What does 2026 have in store for Western Australia? Journalist Adrian Barich has consulted his Fremantle market-sourced crystal ball to offer a witty and insightful forecast for the year ahead, covering everything from the weather and coffee culture to the fortunes of our football teams and the perennial ferry debate.
A Climate of Change and Coffee Culture
Barich predicts Perth's climate will simplify into just two distinct seasons by mid-January: "very hot" and "why is it still so hot?". The familiar, if scientifically dubious, consolation of "but it's a dry heat" will remain a staple of every weather report.
Meanwhile, the cost of a caffeine fix is set to climb again, though Barich suggests West Australians will willingly ignore the hike. The ritual remains priceless, with baristas poised to delve deeper into the philosophical purpose of your order.
Sporting Hopes and Heartbreaks
The sporting calendar features a major highlight on Valentine's Day, February 14, with a State of Origin clash between Western Australia and Victoria. A late afternoon bounce-down in Perth is tipped to provide a significant home-ground advantage.
For the AFL's local clubs, it's a year of measured expectations. The West Coast Eagles are forecast to improve, winning a handful of games—potentially up to five, which would be four more than their dismal 2025 tally. However, Barich cautions that any talk of finals will be premature optimism.
The pressure cooker intensifies at Fremantle, where every loss will spark soul-searching. Making a preliminary final is framed as the minimum benchmark for a pass mark, with anything less deemed unacceptable for the Dockers.
In the WAFL, old wounds may be reopened. Barich highlights the lingering pain from the 1978 grand final, where Perth lost by two points in the rain to East Perth. The defection of Ian Miller to the Royals that year, where he won the Simpson Medal, remains a legendary slight. A potential rematch in 2026 could offer a long-awaited chance for revenge.
Lifestyle, Screen Time and the WA Way
Fashion will follow a mantra of practicality and confidence, with men championing short shorts and women mastering the art of the all-day outfit. Linen will reign supreme, while ironing becomes obsolete.
The food scene will see the humble pub parmigiana reach new heights (and prices), accompanied by a side of existential pondering. Barich also tips his hat to the enduring quality of suburban Chinese restaurants that thrive without social media fanfare.
On television, WA's landscapes will continue to double for other locations, giving locals the quiet pride of spotting familiar landmarks. A reality show about FIFO dating is predicted to get an immediate green light, capturing the unique logistical romance of the state's fly-in, fly-out culture.
And true to form, West Australians will remain quietly confident and slightly sunburnt, utterly convinced their way is best. The old threat of secession will never be far from the surface, especially if the federal government dares to tinker with WA's share of GST revenue.
From the media-savvy quokkas of Rottnest to the slow but steady consultations on a Swan River ferry extension, 2026 is shaping up to be another characteristically bold, chaotic, and self-assured year for the West.
