AUSTRALIA’S east coast cities have long hogged the business events limelight while Perth reaped dividends from the world’s demand for energy resources, but it long nurtured hidden wonders – like unique getaways to Margaret River and Rottnest Island, the home of the quokas (main picture). Now that limelight is shifting west as Business Events Perth eyes direct air links with Southeast Asia and China, including Hong Kong, to attract more groups. BE Perth recently hosted RE-Awaken 2026, a destination showcase for conference and incentive buyers, to show what the region offers.
Here is a selection of locations to inspire itineraries and enrich post-conference experiences…
1/ WA MUSEUM BOOLA BARDIP
The Lowdown – Located at Perth Cultural Centre, WA Museum Boola Bardip provides an atmospheric and story-rich backdrop for corporate gatherings.
The Spaces – One of its most sought‑after venues, Hackett Hall (above), dates back to 1913 when the museum was a library. The hall features heritage architecture crowned by “Otto” – the 24‑metre whale skeleton suspended above a mezzanine level. It transforms into a dramatic setting for long‑table dining, with delegates dining beneath the articulated skeleton that washed ashore near the town of Busselton in 1897.
Additional spaces, such as the Woodside Learning Studios, provide modern, flexible rooms ideal for workshops or breakout sessions. The open‑air City Room terrace offers an atmospheric outdoor environment framed by the Old Gaol, while the Special Exhibitions Level provides a contemporary setting suitable for cocktail events or seated functions.
Event Support – The museum’s long‑standing partnership with Heyder & Shears provides premium catering, AV support and event logistics.
2/ CITY OF FREMANTLE
The Lowdown – About a 30 minute coach journey from the centre of Perth, Fremantle is known for its heritage architecture, maritime history and creative cultural scene.
The Spaces – The city’s atmospheric venues include Moore & Moore, a heritage warehouse with vintage interiors and a secluded courtyard that provides a unique space for breakfast gatherings and networking.
Fremantle is also equipped for large conferences through the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges. The hotel combines heritage character with modern facilities and features the 800sqm Southern Cross Gala Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,000 delegates. A range of additional breakout spaces, exhibition areas and heritage‑styled guest rooms – including suites with verandahs spanning the building façade – make Fremantle an interesting conference location.
Cultural Access – For groups interested in cultural connection, Aboriginal walking tours led by Whadjuk Noongar guide Steven Jacobs offer meaningful insight into local stories and Indigenous history.
Fremantle’s harbourside location also provides easy access to SeaLink ferries, enabling planners to organise excursions or onward travel to nearby Rottnest Island.
3/ ROTTNEST ISLAND
The Lowdown – Just off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) offers a relaxed environment ideal for incentive programs, leadership retreats and beachside celebrations. And, of course, there are the island’s cutest inhabitants, those much-adored marsupials – the quokas.
The Spaces – The Lodge Wadjemup offers a refreshed collection of rooms and event facilities designed to support executive retreats and group stays. Samphire Rottnest, positioned on the shoreline of Thomson Bay, provides a luxury resort experience with stylish suites, waterfront dining and a range of indoor and outdoor function spaces. The property offers conference retreats, executive meetings, cocktail receptions and large-scale celebrations overlooking the Indian Ocean.
For planners seeking a more relaxed, eco-conscious option, Discovery Resorts, Rottnest Island (above) provides an elevated glamping experience tucked behind the dunes of Pinky Beach. Accommodation comes in the form of eco-tents with direct access to Pinky’s Beach Club, an ocean‑view venue ideal for breakfasts, sundowners and casual evening functions.
More Recreation – The Quoka Hopper bus service can take delegates around the island, but electric-bikes from Eco Bike Tour and the standup, balance and move options by Segway Tours WA gives groups a greater appreciation of the Rottnest adventure.
4/ COMO – THE TREASURY
The Lowdown – Located in Perth’s historic State Buildings precinct, COMO The Treasury provides a luxury option for executive retreats and incentives.
The Spaces – The property blends contemporary elegance with restored 19th‑century architecture with spacious suites. The Cape Arid Rooms provide a sophisticated setting for private breakfasts, intimate meetings or welcome gatherings. Among the unique spaces at The Treasury are wine-tasting rooms with a cellar boasting vintages fitting of a heritage quarter,
Stepping Out – To enrich the guest experience, planners can add a guided walking tour with Oh Hey WA, a locally owned operator run by two sisters and known for its engaging storytelling and knowledge of Perth’s art, culture and history. These guided experiences take delegates through landmarks such as Perth’s first town hall (built by exiled British convicts), the mock-Tudor London Court and the city’s revitalised waterfront with its sleek Bell Tower.
5. OPTUS STADIUM – Corporate Hospitality and Gala Experiences
The Lowdown – Usually home to Australia’s favourite sports, Optus Stadium also provides a world‑class stage for corporate events, gala dinners and premium hospitality experiences.
The Spaces – The stadium offers a diverse selection of function rooms, lounges and suites that can accommodate gatherings ranging from intimate executive dinners to gala celebrations. Its flexible floor plans, comprehensive AV infrastructure and sweeping views will impress delegates and create a unique stage for brands, hosting award nights or entertaining VIPs.
Arrive in Style – Planners can arrange chauffeured transfers from hotels through Wicked Limos, whose fleet of luxury vehicles and stretched limousines add a sense of glamour and exclusivity.
