IN PICTURES: Food and drinks the heroes as Taste Great Southern launched at Albany Surf Life Saving Club

Taste Great Southern launched its 2026 edition on March 5, inviting visitors and Great Southern residents to the Albany Surf Life Saving Club to kick off a weekend of food and wine events.

The club’s function room and deck was full as the crowd enjoyed the wide variety of local beverages on offer including Boston Brewing Co beers and Rockliffe and Singlefile wines.

Jerry Fraser set up a stand with farm-fresh Albany rock oysters, handing out his produce and giving attendees some insights into the process of growing and harvesting them.

Shaka’s Dumpling Bar provided canapes for the night, handing out delicacies including prawn toast, pork buns, and beef tartare alongside its famous dumplings.

Host Fleur Bainger welcomed guests to Taste Great Southern, saying she was excited to see the event get under way, particularly the Peak to Plate hike and lunch event in the Porongurups.

Quite a few hands went up around the room when Ms Bainger asked who else would be joining her in lacing up their hiking boots to tackle the Nancy’s Peak Circuit trail.

Albany-based MLC Samantha Rowe also addressed the crowd, highlighting the importance of events like Taste Great Southern to showcase the region’s growers, business owners, produce, and tourism appeal to an ever-growing audience.

Ms Rowe thanked everyone involved for putting the much-loved event together.