ICE CREAM DAYS

Rottnest Island’s The Lane Cafe, Simmo’s Ice Creamery and Havza have been added to Pinnacle Travel Group’s portfolio of locally owned and operated experiences.

Pinnacle already owns and runs Rottnest Fast Ferries and Quokka Coaches, with its hop-on, hop-off bus service and sightseeing tours.

Pinnacle Travel Group founding director Luke Crispin says: “Rottnest Island holds a special place in our hearts, and when the opportunity arose to acquire the businesses, we were instantly drawn to the idea of adding these unique West Australian offerings to the group.”

There are no immediate plans to change the way the places operate, with the existing teams remaining in place.

+ The Lane Cafe is a popular eatery in Rottnest’s settlement, serving barista-made coffee, fresh juices and smoothies, alongside gourmet food using fresh local produce. It includes the well-known cray dog.

+ Next door, Simmo’s Ice Creamery has a big range of ice-creams and sorbets.

+ Havza is at The Basin, a shortish walk (or short ride) from the main settlement. It opened in 2024 and operates seasonally from November to June, with a daily tapas-style menu that combines Aegean-inspired dishes with WA produce.

+ Rottnest Fast Ferries and Quokka Coaches have a “Best of Rotto Combo” package, with same-day return ferries, bike hire, a cray dog from The Lane, and a scoop of Simmo’s ice-cream.

Pinnacle Travel Group also owns and runs Whale Watching Perth, Lancelin 4x4 Adventures, luxury coach tour company Australian Pinnacle Tours, small-ship cruise companies Kimberley Quest and Great Escape Cruises, and Integrity Coachlines, which travels between Perth and Broome.

PEOPLE, PLACE, PRODUCE

The inaugural Frankland River Wine Festival on Saturday October 17 will celebrate people, produce and place.

It’s an exceptional wine region and destination and some of Frankland River’s best-known wineries are behind the festival. They include Frankland Estate, Alkoomi, Lange Estate, Ferngrove, Swinney and Cherubino.

Their aim has been to engage all ages “through taste, touch, sight and play” at the festival, to create a day that feels both welcoming and memorable. This is a chance to slow down and connect with local wine, food and producers.

A festival spokesperson explains: “Rather than a traditional wine festival, guests will journey through a series of thoughtfully curated experiences that showcase the people, produce and stories that make Frankland River such a special part of the Great Southern. It’s an opportunity to slow down, connect with the makers, discover exceptional wines and enjoy the genuine country hospitality our region is known for.”

There will be live music, a mix of foods, a central bar showcasing Frankland River wines, and takeaway local produce to enjoy later.

+ Just where is Frankland River? Drive down Albany Highway towards Albany, but at Cranbrook (before you get to Mt Barker), turn west on the Cranbrook-Frankland Road. Frankland River township is about 45km from Albany Highway.

+ Frankland River Wine Festival is from noon to 7pm on the Frankland River town oval and is $20 for adults and $5 for children under 5. Tickets at events.humanitix.com/the-frankland-river-festival/tickets

+ Information at franklandriverwine.com.au/frankland-river-wine-festival

SUBIACO WALKS

There’s a new series of guided walking tours in Subiaco. They start with Spookiaco — two twilight tours through Subi’s laneways with a spooky twist. The Stories and Spirits tour on Friday, October 20 is $70 per adult, which includes drinks and nibbles — and supernatural stories. For Family Fright Night on Halloween, October 31, kids will be on a hunt for monsters, and costumes are encouraged. It is $25 for adults, and $10 for children.

See Subiaco, the City of Subiaco’s destination marketing initiative, has partnered with local walking tour company Oh Hey WA to deliver six walks from Halloween to Christmas.

All the tours and bookings are at ohheywa.com.au/subiaco-art-walking-tours.

CULTURAL INSIGHT

Elizabeth Quay Cultural Walking Tours return monthly from October 20, 2026, to May 4, 2027. The new series invites people to learn about the cultural and historic significance of Goomup (Elizabeth Quay) and the Booneenboro (Perth Waters), through Whadjuk Noongar eyes. They are led by traditional owner Walter McGuire OAM and his wife, Kungarakan woman Meg McGuire, of Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences.

They have been operating Aboriginal tourism experiences at Perth’s waterfront precinct since it opened in 2016. Since 2024, DevelopmentWA has subsidised the tours.

Walter says: “Our tours are original. We put them together from our family stories, anecdotes, history and research. People can read books and watch documentaries, but hearing it directly from Aboriginal people is different because it’s our perspective.”

The tours are $15 per person. goculturalaboriginaltours.rezdy.com

LIGHTING ALBANY

Thousands of lanterns will light the Albany (Kinjarling) coastline on Saturday, November 7, as Carrying the Fire brings visitors and residents together along the shore from Emu Point to Middleton Beach. The project, by FORM and creative producer Southern Edge Arts, aims to create a ribbon of light on Menang country as part of the City of Albany’s Albany 2026 program to mark the town’s bicentenary. albany2026.com.au/events/carrying-the-fire