Things to do in Southwest

10 days of wintry goodness are coming your way this July 16-25. All your festival favourites are back with plenty of fire, food and fine tunes planned for your winter down south. Plus, a line-up of new and exciting events coming your way. More than 40 experiences dotted from Busselton to Margaret River and everywhere in between. Will feature chocolate and coffee appreciation, secret speakeasies, wine dinners, wine-fuelled crafts, bonfires, brews, live music and more. Tickets go on sale mid-April. Sign up to the newsletter below for updates, or follow along on social media.

Cindy was born in Perth, so after retiring from work in Sydney and Canberra she made the decision to return to WA and live in Margaret River. She has always pursued the art world in various forms, so deciding to become a full-time artist was a natural progression. "I create my art using alcohol inks, and my inspiration is all around me in the natural beauty of Margaret River, which I now call home. When a beautiful place captures my attention, I analyse it, and later when painting, I use my visual memory to guide me to paint intuitively. Therefore the artworks are not literal depictions but are inspired interpretations". Cindy describes her art as abstract expressionism; there is a form and subject amongst the abstract backgrounds. Working with inks is very expressive, and Cindy's experience and technique have evolved into unique and beautiful artworks.

An epic story of displacement, loss and adapting to different worlds. Chloe and Hassan are under suspicion for stealing money while feeding the class Axolotl. Sent outside to work out who’s responsible, the unlikely pair find they have something in common. Each of them has been forced by their parents to leave their respective homes and face life as the new kid at school. As their personal histories are revealed, Chloe hears the incredible first-hand account of an Afghan boy who’s travelled alone, thousands of kilometres across land and sea, for a better life. Is the discovery of Hassan’s back story enough to save him from Chloe’s desire to protect her position in her new-found friendship group? A Windmill Theatre Company Production recommended for ages 12+. Written by Duncan Graham.

In Bizet’s famous opera, she sings her sensual Habanera and lures Don José into her world. He gives up everything to follow her. But Carmen’s wandering eye has already found a new lover: the dashing bullfighter Escamillo. Don José’s jealousy is fierce. Escamillo’s passion is strong. In a gripping finale, Carmen must face her fate. Experience the thrilling Spanish colour and rhythms of Bizet’s vibrant score with Opera Australia’s singers, live chamber orchestra and a children’s chorus drawn from the local community. This new production includes gorgeous sets and vintage-inspired costumes.You can hear classics such as the Habanera and the Toreador Song just as Bizet meant them — loud, live and completely unamplified.

An Opera Australia and West Australian Opera production directed by Matthew Barclay.

Presented by Arts Margaret River with support from Margaret River HEART. Run time approximately 2hours 35 minutes including intermission. Sung in French with English surtitles. Performed with a live chamber orchestra.

Celebrating great films, the festival incorporates some of Australia's most beautiful locations, world-class Margaret River wines and gourmet fresh foods.

Visitors, filmmakers and film-lovers converge to enjoy premiere events, in conversation lunches, general screenings, family activities and free community events over six days in August.

Live events are to be held from August 25-30. This makes CinefestOZ the first Australian film festival to host screenings for live cinema audiences in Western Australia’s South West since the easing of restrictions.

Special guests who have enjoyed the film festival dubbed "Australia's friendliest" include David Wenham (Patron), Sigrid Thornton, Ben Elton, Jack Thompson and Hugo Weaving.
 

One of WA's most popular arts events, Margaret River Region Open Studios, returns in September following the popularity of a Springtime event in 2020. Open Studios promises to be more vibrant than ever, capturing the colours of spring and wildflower season and providing an opportunity for you to enjoy the Margaret River region in all its glory. More than 100 artists from Busselton to Augusta will be opening their studio doors to welcome in art lovers and share their passion. The event, marking its eighth year, features painters, sculptors, illustrators, jewellers, printmakers, glassblowers, ceramicists, potters, photographers, furniture makers, woodworkers, textile artists, metalworkers, mixed media artists and upcyclers who share a love of this beautiful part of the world. Roadtrip to the region and make a holiday of it, going off the beaten path to visit studios of artists you know and love, and some new talent who might just be the next big thing! Renown artists who regularly participate include Leon Pericles, Rachel Coad, Lauren Wilhelm, Ian Mutch, Rebecca Cool, Mary-Lynne Stratton and Christian Fletcher.

Artists and artisans open the doors to their art studios and workshops, delivering a unique experience for art lovers to meet the creator of the artwork, peruse original artworks and of course purchase artwork. Work may include painting, drawings, sculpture, hand blown glass, print making, handmade furniture, as well as jewellery, ceramics, textiles and other mediums. Geographically grouped venues across Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta, Vasse, Yallingup, Quindalup, Dunsborough, Cowaramup will be shown on maps so visitors can design their own art trails. Entry is FREE to all Art Lovers.

Staged over 3 days in Margaret River, Strings Attached is a celebration of Players, Makers & Collectors; lovers of guitars, basses, ukuleles, mandolins, banjos and more. Showcasing Exhibitions, Performances, Masterclasses & Workshops, this will be a festival with much to offer both the local community from which it has sprung, and enthusiasts from abroad.

For the aficionados and the occasional drinkers alike, Fine Vines invites you to explore all aspects of our wine region through tastings and tours, masterclasses and exclusive museum wines. Over 10 days this Spring, you’ll get insider access to the vines, experts and wines that have shaped the Margaret River region over the past 50+ years.

Cape to Cape, Australia’s largest, longest running and most popular four day MTB stage race. Based in Margaret River Western Australia, this iconic riding experience includes access to stunning private trails, vineyard visits, brewery finishes and some of the warmest hospitality the region has to offer. Starting at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in Augusta, and finishing four days later at the fabulous Margaret River Distillery, the course makes its way through a network of trails along the coast, through National Parks, forest, farm lands, mountain bike parks, and bush. Roughly 205km and 2,500m of climbing in total, each day’s riding is between 37km and 72km and has its own special terrain and environment to keep things interesting with a mix of fast flowing single trail, farm tracks, groomed downhill trails and fire trails – many through private land that can only be ridden while racing the Cape to Cape. There’s nothing too technical and it's ridable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and MTB skills.

All of Elvis’ No 1 hits will be performed in the original style that made Elvis the greatest performer that ever lived. Internationally acclaimed sensation Mark Anthony, one of the most dynamic Elvis tribute artists in the world today, brings this unique period to life – the songs, the costumes, the emotion, the energy, the raw power – all brought together in a two hour concert spectacular. With over 600 million record sales worldwide, 3 time Grammy Award Winner Elvis Presley will always be known as “The King of Rock n’ Roll” Come and relive and experience what it would have been like to see Elvis Presley Live In Concert. You will be transported to that very time when Elvis Presley ruled the world and dominated the record charts in the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s with his unique raw energy, dynamic voice and sensational stage presence.

The event weekend will feature three off-road adventure races in south-west Western Australia with each course traversing in and around Eagle Bay, Dunsborough, Meelup Regional Park and Geographe Bay. The Leeuwin Long Course will headline the weekend with a non-stop course covering a gruelling 23km mountain bike, 2km ocean swim, 13.5km paddle, and 12.5km trail run which takes competitors along the breathtaking coastline. The run leg also includes a water jump and 50m swim mid-way through. The Naturaliste Short Course offers a steppingstone into adventure racing with a 13km mountain bike, 1.2km ocean swim, 5km paddle and 7.9km trail run. The Kids Adventure Challenge is very popular with kids aged up to 13 years as they tackle a 4km running and obstacle course. Each event will start and finish at the Eagle Bay Brewing Co which offers sweeping views out to Cape Naturaliste in Geographe Bay, and provides the perfect venue for the all-important post-race celebrations. Close to 5,000 competitors and supporters are expected over the two-day event, from adventure racing stalwarts and previous participants, to local community members, families, first-timers and hundreds of local primary school kids.

Interviewing and dancing with their Dads revealed secret headphone and tambourine routines, African Dance lovers, 1960's garage party dancing and so much more. The dads won't be busting their moves on stage in Dads, but audiences will hear the interviews recorded by their sons and daughters, and their musical preferences form the soundtrack to the show. The team have taken inspiration from their family histories, memories of dance, and their own experience of being professional dancers. It's not all daggy dad dance moves, although there's a few, but a beautiful foray into the layman's perspective on art. DADS was shortlisted for the 2017 Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance. "Rather than being a light-hearted surface-skate across embarrassing dad anecdotes, DADS ventures a subtle enquiry into male frailties. It challenges stereotypes of paternity and masculinity and exposes a charming vulnerability in older men. It also uncovers seams of Sydney's social history and multicultural character, audible in the many accents and historical expositions evident in the soundtrack. DADS, manages to link contemporary and social dance via a touching exploration of the parent-offspring relationship." Tony Osbourne, RealTime

This once-a-year chance to feast, sip and party your way through an array of new fine dining and casual events plus the old favourites, including the Westpac Gourmet Beach BBQ and the Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate will be here before you know it! In the past seven years, some of the biggest names in the culinary world have visited Margaret River including the likes of Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White, Curtis Stone, and Rick Stein to help us showcase the region’s finest wines, craft beers, and amazing local produce. Don’t miss out on the chance…. To TASTE fine local produce from Western Australia, curated by culinary talent. To MEET world-renowned celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. To SIP celebrated Australian wines, beers and spirits with famous critics in the award-winning wine regions of Western Australia. To EXPLORE extraordinary locations in Western Australia.

Since its debut on the Australian calendar in 2004 the IRONMAN event has seen tremendous growth, both in size and reputation among the triathlon community, and widely recognised globally as a world class sporting event. The event has become enormously popular with athletes and spectators alike and is renowned as a spectacular destination race and holiday venue. A tribute to the City and people of Busselton who support and contribute to the huge success the event has become. Incorporating the iconic Busselton Jetty, IRONMAN Western Australia is renowned worldwide for being the place to go for a personal best, with the bike and run courses amongst the flattest on the global IRONMAN circuit.