26 March to 5 April
The IGA Taste Great Southern, is an 11-day celebration of award winning wine, fabulous food, fresh local produce and the amazing flavours of the Great Southern region. With events located along the coastline, and traveling in towards hinterland and farming regions, it includes the major centres such as, Albany, Denmark, Mt Barker, Kojunup, Katanning and Ongerup.
So, what is happening over the 11 days?
This celebration is not to be missed, with 20+ chefs, including local talent and the winner of the first ever series of MasterChef Julie Goodwin. With over 30 scheduled events planned in various locations, there is certain to be something that pleases your palate.
Visit Taste Great Southern Events to see all the events on offer, and be quick to book your tickets as some are already sold out. Tickets can be purchased through this link.
Free Events
To help you get you started in planning your trip, we have listed the free events below.
FARMERS MARKET – Collie Street Albany – Saturday, 28 March Saturday & 4 April – 8am – 12pm
Here you will find all the fresh produce you will need to get you through the next few months, this is a great place to meet real farmers from the local area. There will be a wide range of freshly picked fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, fish and seafood, all from the local area.
SHOP LOCAL | EAT LOCAL with JULIE GOODWIN
Albany Farmers Market 28th March 9am-10am
Julie Goodwin is one of the nation’s favourite home style cooks, who won the first ever services of MasterChef Australia. Join her as she wanders through the markets, exploring all that is on offer before she prepares a delicious meal from the fresh local ingredients. There will also be an opportunity to have your cookbook signed.
SHOP LOCAL | EAT LOCAL with PAUL WEST
Collie Street Albany Saturday 4th April 9am-10am
River Cottage Australia former host Paul West will be wandering around the markets and sampling the fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables on offer, and he will also be available for a cookbook signing.
ALBANY BOATSHED MARKETS –
Albany Boatshed 256 Princess Royal Drive – Sunday, 29 March Sunday & 5 April – 10am – 1pm
The Albany Princess Boat markets are on every Sunday. Gourmet food, and great wines are on offer as well as local growers showcasing their fresh produce, plus a variety of products made by local Artisans. You will be sure to find some special and unique items, here at the Boatshed Markets.
One Event not to be missed..
Albany Food & Wine Festival – Saturday 4th April – 11.30am -5.30pm
This celebration of food and wine is held at Eyre Park, located in the heart of Albany, and will feature local award-winning wine by the crate load, craft beer, local food, and live music.
There will be over 100 wines to sip, taste and enjoy whilst taking in the smells of good food and listening to the live music playing.
There are various activities and events happening inside the Festival and these will include:
- The Harvey Norman Cooking Theatre where you can discover great new cooking tips from talented Celebrity chefs: Paul West, Derek Lau, Amy Hamilton.
- Wine Theatre presented by Great Southern Development Commission, here you can taste and learn from Foni Pollitt, the 2018 WA Good Food Guide “Sommelier of the Year’ at one of the 3 wine classes on offer.
Who doesn’t love a lucky door prize? Every visitor will be given a coupon at that gate which they can fill in and put in the competition barrel to win cases of amazing Great Southern Wine.
By attending the event, you are helping to support growth in the local area, and the farms, wineries and producers who love to grow and create items for all our wonderful guests. As a special ‘thank you’, enjoy the complimentary wine tasting that is on offer. Tickets for this event can be purchased here.
Autumn Offerings – Yongergnow – Ongerup Community Resource Centre
Once you have enjoyed all that the coastline of the Great Southern region has to offer, head inland towards Ongerup and enjoy a 5 course long table lunch with Stuart Laws. Receive a glass of bubbles on arrival, in a relaxed and comfortable environment set in the heart of the countryside, while taking in the beautiful scenery that WA has to offer. Remember to pack yourself a lovely bottle of your favourite wine to enjoy along-side your amazing lunch.
The event “Autumn Offerings” is held on Saturday 28th March 11am -3pm and will be show casing the best produce that Autumn has to offer. Tickets can be purchased through this link.
A 2-hour drive West, will point you in the direction of Frankland River, home to one of Western Australians best kept secrets…Wine! The farmlands are rich in bushland, wildflowers and because of the cooler climate it makes for the perfect wine growing location.
Frankland River Cellar Door Experience – Saturday 28th March 1.30pm -7pm
A wide range of grapes are gown in this region, but it is particularly known for its Shiraz and Riesling.
This bus tour takes you to Frankland Estate, which is one of the most successful and popular wineries in the region, where you will be tasting some of the most sought after wines and foods, whilst enjoying the amazing views of the rolling hills and colourful fauna.
Somewhere to sleep
So, when you have shopped, eaten until you can’t fit anymore, taste all the local wines, and danced the days away, you will need a comfortable place to rest and rejuvenate. Cornwall House Accommodation is a new 10 room motel with lots of country charm and updated amenities located in the heart of Kojonup which is around a 45minute drive from Frankland River. You could easily spend the day here, and visit all the local attractions, in this beautiful little town, and really relax before heading home after a fun filled stay in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.
