What’s Happening in June?

There are meat events, cheesemaking events, wines galore, long table lunches, beer degustations, brewing competitions and more! No visitor should walk away hungry (or thirsty).

And to make us feel better about all that dining and imbibing, there’s a wee sports race in the mix, the Down South MTB Festival, over the June long weekend.

Neighbourhood bar and bistro The Common is holding its monthly Wine & Jazz night on Thursday, June 2. Fraser Gallop will be hosting a pop-up cellar door on site, accompanied by jazzy tunes from The RiverBugs. Happy hour starts at 5pm.

The region’s newest performing arts festival is set to showcase some extraordinary local talent and a wide array of arts and culture from around the world. There’s certainly something for everyone, from comedy to cabaret.

June brings many gastronomical delights (truffles! Red wine!) but the folks at Passel Estate are offering a particular pairing that in our opinion is underrated: shiraz and venison! The winery has teamed up with its neighbour, the Margaret River Venison Farm, to fire up the barbecue and turn out venison brioche burgers and other meaty snacks. Pair the delights with Passel Estate shiraz for a winning combo from 1pm – 3pm.

Limited tickets are available to join winemaker Bruce Dukes at his Wilyabrup Cellar Door to celebrate 10 years of Domaine Naturaliste. Bruce has scoured his reserve cellar to curate his best museum wines, to be matched to a four-course lunch by local star George Cooper from Tiller Dining.

You may be familiar with the concept of pairing wine and cheese, but what about whisky and cheese? Two of the region’s finest producers, The Grove Distillery and Yallingup Cheese Co, have combined forces for a delicious and educational afternoon being guided through five carefully selected whisky and cheese pairings.

The Down South MTB Festival celebrates mountain biking in the Margaret River Region over two days of competitive and recreational mountain bike events. The weekend showcases Dunsborough and Margaret River’s mountain biking facilities, bringing together the local community for an active two days outdoors.

A fixture of the June long weekend, this pop-up event sees Fraser Gallop throw open its cellar to let loyal customers forage for vinous treasures and bargains, top up on favourites or try something new. Taste and purchase rare museum wines, award-winning current and back vintages or large format bottles at exceptional prices.

Take a rare peek inside Howard Park’s usually off-limits barrel hall this weekend for its Unlock the Cellar event, showcasing limited-release wines. Pop in for wine specials on Howard Park and MadFish wines (and their French wine collaboration, Marchand & Burch) until allocations are exhausted. It’s also a chance to sip vino in the impressive and ambient barrel hall.

Hally’s Bar in Busselton is joining forces with Eagle Bay Brewing Co and Montague Estate wines to bring an all-you-can-eat barbecue feasting afternoon. Held at the exclusive rooftop bar from 12pm, Chef Rick will prepare traditional Texan meats and sides on the Yoder Smokers, matched with four-hours of free-flowing drinks from Eagle Bay Brewing and Montague Estate. Tickets are available online.

Two seaside brewing icons, Little Creatures and Shelter Brewing Co, are pairing up for an epic beer degustation over two nights in Busselton and Fremantle. On Thursday, June 8, Shelter chef Julian Bergerhoff will prepare a four-course meal, each to be paired with a Little Creatures and Shelter beer. Expect fresh seafood, mains and desserts with a double-serving of Western Australia’s top craft brews. The fun starts at 6pm and tickets are available online.

A fun day of cheesy goodness has been lined up at Yallingup Cheese Company, alongside owner/cheesemaker Alana Hill-Ling. Craft your own farmhouse-style feta and learn how to modify the recipe to make a range of other fresh curd-style cheeses. The in-depth masterclass features a selection of cheeses and accompaniments, all matched to Goon Tycoons wines. Participants will receive recipes and small items to help with cheesemaking at home, plus a $10 voucher to spend in store.

The Margaret River Brewhouse is bringing back its annual Backyard Brewing Tournament for the seventh year. The hotly contested comp sees amateur brewers and beer lovers come together from across the State for a sell-out awards night. Key dates have been announced, with entries closing on May 25, and beer submissions closing on June 17.

Cabin Fever is the ultimate fixture on the Margaret River calendar each July, sure to cure any winter doldrums with a good dose of fiery feasts, wild music and decadence. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, the festival is hotly anticipated thanks to its well-curated event list from luxe fine-dining dinners to food markets; DJ sets to drag queen shows. The brains behind the festival have recommended a few special entries to us this year, including “Souped Up Soupie”, where the Margaret River Soup Kitchen takes a star turn with Chef Tony Howell for a good cause; the ultimate collab dinner “TLC”, where Trait Wines join Lagoon Yallingup and Chow’s Table for a night of vino and 10 courses of seafood and Asian cuisine canapes; and finally “The Cabin presented by Shelter Brewing Co”, a brand spanking new cosy winter pop-up, with food and beverage vendors, comedy, music and more day and night.

Australia’s premiere destination film festival returns in August, with tons of live events and screenings from Busselton to Augusta. The celebration of Australian and international cinema brings five days of immersive film experiences in the region’s cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries.