The Ampol State of Origin game II will be played in Perth (Boorloo) at Optus Stadium on 18 June, and according to Sam Thaiday, NRL legend and winner of Network 10’s “I’m a celebrity…get me out of here,” it’s the perfect nudge for sports fans to head west.
Feature by Carolyn Beasley
Join Sam as he puts the city’s off-field attractions through a training run, connecting with ancient cultures, storied food and beverage experiences, and adrenaline-pumping adventures.
Sam’s visit starts at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, where the Ampol State of Origin promises to deliver an unforgettable rugby league experience. Sam is enthralled with the sparkling location, right beside the life-blood of Perth, the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan). But aside from its position, Sam loves the clever design.
“The way it's been designed to really channel the noise down to the players on the field is absolutely brilliant,” Sam says. “The ability to flash the lights on and off, all those things that the best modern stadiums in the world have, they’re all at Optus. It's a cracking stadium.”
Optus Stadium, Perth
Elevating his stadium visit to heart-pounding levels, Sam joins the Vertigo at the Ozone tour. Strapped into a harness, Sam defies gravity, suspended 42 metres above the ground.
“It causes a little bit of fear, when you, when you're hanging upside down!” Sam laughs. Sam chose the twilight tour, giving him an added spectacle. “Watching the sun go down over the city from up on the stadium was the perfect way to end my first day in Perth.”
Just steps from the stadium, Noongar man Nick Abraham of Warrang-Bridil leads Aboriginal cultural tours, sharing stories of his ancestors and the stadium’s Indigenous references. The tour resonates deeply with Sam, particularly the Matagarup Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle-way representing two entwined rainbow serpents, and the nod to Indigenous sports stars, like AFL legend, Nicky Winmar.
“Even the way the stadium is designed to look like the nest of the swan, little things like that all make sense when you, when you get told those stories,” Sam says. “It's a great connection to Country.”
Just 25-minutes east of the stadium lies the Swan Valley, WA’s oldest wine region and home to many tasty attractions. Sam drops into the local branch of the Margaret River Chocolate Company and admits, the treats are irresistible.
“Absolutely guilty!” Sam says “There was a maple bacon truffle that I had, and it was weirdly delicious. I did come home with a little sample bag.”
Next, Sam quenches his thirst at Old Young’s Distillery, where as he tastes the vodka and gins, he’s drawn into the distillery’s story.
“I think we are all storytellers at the end of the day,” Sam says. “Whether it was rock art, stories told around the campfire, or bedtime stories told to the kids, I love the art of storytelling.”
As he leaves, he grabs a souvenir bottle of smoked vodka. “A bit of muddled lime, bit of ginger beer and the smoked vodka on a hot Queensland day - yeah, that's a drink I need to bring home,” Sam says.
Old Young’s, Swan Valley
The next day Sam ventures west, zipping 25 minutes across the water from Fremantle (Walyalup) to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup). The island is known for its cutest residents, the quokkas. Following in the footsteps of greats like Roger Federer and Margot Robbie, Sam feels a certain pressure to nail the ‘celebrity quokka selfie.’
“I put a lot into it, there was sweat on the brow,” Sam laughs. “I was tipped off that some celebrities actually cheat and have a professional photographer taking the photo. I went solo and I got the photo myself on my own phone.”
Aside from the fluffy superstars, Sam is smitten with the island’s food offerings. At The Lane Café, Sam devours their famous cray dog. The fluffy bread roll is stuffed with local lobster (or crayfish) and topped with jalapeno mayonnaise.
“In all honesty, one wasn't enough!” he says.
Sam With a Quokka, Rottnest Island
Next up is the Kuld Creamery ice cream van, which perches beside Georgie Bay. According to Sam, the Quokka Traxx flavour, featuring peanut butter cups, chocolate and vanilla is an absolute winner.
Rounding out his visit, Sam steps off the ferry and into Gage Roads Freo Brewery. It’s right beside the working port, where massive cargo ships and tiny yachts slide by as he sips his Air Tracks lager.
“I realised that the name Gage Roads is the name of the ocean channel between Rottnest and the mainland,” Sam says. “And, this is the perfect location when it comes to the sun setting.”
From a world-class stadium to island adventures and unique foodie stops, Perth is ready to welcome visitors, and get its rugby league game on.
Published June 2025.