Widely known as Perth’s "food bowl", the Swan Valley region is chock full of amazing adventures built around delicious food and drink, gorgeous views, and good company.
Only a 25-minute drive from Perth City, the Swan Valley is the perfect place to visit this Autumn, with the milder weather tempting you to spend as much time as possible experiencing the fresh air of the beautiful landscapes, and the wide range of fresh produce that it delivers too.
With Autumn now in full swing, and both the Easter long weekend and school holidays on the horizon, now is the time to start planning your next Swan Valley adventure or staycation - so we’ve put together a list of activities built around all the delicious food and drinks this region has to offer.
Swan Valley Fresh Seasonal Trail
As Perth’s “food bowl”, the Swan Valley grows a wide variety of produce all year round, and with outlets open throughout the year, you can enjoy the freshest, in-season fruit and vegetables no matter when you visit.
With so many options to choose from throughout the region, the Swan Valley Fresh Seasonal Produce Trail is the perfect way to discover more than 30 shops and seasonal roadside stalls, offering the freshest produce harvested or made this very season.
If you’re visiting in Autumn, you’ll find delicious avocados, mangoes, pomegranates and pumpkins on offer, with select restaurants and cafes throughout the Swan Valley incorporating these ingredients into delicious, seasonal menu items too. Don’t miss the last of the grapes, sometimes available into April.
Considering the Swan Valley is only a short drive from the city, why not take a trip out there once a week or fortnight to stock up on fresh produce, eggs and bread for your own menu, and support the local growers and producers of the region while you’re at it!
You can download the trail map here.
Swan Valley Dining
The Swan Valley has a wide range of amazing dining options to choose from. If you’re visiting the region throughout Autumn, there’s plenty of venues with outdoor spaces so you can enjoy your meal or drinks with fresh air and sweeping views of vineyards and the Darling Scarp.
The Swan Valley is home to a range of wineries, located on beautiful estates and vineyards that you’ll often have a chance to walk through and explore. Sittella Winery, Lamont’s Winery and Sandalford Wines each offer cellar door wine tastings and incorporate seasonal produce into their menus, so you can enjoy a delicious drink and meal while overlooking beautiful estate grounds.
If you’re into spirits, you’ll want to check out Old Young’s Distillery, where every single one of their vodkas and gins have received international awards. Their spirits are distilled using locally-sourced produce (as well as a wide range of Australian botanicals), and you’ll even get a chance to try them in their Swan Valley Tasting Room! Hungry? Dine on creative local fare under the vines next door at the recently opened Old Young’s Kitchen.
Speaking of tastings, head to The House Of Honey to enjoy a complimentary tasting of seasonal, raw honey from different parts of WA, or try their mead (an alcoholic beverage made from honey). As the seasons change, so will the flavours of their honey, so if you’re visiting multiple times throughout the year, you’ll get something new each time.
Beer enthusiasts should jump on the Swan Valley Cider and Ale Trail. Quench your thirst with locally crafted brews and feed your hunger in a spacious beer garden. When the Autumn chill arrives, keep an eye out for those with open fires.
Family Fun
If you’re looking for things to do with the kids over the weekend or during the upcoming school holidays, then there’s plenty of family fun to be had in the Swan Valley. The Kids In The Valley Trail is a fantastic way to get outside with the kids and explore the many family activities throughout the area - you don’t have to try and tackle everything in one day of course, so multiple visits are a must! Download the trail map here.
Whiteman Park should be your first stop on the trail, home of Caversham Wildlife Park where you and the kids can feed kangaroos, pet a koala or even meet a wombat. There’s even a Children's Forest (where the whole family can safely enjoy exploring the native bushland), various walking trails, and three museums dedicated to the transport heritage of the area. Whiteman Park also has plenty of shady trees, green lawns, playgrounds and BBQ facilities, making it the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
Another place to visit on the trail is the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm, which is full of friendly farm animals that your kids can pet and feed, as well as kangaroos and emus to visit. If you’re looking for a family outing, this place has a playground, bouncy castle, merry-go-round, picnic and BBQ facilities and even free tractor and train rides!
Speaking of animals, the Swan Valley Station also has a range of friendly farm animals for the kids to meet and pat, as well as a large playground to keep them busy while you sit back at the cafe to enjoy a great coffee or their homemade cakes, slices and biscuits (there’s real fruit-blended ice creams for the kids too!). While you’re there, check out their boutique nursery that stocks a variety of plants, ceramic pots and even WA local fertiliser.
If you’re looking for some family friendly competition, make sure to stop in at Vines Mini Golf for a fun game of mini golf and beautiful surrounds. Mondo Nougat is also a must-visit, with a wide range of tasty nougat treats and housemade Italian cakes and biscuits that the kids (and you) will love. They only use the finest Australian grown nuts and locally sourced honey, and there’s even limited seasonal flavours to try too!
Finish your day in the Valley at family favourite The Henley Brook, with top-notch pub grub, a legendary beer garden and kids nature play area nestled in a three-acre paddock. Open every day for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, with live music from Friday to Sunday, weekly specials and kids entertainment every Sunday, it’s a fantastic place to hang out this Autumn.
Seniors
Multiple operators throughout the Swan Valley region offer special deals for seniors to enjoy on their visit, so you can enjoy a little more for a little less, including The House Of Honey, The Novotel Vines Resort and Whiteman Park Village Cafe.
For seniors looking to get out and explore, Aussie Perth Tours offers a range of Swan Valley tours that cover food, wine and wildlife experiences, with both half-day and full-day adventures to choose from! They offer free pick up (and drop off) services from selected Perth and Northbridge hotels, where you’ll be able to board the air-conditioned coach that will take you to your destination.
Autumn is the perfect time to get out and explore everything that the Swan Valley region has to offer, including the amazing fresh produce, fantastic dining venues and beautiful countryside vistas.
Whether it's your first time visiting or you’ve been to the Swan Valley before, be sure to start your trip by stopping at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre in historic Guildford - it’s your one-stop-shop for maps, souvenirs, gift cards and plenty of personalised advice and information to help you maximise your Swan Valley experience.
For more information, head to the Swan Valley website, or follow the Swan Valley on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all the amazing things this region has to offer this Autumn.
