Rugby Travel guide to Western Australia
What’s Western Australia like? Spectacular. To put it succinctly. Otherworldly landscapes, dramatic gorges and ancient rock formations, coupled with the biggest wildflower collection on earth, oceans abundant in vibrant maritime colour and life, and then a food scene fuelled by some of the best produce you’ll ever experience.
Let’s talk specifics…
There’s more than 12,000 species of flora, and of those that flower most can’t be found anywhere else on the planet, making it a truly unique blooming spectacle. It’s also got the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim alongside myriad marine beauties, from turtles and manta rays to whale sharks and humpbacks. There are breathtaking beaches where it feels like you have a whole coastline to yourself, camels and kangaroos, and the kind of rock formations – both visible on the rugged coastline and underground in its ethereal caves – that look as if they’re carved by the ancients.
What about Perth?
Sun-sand-surf have long been the founding fathers of Australia’s fourth largest city, but given there’s so much space, with its very modest two million or so population, it’s got over-riding easy-going vibes. Named after the Scottish city of Perth and founded on the Swan River in 1829 as a British colony, today it mixes just enough urban cool while still epitomising the very best of Australia’s penchant for the outdoor lifestyle. It not only neighbours the finest stretch of beaches you’re ever likely to see, but inland also has incredible spaces such as King’s Park, one of the world’s largest inner-city parks at a whopping 400 hectares. The mining industry brought a prosperity that has fuelled an enviable food and drink scene.
What do you eat in Perth?
Sweet, meaty scallops from Rottnest Island – a car-free maritime paradise just off the coast – giant blue swimmer crabs, pearl oysters, rock lobsters, and countless prawns and local-caught fish, seafood is obviously a big deal in Perth, but the lands around also provide incredible fruit, vegetables and full-flavoured meat, such as Margaret River beef or even full-blood Wagyu. And, naturally, you’ll also find kangaroo on the menu, and – given this is Australia, and they seemed to have adopted this dish – there’s always a cracking pork schnitzel on the menu.
And to drink?
Some of the best wines in the world come from Western Australia. Swan Valley is the oldest wine region in the area, with fertile soils and Med-like climate lending itself to grape varieties such as chenin blanc, verdelho, shiraz, and cabernet sauvignon, not to mention the likes of grenache, vermentino and Petit Verdot. There’s also sparkling wines coming from Perth Hills – a more forested and cooler area east of Perth – and you’ll also get great cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, hailing from Margaret River, a famed region the world over, and a three hour drive south from the Western Australia capital.
Craft beers are also big in Perth, as they are across Australia, and there’s great cider too with all the right ingredients for apple-growing, culminating in a stunning apple blossom season, and then drops made of estate varieties such as Dabinett, Yarlington Mill and Kingston Black. An orchard visit is a must.
What about the rugby?
Perth Stadium, an epic, state-of-the-art 65,000-seater stadium, is hosting the opening ceremony of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, together with five pool games, and two round-of-16 matches. Only opened in 2018, it’s already seen the Wallabies face the greatest rugby sides on the planet, including the Springboks, the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions.
Next year’s Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is going to be truly bucket-list, Australia are one of the best host nations for sporting events in the world. The country is completely set up for offering rugby travellers endless once-in-a-lifetime experiences both at the Rugby World Cup itself, and with everything that you do in and around the rugby. While the Springboks are trying to make history with a third World Cup win on the trot, the All Blacks and Australia are desperate to turn over their southern hemisphere competition, and heading south you have the determined trio of France, England and Ireland all with huge points to prove.
What’s the best way to do the Rugby World Cup and Western Australia?
While you can definitely make your own way around, it’s far easier and far less time-consuming to take a tour with an experienced operator. You won’t miss a single thing, and you won’t get lost in this vast expanse of a country. And they really don’t come more experienced than Gullivers, who are the UK’s leading and longest-established rugby sports tour operator and, since the very first men’s Rugby World Cup in 1987, have taken over 50,000 supporters to follow their teams around the globe. Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, is their tenth men’s Rugby World Cup. They’ve got you covered, whether you just want a hotel and a match ticket, or the full touring experience, which includes match tickets, travel, accommodation, unique Clubhouse events featuring rugby legends, dedicated tour managers, and more.
Is there a specific package?
There are plenty of packages – going from hotel and ticket to full-on tour – that are available to cover multiple pool games, the round of 16, and journeys to the final, but you can also get personalised solutions. To find out more visit gulliverstravel.com or call 01684 879582.
