October – November
As the winter rains ease and the days grow longer, Kambarang brings a sense of awakening to Australia’s South West. Kangaroo paws, orchids, and golden wattle paint the landscape in vivid hues, while the Moodjar (the Australian Christmas Tree) erupts in brilliant orange-yellow blossoms, glowing like orbs among the bush and hinting that summer is near.
It is the season of birth: snakes emerge from their winter brumation, birds guard their fledglings, young marsupials bound through the undergrowth, and whales meander south with their calves through turquoise bays. Everywhere you turn, the natural world hums with new life.
But it’s not only nature that stirs – the region itself comes alive with a vibrant calendar of springtime events. From food and wine experiences to art trails, wildflower festivals, and cultural celebrations, Kambarang is a season of abundance and connection, where the South West is at its most inspiring.
Spotlight On… Pair’d Festival
The Details
From 20–23 November 2025, Pair’d transforms the Margaret River Region into a stage for flavour, culture, and connection, set against the brilliance of Kambarang. This four-day event is carefully curated by sommeliers, weaving together fine wine, exceptional local produce, immersive soundscapes, and cultural storytelling. Each experience, whether it be intimate pairings in hidden corners or vibrant beachside gatherings, is designed to awaken the senses. With wildflowers in bloom, whales passing by on their journey south, and warm evenings made for lingering, Kambarang creates the perfect canvas for this world-class festival.
Where to Stay
In the season of Kambarang, the region’s accommodation feels even more inviting, offering places to pause between indulgent festival moments. Sink into seaside luxury at Smiths Beach Resort or Pullman Bunker Bay, or enjoy Busselton’s foreshore buzz at the Hilton Garden Inn. Retreat into nature’s calm at Tanah Marah, or embrace a boutique escape at Edge Luxury Villas or The Suites by Indah Stays. For something different, the contemporary cabins of Southcamp and the curated collection of Private Properties provide stylish bases that let you relax, recharge and fully embrace the flow of the season.
Things to Do in the Region
Pair’d is only the beginning of Kambarang’s magic in the South West. Step into cultural stories with Yallingup Aboriginal Art, or venture out with Forage Safaris to taste the region straight from the source. Walk Talk Taste Margaret River invites you behind the scenes of local food culture, while the Margaret River Chocolate Company and Margaret River Providore tempt with sweet and savoury indulgences. Along the turquoise bays, whales with their calves can often be seen drifting south, with Whale Watch Western Australia offering a chance to witness them up close. Whether it’s art, adventure, food or wildlife, Kambarang fills every day with discovery.
Eat & Drink Beyond Pair’
When you’re not at a festival table, Kambarang offers a feast of flavours across the region. Begin the day with breakfast or a long, lazy lunch at Ilma Beachhouse, where coastal views pair beautifully with seasonal plates. Long lunches can also be savoured at Aravina Estate or the innovative de’sendent, while Eagle Bay Brewery’s fresh spring menu is perfect for a relaxed afternoon with sweeping ocean views. For something lighter, enjoy vibrant tastings at Wayfinder Wines in Dunsborough, where spring sunshine spills across the vines. Wherever you choose, Kambarang adds its glow… fresh produce at its peak, landscapes alive with colour, and every sip and bite a celebration of the South West.
ACTIVITIES
Nature & Wildlife
In Kambarang, whales return to the South West, gliding through the calm, azure bays of Busselton, Geographe, and Dunsborough before beginning their long journey back to Antarctica. It’s a magical season to spot Southern Rights, Humpbacks, and even the occasional Blue Whale as they hug the coastline, breach, spy-hop and send misty plumes into the spring sky. Some of the best vantage points are on land, from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and the lookouts at Meelup Beach, to the sweeping headlands near Sugarloaf Rock, and even down to Albany, where the views are as breathtaking as the encounters themselves.
Please remember, for the safety of the whales, drones must not fly within 60 metres of them.
Adventure
With the sun high in the sky, mild days, and crisp, cool nights, Kambarang offers the kind of road trip weather you can only dream about. October and November are the perfect months to journey along the South West’s 1,000 kilometres of breathtaking coastline – from red dirt tracks and sweeping dunes to winding forest roads and smooth stretches of bitumen. For inspiration, discover The South West Edge: an epic 12-day itinerary from Perth to Hyden that sweeps through every region, offering a taste of wild landscapes, coastal beauty, and cultural treasures. Wander at your own pace, because in Kambarang the joy is as much in the journey as the destination.
Wine, Food & Produce
Another delicious highlight of Kambarang is the arrival of fresh seasonal produce, with warm days bringing an abundance of strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and avocados across the region. Visitors can wander through orchards and berry farms to pick their own, or simply stock up on vibrant punnets from roadside stalls, fruit barns, and bustling farmers markets. Favourites include the Bunbury Farmers Market and their new store in Vasse Village, Origins Market in Busselton, and Albany Farmers Market, which are perfect spots to taste the season’s bounty at its freshest.
Wellness
Kambarang is the perfect season to slow down, reconnect with nature, and step away from the hustle of everyday life. Or in other words, try forest bathing! Known in Japan as Shinrin-yoku, this mindful practice invites you to immerse yourself in the natural world, helping to ease stress, encourage relaxation, and restore overall wellbeing. With Mindful in Nature, you can experience guided forest bathing sessions in the serene beauty of Boranup Forest – a truly memorable way to connect with both nature and yourself.
EVENTS
Bloom Festival
Great Southern Treasures
The Bloom Festival is the Great Southern’s signature celebration of Kambarang, a season of colour, abundance, and renewal. From 27 September to 26 October 2025, more than 70 events unfold across eight shires and 26 communities – from Kojonup to Pingrup, Bremer Bay to Porongurup and Frankland River. Visitors can explore wildflower displays, open gardens, creative workshops, markets, food and wine experiences, Noongar cultural events, heritage trails, and guided hikes through the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges – a month-long showcase of the region’s landscapes and natural beauty.
Lost & Found Festival
Bunbury Geographe
The Lost & Found Festival is where the Bunbury Geographe region comes alive in Kambarang. Across four days each spring, the Harvey, Capel, Bunbury, and Ferguson Valley, asks you to “lose yourself” in a vibrant mix of food and wine, craft beer, live music, art, and nature adventures. Think long lunches in vineyards, hidden cellar-door tastings, art in unexpected places, and the buzz of music drifting into warm evenings. Backdropped by rolling hills, coastal charm and lush valleys, Lost & Found is more than a festival – it’s a seasonal celebration of Bunbury Geographe’s bounty and bold spirit.
For more events during Kambarang visit our Events page.
ACCOMODATION
Peppermint Lane Lodge
Bunbury Geographe
Tucked away in the rolling Ferguson Valley, Peppermint Lane Lodge is a boutique adults-only retreat, ideal for couples seeking stillness and space. During Kambarang, the gardens are dotted with blossoms and the valley hums with birdlife. Each suite has its own deck overlooking the bush, gourmet breakfasts, and warm, personal hosting make the stay feel both indulgent and homely. With Geographe wineries, art galleries, and forest trails just minutes away, it’s the perfect mix of seclusion and discovery.
Hilton Garden Inn Busselton
Margaret River Region
Right on Busselton’s sparkling foreshore, the Hilton Garden Inn is a stylish, modern hotel with ocean views, an all-day restaurant, and the comfort of a pool and gym to return to after exploring. Its prime location makes it an ideal base during Kambarang, when the Pair’d Festival brings music, good wine, and delicious food. Step out to stroll the Busselton Jetty or take a short drive into Margaret River’s vineyards, then come back to sunsets over the bay from your balcony.
Treenbrook Cottages
Southern Forests and Valleys
Nestled against the towering karri of the Treen State Forest, Treenbrook Cottages has been welcoming guests for nearly forty years. These self-contained mudbrick cottages, with their timber beams, raked ceilings, and stained-glass details, offer a warm and rustic base for couples, families or groups. In Kambarang, forest trails burst with wildflowers and birdsong, while crisp evenings call for the glow of a wood fire. With alpacas, sheep and chickens roaming nearby, Treenbrook blends natural beauty with country charm.
The Lily Stirling Range
Great Southern
At the foot of the Stirling Ranges, The Lily is a one-of-a-kind heritage stay where history and imagination meet. Guests can choose from charming self-contained cottages or, more memorably, spend the night inside a restored Dakota DC-3 plane – a truly rare and unforgettable experience. The Dutch windmill on site is fully operational and makes a striking backdrop, adding to the sense of being somewhere special. During Kambarang, it’s the perfect base for exploring Bluff Knoll and the colourful trails of the Great Southern.
