In August 2025, I spent a month in the Swan Valley visiting my parents.

Just half an hour or so from Perth, the Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region and an easy escape from the city. Here, vineyards sit alongside chocolate factories, honey shops, family-run wineries and sprawling countryside.

Since it was a month-long getaway, it was a different kind of travel for me. Instead of having a carefully planned itinerary, I let the days unfold naturally, waking up each morning to see what I was in the mood for.

SWAN VALLEY AT A GLANCE

📍Location: 30min drive from Perth CBD

🛏️ Recommended stay: 2-3 days

🚗 Best explored by car

✨ Best known for wineries, chocolate, honey, and local produce

If you have a few days to spare during your trip to Perth, here are some of my favourite places to visit in the Swan Valley.

1. Satisfy your sweet tooth at The House of Honey & The Sticky Spoon Café

If you love honey, this is an essential stop, with great treats and souvenirs to bring home.

The House of Honey specialises in locally produced Western Australian honey, with plenty of varieties to discover and taste. Right next door, The Sticky Spoon Café is a lovely place to sit down for a drink or something sweet.

It’s the kind of unhurried stop that the Swan Valley does particularly well.

2. Get gifts for family and friends at Whistler’s Chocolate Company

No trip to the Swan Valley would be complete without a stop here. I just really love the vibe of the shop.

Whistler’s Chocolate Co is a Western Australian family-owned chocolate company and a fun place to wander around, browse the enormous selection of chocolates (you get to taste some too) and pick up a box for later. They also sell really pretty gifts and souvenirs.

There’s also the Margaret River Chocolate Company nearby, but if you’re planning to visit the Margaret River later in your trip, I’d save it for then!

3. Try unusual flavours at Morish Nuts & Mondo Nougat

These two stops are right next door to each other.

At Morish Nuts, my absolute recommendations are the Truffle Macadamias and Abalone Macadamias (think really savory nuts). They’re unusual, delicious and great to pair with wine.

Once you’re done, head next door to Mondo Nougat for even more sweet treats.

4. Experience Swan Valley’s wine heritage at Sandalford Wines

The estate is beautiful, with sprawling grounds and a sense of history that makes it worth visiting even before you get to the wine.

The restaurant also serves really delicious food, and I especially love their risotto. My favourite wines to try here are their Shiraz, but if you’re looking for something more unique, the Liqueur Tawny, a sweet fortified wine, is worth trying.

It’s one of the larger and better-known wineries in the region and a lovely place to spend a leisurely afternoon over lunch or a wine tasting.

5. For a more intimate wine experience, visit Garbin Estate Wines

Family-run wineries have a completely different atmosphere from larger estates, and this was one of the things I appreciated most about exploring the Swan Valley.

During our visit, we were fortunate to have Katrina, one of the owners, guide us through our wine tasting. She was incredibly generous not only with the wine, but also with sharing the history of the estate, the family behind it and the Swan Valley wine industry. It made the experience feel warm, personal and wonderfully unhurried.

If you’re visiting, don’t miss their Sparkling Merlot.

6. Go off the beaten track at Swan Valley Station

Swan Valley Station was another unexpected favourite.

Part garden centre, part gift shop and part café, it’s the sort of place that sits slightly off the beaten track and probably won’t feature on the average Perth itinerary. But if you’re looking to slow down and experience a little of the local character, it’s well worth visiting.

I found my dream garden table here (the turquoise one in the leftmost photograph below)!

7. Get fed at Pasta in the Valley

After all the wine, chocolate, honey and macadamias, you may eventually find yourself in need of a proper meal.

Pasta in the Valley is a relaxed Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta and other Italian favourites in the heart of the Swan Valley. It’s a lovely option for a casual lunch or dinner after a day spent exploring the region.

8. Feel the soul of the Swan Valley at the Swan Settlers Market

For a little bit of everything in one place, head to Swan Settlers Market.

Housed in a former fruit-packing shed, the market brings together food, drinks, local produce, small businesses selling handmade produce, art and craft, and even some antiques, all under one roof.

It was here that I discovered and fell in love with the artworks of local painter Sandra Leach.

9. Got your fill of wines? It’s time for ciders at Funk Brewshed

For something a little different from the Swan Valley’s many wineries, stop by Funk Brewshed.

Known for its craft ciders and beers, Funk offers a more casual and contemporary side to the region. Get some food and a cider paddle! There are some funky flavours depending on what you pick, but they’re mostly great.

10. Spend a cozy weekend afternoon at Keller’s Farm

Keller’s Farm was another of those simple, unexpected places that I loved discovering during my time in the Swan Valley.

A cosy, family-run farm shop that only opens on weekends (8am-4pm), it’s a lovely place to slow down over a coffee, browse the fresh local produce and homemade treats, and enjoy a little taste of country life.

11. Take in the wilderness at the Bells Rapids trail

After all the eating, shopping and leisurely afternoons, Bells Rapids is the perfect place to experience a wilder side of the Swan Valley.

There are two walking trails to choose from: the shorter 2.5km River Walk and the 3km Goat Walk, with views across the river, surrounding countryside and coastal plains.

If you’re driving, enter “Bells Rapids Car Park” into Google Maps. Both the River Walk and Goat Walk start from the footbridge a short walk from the main car park at the end of Cathedral Avenue.

12. Simply Wander

Perhaps my final recommendation is less of a place and more of a way to experience the Swan Valley: leave yourself some time to simply wander.

One of the things I enjoyed most about spending a month in the area was having the luxury of not needing to fit everything into a single day. We could drive around, stop somewhere because it looked interesting, discover a small shop or café, and change our plans whenever we felt like it.

Of course, most visitors won’t have an entire month to spare. But even if you’re only here for a couple of days, try not to plan every hour.

The Swan Valley is the kind of place that rewards a little spontaneity.

Bonus: If You Love Shopping — DFO Perth

This one is technically outside the Swan Valley, but close enough that I think it deserves a mention.

If you enjoy shopping, DFO Perth is well worth setting aside a few hours for (or, if you’re anything like me, most of a day). Located near Perth Airport, it’s easily accessible from the Swan Valley and considerably closer than Perth city centre, making it a convenient addition to your itinerary.

There’s a wide variety of brands and, depending on when you visit, some great deals to be found. It’s also a useful stop if you want a change of pace after a few days of wineries, cafés, and countryside.

How Long Should You Spend in the Swan Valley?

I would recommend spending two to three days exploring the Swan Valley as part of a longer Perth itinerary. You could choose to do a day trip, but I think that would miss some of its charm as the Swan Valley is best enjoyed slowly.

Some stay-home moments for me: a little orange tree my dad planted when I arrived, catching the final few episodes of And Just Like That which aired that month, and some yummy home-cooked food.

Take your time driving between wineries. Stop for chocolate, honey and macadamias. Have a long lunch. Wander around somewhere simply because it looks interesting.

After all, not every day of travelling needs to be spent chasing the biggest sights. Sometimes, it’s enough to enjoy a different pace of life.

Other Places to Visit in the Swan Valley

As much as I would have liked to, I didn’t quite make it to everything during my month in the Swan Valley. Here are a few places that are firmly on my list for next time.

• Caversham Wildlife Park, one of the region’s best-known attractions, especially if you’re hoping to meet some of Australia’s iconic wildlife.
• Perth Observatory, though you got to book really early as when I tried to book tickets had already sold out
• If you’re keen to visit even more wineries, Olive Farm Wines and Upper Reach Winery & Restaurant both came highly recommended to me
• And if you’ve ever fancied floating over the countryside at sunrise, Liberty Balloon Flights offers hot-air balloon rides over the Avon Valley