If you’re thinking of taking a trip to this destination, consider putting Swan Valley on your to-do list
Across the Indian Ocean over the vast Australian desert is Perth, a modern city with over two million people. Perth is the capital of Western Australia and Australia’s sunniest capital city. It’s also one of the country’s most beautiful cities.
If you’re thinking of taking a trip to this destination, consider putting Swan Valley on your to-do list because it’s closer than you think. Just 25 minutes from the city, Swan Valley is one of the premium places to visit for a day or an extended stay.
It really is a food and wine lover’s paradise because apart from the many beautiful restaurants, this city is Australia’s second oldest wine region. And if you’re a beer lover, there are many Swan Valley Breweries that you can visit and try out.
Some of the best things to see and do in Swan Valley include the following:
Visit the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement
There’s history in every sense of this outdoor attraction on the banks of the Melbourne River-Little Murray. It’s the first building to use a natural river setting as its backdrop. This was the first open-air museum in Australia opened in 1966, and Queen Elizabeth paid a visit in 1970.
Some of the things to see in the Pioneer Settlement include the following:
- Steam Workshop
- Kaiser Stereoscopic Theatre
- Horse Drawn Vehicles
- Agriculture Machinery
- Paddle Steamer Gem
- Woodturners
- Pioneer School
- The music shop and bakery
- Blacksmith
- Paragon Café
- The Echo Print Shop
From the list above, there is no denying that this is a great place to visit. It could also provide you with a step back in time because most buildings are preserved or follow historical architecture.
Get an experience of the Swan Valley wine region
As earlier highlighted, Swan Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in Australia, and the most ancient is in West Australia. Although it’s closer to Perth, it feels like you’re in a completely different location. The reason is that you’ll get to experience the vines by the side of the road, which makes the environment look stunning.
The region has had grapes in the ground since 1829. This is the reason why they have a great history of making some of Australia’s most extraordinary and fortified wines. By visiting the wine region, you’ll be able to taste and enjoy varieties of wine. Some of these have been there since time immemorial, while others have recently been made.
Take a wander around the Caversham wildlife park
Another place to visit as you explore the Swan Valley is Caversham Wildlife Park. It’s among the most popular tourist sites in West Australia and is just 20 minutes from the city’s CBD. The park is home to unique species of Australian wildlife.
The park has around 200 species of Australian animals, mammals, birds, and reptiles, and they care for more than 2000 animals on the property. This impressive collection makes Caversham wildlife park have the most outstanding privately owned array of native wildlife in Western Australia.
Examples of rare animals and birds you’re likely to see in this park include the following:
- Koalas
- Laughing kookaburra
- Barn owl
- Wallabies
- Kangaroos
- Dingoes
- Yellow-tailed black cockatoo
- Possums
Apart from seeing the animals, you can interact with some of them and touch and feed them. The park also has different daily shows like the Wombat and Friends Show, where the keepers bring these animals for you to see, touch and learn about. You can also take a photo with these friends.
These gamekeepers educate visitors from overseas and locals to expose them to wildlife and teach them things about it. If you’re interested, you can be part of these educational shows to learn more.
Try out free tastings at the Margaret River chocolate company
If you’re a sweet tooth and want to know what it really takes to make award-winning chocolate, then this is the place to go. This Swan Valley location is just a 20-minute drive from the Perth CBD. Since opening in 1999, the Margaret Chocolate Company has been creating mouth-watering hand-made premium chocolate products with a range including the following:
- Bars and pestil
- Specialty chocolate
- Body products
- Drinking chocolate
By visiting the company, you’ll be able to interact with some of the workers there and ask them questions about how the company began and how they operate. You’ll likely get free tasting after the conversation. Also, they have a viewing window where you can watch the experts making chocolate.
Additionally, the company has a Chocolate Café, one of the Swan Valleys’ popular places where you can have breakfast or late lunch. It offers a mouth-watering range of fresh cakes and desserts. Plus, there’s a large grass area right by the café where you can sit as you enjoy your dessert.
Conclusion
The Swan Valley region is beauty in itself. It has everything from great coffee shops, chocolate makers, indigenous galleries, restaurants, wineries, rare wildlife species, and world-class attractions. Knowing where and when to visit as an international explorer requires local expertise.
You can find websites that offer local tours to Swan Valleys and sign up for bus service to help you explore the area. You can also drop in your local visitor centre and get an itinerary. A trip to Swan Valley is a worthwhile experience-one that you’ll never forget!