What’s Happening in May?

Missing a bit of theatre in your life? Well, Margaret River Senior High School has got you covered with their performance of Two Weeks with the Queen: The Play. Coming to the Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia, this play follows the story of 12-year-old Colin Mudford who finds out his little sister has cancer and is determined to find a solution. He decides that he will ask Queen Elizabeth II for her very best doctor. Catch Margaret River’s best players in action on 2 May.

Are you looking to tie the knot, but don’t want the hassle of organising and agonising over every little detail? Big Love Pop-Up Weddings has got you covered. Designed for lovebirds seeking an intimate, easy way to say ‘I do’, these pop-up weddings come with a breath-taking vineyard backdrop and a decadent degustation lunch at Rustico Hay Shed Hill. Simply lodge your paperwork a month prior to your big day, then be wed by award-winning Celebrant Anita Revel.

Settler’s Tavern is bringing the live music goods this May! The iconic Tav is starting things off with Meg Mac on 5 May. After selling out the Sydney Opera House and The Forum in Melbourne, Meg Mac is coming to Margaret River as a part of her ‘Matter of Time’ Tour. Next up is the euphoric melting pot of strings, breakbeats and vocals that is Telenova. Taking queues from trip-hop, electronica and big beat, this festival band will be performing at the Tav on 12 May.

On 20 May, Ben Jansz will be spilling his musical soul with stories of heartbreak, vulnerability, and healing so head to Settlers with an open heart and mind. Finally, 27 May will see Hope River Road take the stage to serve up some much need Country and Blues. Don’t miss the rocking beat and sublime vocal harmonies of Craig Pinkney, Paul White (Pink and White Bridge) and Sue Bluck (Birdland).

For all those fitness fanatics, the Margaret River Ultra Marathon is back on 6 May. With a gruelling and gorgeous track that winds through our region’s most beautiful forests, trails, beaches and bluffs, this 80km point-to-point marathon is the true test for runners. Starting at Hamelin Bay and ending at Howard Park Wines, the marathon will see contestants challenge themselves like never before. Aimed at elite runners and newcomers alike, this race is hugely popular – so much entries are currently sold out. However, we encourage you to indulge in the delicious post-race treats from the region’s finest food trucks and cheer on the brave participants.

Rediscover gin as you workshop your way through an array of mixers and seasonal garnishes especially curated for you by the team from Old Young’s at Origins Market. As you mix and match, you will be led through an in-depth description of flavour matching and gin building. This Origins Market Mixology Masterclass includes all the extras you need to build your own ultimate autumn G&T. Cheers to that!

Start off the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival with a bang at the Festival Launch hosted at the Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia. Commencing with a drinks reception at 6:30pm, enjoy a selection of Clairault Streicker wines paired with delicious canapés all to the sounds of Radio Margaret River. Then move to the head auditorium for the Welcome to Country, official addresses, and epic entertainment!

Celebrating all things storytelling, the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival will see an impressive array of novelists, journalists, creative thinkers, artists, and performers from WA, interstate and abroad descent upon our coastal region. This is the annual flagship literature event of Arts Margaret River, and the biggest and best regional literary event in Western Australia. Spread across three full days, the program includes ‘in conversation’ sessions with award-winning authors, panel discussions, book launches, workshops and networking events. Aimed at anyone from bona fide scribe to the occasional bookworm, this string of events is all about keeping the love of reading, writing, and creating alive in our community.

The schedule is jam-packed with tell tales and striking stories, but there are a few particularly special events worth mentioning. For those that are creatively inclined, there are plenty of events that bridge the gap between the written word and the artist’s brush such as the Visual Stories Exhibition, which brings the festival’s theme to life, and the New York City Glow Exhibition, which showcases Rachel Coad’s debut graphic novel.

Catch iconic author, Hugh Mackay for his keynote talk about his seminal book, The Kindness Revolution or see Richard Fidler of ‘Conversations with Richard Fidler’ fame at Shelter. Finally, there are plenty of free and family-friendly events to get excited about such as the Storytelling Snug, where you can meet children’s authors like Esther Krogdahl and Steve Heron. There is even a day of Free Family Fun at the Busselton Foreshore. Check out the full program and start planning your trip.

Spoil your mom this Mother’s Day with Sip and Paint at Origins Market! It’s tulip season in the Netherlands, Van Gogh’s home, so what better time to take up the brush and channel your inner artist with your mom by your side? Sip some wine as your inspired brushstrokes cover the canvas. Not a creative bone in your body? Not to worry, you’ll be guided through the process and techniques step-by-step by artist Kimberley.

Join Voyager Estate’s Chief Winemaker Tim Shand along with Montalto’s Chief Winemaker Simon Black in Margaret River for an incredible coastal-inspired lunch experience. Enjoy a five-course menu from Voyager Estate Head Chef Travis Crane bringing together the best local produce, paired with premium wines from both Estates. Two producers, two regions, two styles, and captivating conversation. An unmissable seaside adventure awaits…

After the hilarity of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, all the best acts are hitting the road to bring big belly laughs to all of Australia’s little country towns. Stopping in at Margaret River on 26 May, you won’t want to miss this evening filled with all the most talked-about acts, squished into one hysterical show. You will laugh, you may cry, and you will definitely have a fabulous time. Grab some friends and head out to the Margaret River HEART for your ultimate comedy fix with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow.

Dreaming of a European vacation? Take a sonic tour of music’s most iconic countries through UWA Choral Society’s ‘An Autumn Odyssey – A Choral Journey Through Europe’. Stop in Austria, Italy, Germany, and the UK on this epic tour de force through the centuries of music. Enjoy the stylings of Mozart, Monteverdi, Lotti, Pergolesi, Bach, Rutter and Handel, taking your ears on the vacation of a lifetime.

The 2023 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming back to the Margaret River HEART for a 3-hour celebration of all things mountains, adventure, and action. Experience the world’s best and most exhilarating short films about everything from explorers, runners, mountain bikers, skiers, paddlers and climbers from the most remote corners of the world. Think captivating cinematography, riveting storylines and enthralling action sequences – jump online to get your tickets to this evening of thrill-seeking!

The Down South MTB Festival celebrates mountain biking in the Margaret River Region over 2 days of competitive & recreational mountain bike events. Action kicks off in Dunsborough on Saturday 3 June and in Margaret River on Sunday 4 June.  Once again, this great MTB weekend promises to deliver a unique outdoor adventure experience for all in the family.

Set in Manjimup, the Truffle Kerfuffle festival will take you on a journey of rediscovery from the ground up. Just 90 minutes from Margaret River, Manjimup is the heart of Australian truffle country with almost 90% of Australia’s black truffles found in the area. Go truffle hunting, taste your way through the Festival Village, meet farmers and growers, discover local wine and produce and indulge in truffle laden experiences and exquisite dining events with world-class chefs. Stay tuned for more details when the program is announced.