into circulation.

A WA-first: vaccination clinics at the footy

In a state-first, St John WA will run pop-up vaccination clinics at three AFL games at Optus Stadium: on May 2nd, 7th, and 17th. Footy fans heading to the ground on those days can get their winter jab between the gates and their seats.

Treasurer Rita Saffioti said, “We’re making it easier for footy fans to get their winter vaccination sorted, with free pop-up clinics available at Optus Stadium across three game days.” 

“Boosting vaccination rates will mean fewer flu cases, less pressure on our health system, and fewer missed games.”

Targets and a public scoreboard

The State Government is also publishing immunisation targets and tracking progress against them weekly. The targets for this winter are 30 per cent of infants and children under 12, 65 per cent of adults aged 65 and over, and 40 per cent of all eligible Western Australians.

Younger children and older adults have been singled out because they’re the two groups most likely to end up in hospital with the flu. In 2025, adults aged 65 and over had the highest rate of flu-related hospitalisations, followed by children aged six months to four years.

Progress against the targets will be published weekly throughout winter.

What’s funded, and what it covers

Alongside the $6.6 million for FluMist, the program includes $8.4 million for the 2026 Free Influenza Vaccine Program, $7.6 million for the 2026 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant Immunisation Program, and a $2.5 million expansion of the RSV program to older Western Australians and others most at risk of severe respiratory illness.

While the vaccine itself is free, individual providers, including some GPs and pharmacies, may charge a consultation or service fee.

The post Free Flu Vaccines Are Back Ready For Flu Season appeared first on So Perth

The Cocos Keeling Islands was previously a half-day flight from Perth, stopping over at somewhere like Christmas Island on the way. As of May, that flight time has been cut down to just four hours with the launch of QantasLink’s non-stop flights, departing weekly on Fridays. 

You can find and book flights here.

So, if you haven’t yet been, why would you go to the Cocos Keeling Islands?

The lagoons Credit: Cocos Keeling Islands / Maui Pando

The waters around the Cocos Keeling Islands hold more than 500 species of fish, hundreds of hard corals, and a steady cast of turtles, reef sharks, parrotfish, and wrasse. Most of it sits within snorkelling distance of the shore. Trannies Beach on West Island and the foreshores of Home Island are calm and shallow enough for families, while a short reef walk from Scout Park at low tide leads to Pulu Maraya, where the currents are good for drift snorkelling.

The standout experience is Direction Island and its rip, a fast-flowing drift snorkel where the current carries you over corals and through schools of fish while reef sharks and large wrasse cruise underneath. A public ferry runs from West Island and Home Island twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays. 

Cocos Dive runs the only formal scuba operation on the islands, with seasonal tours covering drop-offs, coral gardens, manta rays, and the occasional shipwreck.

Wind, wheels, and the runway Credit: Cocos Keeling Islands

Phat Tours covers most of the active program. A 1.5-hour e-bike loop takes in hidden jungle tracks and uninhabited beaches, while their eight-hour atoll walk crosses 12 islands — water crossings between them, kilometres of empty beach in either direction, and the chance to encounter local wildlife along the way.

Kitesurfing is the other big drawcard. The season runs from around May or June to September or October, when steady trade winds blow from dawn to dusk, and two local operators — Zephyr Tours and Ape X Kiteboarding — handle everything from one-off lessons to all-inclusive packages with private chefs and accommodation included.

Then there’s the golf. West Island has the world’s only nine-hole course played across an active international runway. 

Home Island and Cocos Malay culture

Of the chain’s 27 islands, only two are inhabited. West Island handles the lagoons, the airport, and most of the visitor services. Home Island is the cultural heart, where about 450 of the territory’s roughly 600 residents are Cocos Malay. The community has its own language and Islamic faith, with traditions stretching back to the islands’ first settlement in the 1820s.

The food on Home Island is the most direct way in. Sweet As Makan does an all-you-can-eat Cocos Malay and Western feast on Wednesday and Friday evenings, looking out over the foreshore as the sun goes down. Kampong Café & Restaurant runs a traditional Cocos Malay buffet on Wednesdays, with a late ferry back to West Island built into the timing. Bookings are essential at both.

The Home Island Museum covers the islands’ history from first settlement around 1826 through colonial rule under the Clunies-Ross family, both World Wars, and the 1984 transition to Australian territory. It opens Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A short walk away, Oceania House — the 1880s mansion the Clunies-Ross family built for themselves — sits on three acres next to a ten-acre botanical garden, and runs historical tours that come with a view straight out over the lagoon.

When to go Credit: Cocos Keeling Islands / Amy Rose Media

The territory runs on two seasons. Trade winds blow steadily from around May or June through to September or October — that’s the kitesurfing window. The calmer doldrum season runs from November to May, with minimal rainfall through December and January. Average annual rainfall sits around 2,000 millimetres, but the islands stay warm and sunny year-round, with evenings rarely dipping below 24 degrees and water temperatures hovering around 26.

If you’re after wind, plan around the trade winds. If you want flat water for snorkelling and lounging in the lagoons, aim for the doldrums. The new QantasLink direct service launches at the front edge of trade wind season, which, conveniently, is also the start of Perth’s cooler months.

The post You Can Now Fly Direct From Perth to the Cocos Keeling Islands — Here’s Why You Should Go appeared first on So Perth

Charities and reuse organisations across Western Australia collected more than 36 million second-hand items in 2024-25 — about 14,000 tonnes of clothing, furniture, electronics, and household goods that didn’t end up in landfill. The flow-on figures, released this week, suggest that the reuse sector has become one of the state’s more efficient cost-of-living infrastructure measures.

The WA Reuse Impact Study, produced by Charitable Reuse Australia in partnership with the Waste Authority, estimates WA households saved around $245 million by buying second-hand instead of new, roughly $200.00 per household. The report was launched on Wednesday at Good Sammy Enterprises in Canning Vale, where the Cook Government used the occasion to spotlight the sector’s role in employing people with disabilities.

What the numbers actually show

Reuse activity in 2024-25 avoided the consumption of 6,100 tonnes of virgin materials, prevented an estimated 110,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and saved roughly 5,000 megalitres of water. That’s the capacity of about 2,000 Olympic swimming pools, alongside an estimated 52,000 hectares of land preserved from being pulled into the production of new goods.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said, “The reuse movement is accelerating Western Australia’s transition to a circular economy, saving 110,000 tonnes of CO₂, which is equal to removing 46,000 cars from the road.”

WA is the fourth Australian state to commission a study using Monash University’s National Reuse Measurement Guidelines, which puts local figures in a comparable national context for the first time.

Reuse generates 62 times more jobs than recycling

The labour economics of reuse run counter to the usual logic of waste management. Recycling is capital-heavy and labour-light. Reuse — sorting, pricing, repairing, retailing — runs the other way around. The study found that the sector generates 62 times more jobs per tonne than recycling does, and in WA, that translates to more than 1,300 paid positions. Around one in four of those jobs are held by people facing barriers to employment, including 351 roles for people with disability.

“People don’t just buy second-hand to save money. We’re seeing young people choosing sustainability over fast fashion and taking pride in wearing a pre-loved bargain,” Charitable Reuse Australia chair Terry O’Neill said.

Where the $42 million in charity revenue ends up

Charitable reuse in WA raised an estimated $42 million, which was reinvested in social and community programs over the year, with 39% directed toward supporting people with disability. Good Sammy, Vinnies, the Salvos, and the dozens of smaller charity stores scattered across Perth’s suburbs are effectively running a parallel retail economy whose surplus underwrites services that would otherwise rely on government funding or public donations.

“Second-hand shopping is good for the environment, good for the economy and good for the community. By supporting reuse, we’re reducing waste, creating local jobs and helping households manage the cost of living,” Minister Swinbourn said.

For the average shopper wandering through a charity store on Albany Highway or in Belmont, none of this is necessarily new information. The report just quantifies it at a macro level.

The post WA’s Op Shops And Charity Stores Saved Households $245 Million In Just One Year appeared first on So Perth

ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance held on April 25th every year. The day marks the anniversary of the first major involvement of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces during World War I. The day now broadly commemorates all ANZAC forces “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations”.

There are a number of services being held on Saturday, April 25th, to help remember and pay our respects to those soldiers who have fallen for our country. 

For further information about ANZAC Day Dawn Services and events in Western Australia, visit rslwa.org.au.

Wadjemup / Rottnest Island ANZAC Service

Where: Thomson Bay, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
Dusk Service: Friday, April 24th at 5:30 pm
Dawn Service: Saturday, April 25th at 6:00 am

Rottnest Island has a long military history and played an important role in World War Two. There are many places on the island that are of significance. As such, Rottnest Island holds a special sunset service on the eve of ANZAC Day on the foreshore of Thomson Bay. A Dawn Service is then held the next morning at the same location.

Both services are free to attend; however, registration is essential and can be done here.

Kings Park Sunset Service

Where: Flame of Remembrance, Kings Park
Date: Friday, April 24th
Time: 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm

The Kings Park Sunset Service will be held on Friday, April 24th. The inclusive service will feature additional accessibility measures including audio description, wheelchair access, Auslan, low sensory facilities, ACROD parking, and DADAA assistance.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Where: The State War Memorial in Kings Park
Date: Saturday, April 25th
Time: 5:45 am to 7:00 am

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be held on Saturday morning at the State War Memorial in Kings Park. The service commences at 5:30 am; however, if you plan on attending, it’s advised that you aim to arrive as early as 4:00 am. 

Expect public attendance numbers to be high and plan accordingly. As usual, there will be road closures and traffic detours in place so where possible, we’d encourage you to use public transport to get to and from the service.

Gunfire Breakfast

Where: Government House Gardens
Date: Saturday, April 25th
Time: 7:00 am to 9:00 am

This breakfast, which is held at Government House Gardens, is open to all members of the public. The Rotary Club of Perth will be preparing the breakfast barbecue while you take the opportunity to enjoy time and conversations with the Veteran community. Entry to the Gunfire Breakfast is a gold coin donation.

ANZAC Day March

Where: St Georges Terrace
Date: Saturday, April 25th
Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 am

The March will commence at 9:00 am from the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street, proceeding along the Terrace before turning right into Victoria Avenue and concluding at Langley Park. The March will also be broadcast live by ABC TV.

When you get to Langley Park, there will be a sausage sizzle available which has been organised by The Salvation Army.

ANZAC Day in Albany

Albany is of significant importance to ANZAC Day in Western Australia — it’s home to the National ANZAC Centre and is reportedly where Australia’s first Dawn Service was conducted.

The following services will be held in Albany and are open to the public with no ticketing requirements.

5:30 am to 6:00 am — Traditional ANZAC Day Dawn Service which will be held at the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial in Mount Clarence. There will be shuttle buses available from 3:15 am onwards in 15-minute intervals departing from the Albany Entertainment Centre and Middleton Beach Bus Port.

6:00 am to 7:45 am — ANZAC Day Gunfire Breakfast held at the Albany Entertainment Centre. Gunfire Breakfast is a long-standing tradition of ANZAC Day and represents the “breakfast” taken by soldiers before facing battle. A $5.00 donation to the RSL is required for this service.

10:00 am to 10:30 am — ANZAC Day Troop March commencing from York Street in Albany.

10:30 to 11:30 am — Commemorative Service held at ANZAC Peace Park.

Perth western suburbs services Fremantle

5:50 am dawn service at Monument Hill. Free shuttle buses run between Fremantle Train Station, John Curtin College carpark and Monument Hill from 5:00 am to 6:00 am and 6:30 am to 7:30 am. A 9:00 am service follows at the Fallen Soldiers War Memorial in North Fremantle, with the march from Pioneer Park at 10:15 am.

Bicton

6:00 am dawn service at 30B Foss Street, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast from 7:00 am.

Cottesloe

7:00 am morning ceremony at the Town of Cottesloe Civic Centre (veterans form up at 6:45 am at the South Gate).

Claremont

7:30 am service at Claremont Park, running through to 9:15 am with a free BBQ breakfast hosted by the Claremont Nedlands Lions Club.

Nedlands

9:00 am ceremony at the Nedlands War Memorial, corner of Waratah Avenue and Birdwood Parade, Dalkeith.

Mosman Park

10:00 am ceremony at Memorial Park, 1 Memorial Drive.

Cambridge

7:50 am march, followed by an 8:00 am remembrance ceremony at the West Leederville Memorial Gardens and Cenotaph. Cambridge Street between Kerr and Abbotsford Streets will be closed from 7:30 am to 9:30 am.

Applecross

6:00 am dawn service at 98 Kintail Road, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast from 6:30 am. A separate march steps off at 10:30 am from Wireless Hill Park, Booragoon.

Perth northern suburbs services North Beach

5:45 am dawn service at Charles Riley Reserve, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the North Beach Bowling Club.

Ocean Reef

5:00 am dawn service at the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast.

Yanchep and Two Rocks

5:30 am dawn service at Yanchep National Park, Gunfire Breakfast from 7:30 am at Yanchep Inn, and a march at 10:30 am.

Quinns Rocks

5:00 am dawn service at Quinns Rocks Sportsman Club, followed by an 8:00 am Gunfire Breakfast.

Osborne Park

Dawn Service at the Memorial Hall, 129 Main Street, Osborne Park.

Perth inner northern suburbs services Mt Hawthorn

10:50 am march from the corner of Flinders Street and Scarborough Beach Road, followed by an 11:00 am service at Axford Park.

Mt Lawley and Inglewood

7:45 am service at the Mt Lawley and Inglewood War Memorial, corner of Queens Crescent and Clifton Crescent. Sausage sizzle and coffee truck from 7:00 am.

Stirling

5:00 pm ANZAC Eve Sunset Service on Friday, April 24th at the Stirling Civic Gardens.

Perth eastern suburbs and hills services Bayswater

5:00 am dawn service at the Bayswater Memorial.

Belmont

5:45 am dawn service at the War Memorial in Faulkner Park, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Belmont RSL Sub-Branch from 7:30 am.

Kalamunda

5:30 am dawn service at the Kalamunda War Memorial on Canning Road, adjacent to the Agricultural Hall and Kostera Oval. Gunfire Breakfast follows from 6:15 am.

Ellenbrook

5:30 am dawn service at Ellenbrook District Open Space, followed by a 7:00 am Gunfire Breakfast.

Bullsbrook

5:30 am dawn service at 6 Hurd Road, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast from 6:00 am.

Mount Helena

11:30 am march off from the carpark, 11:40 am service at the Elsie Austin Oval, followed by morning tea and a historical display.

Perth southern suburbs services Canning Districts

6:00 am dawn service at 162 Wharf Street, Cannington, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast and an 8:00 am City of Canning service after the march.

Cockburn

5:30 am dawn service at the City of Cockburn War Memorial, corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road, Hamilton Hill. Gunfire Breakfast from 7:00 am at the Cockburn RSL Sub-Branch, 73 Frederick Road.

Armadale

5:30 am dawn service at Memorial Park, Armadale.

Kwinana

5:50 am dawn service, followed by a 6:30 am Gunfire Breakfast at Medina Hall, and a 10:30 am service at the War Memorial, Pace Road, Medina.

Serpentine-Jarrahdale

5:40 am dawn service at Mundijong War Memorial, Paterson Street, followed by a 6:30 am Gunfire Breakfast and an 8:50 am march.

Rockingham

5:30 am dawn service at Village Green, Flinders Lane. Form up for the march at 10:00 am, with the main service at 11:00 am at Village Green.

Port Kennedy

5:45 am dawn service at Veterans Memorial Park, followed by a 6:30 am Gunfire Breakfast at the Port Kennedy RSL Sub-Branch.

Mandurah

5:30 am dawn service at the Mandurah War Memorial, 11 Leighton Place, Halls Head (arrive from 5:00 am). Gunfire Breakfast at 7:00 am at the same location, and a 10:00 am ANZAC Day March and Main Service at the War Memorial.

Dawesville

6:00 am dawn service at the Dawesville War Memorial, Estuary Road, followed by a 7:00 am Gunfire Breakfast at the Port Bouvard Recreation and Sporting Club.

Regional WA services Northam

5:45 am dawn service at the Memorial Hall, Fitzgerald Street, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast from 6:30 am and a 10:30 am march and service.

Toodyay

5:45 am dawn service at ANZAC Park, ANZAC Avenue, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Wicklow Shearing Shed and a 10:15 am march at the Toodyay Memorial Hall.

Brookton

5:45 am dawn service at Memorial Park, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Brookton RSL from 6:45 am.

Bunbury

6:00 am dawn service at ANZAC Park, followed by a 7:30 am Gunfire Breakfast at the RSL Hall and an 11:00 am march at the Graham Bricknell Music Shell.

Busselton

5:50 am dawn service at the Busselton War Memorial at Rotary Park of Remembrance, followed by a 9:15 am march.

Margaret River

5:45 am dawn service at Memorial Park, followed by a 7:00 am Gunfire Breakfast at the Margaret River District Club and a 10:30 am march along Bussell Highway.

Capel

6:00 am dawn service at Peppermint Grove Beach Foreshore, with a 10:30 am march along Forrest Road.

Harvey

6:00 am dawn service at the Harvey War Memorial, corner of Uduc Road and Young Street, followed by a 7:00 am Gunfire Breakfast at the Harvey Town Hall.

Pinjarra

6:00 am dawn service at the Pinjarra Memorial, followed by a 6:45 am Gunfire Breakfast at the Pinjarra RSL and a 10:45 am march.

Geraldton

6:00 am dawn service at the forecourt of Birdwood House, corner of Chapman Road and Forrest Street, followed by a 7:00 am Gunfire Breakfast and a 10:45 am march.

Northampton

5:45 am dawn service at 239 Hampton Road, followed by a 6:30 am Gunfire Breakfast.

Lancelin

6:00 am dawn service at the Lancelin Memorial, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Endeavour Tavern from 7:15 am.

Denmark

4:45 am dawn service at the Denmark War Memorial, Highway 1.

Mount Barker

6:00 am dawn service at the Mt Barker War Memorial, followed by a 6:45 am Gunfire Breakfast at Plantagenet Hall.

Kalgoorlie

5:50 am dawn service at the Kalgoorlie War Memorial opposite the train station, followed by a 6:30 am Gunfire Breakfast at the RSL/Ex-Servicemens Club and an 11:00 am march.

Boulder

5:30 am dawn service at Loopline Park.

Coolgardie

5:00 am dawn service at the Coolgardie Memorial Garden.

Broome

5:15 am dawn service at Bedford Park.

Heading to a service and wondering where to go after? Many of Perth’s cafes, pubs and restaurants will be open. See our latest list of venues open this ANZAC Day.

The post ANZAC Day Dawn Service And Event Locations Across WA 2026 appeared first on So Perth

This Saturday is ANZAC Day — a national day of remembrance marking the anniversary of the first major involvement of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces during World War One. If you’d like to pay your respects and attend a Dawn Service, you can find a list of locations across WA here.

If you’d like to know some of the venues that will be open on the ANZAC Day public holiday, see below:

ApplecrossQuarter Acre Hotel11:30 pm – 10:00 pmApplecrossRaffles Hotel12:00 pm – 8:00 pmApplecrossCanteen Pizza6:30 am – LateBurswoodThe Camfield11:00 am – 10:00 pmBassendeanThe Bassendean Hotel12:00 pm – 10:00 pmBedfordCecchis12:00 pm – 9:30 pmCottesloeIl Lido6:30 am – LateCottesloeCottesloe Beach Hotel12:00 pm – LateCottesloeLongview7:00 am – 3:00 pmCottesloeTigerfish12:00 pm – 10:00 pmCrawleyWest Kitchen & Bar12:00 pm – 2:00 amClaremontThe Claremont Hotel12:00 pm – 6:00 pmComoComo Garden10:00 am – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pmDunsboroughSixteen Ounces12:00 pm – 11:00 pmEast PerthThe Royal on the Waterfront11:30 pm – 10:00 pmEast PerthBright Tank Brewery12:00 pm – 10:00 pmEast Victoria ParkMilly’s Acre11:00 am – LateEast Victoria ParkParco Pizza11:00 am – 10:00 pmEast Victoria ParkThe Berwick11:00 am – 10:00 pmFalconCobblers Tavern12:00 pm – 9:00 pmFremantleMoon & Mary12:00 pm – 10:00 pmEast FremantleSweetwater Rooftop Bar5:00 pm – 10:00 pmFremantleLa Lune11:00 am – LateFremantleChicho Gelato12:00 pm – 10:30 pmFremantleElske7:00 am – 2:00 pmFremantleJetty11:30 am – 11:00 pmFremantleLa Sosta5:30 pm – 9:00 pmGuildfordThe Guildford Hotel11:00 pm – 10:00 pmGuildfordWoodbridge Hotel10:30 am – 10:00 pmHenley BrookOld Young’s12:00 pm – LateInglewoodCivic Hotel12:00 pm – 9:00 pmKarrinyupGood Company11:00 am – 10:30 pmLeedervilleThe Leederville Precinct12:00 pm – 12:00 amLeedervilleBesk12:00 pm – 9:00 pmLeedervilleLima Cantina4:00 pm – 9:30 pmLeedervillePinchos11:30 am – 9:30 pmLeedervilleThe Garden12:00 pm – 10:30 pmLeedervilleServo12:00 pm – 10:00 pmLeedervilleThe Leederville Hotel12:00 pm – LateLeederville, Highgate & City BeachMary Street Bakery7:00 am – 3:00 pmMount HawthornLucy Luu4:00 pm – 10:00 pmMount LawleyThe Elford11:00 am – 10:00 pmMount LawleyChicho Gelato12:00 pm – 10:30 pmMount LawleyLe Rebelle5:00 pm – 10:00 pmMount LawleyNazzar5:00 pm – 9:00 pmMargaret RiverVoyager Estate Wine Room12:00 pm – 5:00 pmMargaret RiverVoyager Estate Restaurant12:00 pm – 5:00 pmMandurahThe Peninsula Mandurah11:00 am – 10:00 pmNorthbridgeBivouac5:00 pm – 10:00 pmNorthbridgeChicho Gelato12:00 pm – 11:00 pmNorthbridgeNeon Palms6:00 pm – 12:00 amPerthPost6:30 am – LatePerthPetition Kitchen8:00 am – LatePerthBeer Corner12:00 pm – LatePerthDurty Nelly’s Irish Pub10:00 am – 10:00 pmPerthThe Globe12:00 pm – 9:00 pmPerthMarket Grounds12:00 pm – 12:00 amPerthThe Reveley11:00 am – 10:00 pmPerthThe Generous Squire12:00 pm – LatePerthThe Court12:00 pm – 2:00 amPerthBrown Street Grill12:00 pm – 10:00 pmPerthFallow12:00 pm – 12:00 amPerthTerrarium4:00 pm – LateParkervilleThe Parkerville Tavern11:00 am – 10:00 pmPickering BrookCore Cider12:00 pm – 5:00 pmScarboroughScarborough Beach Bar11:00 am – 10:00 pmScarboroughThe Peach Pit11:00 am – 10:00 pmScarboroughThe Galway Hooker11:00 pm – 12:00 amSouth FremantleSaroor5:00 pm – 10:00 pmSubiacoPinos8:00 am – 2:00 pmSubiacoIntuition Wine & Kitchen4:00 pm – LateWest PerthBrew Dog Perth12:00 pm – 12:00 amWest PerthZamia7:00 am – 4:00 pmVictoria ParkVictoria Park Hotel12:00 pm – LateIl Locale5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Add a venue

If you’d like to add your venue to the list above, fill in the form below.

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The State Government has committed $28.2 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to move WA driver’s licences into the ServiceWA digital wallet, with the credentials expected to go live in 2027. The same funding package will also deliver a State Digital Identity — the broader identity layer that will sit behind future online government services.

Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson framed the announcement as a modernisation piece. “These changes are designed around how people live and work today. Having key credentials available digitally means less paperwork, fewer delays, and greater convenience for individuals, employers and organisations who rely on them every day,” he said.

What will actually change

The digital licence will live in the ServiceWA digital wallet. Holders will be able to control how much information they share at any given checkpoint. Rather than handing over a card that displays a full name, address, date of birth, and licence number, they can share only what the situation calls for, whether that’s proof of age at a bottle shop or confirmation of licence status at a roadside stop. 

“By providing these services digitally we are making them easier for people to access whilst lowering the chances of theft and fraud,” Dawson added.

The State says credentials will also be verifiable in near real time, which reduces the risk of someone presenting an expired or cancelled licence that looks fine to the naked eye.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti linked it to the SmartRider upgrade that now lets passengers tag on and off with their phones — the same logic of carrying fewer things. “We know most Western Australians carry their phone every day, so we’re making it easier to carry your driver’s licence with you too,” she said.

“It is all part of our commitment to delivering smarter services that support a more efficient economy and a better experience for the community.”

The $28.2 million also covers an upgrade to the WA Relationship Authorisation Manager — the tool that businesses use to interact with the State Government. The State Digital Identity piece is the bigger-picture play: a verified identity credential that future online government transactions can hinge on.

A firmer go-live date inside 2027 hasn’t been announced.

The post The State Government Plans To Digitise Your Driver’s Licence: Here’s What’s Happening appeared first on So Perth

The Blue Room Theatre has been allocated $495,000 for refurbishment and technical upgrades in the first round of Lotterywest’s Arts and Culture Infrastructure Grant Program — part of $10 million distributed across 41 Western Australian arts organisations.

Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts has received $328,477, and the City of Fremantle will put more than $280,000 towards upgrades at the heritage-listed Victoria Hall. The funding covers refurbishments, audio-visual and technical equipment, touring rigs, and building improvements, all delivered under the state government’s Creative WA roadmap.

Premier Roger Cook said, “Western Australia is home to a host of vibrant arts and culture organisations that deliver enriching programs, displays, festivals and initiatives for the WA community to enjoy.”

“Meaningful investment in infrastructure, equipment and technology within these spaces will create long-lasting benefits for WA’s creative sector, supporting local artists and strengthening arts and culture in our regions.”

Where does the money go?

The Blue Room grant goes to the Performing Arts Centre Society for work at the Northbridge theatre. PICA, in the same cultural precinct, has been allocated funds for comparable infrastructure work. Victoria Hall, a Fremantle building with heritage protection, will be fitted with modern infrastructure to support accessible performances while preserving its historic character.

Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk framed the program as allowing artists to concentrate on their work rather than on the buildings they work in. 

“Through supporting upgrades to spaces and access to new equipment and technology, this funding is helping our WA creatives focus on the creation and delivery of their work. It is also helping to deliver a better experience for our audiences — not just in Perth but also our regional areas.”

Regional WA takes almost half

Close to $5 million — just under half the total — has gone to regional WA, reaching the South West, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid West, Great Southern, Peel, and Kimberley regions.

The largest regional grant is more than $420,000 for a new cultural and creative space in Warburton, a remote community in the Goldfields-Esperance region.

Another $20 million still to come

This is the first of three planned rounds. A further $20 million will be distributed across the next two financial years, bringing the full program to $30 million.

The post Blue Room Theatre, PICA, & Victoria Hall Share In Lotterywest’s First $10 Million Arts Round appeared first on So Perth

The Australind train service will formally resume on Monday, June 29th, reconnecting Perth and Bunbury by rail after a long pause and the retirement of a fleet that first entered service in 1987. The first of four new three-car trains will begin running on the opening day, with the remaining three rolled out in stages over the coming months.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti commented, “I’m so excited for the return of the Australind, with new trains and more frequent services for local communities from Byford to Bunbury.”

“The Australind has been a key link to the South West for decades, and the Cook Labor Government is proud to have secured this service for the future.”

Some coach services will continue operating until the second new train comes online.

What’s different about the new trains

The new Australinds are a full generational jump from the old railcars. Interiors feature LED lighting, in-seat USB-C charging, improved accessibility, an onboard buffet, and dedicated storage for 14 bicycles per train.

Each of the four trains will also carry unique Aboriginal artwork by a local Indigenous artist, tied to the culture and landscape of the South West. Rather than rolling out in matching livery, each train will have its own distinct identity.

More frequent services by early next year

The Cook Labor Government has committed $45 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to increase Australind service frequency. The state is working with Arc Infrastructure to finalise additional timetable slots, aiming to double the number of services by early next year.

“These new trains will not only provide a more comfortable travel experience for locals and visitors, but we’ll be increasing the frequency of this service supported by a $45 million investment in our upcoming State Budget,” Saffioti added.

The stopping pattern isn’t changing. Trains will run along the original route between Perth and Bunbury, stopping at Armadale, Byford, Mundijong, Serpentine, North Dandalup, Pinjarra, Waroona, Yarloop, Cookernup, Harvey, and Brunswick Junction.

Help name the new fleet

A public naming competition is open now and closes on May 18th. Anyone can submit a suggestion for the four new trains via the My Say Transport website, and submissions will be shortlisted for how well they reflect the history, people, and future of the South West. Winners will be invited to board the first service on the new train.

South West Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch added, “The naming competition provides an opportunity for the community to play an active role in shaping the identity of the new Australind trains.”

“The return of the Australind is welcome news for Bunbury and communities right across the South West, strengthening regional connectivity and delivering real benefits for residents, businesses and visitors.”

A community event in Bunbury the day before

A community event to mark the return of the service will be held at Bunbury Passenger Terminal on Sunday, June 28th — the day before services begin. More details will be released closer to the date.

The post The Perth To Bunbury Australind Train Service Is Returning: Here’s What You Need To Know  appeared first on So Perth

The burger at Bistro Massilia arrives halved and laid on a bed of béarnaise. The swordfish cotoletta is finished with bouillabaisse, poached mussels, and chervil butter. The pasta dish, which owner David Pille grew up eating in his father’s home village, appears on the menu as coquillettes jambon — small elbow pasta with ham, mushrooms, paprika, sage, and Comté.

All three are on the menu at a new Euro-leaning neighbourhood bistro opening in Inglewood on Friday.

From Besk and Clancy’s to his own Inglewood bistro

Pille lives locally and has been watching this particular corner of Beaufort Street for a while. Most recently, he was General Manager at Besk, and before that, he spent five years with Clancy’s Fish Pubs. When 965 came up, the brief he set himself was a proper bistro. Locally owned, designed to be visited repeatedly by people who live within walking distance, and built for the test of time.

The building has some history. It was the original Cecchi’s before the family relocated the restaurant up the road. It most recently ran as House on Beau from October 2025, closing earlier this year. 

“What I love about Marseille is that it has a real multicultural nature to it as a port city, bringing migrants from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia,” says Pille. “It’s known as the city of 100 neighbourhoods, and I feel this is reflective of what Inglewood is.”

The food: French technique, Mediterranean flavours, WA produce

Head chef Matt Mills is running the kitchen in his first head chef role. He moved to Perth after working in the UK at Michelin-starred venues including Pensons and Foxhill Manor, followed by stints at Rose and Crown and Hillary’s Beach Club.

The menu leans European with Mediterranean edges, built around seasonal Western Australian produce. Mills’ signature dish is the swordfish cotoletta with bouillabaisse, poached mussels, and chervil butter. “It speaks to that Marseille way of cooking, where different influences come together on the plate,” he says.

The burger is what they expect people will keep coming back for. It arrives halved on a bed of béarnaise, which he says is a presentation Perth hasn’t seen before and encourages sharing. Then there’s the coquillettes jambon, a nostalgic French comfort dish. “Think of it as a French take on mac and cheese,” says Pille. “The kind of dish your parents would throw together after school.”

European influence continues through the drinks list

Sommelier Trent Everitt has put together the wine list, drawing from Western Australia alongside old-world European classics. It’s written to be approachable, with plenty available by the glass and a handful of benchmark producers for those special occasions where you want to celebrate. 

Cocktails come from Shirley Yeung and lean into European aperitif culture. Signatures include the Massilia Spritz (orange liqueur, quince vermouth, and prosecco), the Fleur de Massilia (vodka, elderflower, and passionfruit honey), and the Pastis Jardin — a herbaceous mix of gin, fennel, pastis, and mint.

Beers on tap come from FOUND. Subiaco and Margaret River Beer Co, with a bottled selection from Rocky Ridge, Shelter, and Eagle Bay.

The details

Bistro Massilia opens at 965 Beaufort Street, Inglewood, on Friday, April 24th.

The post Bistro Massilia Opens on Beaufort Street This Friday With a Marseille-Inspired Menu appeared first on So Perth

Free Sunday travel on buses, trains, and ferries across WA is being made permanent, alongside the Ride to School Free Program that covers student travel to and from school each day. The Cook Government has committed $70.1 million in the upcoming 2026-27 State Budget to keep both running indefinitely.

Both programs were introduced in 2024 as cost-of-living measures with no firm end date promised. The decision to lock them in comes off the back of record-breaking patronage across the network.

What the changes cover

The Ride to School Free Program gives students free travel to and from school when they tag on and off with a valid SmartRider. Around 300,000 students currently hold a Student SmartRider. For a household with two children commuting to school daily, the government says the program saves up to $560.00 across the school year.

Free Sunday travel applies to every passenger on the network. More than eight million trips have been taken on Sundays since it began.

WA Seniors Card holders also continue to travel free during off-peak periods Monday to Friday, and at any time across the weekend.

March was the biggest month on record

“We know these practical initiatives are providing real relief to families, with a record number of people choosing to make use of our public transport network last month,” said Treasurer and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

Patronage figures released alongside the announcement show March hit an all-time high, with nearly 15.7 million boardings across train, bus, and ferry services. That beat the previous monthly record — set back in March 2012 — by almost 1.5 million trips, and came in 14% above March last year.

Regional services have also seen a jump. Transwa patronage was up 21% in March compared to the same month in 2025, with the Prospector service between Perth and Kalgoorlie up 22%.

The Go Anywhere Fare is doing most of the heavy lifting for daily commuters

For anyone travelling beyond Sundays and the school run, the Go Anywhere Fare introduced at the start of this year has done more to cut daily transport costs than the free-travel programs. Passengers can now travel anywhere on the network for $2.80 per trip with a SmartRider on Autoload, or $3.50 per trip when paying with a credit or debit card.

Premier Roger Cook commented, “After my government introduced the Go Anywhere Fare, making public transport more affordable than ever, record numbers of Western Australians are now using buses, trains and ferries to get around.”

The government estimates regular CBD commuters are saving around $625.00 a year under the new cap, on top of what they were already saving from the previous two-zone fare cap.

Transwa fares for regional train and coach services have also been permanently halved, covering travel to more than 200 destinations across regional WA. A return trip between Kalgoorlie and Perth on the Prospector is now $100.00 cheaper, and the Esperance-to-Perth return is down $107.00.

The post Free Sunday Travel And Student Transport Are Becoming Permanent Cost Of Living Relief Measures appeared first on So Perth

There was a time when the ‘Great Australian Dream’ meant a quarter-acre block and a trip to Bunnings every weekend. These days, it’s all about maximising what you’ve already got, because as anyone who’s been to a home open lately will tell you, competition is fierce. 

Perth’s property market has been on a wild ride. In the last five years, local dwelling values have jumped an eye-watering 82%, with Perth officially overtaking Melbourne’s median house price for the first time in a decade. Crazy, right? Not bad for a city once dismissed as ‘sleepy’. 

Perth’s price growth is great news for investors, but it’s even better for everyday homeowners. It’s creating real equity that unlocks opportunity. Instead of selling or pouring money into an ageing floorplan, many smart homeowners are choosing to stay where they are and complete a demolition and rebuild.

Why? Because rising home values mean they can reinvent their lifestyle without giving up what they love — their street, their neighbours, their local coffee spot, or their preferred school zones. It also saves them from spending months competing for the limited stock available in today’s established market.

And the benefits stack up fast. By rebuilding, homeowners avoid the stress and costs of moving — from endless home opens to stamp duty and everything in between — all while building a brand-new home exactly the way they want it.

Summit Homes, one of Western Australia’s most trusted builders, has been part of that evolution for almost half a century. Since 1978, the company has helped more than 47,000 West Australians build homes that tell a personal story — homes with individual purpose, character, and style.

Designing for life’s stages, not just resale Credit: Summit Homes

Summit Homes’ philosophy — homes that fit your life — isn’t a slogan; it’s an ethos that shapes every brief.

For young families, that might mean a large communal kitchen and flexible play space that grows with the kids. For established professionals, it’s a home that balances privacy, home office space, and open living, perfect for working from home, entertaining, and unwinding. And for those planning ahead, it’s single-level design, wider corridors, and smart storage that make ageing in place effortless.

These designs aren’t trend-driven. They’re timeless in proportion and practical in function — grounded in an understanding of how West Australians actually live: outdoors, socially, and close to community.

What about renovating? Credit: Summit Homes

Renovating might sound romantic — the idea of “updating” an old home rather than starting fresh, and there’s no doubt a good reno can revive a tired space. However, older homes often come with quirks and constraints: dated layouts, ageing materials, and features that have well and truly seen better days. Sometimes, those limitations make it harder to achieve the transformation you’re really after.

In many cases, renovations end up costing considerably more than a demolish-and-build, without giving you the same design freedom that starting fresh allows.

Experience you can trust in an uncertain industry Credit: Summit Homes

In an industry that has seen too many headlines about insolvencies and abandoned projects, trust is no small thing.

Summit Homes’ 48-year track record is built on stability, local expertise, and genuine accountability. It’s part of Summit Homes Group — Australia’s most diversified building group with 21 subsidiaries spanning residential, commercial, and property services. That scale brings security; that longevity brings confidence.

With more than 47,000 homes built since 1978 and a trophy cabinet featuring six consecutive HIA Professional Major Builder Awards, the group’s longevity isn’t luck — it’s experience.  

Behind that experience and success is a team of New Homes Consultants with backgrounds in building trades, drafting, and architecture — people who understand both the creative and the technical sides of construction. They’re not just salespeople; they’re guides through one of life’s biggest investments.

The future of WA living is built, not bought Credit: Summit Homes

With only around 1,700 properties currently listed across Perth — some of the lowest levels in years — the competition for established homes remains fierce. Yet WA’s economy continues to outperform the national average, expanding 3.4% in the past year, fuelling both demand and optimism.

The smartest investment may be the land you already own. By leveraging built-up equity to rebuild, West Australians can design homes that reflect modern lifestyles while securing long-term value.

Whatever your budget, block, or Pinterest board, there’s a Summit plan to match. 

Take the first step toward the home and lifestyle you’ve always wanted. Explore one of Summit Homes’ nine display homes, located both north and south of the river.

The post Think Moving Is Your Only Option? Discover How to Use Your Equity to Redefine Your Life with Summit Homes appeared first on So Perth