Cabin Fever: Your guide to the ultimate Margaret River party season

It might have been late getting here, but winter has well and truly arrived: cue footy season, umbrellas by the front door and the return of Cabin Fever, the Margaret River region’s annual winter food and drink party.

Since the inaugural Cabin Fever in 2017, the festival’s line-up of imaginative events and collaborations has helped countless folk eat and drink a little better during the winter months while also giving southwest hospitality operators a helping hand during the typically quiet low season.

Food Truck Frenzy.

As always, this year’s Cabin Fever calendar (July 12-21) features plenty of flash dinners and excuses to frock up and push the boat out. (Dine Between The Wines, an intimate collaboration between native food pop-up Fervor and Si Vintners held in the winery’s barrel hall, is a late addition to the calendar.) And as always, this Cabin Fever isn’t just about big-ticket excess. Among the 2024 program, you’ll find plenty of accessible, wallet-friendly and free options including events that don’t require booking. Translation: more options for more people to be part of the fun.

For anyone else flirting with the idea of a last-minute getaway down south, here are a handful of compelling reasons to check the tyres and hit the road.

Opening weekend attractions

Presented by Shelter Brewing Co, The Cabin (July 12-14) combines food, drink, live music and culture in a family-friendly setting on the Busselton foreshore. On Friday evening, The Cabin hosts Food Truck Frenzy starring many of the region’s best mobile vendors, while local custodian Zac Webb will perform a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at noon on Saturday. Local musicians will keep guests entertained on the Saturday and Sunday, while face painting, games and other children’s activities will keep young ones entertained. (Pop-up bars are on hand for the older kids.) Free entry.

Shelter the Storm.

Cabin Fever comes to town

As well as assembling a formidable calendar of events, Cabin Fever also sees southwest hospitality businesses get into the festival spirit by offering special deals throughout the 10-day celebration. Held throughout Busselton, Dunsborough and the Margaret River township itself, the Town Takeovers include happy hour deals at local craft breweries, cocktail specials and winemaker takeovers, plus across-the-board discounts throughout Cabin Fever. Of particular interest is Skigh Wines No Ego Dego: a food-and-wine matching exercise that pairs six wines with treats you’ll find at the supermarket. Various prices.

Sheltering the storm

Local Liquids.

On Friday July 19, Alt-reggae rockers South Summit will bring their live show to Shelter Brewing Co for Shelter the Storm: an evening that’s part concert, part beer journey, and all down-south revelry. DJs Charlie Bucket and Paige Valentine will be providing musical support while a silent disco and espresso martini bar and photo booth have all the makings of some very memorable “do you remember that time when…?” stories. Tickets are $45 per person.

A night of local (liquid) flavours

Since opening in 2023, Witchcliffe address Dear Darnell’s has championed the power of local. This month, this multifunction space will again practice what it preaches with Local Liquids (July 20) when it invites regional drink producers to take over the space. In attendance will be lo-fi winemaker Amato Vino; Metricup brewers Beerfarm will be pouring the good stuff; while gun distillers Ginversity are running a cocktail bar. Dear Darnell’s will be selling pizza and tapas and local DJ Simon Melon and jazz band Riverbugs are tasked with supplying the vibe. Tickets are $40 per person.

Ending on a high

Cabin Fever Closing Party.

Like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun saying goodbye. Held at Margaret River Tuck Shop, the official Cabin Fever Closing Party (July 21) will see the Bussell Highway destination transformed with pop-up bars, street food stalls and marquees to create a Sunday sesh with a difference.

Tickets are $40 per person.

Cabin Fever takes place throughout the Margaret River region from July 12 to 21. Details and tickets are available online.

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