Margaret River Visitor Guide

Autumn - Vines & Sur f The region's distinctively Mediterranean climate provides a palette of colours and flavours during autumn. Vintage heralds the end of another growing period and a new season of wines; whilst numerous events celebrate the local culture and heritage. MARCh Augusta River Festival, 2nd & 3rd, Albany Terrace foreshore, Augusta. A family event with entertainment, water and land based activities topped off with spectacular fireworks over the stunning Blackwood River. Tropfest, 2nd & 3rd, howard Park Wines Dunsborough Arts Festival, 2nd to 4th, dunsborough foreshore Drug Aware Pro, 16th to 24th, Surfers Point, Margaret River, WA's premier surfing event attracts world class surfers from around the world to compete in some of the best surf in Australia. Tour de gracetown, 23rd, gracetown and surrounds X-Adventure, 23rd & 24th, dunsborough APRiL Quit Forest Rally, 5th to 7th, Busselton Delirium 24hr Cycle Race, TBC, Cowaramup Polo on the Busselton Foreshore, 27th, Busselton MAY Arts Margaret River's Readers & writers Festival, 16th to 19th, Margaret River Cultural Centre, An inspirational literary event offering workshops, dinners and meet-the-author opportunities. Ironman 70.3 Busselton, 10th to 11th, Busselton Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, 30th, Margaret River Cultural Centre Winter - Whales & Weather As the cool sets in, the region welcomes the arrival of its most cherished visitors – the humpback and Southern Right whales. Red wine becomes a must and cultural connections are celebrated. JunE AuguST whale Song Augusta, 1st & 2nd, Augusta International Lighthouse weekend, 17th & 18th, Celebrate the return of the Southern Right Cape Leeuwin & naturaliste Lighthouses and humpback whales to Augusta's waters CinefestOZ, 21st to 25th, Busselton. for another year. A French-Australian film festival celebrating great films and fantastic food. JuLY Cowaramup Fair, 7th, Cowaramup hall OzOpera, 30th, Margaret River Cultural Centre Spring - Wildflowers & Adventure One truly feels alive during spring in the region, as bud bursts of colour speckle the nOVEMBER landscape and budding athletes and professionals alike take to the countryside to Margaret River Surf Classic, 1st to 3rd, compete across a number of disciplines. Surfers Point wildflower Bushwalks, Sept to Oct, Lake and Mammoth Caves. Join a wildflower tour to experience some of the region's 2,500 wildflower and 150 orchid species. SEPTEMBER Margaret River Polocrosse grounds, 14th & 15th, Witchcliffe. Undalup Djilba Food Festival, 28th to 30th, Wardan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and various locations OCTOBER Illuminate, 12th, Cape Leeuwin and Cape naturaliste Lighthouses. See the Lighthouses illuminate in colour for the Leukaemia Foundation. Family fun with a gold coin donation. Cape to Cape MTB, 24th to 27th, Augusta to dunsborough. This four day mountain bike race spans from Cape to Cape and is a challenge to riders of all levels. Rotary Margaret River Fun Run, 28th, Margaret River Margaret River and Districts Agricultural Show, 18th & 19th, Margaret River Forever gREEN – An Organic Affair, 26th, Margaret River Organic garden Rapid Ascent Adventure Race, 2nd & 3rd, Augusta. The world's biggest adventure race takes over Augusta with a spectacular course starting at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Tour de gracetown, 9th, gracetown and surrounds Tour of Margaret River, 9th to 11th, around Margaret River Margaret River Farm Day Out, 16th, The horse Resort Margaret River gourmet Escape, 22nd to 24th, various locations. international chefs & culinary stars come to the region for a feast of extraordinary food and wine events, including beach barbecues, long table lunches & the 2 day gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate. dECEMBER Ironman wA Triathlon, 8th, Busselton Carols by Candlelight, 12th, Rotary Park, Busselton Christmas Carols in the Park, 13th, Reuther Park, Margaret River Spirit of Christmas Fair, 13th, Reuther Park, Margaret River information & bookings +61 8 9780 5911 or margaretriver.com | 15

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