Winter wonderland awaits tourists

The new management team behind the upcoming Cabin Fever winter event are planning to show tourists the best of the region in the colder months.

The event will gather food and wine, live music and entertainment, and functions from July 14-23 with help from the Margaret-River Busselton Tourism Association, South West Development Commission, Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, City of Busselton, and Margaret River Wine Association.

Erin Molloy, Brianna Delaporte, and Niomi O’Hara will organise attractions and said they hoped the winter festival would draw more tourists during the off-season.

Ms Delaporte said Cabin Fever would centre on food and wine to coincide with the Margaret River wine region’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“The idea is to create a 10-day event that drives visitation to the region in a historically off-peak period — (to) break the cabin fever situation that happens with locals down here,” Ms Delaporte said.

She said early ideas included winter food and wine, whisky and hot chocolate, and cooking with fire.

“We can really make the most of things we can only enjoy in winter,” she said.

Ms Molloy said the events schedule would be in place by February and expressions of interest were sought from local businesses to get involved.