Rai Umraopati Ray
Quokka: Oi, Mags! You’ve been gone for days. Thought a wedge-tailed eagle might’ve carried you off.
Magpie-Lark: Ha! Not a chance. Been following a lively bunch of Indian journalists — cameras, smiles, big appetites. Western Australia rolled out its red-dirt carpet for them.
Quokka: Journalists? What were they after — snacks or stories?
Mags: Stories, mate. The best bits of the west — Perth’s sparkle, Busselton’s blue calm, Margaret River’s vines, and of course, your famous grin on Rottnest Island.
Quokka: Naturally. Start from the top before the breeze steals your words.
The city that sparkles by the swan
Mags: They landed in Perth, eyes wide, luggage piled high. Straight to the Duxton Hotel — soft beds, polished marble — then off on pedal rickshaws through the city.
They glided past Council House, London Court, His Majesty’s Theatre, the murals of Wolf Lane, and Elizabeth Quay, where the Swan River shimmered like liquid silver. Perth felt young and alive — coffee and culture in easy harmony.
Dinner at Six Senses The Quay was pure delight — Thai flavours with local seafood. One sighed, “Perth tastes like a secret I should’ve known sooner.”
Southward bound to sea and silence
Mags: Next morning, bags packed, playlists ready — off to Busselton. Two hours of open road, eucalyptus air, and adventure in the wind.
At the Busselton Jetty, the world turned endless blue. They strolled its two-kilometre length, then descended into the Underwater Observatory, where coral and fish swirled in silent grace. “It’s like scuba diving without the panic,” someone laughed.
Lunch at The Goose was seaside bliss — crisp fish, cool breeze, warm chatter. Then came the Cape to Cape Track. “Just a short walk,” they said. The ocean disagreed. Wildflowers brushed their ankles, cliffs towered, and waves below thundered like ancient drums. They climbed to a lookout where sky met sea in one glittering line, then wandered back down through dunes to Yallingup Beach, shoes sandy, hearts light.
Night whispers in the bush
Mags: And just when they thought the day was done, it turned heavenly.
At dusk, they reached Yelverton Brook Conservation Sanctuary, where the night belongs to creatures and stars.
Kangaroos padded near, possums flickered between trees, and night birds called softly. The guides handed out billy tea — smoky, sweet comfort in a mug.
They fed kangaroos under torchlight; one journalist laughed, “Back home we feed pigeons — here we feed peace.” Then the torches went off. The Milky Way blazed across the sky, close enough to touch. No one spoke, no one reached for a phone. Dinner at Shelter Brewing Co. sealed the night — craft brews, sea views, and laughter echoing through Busselton’s breeze.
Lighthouses, chocolate and caves
Mags: Morning came with sea wind and new stories. They climbed the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, where legends of storms and shipwrecks danced on the waves below.
At the Margaret River Chocolate Company, journalists turned into kids — pockets full, smiles wider. Lunch at Leeuwin Estate was elegance itself — vines, wine, and food that glowed with sunshine.
Then the mystery of Ngilgi Cave — torchlight bouncing off limestone ribs, stalactites gleaming like chandeliers. “The earth is breathing,” someone whispered.
By dusk, they returned to a nearby beach, watching the sun melt into the horizon, the only sound the whisper of waves. Dinner at Inara Busselton was Levantine warmth — smoky eggplant, saffron, and easy laughter.
Rain on Rottnest
Quokka: Finally! My turn. And yes, it rained — not my fault.
Mags: The ferry from Fremantle started bright, seagulls escorting us across. But clouds gathered, and by the time we docked at Rottnest Island, the sky was sulking.
Still, your island shone. Brooke from the Rottnest Island Authority greeted them with sunshine in her smile. Lunch at Pinky’s — grilled fish, chips, and drizzle that felt more nostalgic than wet. “Just like Mumbai monsoon,” one said, laughing under umbrellas.
Then came the Segway Tour —gliding past silver salt lakes and mistwrapped beaches. Even soaked, the island stayed serene. And of course, your tribe stole the show — posing, grinning, owning every selfie.
Quokka: Naturally. Half-smile, full charm.
Mags: Exactly. That evening, they checked into the Crown Metropol Perth — elegance and ease wrapped in gold light. Dinner followed, rich and quiet, ending the day in comfort.
Floating on dawn
Mags: The next morning, they traded sea for sky — off to Avon Valley before dawn. The balloon filled with fire and colour, rising like a slow sunrise. When it lifted, so did every worry.
Below stretched rivers, canola fields, and vineyards. Silence, except for camera clicks and soft gasps. Breakfast after landing — coffee, eggs, and easy joy. “This,” one said, “is what freedom smells like.”
That evening, the Optus Stadium shimmered for the finale — Tourism Western Australia’s ‘Namaste WA’ Mega Famil dinner. The stands lit up with the guests’ logos, turning the vast stadium intimate.
Arjun Mukkund, Country Manager – India, smiled as he spoke: “It’s an honour to showcase the magic of Western Australia to Indian travellers.” Anneke Brown, Managing Director, echoed his warmth, celebrating friendship and future journeys. Conversations braided continents; ideas flowed like wine. Under the floodlights, it felt less like an event and more like a promise — travel as connection, not distance.
A Bridge, some gold and goodbye
Mags: Next day, they suited up for the Matagarup Zip + Climb — shimmying up the swan-shaped bridge, hearts racing. From the top, Perth sparkled like a jewel. Then zip! Across the Swan River at full tilt, laughter swallowed by the wind.
At The Perth Mint, molten gold became bars before their eyes. Cameras clicked, eyes widened, and someone whispered, “Worth more than my flat in Mumbai.”
Evening came soft and golden. Dinner at QT Perth tied the trip together — local flavours, quiet reflection, and talk of all they’d seen: cities, vines, caves, quokkas, skies. “Western Australia doesn’t shout,” one said. “It whispers — and the whisper stays.” The next night, they flew home — hearts full, suitcases heavier, memories brighter.
The land that lingers
Quokka: So that’s it? They came, saw, clicked, and left?
Mags: Left, yes. But Western Australia travels with them now — in words, in photos, in how they’ll describe the rain at Pinky’s or the light over Avon Valley. They came for stories and found belonging.
Quokka: Hmm. Maybe heaven really does have suburbs — and one of them’s here.
Mags: Couldn’t have said it better, mate.
The bird rose into the open blue, wings bright against the sun. Below, the little quokka grinned toward the sea — as if he, too, knew that Western Australia’s magic isn’t in what you see, but in what stays long after you’ve left.
In conversation with Anneke Brown, Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia
How important is the Indian market for Western Australia?
The Indian market is incredibly important. It’s a priority market for Western Australia. We welcome over 30,000 visitors annually, and the market continues to grow. We have a fantastic product for Indian guests — beautiful natural assets, outstanding food and wine, and a warm, welcoming experience when they arrive. We also share a wonderful connection with Indian culture. Our two countries, and our two states, have strong historical ties, whether through sporting traditions such as cricket or a shared love of life, food, and wine.
What unique experiences await Indian millennials and luxury travellers in western Australia?
We offer incredible natural assets, a unique landscape, beautiful marine life, and exceptional experiences. For our Indian travellers, it’s something quite different from anywhere else in Australia or the world. Western Australia is famous for its wide-open spaces, stunning white sandy beaches, natural landscapes, marine life, wildlife, and the immersive experience of our culture.
How is western Australia balancing conservation and sustainability in travel and tourism?
Western Australia is a vast region. In the northwest, we have the stark, rugged beauty of gorges, waterfalls, and dramatic natural landscapes. In the southwest, there are white sandy beaches alongside towering karri forests. We are fortunate to have an extensive range of natural assets and a relatively small population. Visitors to Western Australia have the rare opportunity to truly immerse themselves in nature. It’s uncommon in today’s world to walk along a beach or through a forest and feel almost completely alone. It’s a special and truly unique experience.
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