Shore Leave Festival new events, traditional dinner with Thiinma man Peter Salmon, Geraldton and Kalbarri tour

Three new and exciting activities have been added to the Shore Leave Festival, from stargazing to natural attractions and even a cultural night with one of the last Thiinma language speakers. Now in its third year, the Shore Leave Festival has established itself as the premier festival in the Mid West region with more than 30 events over four days. The Stories of Country with Warralgurniya will celebrate Indigenous food and culture with well-respected elder Peter Salmon making a visit, sharing his wisdom on culture over traditional food and music. The event will be held at RT’s Restaurant and Cafe, specialising in Australian bush flavours, with the head chef, Noongar woman Mya Walker serving up Geraldton wax poached prawn and quandong sweet chilli mango rolled in a lettuce leaf, crocodile filo cups with spicy aniseed myrtle slaw and more. Key knowledge holder for the Thiinma people and working stockman Salmon will visit from WA’s Upper Gascoyne region to share his language and knowledge through song in collaboration with musician Rosie Sitorus and linguist Jacqui Cook. Salmon is a WAM Song of the Year Award-winning songwriter and will weave contemporary yarns informed by ancient knowledge with country, blues and folk influences on Friday, April 28 from 5-9.30pm. Tickets cost $170. The Kalbarri Skywalk Sundowner and Stargazing Tour will take off from the Kalbarri Visitor Centre at 4.45pm on Friday, April 28, taking guests on a wine and dine tour at the stunning skywalk. D’Guy Charters will allow you to explore the skywalk before enjoying a light dinner and glass of bubbles, while providing the opportunity to spot constellations, planets, satellites and maybe a shooting star with your loved ones. Tickets cost $165. Geraldton Twilight Tour will take you along a journey to the city’s top attractions during the night with a local expert, including St Francis Xavier Cathedral, the HMAS Sydney Memorial II and the Horizon Ball sculpture on Beresford Foreshore. Dinner and a drink is included from one of the Helm’s pop-up food stalls, with western rock lobster, smoked barbecue, fish and chips and antipasto available. Start the tour at The Helm — Shore Leave’s festival hub — on Saturday, April 29 from 5.30pm and be dropped back at 8.30pm. Tickets cost $120. Other events include a bustling seafood market, marine discovery tours, live local music, an amateur lobster cook-off and one of the festival’s highlight events, the Mid West Paddock to Plate featuring Australian food icon Matt Moran. For the full list of events, visit https://shoreleavefestival.com.au/events.