As a celebrated cricket commentator who has travelled extensively across Western Australia, Harsha Bhogle bridges sports and travel in an exclusive conversation with Travel Trade Journal. He shares his first-hand insights into Western Australia’s unique offerings to inspire and urge Indian travellers to explore this dynamic destination.
Western Australia impresses tourists not only with its natural wonders but also with the way it combines upscale comfort and adventure. “I was amazed that in Western Australia you can indulge in relaxation without losing the thrill of adventure,” Bhogle shared.
A Dance Between Indulgence and Adventure
One morning in Perth, Bhogle boarded a plane for a spectacular aerial tour, a journey that epitomises the region’s high-end adventure offerings. The flight offers a billionaire’s view of Western Australia’s beauty. He quipped, “When I was up in the air, I saw a fabulous light, and because of that light the water looked a different shade of blue, like I had landed straight in the Margaret River Brewery,” noting that such unique excursions can be a huge draw for incentive groups or leisure clients seeking something extraordinary.
Later, back on land, he found himself savouring a gourmet winery lunch in Margaret River. Surrounded by vineyard vistas, he was struck by the quality of Western Australia’s food and wine scene. “At Margaret River, I realised Western Australia could make extraordinary white wines. The food and wine pairing there was so well thought out, it felt like a five-minute romance story for every dish,” he recalled. Whether it is boutique wilderness lodges or private charters to remote beaches, Western Australia offers plenty of ways to wow upscale travellers.
Beyond the Classics
Western Australia opened Bhogle’s eyes to treasures beyond the usual circuits. Drawing parallels to how a foreign traveller with little knowledge about India might view the country, he shared, “Much like people come to India and think only of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, I used to see people heading to Sydney and Melbourne, but I want to show there is so much more to Western Australia.”
On a recent trip, he also ventured to Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride from Perth, and found an experience like no other. Famous for its smiling quokkas (tiny marsupials found chiefly in this region), Rottnest charmed him completely. He even joined the trend of taking a ‘Quokka Selfie’. The Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region, located just outside Perth. Bhogle sampled fresh produce and award-winning wines, all within a short drive from the city. Reminiscing about his multidecade relationship with Western Australia, he shared, “I first visited Perth in 1991, and every time I went back, I took a walk along the river. I never miss that chance.”
A Cricketing Connection to Western Australia
Western Australia, and Perth in particular, have featured prominently in Bhogle’s commentary career. “Cricket has taken me around the world, and Perth quickly became one of my favourite stops on the circuit,” he said. He fondly recalled the historic WACA Ground, famed for its pace and bounce, where he witnessed memorable India-Australia clashes that forged a mutual respect between the two cultures. “If you had asked people in India what they knew about Perth in the early days, they would have said, ‘WACA, pace, bounce.’ That was Western Australia’s identity,” he added. Over the years, this cricketing connection has evolved into a genuine fondness for the destination.
In 1992, Bhogle made history as the first Indian commentator to cover an overseas cricket series in Western Australia. Two standout moments from that tour particularly stayed with him: India’s nail-biting one-day encounter against the West Indies, capped by Sachin Tendulkar’s seam bowling at a crucial stage, and one of the greatest Test centuries he ever witnessed, a sparkling hundred by a young Tendulkar on his first tour to Western Australia. He vividly remembered the WACA’s vastness, central to India’s early perceptions of Western Australian cricket.
He noted that sporting ties often spark travel inspiration. The sight of Indian fans at Perth’s new 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, cheering as passionately as in Mumbai, underlines how cricket can drive tourism. “When India plays in Perth, you almost feel it’s a home game,” he observed. As the stands swell with blue jerseys, Indian travellers not only travel to watch this spectacular game between the two countries, but they also stay back to explore. Major events like test series and World Cup fixtures serve as catalysts for tourism, and Bhogle’s interaction with visitors has shown him how a cricket pilgrimage can convert into a full-blown Western Australian holiday.
The Role of Sports Tourism
Sports has long been a bridge between India and Australia, and Bhogle believes Western Australia is leveraging this connection effectively. As a commentator, he has seen how a cricket match can boost a city’s profile overnight. He noted, “For Indians, cricket is huge, so sports linked tourism naturally emerged. Perth transformed into a proper Test match venue, and you could see a real culture for watching cricket there.” The recent high-profile fixtures, from test matches at Optus Stadium to Big Bash League games, have not only filled stadium seats but also hotel rooms and restaurants. Describing how wholesome a cricketing match can be for spectators in Western Australia, he shared, “I was thrilled to see so many Indians travelling to the new Optus Stadium. The spectator experience was outstanding: you could arrive ten minutes before the match, find your seat easily, and walk back afterwards along the river.”
He emphasised that sports tourism is more than just the game, it is about the entire journey. Western Australia’s government and tourism bodies recognise this, hosting cricket legends and organising events to promote the state. A cricket-lover might fly to Perth for a match, but once they are there, they are much likely to travel further to see a quokka on Rottnest or head to Margaret River for a day, suddenly the trip becomes much more than cricket.
A Destination for Every Traveller
Western Australia appeals to a broad spectrum of travellers, and this is a message Bhogle stressed the most in his conversation with Travel Trade Journal. Despite its vastness, Western Australia is remarkably accessible. Perth is the closest Western Australian gateway to India, with emerging flight connections that cut down travel time. The convenience makes Western Australia a practical option for Indian tourists, including those considering their first long-haul trip. On the ground, Western Australia is easy to navigate and safe, attributes important for family holidays and self-drive enthusiasts alike. He was particularly impressed by the self-drive opportunities, remarking, “A road trip in Western Australia is a joy.”
Crucially, Western Australia’s cosmopolitan food and culture helped him feel at home even while exploring new frontiers. Perth’s dining scene offered everything from modern Western Australian gastronomy. “I urge people not to look only for Indian restaurants as Western Australia offers its fresh produce, brilliant coffees and amazing breads, so you could truly relish how abundant Western Australia is for every kind of traveller,” he remarked. Moreover, the warmth of local hospitality and the presence of a vibrant Indian diaspora mean visitors are greeted with a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
He also pointed out the potential of a significant rise in Indian visitors to Western Australia within a year, fuelled mainly by improved flight connectivity and streamlined visa processes. Moreover, Air India’s upgraded fleet, once fully operational on its Far East routes, would make travel simpler and more direct. Combined with growing free trade agreements and support from strategic partnerships like the Quad, these developments can strengthen ties and encourage even more Indians to explore destinations across Western Australia.
