Western Australia is set to host one of Australia's biggest swimming festivals next year in a major event which will inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
The four-day event, known as the Battle of the Beach, will be based at Busselton Jetty from the 25 to 28 January.
The Ocean Swim Festival includes events for competitive athletes and community swimmers - with hundreds expected to take part - to be watched by thousands of spectators.
Swimmers will also face off in a series of national Open Water Championship events, providing athletes with qualifying opportunities for the respective Masters, Open, and Junior level events held later in 2023.
The different courses - over 5km, 7.5km and 10km - will be designed with Busselton Jetty as the central hub.
Outside of the water, several other activities will be made available to both competitors and spectators, including a floating cinema and food and hospitality activations.
This is another major event for WA made possible by Tourism WA's Regional Events Program.
The event will be hosted by Swimming Australia and supported by Swimming WA.
As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:
"The McGowan Government is proud to support this fantastic event in 2023 at one of our top tourism destinations.
"It will boost local businesses in the area including cafes, restaurants, and accommodation providers.
"The South-West is the perfect location for this event, with countless attractions and tourism experiences for out-of-region visitors to enjoy, from world-famous Margaret River wine and delectable gourmet produce, to the region's stunning beaches just waiting to be explored.
"This event is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across WA and from out-of-State, injecting millions into the WA economy."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"This is yet another exciting event to add to the South-West's sporting calendar, helping to add vibrancy and buzz to the region.
"Battle at the Beach couldn't come at a better time, with the new direct flight between Melbourne and Busselton bringing interstate visitors to the region three times a week.
"Events such as this help to grow the region's economy and support local businesses."
