The Western Australian identity is defined by its coastline, a massive stretch of land shaped by two vastly different oceans. In our latest collaboration with MAAPS, we wanted to capture the harsh but beautiful atmospheric differences between our west and south coasts. This two-part incense series focuses on the weather patterns and flora that dictate the reality of living on this edge of the country, built around a specific triptych of scent notes.

The first scent, The Indian Ocean, is an exploration of the west coast’s summer heat and the evening relief that follows. It draws on the atmosphere of a suburban afternoon when the breeze, known locally as “The Doctor,” finally moves in from the sea. This cooling change is the result of the sharp temperature disparity between the sun-baked land and the water, a ritual that washes away the core heat of a harsh summer day.

Moving south, the atmosphere shifts entirely. The Great Southern Ocean is tempered by arctic currents and the rapturous winds that hit the coastline throughout the winter months. The scent inspiration is grounded in the Karri tree forests and the cold sea breezes that cover the region’s vineyards. This is a heavier, more complex profile, blending the influence of Pinot Noir with dark chocolate and spice to reflect the rugged sentiment of a southern winter.

To document this project, we worked with Australian photographer Greg Lewis to capture the core inspirations and material makeup of each ocean. His work is paired with imagery from the HAL team, who documented the incense in their own spaces, grounding the scents in the daily environments they were designed for.The HAL x MAAPS "A Tale of Two Oceans" series is available via our HAL Dept. Store and online!