Plan your visit to the Margaret River Region around one of the many incredible events held in the region from world-class surfing to Australia’s biggest open studio’s art events or an iconic swimming event that attracts thousands of ocean swimmers, or a tasty event that showcases the bounty of the region. Here’s my pick of the best annual events in Margaret River.
Tip:
Margaret River is a region (from Busselton to Augusta), a township, and also an actual river.
The best events in Margaret River to plan your trip around
February
Busselton Jetty Swim
One of Australia’s iconic sporting participation events, the Busselton Jetty Swim attracts about 5,000 of entrants who swim 3.6km around the world’s longest timber jetty in Geographe Bay. There’s a whole festival on the foreshore including music, kids activities and more.
https://busseltonjettyswim.org.au
swimmers waiting for the start of the Busselton Jetty Swim. Photo: MargaretRiver.com
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March
Emergence Creative
An inspiring conference for those working in the creative industries. There’s two days of inspiring panel discussions, hands-on workshops and fantastic networking opportunities. Whether you’re starting a career as a film maker to have been a marketing manager for decades, Emergence Creative is one for the diary and a great excuse to get down south.
Emergence Creative Festival. Photo: @emergencecreative instagram
South West Craft Beer Festival
Frothie lovers rejoice. The South West Craft Beer Festival on the Busselton Foreshore is a chance to taste a massive range of brews from dozens of craft breweries and cideries. Not to mention some crazy, delicious, once-off and new release brews showcased by each brewer at their bar. Throw in some local gourmet bites live acts and DJ’s from the region, and the South West Beer Festival is a beer lovers party for the ages.
Aerial view of Signal Park, location of the SW Craft Beer Festival. Photo: MargaretRiver.com
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April
WSL Margaret River Pro
The world’s best male and female surfers take on Main Break at Surfers Point compete for tour points, the last WSL Championship Tour event before ‘the cut’. There’s a 10-day window of competition which is called ‘on’, ‘off’ or ‘on hold’ each morning to ensure competitors are surfing in the best possible conditions. It’s free and always a great vibe.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com
Kids cheering for surfers at Margaret River Pro. Photo: MargaretRiver.com
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May
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival
The Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival the biggest regional literary event in WA and aims to foster a love of literature and the arts within the community. It’s attracts thought-provoking writers to the region including novelists, journalists, academics and established and emerging storytellers from WA, interstate and overseas. It’s a weekend of author talks, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, book signings, feature events, workshops as well as free events and entertainment for the whole family.
Panel discussions with authors at Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival. Photo: @mrrwfestival Instagram
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July
Cabin Fever
When it rains, they pour. Designed to lure us out of hibernation in winter, over 10 days, Cabin Fever offers a program of events and collaborations that surprises and delights from casual to classy, comfort food to finer dining, cheese toasties, wine tasting, spirit masterclasses, fire-side chats and more.
Cabin Fever. Photo: MargaretRiver.com
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August
CinefestOz
A festival centred around film, CinefestOz rolls out the red carpet with gala nights, ‘in conversation’, short films, industry and community events plus world and WA premier screenings of Australian and international cinema. Since 2008, event have been held across the region in cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries. It brings the star-power to Margaret River that has included Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Bryan Brown, Sigrid Thornton, Gillian Armstrong and more.
CinefestOz. Photo: MargaretRiver.com
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September
Margaret River Region Open Studios
Artists are attracted to beauty, which explains why so many of them live the stunning Margaret River Region. For 16 days each year, they throw open the doors of their studios, workshops, shed, galleries and creative spaces at home to meet art lovers and showcase their work. It’s an opportunity to chat to artists, find a new treasure, and explore the region along with a variety of creative processes. It’s Australia’s largest open studios event. More than 150 artists participate from sculptures to fine art painters, glass blowers, furniture craftsmen, jewellers, textile specialists and more.
Tamika Hogan Tamika Hogan ‘Colours of Kambarang’. Photo: Facebook
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October
Cape to Cape MTB
Mount biking is more popular in Margaret River than surfing. The best mountain bikers come to region to compete in Australia’s largest and most popular comp, the Cape to Cape MTB. Four days of off-road riding from fast flowing tracks to technical rocky sections, hundreds of competitors race over 210km from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturalist.
Cape to Cape MTB. Photo: Cape to Cape MTB
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November
Pair’d Margaret River
This new wine-first and food festival, Pair’d Margaret River Region, is filling the gap that the Margaret River Gourmet Escape left, but with a pared-back (pun intended) difference. The program is a highlight of region’s produce with tastings, festivals, casual food events, luxe and exclusive wine events and more. Think less celebrity, more local heroes, more affordable offerings as well as an exclusive options, and less grandeur and more manageable festivities. The event finale sees a free street party in the Main Street of Margs.
https://pairdmargaretriver.com
Wine tasting at Voyager Estate, Margaret River. Photo: Pair’d
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December
Ironman WA
A fixture on the Asia Pacific triathlon circuit for the past 20 years, Busselton hosts the world’s fittest during Ironman WA. The relatively flat course makes it popular with athletes looking for a PB (personal best) as they swim 3.6km around the Busselton Jetty, cycle 180km and run 42.2km (that’s a marathon!). Watching athletes of all ages cross the finish line is truly inspirational.
https://www.ironman.com/im-western-australia
Aerial view of the finish arch of Busselton Ironman WA. Photo: Ironman.com
Where to eat in Margaret River
Check out my other posts on where to eat in Margaret River including winery lunches, breweries, burgers, breakfasts and dinners.