As flickering light dabbles through the Swan Valley’s vineyards, it’s hard to believe such rural bliss exists only 30 minutes east of Perth’s metropolis. Western Australia’s oldest wine region is likened to a mini Margaret River, except without the three-hour drive and it can be savoured in a day or more if you’re lucky.
Where else on earth can you visit wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries, and also cuddle koalas and play a round of golf among kangaroos? Then there’s the food scene showcasing the valley’s produce at dozens of fresh food outlets and restaurants. A perfect day out in the Swan Valley follows a 32-kilometre loop snaking through scenery as idyllic as the wine is iconic, with plenty of unexpected encounters along the way.
Stop 1: Cuddle a koala
Let’s begin on a wholesome note and pop into Caversham Wildlife Park, set in Whiteman Park. There are few things as Australian as koalas, but there are very few places where you can cuddle them. You can still visit the koalas anytime if you miss booking one of the daily cuddling sessions. While at the wildlife park, don’t miss feeding the kangaroos, the sheep shearing and visiting the reptile house, wombats, farm animals, penguins and feeding the kangaroos.
Stop 2: Sweet temptations
Indulge in a fancy High Tea at the quaint Mrs Rabbit Tea Rooms or Stewart’s Restaurant, the 2023 Gold Plate winners for Best High Tea. Maison Saint Honore is so famed for its crepes, French pastries, and macarons in every flavour of the rainbow that outlets have opened all over Perth after the success of its first venue in Caversham. If you’re short on time, you could pop into the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Whistler’s Chocolate, House of Honey or Mondo Nougat to pick up some sweet treats for the road.
Stop 3: Wine tasting
Since you are in the state’s oldest wine region, missing out on a wine tasting or three is unheard of. There are several to choose from, many with outstanding restaurants. The picturesque Lancaster Wines inspires much wine-swilling amongst the vines over gourmet platters. The rustic Ugly Duckling serves platters along with their classic Reserve Shiraz with the sprawling Darling Ranges in the background. Jarrah Ridge’s award-winning range deserves a lengthy sampling. If you love your stickies, you must try the fortified collection at John Kosovich Wines, or the Pedro Ximenes at Talijancich Wines, a winery with a name to challenge anyone’s pronunciation after a tasting.
Stop 4: Time for a feast
After a wine tasting at Upper Reach, settle in for a leisurely lunch of tapas or local favourites such as Linley Valley pork or Shark Bay tiger prawns. Sandalford has a long-standing reputation for its reserved red and white wines, and you could easily while away an entire day with a wine tasting, browsing the shop and feasting at the European-inspired restaurant. Classic dishes and tapas on the deck overlooking the Black Swan Winery and Restaurant are the epitome of what the Swan Valley is all about. Old Young’s is a destination in itself, with the onsite distillery and restaurant renowned for its Australian menu showcasing emu, crocodile, Amelia Park lamb, Harvey Beef and other seasonal ingredients you might be surprised to see on your plate.
Stop 6: Get into the spirit of the valley
If you didn’t dine at Old Young’s, at least make a pitstop for their gins that pay tribute to the Noongar people indigenous to the region, particularly the Six Seasons Gin and the crowd-pleasing Pavlova Vodka. The valley has several other distilleries, including Sin Gin Distillery at the Swan Settlers Market, Damaged Goods Distilling Co. and the Great Northern Distillery, famed for its Canefire Rum. Join a distillery tour at Harris Organic, make your own blends at AmberChes Spirits or Limeburners & Giniversity in the Valley, and you might uncover a talent you never knew you had.
Stop 7: Refreshing ale or cider
If you’re travelling with little ones, the playground at Bailey Brewing Co. is almost as epic as the beers and wood-fired pizzas. The Duckstein embraces its European roots with German fare and beers, as does Txoko Brewing, a word pronounced as ChoKo from Spain’s Basque region. Funk has two locations, with the original one in Caversham with 18 ciders and beers on tap, but I’m obsessed with their Cacao Cider found at their second venue in Baskerville called Funk Brewshed, aka Funk.2.
Stop 8: Fresh produce
It’s difficult to leave the Swan Valley empty-handed, whether with your favourite wine, beer, cider, gin or some of the region’s renowned fresh produce. Based on their Margaret River outlet, Providore sits next door to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, selling every kind of seasoning, sauce, oil and marinade you could ever need to stock your pantry, contemplated over a wine tasting. Source all your fruit and veg from the family-run Baba & Dida’s (translating to grandma and grandpa in Croatian), as well as a range of European goodies, sweets and coffees. When Don and Frank Edgecombe arrived from the UK in 1925, they probably had no idea their original 50-acre investment at Edgecombe Brothers would be famous a century later for their asparagus, table grapes and seasonal produce. This success story demonstrates the enterprising spirit of WA’s immigrants and their knack for cultivating the land, which you can savour over a platter and wine in the Edgecombe Brothers grounds. The Swan Settlers Market showcases the valley’s wine, spirits and food under one roof as well as art, clothes, homewares and ongoing events such as axe throwing and US-style BBQ competitions; just follow the Swan Settlers Facebook page for upcoming events and the aroma of slow-cooked meat.
Stop 9: Historic Guildford
Historic Guildford is Perth’s original settlement, and the village hosts a bustling antique hub with a strip of secondhand shops, boutiques, cafes and galleries on Guildford and Terrace roads. While here, check out the quirky Academy of Taxidermy at the Museum of Natural History, grab a gourmet gelato at Mimmo’s or a hamburger as you huddle around the fire-pit or in a historic train carriage at Alfred’s Kitchen, Perth’s original roadside hamburger joint. This gorgeous neighbourhood is home to the historic Garrick Theatre with a robust seasonal calendar showcasing budding and established thespians. Stop for a pint and a parmi at the iconic Guildford Hotel, Stirling Arms Hotel, Woodbridge Hotel and the Rose & Crown, which are believed to be some of the most haunted buildings in Western Australia.
Stop 10: Golf and kangaroo safari
Any golfing pro will relish the opportunity to tee off at the 18-hole championship golf course at The Vines Resort and Golf Course. Even if you’re not a golfer, the picturesque 18-hole mini golf course is loads of fun, especially with a group. The Vines is home to an active community of kangaroos best visited on safari via a golf buggy as the sun sets. Extend this unique experience with a stay at the resort in one of their rooms overlooking the golf course as kangaroos hop by.
How to get to and around the Swan Valley
The Swan Valley is about 20 kilometres east of Perth’s CBD and several tour operators offer cruises, wagon, helicopter, horse and bike tours. Or opt for a personalised tour with a driver and a minivan from King Mini Bus Charter with door-to-door service for a bespoke journey through the Swan Valley.
For more information, drop by the Swan Valley Visitors Centre or click here.
