9 Must-have Experiences in the Swan Valley

While Swan Valley’s reputation as Western Australia’s oldest wine region has always drawn both local and international visitors to its cellar doors, the soul of this historic region runs deeper than its vines. A 25-minute drive to the northeast of Perth’s CBD, the area is rich with experiences, from twilight soul concerts and bush tucker tastings to vintage tractor parades.

Swing to the sounds of Upper Reach Winery

In February and March, a lush 8-hectare vineyard in the north of Swan Valley transforms into a natural amphitheatre as local musicians take to the stage at sunset. As you groove to the sounds, dine on a three-course meal at Upper Reach’s acclaimed restaurant – the roast spatchcock with nduja and peppers is a crowd-pleaser – and sip the estate’s excellent shiraz. Or for a more casual vibe, pack a blanket and pre-order a gourmet hamper laden with cheeses, bread and antipasto. Want to linger a little longer? Book ahead and stay the night in the Spa Cottage, a 1907 chalet with a private patio overlooking the vines.

Master the art of smoke at The Guildford Hotel

During a monthly barbecue masterclass at this baroque-style hotel fewer than 10 minutes north of Perth Airport, you’ll discover how to turn tough cuts into tender, smoky morsels using the on-site smoker (affectionately called “Thomas”) while sipping craft beer. It’s a hands-on education in temperature control, wood selection and timing – the holy trinity of great barbecue. The relaxed sessions feel more like hanging out in a mate’s backyard than a formal class as you taste the flavours of your new skills.

Taste ancient traditions at the Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery

Learn about the oldest continuous living culture on the planet at Maalinup (meaning “Place of the black swan” in the Noongar language). Just across the road from the Sandalford Wines estate and beside the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan in Noongar), the gallery’s walls showcase vibrant contemporary artworks by Western Australian First Nations artists, and you can even buy and take home a print or table linens by those same creatives. Immerse yourself further and embark on an interactive bush-tucker tasting session led by owner and Wardandi Bibbulmun Elder Dale Tilbrook, where you can sample native flavours including lemon myrtle and bush tomato while listening to Dreamtime stories. While gallery entry is free, you’ll need to book ahead for the bush tucker talk.

Taste dishes prepared by a world-renowned chef at Sandalford Wines

At Sandalford in the suburb of Caversham, seasonal canapés by executive chef Alan Spagnolo are elevated by James Halliday-approved wines and cellar door specialists. Spagnolo has some 35 years of culinary experience – having worked in kitchens from Cairo to Cottesloe Beach – but seasonal Swan Valley produce is his ultimate muse. Indulge in his five-course Estate Culinary Journey to savour dishes such as Shark Bay blue swimmer crab pasta accentuated with native citrus and scampi from Port Hedland matched with a miso-tinged spicy gochujang paste.

Browse morning markets at Stirling Square

Under centuries-old trees in the heart of Guildford, the Stirling Square Market transforms sleepy Sunday mornings into a hub of creativity and community. Local makers and producers offer everything from hand-thrown pottery to freshly picked produce and decadent crepes in the heritage grounds on the third Sunday of each month, pausing only for the colder months of June through to August.

Feast under the stars at Guildford Twilight Market

As the sunshine gives way to starry skies, historic Stirling Square reinvents itself as an open-air dining room with wood-fired pizza, Malaysian street food and German bratwurst. As the kids jump between free face painting stations and bouncy castles, adults can stock up on vintage treasures and handcrafted wares. These balmy evening markets run from October to May, with a break in March for the annual Heritage Festival when the square hosts an even grander celebration.

Cure Sunday-itis at Collector of Souls

The Swan Valley’s newest brewery-distillery rebels against the ordinary. Collector of Souls is renowned for its daring Beelzebub Brewing Co range and industrial-glam decor. Chandeliers and velvet contrast dramatically with exposed brick walls and a portrait of Freddie Mercury–a nod to the mention of Beelzebub in the Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody. Located on the southern side of Caversham, Sunday afternoons are all about the outdoors as the beer garden plays host to a relaxed soul session with local musicians jamming out. Grab a table under the shade of an ancient lemon gum as you sip on a raspberry seltzer or pink gin and take in the sounds while chatting with your neighbours.

Wander amongst sculptures at Gomboc Gallery

Wander among more than 100 artworks dotted throughout sun-dappled gardens and indoor spaces at the 4.5-hectare Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park in Middle Swan. One of Western Australia’s oldest private galleries, this labour of love is sustained by local sculptor Ron Gomboc and his gallery director wife Terrie, who’ve transformed their property into a constantly evolving open-air museum and incubator for local talent. The five indoor galleries rotate between established artists and emerging talents, while the grounds offer surprises at every turn, from towering metal works to delicate stone pieces.

Watch history roll through at the Tractor Parade

History roars to life during Whiteman Park’s monthly Tractor Parade, when vintage machines swap the confines of the Tractor Museum for a lumber around the park’s “village”. On the second Sunday of each month from January to July, you can watch a moving display of the Valley’s farming past. Starting with a procession led by restored tractors, the parade finishes with the beloved “Tail-end Charlie”. This vintage tractor is famous for taking part in a Redex Reliability Trial from Darwin to Perth during the 1950s. These trials saw over two hundred amateur and pro drivers circumnavigate Australia in a collection of vehicles across tough terrain.

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