Tickets on sale for FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships

Tickets for the 2012 FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships to be held in Perth from December 1-9, are now on sale.

Challenge Stadium in Perth will host the event with more than 500 athletes from 25 different nations expected to compete.

Teams will come from five regions - Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, with 20 men's teams and 16 women's teams entered. Sixteen games will be played each day with medal matches to be decided on Sunday, December 9. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

International Hockey Stars to Shine in Perth

The InternationalSuper Series Hockey 9s is now on at Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley. The event features a fast-paced, modified version of the traditional game, which was first played during last year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The event will see Australia's men's hockey team, the Kookaburras, take on some of the highest ranked sides in the world including England, Pakistan and India. In the women's draw, Australia's Hockeyroos and Jillaroos (under 21 squad) will compete against each other and the Malaysian national team. The event finishes on Sunday, November 25, 2012.

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

Perth in the Top 10 Destinations On the Rise

Perth has been recognised as the world's fifth "destination on the rise" in 2012, in a TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice survey.

The list is based on increasing traveller interest and positive feedback about the destination's hotels, restaurants and things to do.

The number one destination was Mar del Plata in Argentina, followed by Sao Paulo in Brazil, Kiev in Ukraine and Montevideo in Uruguay. Hobart in Tasmania was ranked number seven.

Perched on the banks of the wide Swan River, between the Indian Ocean and the... more

Don't miss

• Kings Park War Memorial
• Cottesloe Beach
• Perth Zoo

All 121 things to do

(Source: Talking Tourism – Issue 243)

Incoming Passenger Changes into Australia

A quicker and more convenient quarantine, biosecurity clearance is assured when you arrive in Australia now that low-risk products such as commercially prepared and packaged lollies, chips and chocolates need not be declared.

The changes, which have been made on the Incoming Passenger Card, are a result of the latest scientific advice that shows such food poses a lower risk.

Biosecurity officers will now focus on goods such as raw meats, live plants, seeds and fresh fruit and vegetables, which have a “much greater potential to bring diseases and pests to Australia,” Chapman said.

JLO - Dance Again World Tour (Jennifer Lopez)

 Thursday 06 December - Perth Arena

The wait is over! The Frontier Touring Company is thrilled to announce that global superstar Jennifer Lopez (a.k.a. JLO) will be touring Australia for the first time ever in her impressive 13 year long career!

JLO will be touring down under as part of her 'Dance Again World Tour' which has already visited countless cities across North America, South America, Europe and Asia in recent months.

On the 'Dance Again World Tour', JLO will be performing hits from across her expansive and impressive career, which features seven studio albums that have sold more than 70 million records worldwide.

Those lucky enough to attend one of JLO's Australian performances will be treated to songs that brought JLO to the world's attention including 'If You Had My Love' and 'Waiting For Tonight' as well as those that have introduced her music to a new legion of adoring fans like 'I'm Into You' and 'Dance Again'.

JLO's impressive catalogue is also celebrated on her recently released greatest hits collection Dance Again...the Hits (out now through Sony Music Australia).

JLO is a woman who knows how to get the party started with her signature blend of killer vocal hooks, pulsing beats and storming synthesizers.

Her arena shows in December are destined to be amongst the dance parties of the year, don't miss the opportunity to join the fun on JLO's first ever Australian tour!

"Jennifer Lopez was glitz and glam through her set. At 43, Lopez is in perfect shape, and it showed through her stepped up choreography." - Edge, Boston

Perth International Puts Western Australia On The Map

With prize money of $2 million, the event will become Australia's richest and world number nine Jason Dufner is another who will appear at Lake Karrinyup.

"It's the biggest purse in Australia and we are pushing for more big names in the run-up to the event," spokesperson Janine Pittaway told Reuters on Friday.

"The event is supported by the tour of Western Australia and the plan is for it to become a long-term tournament for Western Australia, like the Heineken Classic and Johnnie Walker Classic."

South African Schwartzel has already won seven times on the European Tour, culminating in his stunning victory at the 2011 U.S. Masters, where he became the first player to birdie the final four holes to win at Augusta.

The 27-year-old will be bidding to emulate countrymen Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who are all past champions at Lake Karrinyup.

"I have always enjoyed the people and the culture (in Australia) and the great sporting rivalry between our countries in cricket and rugby," Schwartzel said in a statement.

"I am looking forward to visiting Perth and hopefully I can continue the South African success at Lake Karrinyup."

Dufner has been a model of consistency this year, the 35-year-old runner-up at the 2011 U.S. PGA Championship and boasting seven top 10 finishes this season.

"I have a real affinity for Australia and have heard a lot of great things about Perth and Western Australia," said Dufner, set to make his Ryder Cup debut next month.

"Hopefully I can continue my good play Down Under," added the American. "I am excited to have the opportunity to play in Western Australia for the first time."

The event is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour and the winner of the event will receive an exemption to the World Golf Championships, the HSBC Champions.

All Smiles As Perth Annies Step Up

As the two Perth girls playing the red-headed heroine in the musical Annie know all too well, you are never fully dressed without a smile.

It was fun and games when Lilli De Nardi, 11, and Claudia Fitzgerald, 10, tried on their costumes for the first time.

Clowning around with pooch Dudley, standing in as the character's furry friend Sandy, the alternating Annies wore the chirpy child's 1930s orphanage uniform and the party dress she wears to celebrate her adoption by benevolent billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

"Wearing the curly wig for the first time was kind of weird," Claudia said.

Claudia, Lilli and 16 other Perth "orphans" have been rehearsing five days a week but were still doing their schoolwork, Claudia said.

"It has been good learning new stuff but sometimes it's been tough keeping on your American accent because some words are really hard to pronounce," she said.

Annie opens at the Burswood Theatre on August 24.