Friday, August 3, 2012

MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA LINE-UP

KEE@FSWMAG.COM


JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE PACKED AND OFF TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA, HERE IS WHAT TO DO IN MARGARET RIVER, SOUTH OF PERTH AND A WONDERFUL REGION TO EXPLORE, PREFERABLY WITH A GLASS OF WINE IN ONE HAND AND A BOTTLE IN THE OTHER! 



Astronomical August in Augusta-Margaret River 

There’s been plenty happening since we last touched base, which means we’ve got lots for you to read in this edition of the e-News! Here’s a quick rundown - we launched our very first national TV advertisement for the Margaret River region, ticket sales for Gourmet Escape have been officially announced, there’s loads of invigorating events coming up to take off that winter chill, and spring is just around the corner – we can’t wait for sunshine and wildflowers!

So sit back, relax and enjoy (and just quietly, we suggest this month’s e-News would go nicely with a glass of Margaret River Cabernet).

We look forward to seeing you down here!

Warm Regards
Victoria, Cory & the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association Team

Featured in this Edition:

What’s on Now
·       An evening with Fast Ed
      ·   Cinefest Oz

What’s Hot
·       Wine Awards
What’s on Soon
·         The whales are on the move!
·         Wildflower season
·         Upcoming events





An evening with Fast Ed August 13, 2012
Morries Anytime, Margaret River
One of Australia’s best loved celebrity Chefs, Fast Ed Halmagyi, is coming to Margaret River! "An Evening With Fast Ed" is set to take place at Margaret River’s newest wine bar, Morries, co-hosted by the Margaret River Book Shop, on Monday 13th August.  Fast Ed is best known as the man behind the stove on Channel Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens. His recipes are served on thousands of Australian dining tables every week. Ed has won international food media awards for his TV work, hosts a weekly national radio show and has published his own magazine. Ed will be signing copies of his latest cookbook, The Food Clock, and working with the chefs at Morries to present a taste of his delicious recipes.  Guests will enjoy a taste plate and a complimentary glass of premium Howard Park wine, the winery sponsor for the evening. Bookings essenti! al.
Contact details: for tickets and information call (08) 9757 3331 or email pauline@margaretriverbookshop.com.au

The Beautiful Girls – final show ever! August 16, 2012
Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
For ten years, The Beautiful Girls has been the vehicle that has taken Mat McHigh and his boot-full of songs from country to country, stage to stage and heart to heart.  It's been a decade long road trip, filled with shades of poetry that would have made Kerouac nod in approval: weariness birthing blessings, victories amidst exhaustion.  This is the end of the Beautiful GIrls - an immense celebration of ten incredible years. It's time to take her on one last unique adventure: 26 stops around the nation, shows unlike anything TBG have done before. In a night more reminiscent of theatre, Mat invites you along to 'An Evening With the Beautiful Girls' - a two part show reflective of a decade, divided into a stunning acoustic set to warm the heart, followed by a second set plugged in and electric to warm the bones. Doors open 9pm - tickets through Oztix and Heatseeker.
And as one Aussie favourite winds up their career, others emerge!  Up and coming artists Owl Eyes and Stonefield have combined their national tour and will play Settlers Tavern the following night.  This will be a huge week for live music fans.
Contact details: for more information, contact Settlers Tavern on +61 9757 2398 or info@settlerstavern.com

Coopers Family Beer Dinner August 16, 2012 
Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
Cooper cousins Glenn and Tim of Coopers Brewery will pay a visit to Margaret River on August 16th for a splendid Coopers Family Beer Dinner to be held at Settlers Tavern. Marking the 150th anniversary of Coopers with a nationwide road show, the duo will talk about the company’s history and philosophy, as well as discuss plans for the future. Head down for an evening of world class beer, food and good times! Limited seats available –  tickets through Oztix and Heatseeker.

Contact details: for more information email Kerry at info@settlerstavern.com or call +61 9757 2398.

Watershed Truffle Degustation Dinner August 18, 2012 
Watershed Wines, Margaret River
Engage your palate and awaken your senses with this sit down culinary extravaganza, where the truffle is the star of the show – and who doesn’t love truffles! The inaugural Watershed seven course degustation dinner is on Saturday 18 August at 7pm at Watershed Winery Restaurant – tickets are limited so bookings are essential.
Contact details: for bookings and information contact Karen on +61 8 9758 8633 or functions@watershedwines.com.au

CineFestOZ August 22 to 26, 2012
Busselton
As in all good scripts CinéfestOZ began as a dream - a dream of developing the beautiful seaside town of Busselton into the equivalent venue of a cinematic experience to rival St Tropez. A film festival which showcased the very best of the extraordinary talent, exhibited by both French and Australian film makers – a festival which would celebrate the historic harmonics of French influences on our southwest corner of the state. And it is back in 2012! The film schedule and iPhone app for ticketing will both be released tomorrow, Saturday 4 August, so make sure you check it out online! 
Contact details: for more information contact Malinda Nixon on 0427 088 601, malinda@cinefestoz.com or visit the Cinefest Oz website.   


Whales are on the move! September – December 2012
Geographe Bay

The whales are on the move – it’s about this time of year when the southern right and humpback whales start to head north from Augusta to the warmer waters of Geographe Bay. Whale watching charters are in full swing, with All Sea, Legend and Naturaliste Charters soon to be moving their twice daily tours up to Busselton and Dunsborough. What a great reason to visit the Margaret River region!

Contact details: www.margaretriver.com  or contact the Margaret River Visitor Centre, +61 8 9780 5911
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Wildflower season September – November 2012 
Margaret River region
One of the Margaret River region’s most iconic ecotourism experiences will be back in spring 2012. In September, the Margaret River region comes alive with a stunning array of more than 2,500 wildflower species with 150 spectacular orchids. To add to the experience, wildflower tours hosted by the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association are set to run in October – specialist guides take visitors on an up close and personal natural journey of the colourful Australian landscape.  Watch this space for more information!


Upcoming Events 
DATE
AUGUST
VENUE
All August
Whale watching season
Flinders Bay, Augusta
AUGUST
Thursday 9th
Caravan Burlesque – Tickets $35 7pm onwards
Margaret River Cultural Centre
Friday 10th
Band of Frequencies featuring Sharma free entry
Settlers Tavern 9pm
Saturday 11th
Margaret River Farmers Markets
Tunbridge St, Margaret River
Saturday 11th
Roaring 20s Ball Tickets from Community Bendigo Bank
Centennial Hall Augusta
Saturday 11th
The Easy Tigers Live music funk hip hop
Settlers Tavern
Sunday 12th
Tracey Barnett Blues on the Verandah
Settlers Tavern 3-6pm
Monday 13th
Guest Chef “Fast” Ed Hamalgyi from Better Homes and Gardens            
Morries Anytime 6 – 7.30pm (tickets required)
Thursday 16th
Coopers Beer Dinner 5.30 8.30 tickets $75
Settlers Tavern
Thursday 16th
The Beautiful Girls tix@oztix
Settlers Tavern 9.30pm
Thurs 16th - Sun19th
Power of Flowers Flower and Garden Festival
Nannup Town site
Friday 17th
Owl Eyes and Stonefield tix@moshtix
Settlers Tavern
Saturday 18th
John Read Acoustic Guitar
Settlers Tavern 9.30
Sunday 19th
Town Square Markets
Bussell Hwy Margaret River
Wed 22nd- Sun 26th
Cinefest Oz - Australian films with French influences
See our events page for more inf
Friday 24th
Freo Grasshoppers - live music funk reggae
Settlers Tavern
Saturday 25th 
Margaret River Farmers Markets
Tunbridge St, Margaret River


First Margaret River region TV ad goes national! 
We are proud to announce our very first television advertisement campaign has officially hit the east coast! The fifteen second advertisement is part of a vigorous marketing strategy aimed at creating destination awareness and boosting the national profile of the Margaret River region as a world class tourism destination.  It plays on a best kept secret concept by tempting visitors to “come find us in Western Australia”. It will be running for four weeks and reaching people in regional NSW and Victoria,! as well as Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Margaret River Gourmet Escape – ticket sales announced 
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape train is picking up some serious momentum – here’s some fast facts for you to devour:
  • Tickets officially go on sale on Thursday 16th August, 2012, from Ticketek;
  • The official website is live and packed full of juicy information;
  • The event runs from November 22 – 25, 2012;
  • Heston Blumenthal, Rene Redzepi, Sat Bains (2 Michelin stars) and a host of other celebrity chefs are officially signed;
  • Smith’s Beach is the spectacular location of the Beach BBQs;
  • The Gourmet Village will be hosted by Leeuwin Estate.
Contact details: for more information see the current media release or contact Nicola Jean Smith (Marketing Manager, Gourmet Escape) on +61 2 9332 9000 or nicolas@brandevents.com.au

New Service Alert – Anita Revel: Yes I Do Weddings 
The Margaret River region provides a spectacular setting to tie the knot, and Anita Revel is an authorised Civil Marriage Celebrant who can help make that special day absolutely perfect. Anita’s business “Yes I Do Weddings” offers memorable wedding ceremonies with a modern twist.
To find out more about Anita Revel: Yes I Do Weddings, please visit her operator page on our website.

New Product Alert – Margaret River Pet Retreat 
Margaret River Pet Retreat is Margaret River’s first (and only!) luxury accommodation for pets. The retreat is situated in a premium location, nestled on a 100 acre property amongst; native forest, streams, vineyards and a clear blue dam. Newly landscaped, your pet will enjoy 1,200 square metres of lawn play area, to ensure that your loved one receives all the interaction and playtime they require.
Opening in early spring of 2012. For more information on Margaret River Pet Retreat please visit their operator page on our website.
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Wine Awards 
Congratulations are in order – our Margaret River wineries (and the people behind them) have been picking up some awesome awards! We’re proud to acknowledge the following:
  • Virginia Willcock (Vasse Felix) and Rob Mann (Cape Mentelle) have been nominated as finalists for the national Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year award! 
  • Sandalford Wines scored three of their Margaret River reds in Ray Jordan’s recent list of his “Top 100 Australian Reds” in the West Australian;
  • Saracen Estates has taken out gold at the Wine Wise Small Vigneron Awards for their 2009 Sparkling Maree (of which it is their first ever vintage!) and their 2009 Reserve Cabernet; and
  • 3 Oceans Wine Company has been voted the “third most child friendly winery in the world” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

CONTACT US
Email us with any questions you may have on communications@margaretriver.com or call (08) 9780 5914.


Phone: + 61 9780 5914



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