Driving through the scenic Swan Valley taste-testing locally grown wines is one of Perth’s most treasured pastimes. The valley’s artisans are famous for offering free samples of their produce: wines, beers, ciders, chocolate, cheese, honey, ice cream and coffee. It’s a foodie’s paradise.
Start your day at The Swan Valley Visitor Center located at the southern end of the valley in Guildford. Pick up a free map of the region identifying vineyards, restaurants and specialty shops. Helpful staff will also provide advice on the vineyards best suited to your favorite grape varieties and details of the latest special events.
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Who Will Like Swan Valley Wine Region
Food Connoisseur
Delight your taste buds (and your wallet) with free tastings of world-famous wines, chocolate, cheeses and more. Pair your favorite wine with a tasty meal from one of the valley’s fine dining restaurants or visit a craft brewery for a classic pub lunch.
Road Tripper
Join locals who habitually spend weekends leisurely driving through the valley visiting an assortment of wineries and restaurants. The valley is only a 25-minute drive northeast from Perth’s city center. There are more wineries than you can see in 1 or even 2 days, so do your research beforehand to choose which wineries, breweries, and specialty shops you’ll visit. Be sure to nominate a designated driver.
Insider Tips For Swan Valley Wine Region
- Use the interactive online map or download an offline map to find vineyards you’d like to visit.
- Although the region is most popular during summer, many points of interest are open all year round. To avoid crowds try visiting in Autumn or Winter or opt for a weekday tour.
- If visiting on a weekend, book at table at your preferred vineyard or restaurant for lunch in advance as tables can fill up quickly.
- Drive carefully along the driveways of smaller, boutique vineyards as they are not always well-maintained and may be covered in gravel or have potholes.
- Allocate a designated driver who won’t drink alcohol. Drink driving (over a blood alcohol limit of 0.05) attracts large fines and penalties in Australia.
- Although the drinking age in Australia is 18 years, children are allowed inside wineries and restaurants in the Swan Valley.
- Several private and group wine tours are available for those not wanting to drive. Relying on public transport is not recommended.
Video
Where Is It
How To Get There
Tech & Photography
Wifi
Public wifi access: None
Photography
Photography allowed: Yes
Tripod allowed: Yes
Selfie sticks allowed: Yes
Best time to shoot: Anytime
Tips: Ask for permission before taking photos inside a cellar door or around a vineyard – most of the time staff will have no problems. If you visit during late Spring or Summer try to capture a shot down a row of vines, with a tight crop of ripe grapes surrounded by beautiful green bokeh.
Drones
Drones allowed: Yes (subject to national/regional rules)
Bags
Backpacks allowed: Yes
Secured bag lockers available: No
Food & Drink
Several wineries and breweries in the area have in-house restaurants. Many other restaurants and cafes are located within the valley. You won’t have to drive more than a few minutes before stumbling across another delicious place to eat.
The best time to buy table grapes is January to March. Most other produce is available all year round.
Backstory
The Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine growing region and has been producing grape vines since 1834. Some of its wineries, such as Sandalford Wines and Houghton Wines, have won international awards and placed the region on the world stage.
The valley’s vines are grown along an 11 kilometer stretch of the Swan River’s fertile flood plain. The river meanders north to south between 2 parallel highways - West Swan Road (state 52) and Great Northern Highway (national 95).
Tours of the Swan Valley typically include a leisurely drive along one of the highways stopping at points of interest and then looping around to traverse the other highway.
Etiquette
- Appoint a designated driver who will keep their blood alcohol level under 0.05.
- Be patient if vineyard staff are busy.
- Drive carefully and courteously.
- Enjoy alcohol responsibly.
- Be greedy with free tastings of wine, cheese, and chocolate.
- Drink in public spaces as it attracts steep fines in Australia (licensed restaurants and wineries are ok).
Scorecard
- Free tastings of produce including wine, cheese, and chocolate.
- Plenty of dining options ranging from casual cafes to fine dining restaurants.
- Factory demonstrations of produce like cheese and chocolate.
- Steep prices of some gourmet wines if you wish to take a case home.
- Lack of signage to smaller, boutique wineries.
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