I love going to Margaret River in winter; rugging up in woolly jumpers, cosy fires, tucking into hearty winter food, sipping stunning red wine, and even going for beach walks with the wind whipping your face, it makes you feel alive.

Cabin Fever from July 19 to 28 is the perfect excuse to get down south this winter. There are 35 events in the line up this year, which is impressive and I can’t wait to check it out.

Choose from events that embrace all the best food, wine and music of the region, laden with unexpected twists and turns. You’ll find winter feasts, rich wines, magnificent parties, live music and a wilderness that grows from the inside out. Choose from the weird, the decadent and the raucous – a celebration amidst stormy skies and open fires in the epic Margaret River region.

Last Minute Tickets

If you haven’t booked yet, check out this post – the Late Bookers Guide to Cabin Fever.

My pick of events are:

Smoke and Fire, Wise Wintery, Friday 26 July, 12pm, $80
Think wood-grilled king prawn, smoked beef brisket or smoked banana pie with honkey nut ice-cream. Yum! I’ve bought tickets to this epic five-course BBQ feast and lucky for us, we’re getting a crash-course in smoking and fire management so we can try smoking at home (meaning, so Zorba can try it at home).

Game On, Yarri, Friday 21 July, Sunday 23 July, $170

Two of the best in the business, old mates Aaron Carr (Yarri, 2 Chef’s Hat) and Matt Stone (Oakridge, 2 Chef’s Hat) are teaming up to bring the rich, earthy flavours of game featuring six courses of six different meats including kangaroo, emu, quail, duck and venison, all prepared on the open fire. They’ll be joined by Snake and Herring’s Tony Davis and Oakridge Estate’s Dave Bicknell (both winemakers) who will be pairing some of their delicious wines.

Arimia x Fervor Pop-Up, Golden Café, multiple dates, $145

This one sounds incredible. Two talented chefs, Evan Hayter (Arimia) and Paul Iskov (Fervor) join forces for a unique pop-up restaurant set in the heart of the Margaret River township at cosy Golden Café. The space will be transformed into an intimate dining experience where you’ll sample some delicious dishes, think locally raised pork and straight-from-the farm organic veggies, along with local marron, kangaroo, whiting, jindong macadamia nut, wattleseed shoyu, sandalwood nuts and bloodroot.  Paired drinks by Arimia, LAS Vino, Heretic, Beer Farm and Rocky Ridge (plus a few surprises). I’m trying to talk Zorba into going to this one on Sunday night…

Free Events

There’s also a swag of free events on, check out the list of free events here.

Visit www.cabinfeverfest.com.au

Photo credit: G Becker