Western Australia Tourism & Accommodation Guide

The Swan Valley

Located between the Darling Ranges and Coastal plain, the Swan Valley is WA's oldest wine growing region.

Only twenty minutes from Perth, the Swan valley is a compact area full of award winning restaurants and wineries, galleries and fine accommodation.

The History
The Swan Valley was one of the first areas settled in Western Australia and it still contains a number of historic sites open for visitors. Historic Guildford at the entry to the Swan Valley has many fascinating old buildings. Colonial buildings have been restored and an historic hotel offers hearty meals beside open wood fires in winter or light fare in breezy open-air courtyards in summer. Local artisans and craftspeople are delighted to show their wares to visitors with a number of galleries set in landmark buildings including the original local goal.

The Wines
The major attraction of the Valley is the wine industry. Vineyards dot the Swan Valley and hectares of vines line the roads.
The Swan Valley is perhaps Western Australia's most awarded wine-growing region with a history of producing great wines that stretches back to 1829. Many of the vineyards trace their beginnings back to the early days of European settlement and others were established by a wave of Italian and Croatian immigration before and between the two wars.

The Valley is renowned for a number of varieties including Chardonnay’s, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Verdehlo and fortified wines - Muscat’s, Tokays and ports. The region has been both winner and runner up in the best WA wine awards for the last two years.

You will discover two of the state's largest wineries and a large number of small family wineries - all are open for cellar door tastings and some offer superb lunches in an alfresco or indoor setting. You won't need to drive for miles to visit two or three.

The Swan Valley boasts one of the top two winery restaurants in Australia and a restaurant whose wine list was voted the best in Australia. You'll find superb restaurants, tearooms and cafes that offer everything from homestyle morning and afternoon tea to international sat.

You'll find a number of galleries, including WA's largest private gallery showing local arts, crafts and gifts and local artisans who open their studios to visitors.

Accommodation in the Valley suits all budgets, tastes and numbers. From a five star resort to self-contained chalets. Whether caravanning or holidaying in style you'll find what you are looking for in this beautiful region.

The highlight of the year is "Spring in the Valley" - a showcase of local food, wine, the arts and music on the second weekend of October every year. There are also sporting events, live jazz concerts and community fairs throughout the year. There's always something happening in the Swan Valley.

The Swan Valley can be explored by car, coach trip or river cruise. The Swan Valley Tourist Information Centre (Ph 9250 4400 or 9279 9859) can tell you everything need to know.

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