The State’s South-West continues to attract tourists, with more than 3.2 million visitors flocking to the region between June 2018 to June 2019.
Visitor spend is also growing with total spend up from $1.346 billion to $1.725 billion over the same 12-month period.
Premier Mark McGowan took a road trip through the award-winning region today with stops in Busselton and Margaret River, including a visit to the iconic Margaret River Chocolate Company meeting visitors, locals and business operators.
Over the next nine months, 25 events will be hosted in the region to attract more visitors and provide a boost to the local economy. These include the Gourmet Escape, the Margaret River Pro, the Busselton Jetty Swim and Augusta Adventure Fest.
New Jetstar flights between Busselton and Melbourne operating three times a week from March 2020 are also expected to open up Western Australia’s South-West to thousands more east coast visitors.
The State Government, through Lotterywest, contributed $5 million towards the $9.74 million Margaret River HEART which officially opened earlier this month. The transformation of the former cultural centre and squash courts into a multi-purpose centre brings together entertainment, arts and business events in one world-class venue.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Like all Western Australians I love visiting our South-West – whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach trip, a world-class food and wine experience or a forest get away, the South‑West region has it all.
“Western Australians aren’t the only ones discovering the delights of our South-West region – between June 2018 and June 2019 interstate visitors rose 3.1 per cent and international visitors rose by 9 per cent.
“New flights between Busselton and Melbourne are expected to open up more opportunities for east coast visitors and the opening of the Margaret River HEART multi-purpose facilities has created a world-class venue that can be used for entertainment, arts and business events.
“With 25 events coming to the South-West over the next nine months, I’m looking forward to introducing more visitors to the region.”
Premier’s office – 6552 5000
| Event | Location | Date |
| Cape to Cape MTB | Augusta to Dunsborough | Oct-19 |
| Australian Men’s Masters Hockey Championships | Busselton and Bunbury | Oct-19 |
| Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival | Dardanup | Oct-19 |
| The 2019 WA State Road Cycling Championships | Bunbury | Oct-19 |
| Western Australia Gourmet Escape | Margaret River, Swan Valley and Perth | Nov-19 |
| Tour of Margaret River Pro Am | Nannup to Manjimup | Nov-19 |
| Augusta Adventure Fest | Augusta | Nov-19 |
| Ironman Western Australia | Busselton | Dec-19 |
| Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival | Manjimup | Dec-19 |
| Australian Tennis Seniors Championships | Busselton and Bunbury | Jan-20 |
| Boyup Brook Country Music Festival | Boyup Brook | Feb-20 |
| Nannup Music Festival | Nannup | Feb-20 |
| Westrac Bunbury Geographe Gift | Bunbury | Feb-20 |
| Busselton Jetty Swim | Busselton | Feb-20 |
| Action Sports Games 2020 | Bunbury | Feb-20 |
| South West Craft Beer Festival | Busselton | Feb-20 |
| RAC Karri Valley Triathlon | Pemberton | Mar-20 |
| Forest Rally | Busselton and Nannup | Apr-20 |
| X-Adventure Dunsborough | Dunsborough | Apr-20 |
| Margaret River Open Studios | South-West region | Apr-20 |
| Sunsmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon (IRONMAN 70.3) | Busselton | May-20 |
| Margaret River Ultra Marathon | Margaret River | May-20 |
| Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival | Margaret River | May-20 |
| Jazz by the Bay | Dunsborough, Busselton and Margaret River | May-20 |
| Margaret River Pro | Margaret River | TBC |
