Quick Read
- Western Australia Visitor Centre relocated to Perth Station, improving tourism accessibility and promoting eco-cultural travel.
- Aboriginal artwork by Jade Dolman featured at the Centre, reflecting a commitment to local culture and sustainable tourism.
- WA’s mining expertise is being leveraged by Egypt through educational partnerships and investment incentives.
- University of Western Australia offers substantial Global Excellence Scholarships for international students in 2026.
- Caretakers at Berkeley River Lodge survived Cyclone Fina in an underground bunker; major rebuild planned before tourism resumes.
Tourism Transformed: The New Heart of Western Australia
On a brisk Friday morning in late November 2025, the Western Australia Visitor Centre reopened its doors in Perth Station—right in the pulse of the city. For locals and travelers alike, the move is more than just a change of address. It’s a strategic shift: tourism authorities want visitors to find everything they need in one place, from booking eco-tours to discovering cultural gems and planning journeys deep into the state’s untouched regions.
The Cook Government’s ten-year tourism plan, embodied by this relocation, aims to breathe new life into regional tourism. By giving local operators a direct link to visitors, the centre hopes to redirect some of Perth’s foot traffic toward lesser-known destinations—think Broome’s red sands, Margaret River’s rolling vineyards, and the wild Kimberley. For years, these regions have lingered in the shadow of Perth’s skyline. Now, with easy public transport access and digital planning tools at hand, the state is betting big that more travelers will venture off the beaten path.
But this centre isn’t just about logistics. Designed with native materials and adorned with a hand-painted mural by Aboriginal artist Jade Dolman, it’s a celebration of Western Australia’s deep cultural roots. The artwork is more than decor—it’s a focal point, drawing visitors into the stories and heritage of the land. This aligns with the global rise of eco-tourism and cultural travel: people want authentic experiences, and Western Australia is making sure those experiences start the moment you step into the city’s railway station.
Technology is a major player too. Interactive screens, QR codes, and virtual maps are woven into the visitor experience, providing up-to-date info and sustainable, paperless alternatives. Digital storytelling is now at the heart of how Western Australia markets its wonders, and the new centre stands as a testament to this modern approach.
Mining Diplomacy: Western Australia’s Expertise Goes Global
While the tourism sector gets a fresh start, Western Australia’s mining know-how is traveling far beyond its borders. In November 2025, Perth hosted Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, for a series of high-level talks with David Michael, Western Australia’s own Minister of Mines and Petroleum. The goal? To transfer Australian expertise to Egypt’s burgeoning mining industry.
The two sides have made tangible progress: Egyptian authorities have inked agreements with Murdoch University to train mining professionals, and investment incentives for Australian companies are on the table. Workshops on regulatory best practices, critical minerals, and advanced ore systems are in the pipeline—some even set to run in hybrid or online formats, making Australian mining education accessible to a new generation of Egyptian engineers and geologists.
Executives from over a dozen Australian mining firms joined the conversation, reflecting a growing confidence in Egypt’s reforms. Australian delegations have already toured major Egyptian mines, including the massive Sukari Gold Mine, and met with government and university officials. The dialogue is practical, not just diplomatic: financing mechanisms, risk reduction strategies, and simplified regulatory models are all under review, with the World Bank’s involvement flagged as a future possibility. As Egypt reshapes its mining legislation, Western Australia’s expertise is a cornerstone of its economic ambitions.
Disaster and Resilience: Cyclone Fina’s Impact on the Kimberley
Yet, 2025 wasn’t just a year of strategy and optimism—it was also a year of survival. When Cyclone Fina, a category three storm, tore across the remote Kimberley coast, the caretakers of Berkeley River Lodge, Laura Stokes and Adam Zerna, found themselves in an underground bunker, riding out 16 hours of what Stokes called “apocalyptic-like” chaos. The cyclone hammered Darwin and the Northern Territory before nearly flattening the luxury lodge, a retreat only reachable by sea or air.
Emerging at dawn, the pair were greeted not by the lush paradise they remembered, but by a landscape stripped bare—broken buildings, scattered debris, and a palpable sense of shock. Zerna described the moment the steel bunker itself began to shake, a humbling reminder of nature’s power. Three of the lodge’s 18 villas were destroyed, and the owners now face a daunting rebuild before the next tourism season. Stokes, still processing the ordeal, remains hopeful: “I think at this stage they’re enthusiastic they might reopen it and there’s potential for the future.”
For Western Australia, Cyclone Fina is a stark lesson in resilience. It’s a reminder that, for all the state’s economic and cultural ambitions, nature can still redraw the map in a single night.
Education for the Future: Global Excellence at UWA
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s reputation for excellence continues in academia. The University of Western Australia (UWA) has announced its Global Excellence Scholarship for international students starting in 2026. The awards are substantial: up to AUD 48,000 for undergraduates and AUD 24,000 for postgraduates, depending on academic merit.
Eligibility is open to students from every country, with no separate application required—just strong grades and an offer for an eligible program. Exclusions apply for medicine and dental pathways, but most combined degrees and engineering tracks are included. The scholarship is part of UWA’s broader push to attract global talent and enhance the state’s standing in education.
For many, these scholarships will be the gateway to Western Australia’s world-class research facilities and vibrant student life—an investment in the state’s long-term human capital.
Western Australia’s Crossroads: Looking Ahead
2025 is a pivotal year for Western Australia. With a new tourism hub, global mining collaborations, education incentives, and stories of survival in the face of disaster, the state is redefining what it means to be both a destination and a partner on the world stage.
From the bustling halls of Perth Station to the storm-battered Kimberley coast, Western Australia is embracing change. It’s betting on sustainable tourism, sharing its expertise with international partners, and preparing the next generation of leaders—all while learning to weather whatever nature throws its way.
Western Australia’s success in 2025 is rooted in adaptation: blending tradition with innovation, responding to global opportunities, and remaining resilient in the face of adversity. The state’s future will depend on its ability to keep balancing these forces, ensuring growth is not just economic, but sustainable and inclusive.