What’s Happening in August?

August is the start of Djilba, one of the six seasons of Wadandi Boodja (Saltwater People’s country). You’ll notice the yellow blossoms of the Yonga Marra (Kangaroo Paw) starting to flower, the Koola (Emu Plum) about to fruit and signs that wildflower season will soon be here. It’s also the peak of the southern right whale season, with mothers and calves enjoying the sheltered waters of Flinders Bay, Augusta.

This month is an exciting time for wine aficionados too. With the release of the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion (4 August) and International Cabernet Day (30 August), if you ever needed reason to sample the region’s renowned wines, August offers some great ones.

The region also rolls out the red carpet for the 16^th CinefestOZ Film Festival. Held over six days, CinefestOZ offers the perfect pairing of film, fine wines and fabulous food.  The program includes Feature Film Premieres, In Conversation Lunches, Industry Symposiums, Community Events, and the glittering Gala Night which bestows Australia’s richest film prize.

Read on for all the events and things to do in the Margaret River Region this August.

Tag along for a day in the life of a bunch of misfits at The Box Show as they reinvigorate the junk that the world has forgotten. Ordinary household items and unwanted junk is transformed into extraordinary musical instruments during this high energy, imaginative music-in-education performance combining drumming, dance, theatre and comedy, and an ultimate lesson in sustainability.

Move over Kungu-fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is here! Clubs from across WA are heading to Busselton to showcase the fastest growing sport in the world in the inaugural South West Jiu-Jitsu Championship competition. Spectating is free – and family friendly.

The Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour is the ultimate homage to girl power. It’s a curated selection of unique, heartwarming and entertaining short films which celebrate adventurous women and showcase spectacular scenery from around the world. This year’s festival includes West Australian woman, Erika Lori, and her attempt to run the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track, in fewer than 11 days. Guaranteed to inspire anyone who loves adventure, not just girls.

Experience the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music with a night of music for your soul. The Grammy award winning gospel supergroup, Soweto Gospel Choir, are bringing Hope to town, singing songs that have inspired change around the world.  Combining 30 of the best singers from the churches of Soweto – the epicentre of political campaigns aimed at overthrowing apartheid in South Africa in the 1950s.

There is no better time to visit the guardians of the cape than on International Lighthouse Day. Over the weekend 19 – 20 August, visitors will be able to explore and enjoy celebratory activities at both Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Check out the special radio broadcasts, where stories and experiences from other lighthouses around the world will be shared throughout the day.

At International Lighthouse Day at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse on the Saturday, the Dunsborough Rural Fire Brigade will park up the fire truck for the kids. Help fundraise by supporting their sausage sizzle from 9.30am until around midday. Enter the grounds at $5 for adults and $2.50 for children and the funds raised from entry fees on the day are donated to the Dunsborough Rural Fire Brigade.

At International Lighthouse Day at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse on the Saturday and Sunday, the Augusta Spinners and Weavers will be spinning their spinning wheels, with a portion of the sales of their creations to be donated to the Augusta Volunteer Marine Rescue. The amazing crew from the Augusta Volunteer Marine Rescue will be there with their rescue boat too, which you can explore on Saturday from 8.45 am to around midday.

Ready for some unequivocal and gloriously self-indulgent you time? This one-day retreat might be just what you need. Learn the traditional teachings of the Buddha, and discover techniques to focus the mind, observe your reality and develop equanimity. All combined with a hands-on Biodynamic Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Sound Massage, as well as nutritious food sourced directly from the Fair Harvest Permaculture farm.

Start your engines! The Australian Human Powered Vehicles Super Series is coming to the Busselton foreshore. Schools from all over WA will race Human Powered Vehicles around a rigorous and exhilarating street circuit that is over a kilometre long. Presented by Australian International Pedal Prix Inc, this race is shaping up to be a day of family fun. And the cherry on top? Spectating is free.

Italian composer Rossini was on to it 200 years ago – a good hairdresser can change your life. His most famous ‘opera buffa’, The Barber of Seville is heading to the region thanks to Opera Australia. Some of Australia’s finest voices and a live orchestra have been assembled to deliver a musical score that will be instantly familiar from renditions in movies, cartoons and commercials, while the rom.com-esk comedic storyline will have you in stitches.

The world went a wild when Yann Martel’s bestselling philosophical novel Life of Pi was adapted for the big screen a few years ago. And now it’s going crazy for the stage adaptation. Critically acclaimed and multi-award winning, the Life of Pi stage show will soon make its Broadway debut after selling out performances in London West End. Lucky for us, the West End shows were filmed and will be heading to the Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia for a special two-hour screening.

CinefestOZ Film Festival returns, combining cinema screenings with events in the region’s best wineries, galleries, breweries and restaurants.

This year’s program offers something for everyone and aims to celebrate the diversity of our country and its people, telling unique Australian stories through the feature film premieres and short film sets. First Nations film screenings, as part of IndigifestOZ along, with special workshops and performances as part of the Community Days and Free Community Screenings will also be a highlight.

There are also ample opportunities for film lovers to schmooze with the stars, at the unique ‘In Conversation Dining Experiences’, epic after parties or the glittering gala Film Award night which combines the cream of Australia’s filmmaking talent at a spectacular cocktail party to recognise a high-profile Screen Legend and award the highly coveted $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize. Get your tickets now!

Art lovers rejoice! Margaret River Region Open Studios returns for 2 weeks in September with a record 166 artists ready to invite you into their private studios. Regular devotees will be able to discover some of the 48 new studios and see the new works in progress from their favourite artists. To celebrate its 10th year, Open Studios is also hosting two Art Ambassadors; renowned Queensland painter and sculptor Michael Zavros and Perth-based designer and champion of art and design Andrew Thornton Hick.

Run across three days in October, Strings Attached delivers an incredible line-up of Australian and International guitar talent spanning a range of genres. Festival goers can immerse themselves in all things strings with multiple shows, masterclasses and workshops, as well as panel discussions with artists & luthiers and an exhibition featuring guitar makers, techs, tool makers, timber suppliers, collections and more. Stay tuned for the full program.