Albany 2026: Taste Great Southern brings full-flavour program to region for weekend of culinary experiences

Taste Great Southern is returning to the region this weekend, boasting three days packed full of chances to experience the best food and wine on offer from local producers.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, with the sold-out Flavours of Country long-table dinner at Rustlers Steakhouse celebrating the flavours and ingredients of Menang Noongar culture with bush tucker and local produce transformed into inventive dishes.

Menang elders will come along to share traditional foraging and preparation methods as attendees taste the ingredients in their meals.

On Friday, Will Meyrick and Paul Bentley are joining forces to host dinner at The Dam at Raintree, pairing four courses of food with local wines and an exclusive Taste cocktail.

Sommelier Cyndal Petty is no stranger to Taste Great Southern, and this year she is delivering a wine tour focusing on the Mt Barker and Porongurups wine regions, visiting wineries including West Cape Howe Wines, Plantagenet Wines, Gilbert Wines, Duke’s Vineyard, Castle Rock Estate and Shepherd’s Hut Wines.

The exclusive Maitraya Luxury Private Retreat at Nanarup will play host to four acclaimed chefs for a day of culinary excellence, inviting Jo Barrett, Evan Hayter, Paul Iskov, and Corey Rozario to cook.

Saturday is the most action-packed day of the program, with 11 events on the schedule from Denmark to the Porongurups.

Cold Nips are hosting a wellness wake-up from 7am at Middleton Beach, with guided yoga and a cold dip in the ocean for $5 per person, and all ticket proceeds going to Foodbank Albany.

A guided tour of the Albany Farmers Market is also on offer for the chance to speak to local producers and sample some fresh ingredients.

Experience Denmark’s best wineries with a relaxed hop-on, hop-off bus tour through Singlefile, the Lake House, Rockcliffe and Forest Hill, with buses running all day on a looped route between the venues, so visitors can take the journey at their own pace.

In Denmark, Boston Brewing Co. will come to life with artisan markets in its sun-soaked grass area, and fellow local brewery Lights Beach Brewing will end the day on the right note with a golden hour event for the whole family, complete with live music, food trucks and local beers.

In the Porongurups, the Bondi Chef, Guy Turland is putting together a gourmet lunch at Karribank, inspired by the iconic mountains with attendees also invited to tackle the four-hour Nancy’s Peak Circuit hike before they sit down for lunch.

In Albany, guests can enjoy wine and fresh oysters at the Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, take on a whisky masterclass at Limeburners, and a four-course dinner at the Albany Hilton Garden Inn.

Two events on Saturday are already sold out — The Long Harvest at Majuba, and Fervour Voyage.

On Sunday, meet local producers and chefs at the Taste Market at Middleton Beach.

Also, watch as three celebrated chefs put on a waste-free feast at Denmark’s Riverside Bowls Club, designed to be shared with friends and a side of friendly competition on the barefoot bowls green.