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.
Swan Valley Tours
Return to the
Metropolitan Region page
