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WESTERN Australia is increasingly focused on using its event calendar as a gateway for attracting tourists. From late 2026 through early 2027, Perth will host a vibrant array of international sports and entertainment events, while regional destinations are preparing complementary experiences designed to encourage visitors to extend their stays.
For travel industry professionals, this trend creates opportunities to design itineraries that go well beyond the confines of an arena or stadium. Trips centered around events like WWE, the Rugby League World Cup, the World Rugby SVNS, or the United Cup can be expanded into broader journeys connecting Perth to destinations such as Margaret River, Collie, the Wheatbelt, and Karijini.
Event Calendar Drives Visits to Perth
The first major highlight is the “WWE Weekend Takeovers” at the RAC Arena, taking place from December 11–14, 2026. With a lineup including SmackDown, Wrestlepalooza, and RAW, Perth transforms from a single-event venue into a multi-day travel destination.
Prior to this, HBF Park will host two matches of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on October 17 and 24. These events add to a growing roster of international sports competitions, providing fans with a compelling reason to visit during specific dates.
For the travel trade, event-based tourism is highly advantageous because the travel dates are already set. The task then becomes bundling tickets, flights, accommodation, local transportation, and activities into a seamless, high-value travel package.
From the Arena to Margaret River
Following the main events in Perth, Margaret River stands out as an ideal destination for extending a trip. The region offers a striking contrast—shifting from the high-energy atmosphere of a major event to a more relaxed experience centered on wine and gastronomy.
This appeal has been further bolstered by the “House of Cards Ace High Chardonnay 2025,” which earned a perfect 100-point score at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition—the first wine from Margaret River to achieve such a distinction.
Margaret River also boasts its own calendar of events. Pair’d Margaret River Region, taking place from November 19–22, 2026, combines world-class wine, food, and culinary experiences into a single program.
As such, the event serves not only as a catalyst for visits to Perth but also as a starting point for promoting thematic travel—ranging from sports and entertainment to wine, gastronomy, and regional exploration.
To encourage longer stays, the event calendar must be supported by products that can be easily integrated into travel itineraries. Several new developments in Western Australia offer options for both adventure-seekers and those interested in rural tourism.
In Collie, Voltage Lodge is now operational, with a capacity for up to 30 guests. Its facilities—including bicycle storage, e-bike charging stations, and areas for washing and repairing bikes—are designed for travelers looking to continue their journey with outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, The Fox Den in Mukinbudin, located in the Wheatbelt region, is scheduled to begin welcoming guests on February 1, 2027. Situated on a working farm, these cabins offer an alternative accommodation option for travelers wishing to explore a different side of Western Australia after attending an event in Perth.
For travelers looking to extend their journey further, facility upgrades at Karijini National Park have enhanced the readiness of this premier natural destination. A A$2.1 million improvement project at Knox Gorge has now been completed.
The project includes new walking trails, a raised steel boardwalk leading to the Knox Gorge Lookout, expanded parking areas, new restrooms, and upgraded picnic facilities.
These improved access points make it easier to incorporate Karijini into a broader travel itinerary. In the context of event-led tourism, such offerings help transform a short visit—centered around a specific match or performance—into a more comprehensive Western Australian travel experience.
Opportunities for the Travel Trade
The strength of an event-based strategy lies in its ability to provide a clear, compelling reason to visit. The dates of a match, tournament, or festival serve as the anchor for the entire trip. Regional destinations and products provide a compelling reason for visitors to stay longer and spend more.
For the travel trade, the opportunity extends well beyond simply selling airline seats and hotel rooms during an event. Greater value is unlocked when an itinerary in Perth is combined with culinary experiences in Margaret River, adventures in Collie, the rural charm of the Wheatbelt, or the landscapes of Karijini.
Through this approach, Western Australia’s event calendar can serve as a tourism distribution engine, channeling visitors from the city into regional areas, with a vision looking toward 2027. [sources/photo special]
