What’s Happening in July?

July is also NAIDOC Week, and there are plenty of events in the Margaret River Region that celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the region and beyond. This incredible short film shares the story of Wooditj and Milyan, and how Wooditjup Bilya (the Margaret River) was created.

Humpback and southern right whales are often spotted in Augusta during July, as they make their annual migration from Antarctica to the warmer temperate waters of Australia’s North West. Flinders Bay is one of the best places to whale watch, as the pregnant mothers and newborn calves often shelter in the protected waters.

Read on for more awesome things to do in the Margaret River Region this July.

Spend a lazy afternoon sipping local wines and painting sunflowers. Throw in some delectable cheese and you have the best day ever. Local artist, Kimberley, draws on her experience to guide you through the painting process, step-by-step, sip-by-sip. The Paint & Sip Sunflowers workshop is designed for every skill level; whether you’re a seasoned painter or a total newbie, you’re guaranteed to have fun! Art materials, wine and nibbles are all included in the cost, and by the end you’ll have your very own Van Gogh inspired sunflower masterpiece painted on a big canvas to take home. So be quick – spots are limited, and people dig sunflowers and wine.

Celebrate the art of three incredible women at the opening night of the Liz McKay, Kim Maple & Shabbi Exhibition. This special event kicks off on Saturday from 5pm at the iconic Yallingup Galleries on Caves Road. Guests can also indulge in an epic wine tasting by Valee Du Venom, with food paired by Martin Meinen in the gallery’s beautiful gardens. If you can’t make the grand opening, check out the exhibition any time between 1 and 15 July.

Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia will be showing a free screening of ‘Sweet As’ (M), a coming-of-age film set in remote Pilbara country, starring Shantae Barnes-Cowan. The screening is a part of the region’s NAIDOC Week celebrations, which take place from 3 to 10 July. A Welcome to Country will be held before the screening, as well as the launch of the song, ‘Spirit of the Heart – Djanga Koornt’, performed by Wadandi Matriarch Vivian Brockman Webb and accompanied by Mitchella Hutchins, Richard Nelson and artists from the Sacred World Music Choir.

The City of Busselton celebrates NAIDOC Week with two very special events: A Flag Raising Ceremony and Morning Tea on Monday and an Activity Day for youth and community on the Busselton foreshore on Tuesday. These community events pay homage to this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For our Elders’, which recognises the important role our Elders have played across every generation, as trailblazers, nurturers, teachers, advocates, survivors, leaders, hard workers and the holders of cultural knowledge.

Deja Moo is an ‘udderly legend dairy country fair’ where folk dress in cow onesies, eat cake, dance and celebrate everything there is to love about Cow Town. Deja Moo kicks off at 9am, and has plenty of cool and fun things to do for the whole family. There’s a Kids Zone, arts and crafts stalls, pony rides, laser tag and a live demo by the local fire department. At the end of the fair, everyone will be getting together to take a giant aerial photo, in the shape of a cow of course. This event is for anyone who’s ever wanted to wear a cow onesie all day in public!

Fun fact: Cowaramup was named after the Cowara, a purple crowned lorikeet that used to live in the area. The town was named by the Wadandi people and translates to ‘Place of the Cowara’.

If gritty, beer-soaked rock and blues are your jam, then you must head on down to Settlers Tavern to catch Refractory Road. The Wheatbelt band is touring their new single, ‘Less Hiding’ across the South West in July. These regional heroes are known for putting on a sweaty, rollicking show, starring grungy rural rock worthy of a bloody good mosh-pit. The gig starts at 9pm and tickets are free. Get there early for a pint (or two) and some of the best pub nosh in the Margaret River Region.

Our fave winter festival is back, with a bevy of fire, food and fun over ten epic wintry days. Cabin Fever Festival events kick off all over the Margaret River Region with fiery feasts, raucous music and liquid treats worth leaving home for. Like cult favourite, Blazing Brews, The Ultimate Winter Long Lunch and Shelter the Storm; a massive night of live music starring blues-rock legends, Old Blood, Carla Geneve and local heroes Lightnin Jack and Mandy B. Tickets for Cabin Fever events are selling out fast, so make sure to book in all the future fun you can handle. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our top Cabin Fever event picks.

The iconic Prevelly Chapel, which is officially known as Saint John the Theologian Chapel, is steeped in a history many people have little idea about. The beautiful, white-washed chapel was built in 1979 by the late Geoff Edwards, in honour of the people and monks of the Holy Monastery of Preveli in Crete, who helped him and other Allied soldiers escape the Battle of Crete during World War II. A Commemorative Service in honour of the Cretans will be held at the Prevelly Chapel from 12pm, with lunch served from 1pm. If you’d like to attend, please be sure to RSVP.

CinefestOZ is Australia’s equivalent to the Cannes Film Festival and the country’s largest film prize of $100,000. The festival offers an unforgettable getaway; with feature film premieres and events held across local cinemas and venues.  The line-up includes special film screenings, festival opening and closing nights, film industry passes and free community events. The festival provides immersive film experiences within the region’s cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries. The programme is a feast of world premieres, red-carpet events, after-parties, intimate in-conversation lunches, and screenings of finalists for the prestigious CinefestOZ Film Prize.

Art lovers mark your diaries for Margaret River Region Open Studios – two weeks of immersive and interactive art experiences, the biggest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The much-loved event provides a rare opportunity to meet, chat, be inspired and even purchase artworks direct from the artists. 166 artists take part in this 10^th anniversary event.