How's this for a list of things to showcase our fabulous region: the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Victorian Surf Lifesaving Club Junior Championships in Warrnambool with 1200 competitors, Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic, dog obedience championships in Warrnambool, Seaside Volleyball Tournament in Warrnambool, South Coast Raceway Drag Races in Portland, Portland Dahlia and Rose Festival and Victorian State Championships Sailing Regatta in Portland Harbour.

It is also the start of the tuna fishing season.

And if that wasn't enough the south-west will host its first cruise ship, the MS Europa, which is due to dock at Portland this morning carrying more than 300 wealthy German passengers.

They will disembark for the day and tour around the region visiting its major attractions, everything from the Twelve Apostles and Great Ocean Road, to Tower Hill, wineries and spectacular Cape Bridgewater.

Portland's civic leaders have worked exceptionally hard to get the Europa to visit and deserve credit from the region for their efforts.

If this visit goes well, more cruise ships will visit in the future and that's great news for tourism providers in the region.

The fantastic Port Fairy Folk Festival is sold out again and continues to be one of the greatest musical events the nation has to offer, held in one of the best little towns in the world.

The festival will be the showpiece for this long weekend as our glorious region comes alive for residents and visitors alike.