With the Antarctic cold fronts that have swept through much of southern Australia in recent weeks, you’d be forgiven for cosying up indoors till the mercury rises again. But what if you could trade your couch for a cosy vineyard and your Netflix sesh for live music under the stars? Enter Cabin Fever Festival. Taking place from Friday July 12 until Sunday July 21, this annual event delivers 10 days of fire, food and fun with more than 50 events from Busselton to Margaret River.
Here – in chronological order – are our picks of the five best events you should visit at Cabin Fever 2024.
Town Takeovers
Take it to the streets with this roving food and wine adventure along Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River’s main promenades. More than 15 venues will throw open their doors with live music, gourmet food and local brews (and plenty of special offers). Partake in craft beer happy hours on Fridays and Saturdays at Rocky Ridge; quaff The Banksia Tavern’s $18 Dark and Stormy cocktails throughout the festival; pair local drops with snacks – including Albany sardines on toast with garlic cream and confit lemon, and duck tostadas – at Wayfinder; join cocktail crafting sessions at Har Bar; and enjoy a special on burgers and wine thanks to Normal Van and Jingalup Wines.
Throughout the festival
Various locations
Free
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Three top chefs, a free afternoon and a decadent four-course feast. It’s a recipe for an epic culinary adventure on the Busselton foreshore. At the helm are Evan Hayter of De’sendent, Luke Foyle from Juanita’s Bar in Subiaco, and Chase Weber, culinary director of Sesh Mafia (Shui, Papi Katsu). Enjoy crayfish and marron croquette with barbequed prawn, a fusion Korean con carne tartlet, and smoked eggplant tostada all paired with local beverages.
Friday July 12, midday – 4pm
11 Foreshore Parade, Busselton
$185
The Cabin
Get ready to vibe at The Cabin, a pop-up space on the Busselton Foreshore presented by Shelter Brewing Co. It’s set to play host to a line-up of non-stop live music from WA artists including Sunny Day and Daisy Park. Throughout the festival there will be a slew of events like the Cheese Toastie Battle and Friday night’s Food Truck Frenzy, which’ll see local food trucks serve sweet and savory treats while music from the Lightnin’ Jack duo plays.
Friday July 12 & Sunday July 14, midday – 5pm
Busselton Foreshore
Free
Shelter the Storm
No matter how low the temperatures drop at night, dancing is a sure-fire way to warm up. With an electrifying line-up of live music at Shelter Brewing Co, Shelter the Storm is the perfect ticket. Indie rockers South Summit will take the stage with their soaring mix of roots, reggae, blues and alt-rock, supported by local legends Death by Denim, Paige Valentine and DJ Charlie Bucket. And, of course, there are plenty of delicious brews to savour, Espresso Martinis to be drunk (courtesy of a dedicated bar), and a silent disco for anyone looking to let loose at a lower decibel.
Friday July 19, 6pm – midnight
Shelter Brewing Co, Busselton
$45
Munchies and Magnums
Cap off a weekend of indulgence with magnums of wine and seam-splitting comfort fare at one of this year’s best out of town openings, Busselton Pavilion. Cosy up and enjoy gourmet snacks like truffle mac’n’cheese and fried chicken with caviar, crafted by chefs Brendan Pratt and Josh de Caen. Wash it all down with a magnum of rosé or red wine from South by South West, hand-picked by Busselton Pavilion sommelier Cyndal Petty.
Sunday July 21, midday – 10pm
Busselton Pavilion
From $120