Experience Swan Valley secrets in Perth and discover why this place is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.
FYI: I wrote the below article for Ventura Homes, the premier home builder in Perth. As it’s such a great, resourceful article, I’m re-sharing it below:
We are so spoiled here in Western Australia, we truly are. Great all round weather, glistening beaches and winery regions to quench our thirsts, we have it all – but how often do we branch out from our usual routines and explore our own attractions the tourists get so excited over but we often may take for granted?
Lets put the spotlight back on Swan Valley.
Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest and most visited wine growing region, located 25 minutes east of Perth, it is home to over 150 places to wine and dine – including award-winning wineries, microbreweries, distilleries and restaurants. It also is a great place to buy local fresh produce, visit historical architecture, view art and craft galleries as well as participate in activities and various classes.
As it is such a big region, one way to enjoy the best of it is to embark on the award-winning 32km Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail. This loop trail is signposted and takes you past more than 40 wineries, breweries, restaurants, cafes and roadside stalls while leading you through historical heritage sites. Otherwise, if you’re fit and into cycling, do the Swan Valley Heritage Cycle Trail.
The Swan Valley Visitor Centre in Guildford will also give you expert advice and free maps on where and how to best explore Swan Valley, while also housing an impressive gift shop.
Get to know Swan Valley in Western Australia better. I did some thorough research on Swan Valley and found out so many fantastic things I didn’t originally know about, seriously, take a look below.
-ATTRACTIONS-
The Maze Family Fun Park
The Maze Family Fun Park tests your problem solving skills and patience, with each maze offering brain teaser challenges.
Caversham Wildlife Park offers shows, talks, photo opportunities and animal food included in your entry fee.
Oasis Supa Golf and Adventure Putt Minature Golf
Oasis Supa Golf & Adventure Putt at Oasis Resort in Swan Valley for 6 years and up.
Whiteman Park (Motor Museum of WA, Tractor Museum of WA & Revolutions Transport Heritage Museum)
Whiteman Park, besides hosting many weddings at Caversham House & playground picnic areas also has the Motor Museum of WA & the Tractor Museum of WA within its large grounds.
Morish Nuts Store & Factory
Morish Nuts has a new shop and factory in Swan Valley. You can also watch how the nuts are processed here. Go nuts for nuts! (Image Credit)
The House of Honey & The Sticky Spoon Cafe
The House of Honey showcases all things honey and bee related. MMMmm honey. (Image Credit)
Gomboc Sulpture Park & Art Gallery
The Sculpture Park has been developing over the past 20 years and is the only privately owned sculpture exhibition in WA. There is a diverse display of sculpture by national and international artists.
Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery
Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery showcases Aboriginal art and hand painted gift ware, as well as selling bush tucker sauces, jams, chutneys, herbs & spices, with knowledgeable staff and presenters. (Images Credit)
Alfred’s Kitchen
Alfred’s Kitchen is based in historic Guildford, serving over 40 different styles of burger 7 days a week, open til very late. This joint is popular with midnight travellers, ambulance workers, police, nursers, truckies & theatre patrons & is an attraction in itself.
Academy of Taxidermy
The Academy of Taxidermy is in Guildford, & has a lifetime collection of stuffed animals & animal skeletons, with even a number of dinosaurs thrown in for good measure. Worth a visit for something out of the ordinary. (Image Credit)
Woodbridge House, Guildford
Woodbridge House is an iconic, historical site in Perth built in 1885 with the rooms set up to demonstrate how people lived back in that era. (Image Credit)
West Australian Reptile Park
West Australian Reptile Park in Henley Brook is a fun, educational and real reptile experience. Hold a cuddly python or scaly lizard & enjoy other wildlife like snakes, freshwater crocodiles, boa constrictors, wombats and dingos. (Image Credit)
Now let us get to the glorious food and drink in Swan Valley:
-TOP BREWERIES-
The breweries in Swan Valley will win you over. (Image Credit)
Feral Brewing Company – Website | Facebook
Elmar’s in the Valley – Website | Facebook
Ironbark Brewery – Website | Facebook
Mash Brewing Co. – Website | Facebook
Duckstein Brewery – Website | Facebook
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-TOP WINERIES-
Swan Valley has too many quality wineries to list. Your best bet is to do a Swan Valley Wine Tour to discover a variety in one day. (Image Credit)
Sandalford Wines – Website | Facebook
Jane Brook Estate Wines – | Website | Facebook
Houghton Wines – Website | Facebook
Talijancich Wines – Website | Facebook
Lamont’s Wines – Website | Facebook
Heafod Glen – Website | Facebook
Pinelli Wines – Website | Facebook
Upper Reach Winery – Website | Facebook
Olive Wine Farms – Website | Facebook
– – –
-TOP DISTILLERIES –
Enjoy some of WA’s finest spirits and liqueurs in Swan Valley. (Image Credit)
The Great Northern Distillery/ Kimberly Rum Company (Canefire Rum) – Website | Facebook
The Wild Swan Distilling Company – Website | Facebook
– – –
– TOP COFFEE –
Taste the divine coffee in Swan Valley to wake up before wine touring. (Image Credit)
Antonio Battistessa’s Studio – Website | Facebook
Yahava Koffee Works – Website | Facebook
Taylor’s Art and Coffee House – Website | Facebook
– – –
-TOP RESTAURANTS-
Wine and dine over a scenic landscape with breathtaking views. If you get taken on a first date to a Swan Valley restaurant, then you know they really like you. (Image Credit)
Penny Garden Restaurant – Website | Facebook
Black Swan Winery & Restaurant – Website | Facebook
Muscats Restaurant & Bar at The Vines Resort – Website | Facebook
RiverBank Estate Restaurant – Website | Facebook
Jezebelle Restaurant – Website | Facebook
The Cheese Barrel – Website | Facebook
Little River Winery & Cafe – Website
– – –
Now check out all the buzzing events happening from now til December – there’s always something brewing in Swan Valley! (nice pun if I do say so myself)
-EVENTS-
Swan Valley holds many festivals & fun events yearly – don’t miss out, get in on the fun! (Image Credit)
AUGUST:
Saturday 30th | Entwined in the Valley’ at Houghton Winery with George Calombaris and Anna Gare
An evening of epicurean delight with a seven-course degustation menu by Kiren Mainwaring (formerly of Dear Friends and now chef extraordinaire at Co-op Dining, along with George Calombaris, hosted by TV personality Anna Gare. Also featuring international wine writer and judge Ch’ng Poh Tiong as sommelier. | Purchase Tickets
Saturday 30th | Organic Brandy & Vodka Tasting at Harris Organic Wines
Where vigneron and distiller, Duncan Harris, discusses the making of brandy, eau de vie and vodka, with tastings and a tour of the underground cellar included.
SEPTEMBER:
Monday Sept 1st – to Dec 19th | Edgecombe Brothers Asparagus Master Class
Learn how to prepare and cook asparagus for lunch, includes small wine tasting, recipes and a starter pack of 250g of asparagus to take home.
Friday 5th | Sandalford Winery’s Degustation Dinner Event
Indulge in epicurean conversation, world class Margaret River wines and multi-Gold Plate winning cuisine, jointly hosted by CEO Grant Brinklow, Senior Winemaker, Hope Metcalf and Executive Chef, Dean Williams.
Sunday 7th | Fathers’ Day at Elmar’s in the Valley
Featuring live music from Ben Merito, a delicious la carte menu with Elmar’s beer to compliment to celebrate your dad on fathers’ day.
Sunday 7th | Fathers’ Day at Caversham House
Treat your dad to a delicious four-course set menu lunch with live entertainment.
Sunday 7th | Fathers’ Day BBQ at Lamont’s Winery
Offering an afternoon of food and wine, with a set menu including antipasto plate on arrival, gourmet BBQ lunch and Margaret River icecream.
Sunday 7th | Fathers’ Day at Chapel Farm
Have your choice of lunch or dinner featuring a range of tapas and pizzas straight from the wood fired oven with live music too.
Sunday 7th | Fathers’ Day at Sandalford Wines
Enjoy a four-course lunch with bread, olives and feta to start, followed by a choice from three options for each entree, main and dessert courses.
Sunday 7th | Fathers’ Day at The Vines Novotel Resort
Join for a buffet lunch on the terrace at The Vines cafe.
Saturday 13th | British Rock Night at Mulberry on Swan
Featuring entertainment by Chris Murphy and The High Rollers & a full buffet dinner.
Saturday 13th | Red Wine Workshop at Sittella Winery
Be guided through the basics of making reds with tastings straight from the barrels, workshop concludes with lunch at the restaurant.
Saturday 13th | Michael Goldstein Comedy Show at Valley View Restaurant
An hour of unadulterated stand-up from an internationally-acclaimed transient joke money by Mike G.
Sunday 14th | Friends of Ashley Day at Whiteman Park
See hissing steam engines, dirty diesels and laden carriages tooting around 6km of track through Whiteman Park bushland, with tickets valid all day including a farm animal display and entry to Revolutions Transport Museum.
Saturday 20th | Wine 101 at Upper Reach Winery
If you’re not confident telling the difference between wines then come along to this informative session to learn the basics of wine tasting by Renee, a trained winemaker.
Sunday 21st (3rd Sunday of every month) | Guildford Market at Guildford Town Hall
This is a small, boutique market held once a month in and around the historic Guildford Town Hall, the Guildford Market specialises in a wide variety of handmade items and antiques, great for unique gifts.
OCTOBER:
Thursday 2nd to Wednesday 8th | Garrick Theatre: ‘Ninety’
‘Ninety’ is an emotionally challenging ninety minute play presented in one act with only two actors and no intermission, written by Joanna Murray-Smith and directed by Brendan Ellis.
Saturday 4th | Lino Cutting Workshop with Jude Taylor I at Taylor Studio
Learn how to draw, compose, cut and print your own linocut on a variety of papers, no experience necessary, and all materials supplied.
Saturday 4th | Sparkling Wine Workshop at Sittella Winery
Learn about the process of making great sparkling, taste pre-releases and conclude with lunch in the restaurant.
Saturday 11th | Octoberfest at Elmar’s in the Valley: Weekend One
Full of live German music, steins and games, including stein holding competitions, BBQ, German goodies and a tug of war.
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th | Gourmet Spring BBQ at Lamont’s Winery
Featuring music of Minky G and BBQ with buffet of salads and dessert to follow.
Saturday 11th | Lino Cutting Workshop with Jude TaylorII at Taylor Studio
Learn to draw, compose, cut and print your own linocut on a variety of papers, no experience necessary and all materials supplied.
Saturday 11th | Gourmet Spring BBQ at Lamont’s Winery
Enjoy new release favourites, and tuck into a choice from the BBQ along with a buffet of salads and dessert to follow, with the live sounds of Minky G.
Sunday 12th | The Vintage Collective Markets at Oakover Wines
An outdoors market that’s a community event, with free activities for the kids and plenty of entertainment to keep the whole family entertained.
Friday 17th | Scotch Dinner at Novotel Vines Resort and Country Club
Enjoy sipping on a range of single malts while indulging in a matched three-course dinner designed by Executive Chef, Mark Ford, with commentary by brand ambassador, Bill Bewsher.
Saturday 18th | Lino Cutting Workshop with Jude Taylor III at Taylor Studio
Teaches you how to draw, compose, cut and print your own linocut on a variety of papers, no experience necessary, and all materials supplied.
Sunday 19th | Spring Long Lunch Degustation at Harris Organic Wines
Enjoy a delicious three-course feast with winemakers, Duncan and Deb, including organic wines to match the food.
Saturday 25th | Lino Cutting Workshop with Jude TaylorIV at Taylor Studio
Learn to draw, compose, cut and print your own linocut on a variety of papers, no experience necessary and all materials supplied.
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th | Oktoberfest 2014 at Elmar’s in the Valley: Weekend Two
Full of live German music, steins and games, including stein holding competitions, BBQ, German goodies and a tug of war.
NOVEMBER:
Tuesday 4th | Sittella Melbourne Cup Luncheon at Sittella Winery & Restaurant
Enjoy a day of fun, fashion and fantastic food while watching the race, joining in on the sweep and indulging in a three-course luncheon with chance to win one of the door prizes.
Sunday 16th | Spring Long Lunch Degustation at Harris Organic Wines II
Have another change to catch this delicious three-course feast with winemakers, Duncan and Deb, including organic wines to match the food.
Friday 21st | Faulty Towers, The Dining Experience at Valley View Restaurant
Features a three-course meal and a two hour show.
DECEMBER:
Monday 8th | Malcolm De Kauwe Lunch and Show at Valley View Restaurant
Renowned singer and entertainer with a three-course Christmas-themed lunch menu.
Thursday 11th | Matthew Hale Comedy Hypnosis Show at Valley View Restaurant
Enjoy a three-course dinner and experience real comedy of hypnotic talent by Perth’s Number One hypnotist.
Wednesday 31st | Hawaiian New Year’s Eve Beach Party at The Vines Resort
With DJ entertainment, fireworks display and meal including platters followed by a BBQ buffet dinner and dessert.
2015 HEADS UP :
February 8th 2015: Kenny Rogers at Sandalford Wines
He is a triple Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Famer, visiting Sandalford Estate as part of his Through the Years world tour, sharing the stage with Kasey Chambers, Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole in a sensational five hour country spectacular.
February 22nd 2015: Throwing of the Grape
Wine tasting, grape stomping, live music, DJ’s and of course, grape throwing!
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This article was originally published on Ventura Homes’ blog site, Live Better by me. Check out their house and land packages in the Swan Valley.
