Augusta Margaret River Times

17/09/2026

A Margaret River historian is calling for urgent action to protect ancient fossils in Augusta, warning the site is being destroyed before the public has had a chance to understand its significance.

Historian and prospector Tom Wenman first discovered the fossils alongside his wife Jennifer while they were investigating amber along the Leeuwin coastline for the Gelorup Museum in the mid 1990s.

At the time, Mr Wenman said the ancient remains were in pristine condition, with thick fossilised root systems extending from the tree roots into the ground.

“Now they’ve all disappeared, every last one of them have gone,” he said.

“People should be really concerned because it is getting destroyed here by foot traffic.”

Read the full story in tomorrow's Augusta Margaret River Times or in the comments below. 📰

15/09/2026

For Margaret River artists Helga Seward and Inessa Brock, creativity has always been a family affair.

While the mother and daughter share a home studio for this year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios, their artistic styles paint two very different pictures.

Creativity runs in the family for this year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios, when mother-daughter artist duo Helga Seward and Inessa Brock open the doors to their home studio.

11/09/2026

Margaret River author Bernice Barry’s new book The Names of a Hare has been nominated for two prestigious literary awards.

Barry has been long-listed for Australia’s biggest literary fiction award, the ARA historical novel prize, with a $100,000 cash prize.

The novel has also been shortlisted for the Mark & Evette Moran literary award, known as The Nib, with a $40,000 prize up for grabs.

Margaret River author Bernice Barry’s new book The Names of a Hare has gone from strength to strength, now up for two highly prestigious literary awards.

11/09/2026

Ahead of Margaret River Region Open Studios this weekend, we caught up with participating artists for a behind-the-scenes look at what they're creating. 🎨

Margaret River oil painter Tamika Hogan will open the doors to her restored 1950s Australian railway carriage, now used as her art studio.

Inside, she creates large-scale oil paintings of the South West, capturing everything from sunlit granite to the vivid blues of the Indian Ocean.

Read more about Tamika and the region's artists in today's Augusta Margaret River Times. 📰

11/09/2026

The Perth International Burlesque Festival is heading south, bringing glitz, glamour and a healthy dose of cheek to Margaret River.

The festival will take to the stage at Margaret River Heart on October 10, bringing a mix of WA and interstate performers to the region.

The Perth International Burlesque Festival is heading regional, bringing glitz, glamour and a healthy dose of cheek to Margaret River.

11/09/2026

Margaret River is set to host WA’s first dedicated regional wildlife hospital with the State Government announcing funding to establish a new state of the art facility.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has announced $1.5 million in funding for the new regional hospital which will soon open in Margaret River.

Margaret River is set to host WA’s first dedicated regional wildlife hospital with the State Government today announcing $1.5 million of funding to establish a new state of the art facility.

10/09/2026

Wanderlust Spring Edition is out tomorrow!

Pick up your copy inside the Augusta Margaret River Times – 11 September 2026 or in the digital edition here:

https://www.amrtimes.com.au/editions?utm_source=Augusta-Margaret-River-Times&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=digital-edition&utm_term=todays-paper&utm_content=nav

Distributed in Southern WA in the following cities and towns: Albany, Katanning, Narrogin, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Manjimup and inserted into Countryman.

Want to be featured in our next edition? Get in touch: [email protected]

04/09/2026

More than 200 handmade bowls and mugs will be on display at Margaret River Heart this month to support the local Soupie.

On September 17, the community is invited to turn out for the Bowls for Soupie Feast at Margaret River Heart where unique bowls will be available for purchase and filled with curries made by volunteers and WA chef Tony Howell.

To complement the one night event, a month-long Bowls for Soupie exhibition will be on show at the Heart from September 9 until October 8.

Read more about the potters involved in Bowls for Soupie in today's Augusta Margaret River Times or in the comments below. 📰

28/08/2026

A paddle-out will be held at Scarborough Beach this weekend to honour WA surfing legend Mark Lane, who died last weekend after a long battle with cancer.

Tributes are flowing in from across the Australian surfing community for the man affectionately known as “Laney”, whose legacy will live on both in the sport and among those who knew him.

A paddle-out will be held at Scarborough Beach this weekend to honour WA surfing legend Mark Lane, who has died after a long battle with cancer.

28/08/2026

A short film celebrating the friendship, ocean and the women who brave the chilly waters of Gnarabup has been named a finalist in the CinefestOZ Short Film Awards.

Wild Mermaids, an observational documentary following a women’s ocean swimming group, is nominated in the best WA film category and is set to screen at Margaret River HEART and Orana Cinema in Busselton next week.

Check out what director Catherine Young had to say about the film in the comments below or in today's Augusta Margaret River Times. 📰