Midwest set to shine as more events added to third annual Shore Leave festival

Celebrate traditional music and culture, discover Geraldton’s top attractions at night and take a walk under the stars, glass of bubbly in hand.

Three new events have been added to the third instalment of Shore Leave, the premier food and culture festival in WA’s Midwest with 30-odd events staged from April 27-30.

The Stories of Country with Warralgurniya will celebrate local Indigenous food and culture, specifically the Yamaji people, at Geraldton’s RT’s Café and Restaurant on Friday, April 28 from 5pm.

Head chef Mya Walker, a young Noongar woman, will create delicious dishes such as Geraldton wax poached prawn and quandong sweet chilli mango rolled in a lettuce leaf, and crocodile filo cups with spicy aniseed myrtle slaw.

Knowledge holder for the Thiinma people Peter Salmon from WA’s Upper Gascoyne region will share stories and language through song at The Stories of Country with Warralgurniya.

Salmon, a working stockman and WA Song of the Year award winner, will perform with musicians Rosie Sitorus and linguist Jacqui Cook.

The Geraldton Twilight Tour invites Shore Leave attendees to enjoy the night-lit attractions of the Midwest town, including the landmark St Francis Xavier Cathedral, iconic HMAS Sydney II Memorial and Horizon Ball glass sculpture during a night-time saunter starting and finishing at festival hub, The Helm.

Dinner and a drink from one of The Helm’s pop-up food stalls is included in the ticket price.

The tour happens on April 29 from 5.30-8.30pm.

The third new event is Kalbarri Skywalk Sundowner and Stargazing Tour, tacking place on Friday, April 28 from 4.45pm-8.45pm.

The skywalk is an ideal place to spot constellations, planets, satellites and more while sipping on sparkling wine and enjoying a light dinner provided by Kalbarri guides D’Guy Charters.

Tickets and more information on those events and others, including the Midwest Paddock to Plate starring Aussie food icon Matt Moran, are available via shoreleavefestival.com.au.