February – March
As the sun climbs high and the earth radiates warmth, the South West (Noongar Boodja) enters Bunuru, the second summer. It is the hottest time of year, when saltwater meets stillwater and the land pulses with heat and light.
The coast might call; but inland rivers, creeks, and estuaries shimmer with promise. Frogs sing from shady banks, cicadas buzz beneath eucalyptus canopies, and a hush settles over the land between the breeze.
This is the season of white gum blossoms – Marri, Jarrah and Tuart- dancing against a blue sky. Emerging zamia cones mark the rhythm of time, reminding us this is when life and water come together. When fishing lines stretch out across calm waters, and cool stone banks invite you to linger.
And just as nature blooms, so too does the South West’s flavour. Food festivals begin to stir – where land, sea, and story come together on the plate. It is a time to savour, to taste the region’s richness from vineyard to estuary.
Let the warmth guide you to the water’s edge, to seasonal feasts, to moments of stillness and deep summer joy.
Read on to find out the top tips for navigating Bunuru season in the South West.
Spotlight On… Taste Great Southern
The Details
Set against the golden days of Bunuru, Taste Great Southern returns from 5 to 8 March 2026, inviting you to savour the region at its seasonal peak. Held across Noongar Boodja – from Albany (Kinjarling) to the Porongurups – this festival celebrates the land’s abundance through food, wine and story. Bunuru brings long afternoons and ripe harvests, where chefs, winemakers, and producers come together to craft experiences that honour place, culture, and connection.
Where to Stay
Bunuru brings with it a calendar full of flavour, and the best way to savour Taste Great Southern is to stay close to where the stories unfold. Rest easy by the harbour at Hilton Garden Inn Albany, walking distance from long table lunches and waterfront tastings. Nestled beneath the Porongurups, Karribank offers a peaceful place to unwind between vineyard events. While for those craving coastal calm, Samphire Collection offers ocean views and soft luxury, and Chimes Spa Retreat in Denmark (Koorabup) becomes the perfect place to pause after a day of festival feasting.
Jenny Feast Photography & Astrid Voltzke
Things to Do in the Region
When you’re not sipping, tasting, or toasting your way through Taste Great Southern, let Bunuru guide you outdoors. Visit the Denmark Animal Farm for a family-friendly wander, or sample handcrafted chocolate truffles at the Denmark Chocolate Company, wandering nearby cellar doors for a sweet and savoury afternoon. Walk among ancient treetops at the Valley of the Giants, or spend a quiet hour at the National ANZAC Centre reflecting on stories of service. Round out your journey with live music, exhibitions, and cultural experiences woven through the Albany 2026 calendar of events, many timed to complement the festival itself.
Must-Do Taste Great Southern Events
As Bunuru casts its golden glow, Taste Great Southern serves up a feast of unforgettable events, each one a celebration of flavour, place, and connection. Here are our top picks:
The Taste Market is the beating heart of it all, where fresh produce, bold bites, and live music fill the air with vibrant energy. In Denmark, the Wine Hop invites you to sip and savour your way through forest-fringed cellar doors and sunlit vineyards. Chefs on the Green brings together top regional chefs for a relaxed afternoon of woodfired flavour, open skies, and live tunes. For something more refined, Tides of Taste x Singlefile offers an elegant long lunch (or dinner) by the coast, where every dish is grounded in the season. And for those craving a little theatre, de’sendent x Hilton delivers a multi-course dining experience that blends artistry, innovation, and deep local roots.
Explore the full line-up here.
ACTIVITIES
Nature & Wildlife
As Bunuru warms the coast, the Southern Ocean offers one last chance to witness the Orcas of Bremer Bay before they head into deeper waters in April. Join Naturaliste Charters or Whale Watch WA for an unforgettable encounter with these powerful ocean giants.
In Albany, the Historic Whaling Station shares the region’s deep ties to the sea and whales. Once Australia’s last working whaling station, it now tells a powerful story of change – from hunting to conservation – through immersive exhibits and coastal walks.
Adventure
With so much to taste in the Great Southern this Bunuru, it’s easy to stay put, but if you’re venturing further afield, there are gentle adventures worth the wander. The Cliff Top Walk in D’Entrecasteaux National Park near Windy Harbour offers wild ocean views in just over a kilometre. Near Collie, cool off after a stroll at shady Honeymoon Pool. And on the Cape to Cape Track, the short walk from Contos to Bob’s Hollow (near Margaret River) leads to sea cliffs, caves, and hidden beaches.
Wine, Food & Produce
Bunuru brings a late-summer harvest bursting with flavour; think ripe melons, passionfruit, grapes, and pears in February, followed by crisp apples and pumpkins in March. Farmers markets brim with freshness, perfect for sunset platters or lakeside picnics. Find them all in our 2026 Holiday Planner.
For something truly rooted in place, visit Passel Estate in Margaret River. This small, family-owned vineyard is known for its elegant, small-batch wines and peaceful bushland setting. As certified sustainable winegrowers, their commitment to conservation runs deep – a portion of every guided tasting supports restoration projects in their onsite wildlife sanctuary. Even the tasting room opens onto native forest. Dogs are welcome too, on leash, to help protect the land and its wildlife.
Wellness
When Bunuru brings long, warm days, there’s no better way to slow down than on the water with SOULty Sol at Emu Point in Albany. This unique wellness crew blends stand‑up paddleboarding, SUP yoga, and floating crystal bowl sound baths over calm turquoise waters, inviting you to move with the tides, breathe with the breeze, and find stillness on the sea. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned paddler, every session is about slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and letting the rhythm of the ocean ease you into the moment.
EVENTS
Lunar New Year Jazz in the Vineyard
Margaret River Region
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with jazz, dumplings and fine wine at Passel Estate’s Jazz in the Vineyard. Set among the estate’s tranquil bushland and vines, this relaxed afternoon pairs estate-grown wine with the smooth sounds of David Rastrick and Kevin McDonald. Your ticket includes a welcome glass and a serve of Má Là dumplings, with plenty of space to stretch out picnic-style under the Bunuru sun. It’s an elegant, easygoing way to toast the Year of the Horse in the heart of Margaret River. Book your spot here.
Lighting The Sound
Great Southern
If you’re visiting Albany for Taste Great Southern, linger a little longer for a once-in-a-generation moment. As part of the Albany 2026 Bicentenary, Lighting the Sound will transform King George Sound with the largest outdoor light installation on Earth. Designed by Finnish artist Kari Kola in collaboration with Menang Elders, this free public artwork spans three weekends in March, illuminating land, sea and sky with deep cultural meaning. It’s not just a spectacle – it’s a powerful celebration of place, story and connection in the warm light of Bunuru.
For more events during Bunuru visit our Events page.
ACCOMODATION
Evedon Lakeside Retreat
Bunbury Geographe
At Evedon Lakeside Retreat, the still waters of the lake reflect the golden light of Bunuru. Located near Bunbury (Goomburrup), this peaceful stay invites you to rise early for a paddle, stroll shaded bush tracks, or simply pause in the quiet cool of afternoon. With self-contained cottages and an onsite restaurant, it’s a restful stop between food trails, wine country, and the calm of country life.
Baywatch Retreat
Margaret River Region
At the meeting point of river and sea, Baywatch Retreat is an ideal coastal base for Bunuru. With calm waters close by and the Southern Ocean just beyond, this Augusta (Tallinup) stay invites you to start your day with an early swim, explore nearby walks in the soft morning light, and return in time to watch the sun sink over the inlet. It’s relaxed, salt-kissed, and close to nature.
Loose Goose Chalets
Southern Forests and Valleys
In the dappled shade of Jarrah forest near Nannup, Loose Goose Chalets offers a quiet retreat for those seeking cool mornings and restful afternoons during Bunuru. These self-contained chalets are surrounded by bush trails and tall trees, perfect for a short walk before the day warms or a golden hour picnic with local produce. Let nature lead the pace while the summer stillness wraps around you.
Heyscape Denmark
Great Southern
This Bunuru, embrace the rhythm of slowness at Heyscape’s Denmark cabins. Their newest two bed cabins come with a sauna nestled in the middle – a perfect way to unwind after warm days wandering through vineyards or dipping into sheltered coves. With wide views and quiet comforts, this is a place where simple pleasures stretch long into the light of late summer.
