During our stay in Swan Valley—Western Australia—we visited many beautiful vineyards and wineries which we will never find in urban Singapore. In Swan Valley, vineyards are abundant and they are stunning, to say the least.

Even in early spring, vineyards boast a magnificent view and we were impressed by how massive they are and the excellent wines that are produced from the high-quality grapes that require attentive care. From whites to reds and even fortified options, you can find just about any variety here.

For your next visit to Swan Valley, here are the 7 Must-Visit Wineries & Vineyards for the perfect day trip from Perth.

COWARD & BLACK WINERY

Over at Coward & Black Winery, visitors can look forward to fun Chocolate and Wine pairing masterclasses where you get to taste an array of their signature wines.

For reds,  the sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon os highly recommended and the favourites for whites are the Chenin Blanc and Sweet & Light.

5123 West Swan Road
West Swan WA 6055, Australia
Daily: 9am – 5pm

MANDOON ESTATE

Mandoon Estate is one of the biggest wineries and craft breweries in Swan Valley and it is home to some of the best wines in Western Australia.

Our pick of the night was unanimously the Grenache—it was love at first sip and everything about this wine also enhanced the taste of our dinner mains.

10 Harris Rd
Caversham WA 6055, Australia

OAKOVER GROUNDS

Oakover Grounds shares the same space as FiORi Coffee and has a nice industrial warehouse-style interior on the inside, and a huge lake outside where you can feed the fishes.

They have a great range of whites that surprised us with how clear they were, instead of the usual yellowish-white we see. Light, fruity and easy to drink, the white wines were definitely the stars of the show.

14 Yukich Cl
Middle Swan WA 6056, Australia
Wed to Sun: 8am – 3.30pm

OLIVE FARM WINES

As one of the oldest wineries in Swan Valley, Olive Farm Wines is a must-visit destination. Having relocated from South Guildford, the new space that they have taken up is shared with The Cheese Barrel in Millendon.

The wines here are classics but we suggest trying out their fortified wines which are essentially brandy-infused wines that have a touch of toffee sweetness to it and a higher alcohol content.

920 Great Northern Hwy
Millendon WA 6056, Australia
Daily: 11am – 5pm

PINELLI ESTATE WINES

One of our favourite wineries by far, this Italian family-run winery has an exceptional bottle of Durif that is only produced in small amounts.

For only S$36 a bottle, all of us were wowed by the firm and not-too-acidic taste that made the wine easy to drink.

30 Bennett St
Caversham WA 6055, Australia
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm

SANDALFORD WINES

It is hard to pick a favourite amongst the variety of wines we got to try there (not that we are complaining) and we love how Sandalford conducts wine tours so visitors get a taste and first-hand view of how their wines are made and kept in the barrels.

One of the most unforgettable experiences during the wine tour was when we got the chance to sample an aged fortified wine straight out of the barrel!

3210 West Swan Rd
Caversham WA 6055, Australia
Daily: 10am – 5pm

WINDY CREEK ESTATE

Hands down one of the most relaxing wineries in Swan Valley, you must not leave without trying Windy Creek Estate’s Chenin Blanc which is best paired with seafood or pork dishes.

Sip on your wine while admiring the fantastic view at the same time—this is how life should be like.

27 Stock Rd
Herne Hill WA 6056, Australia
Tue to Sun: 11am – 5pm

Traveling from Perth? You can read our 5D4N Perth Itinerary over here.

Perth—the capital of Western Australia—might not be as famous as its Australian counterparts i.e. Melbourne and Sydney but is definitely still a lovely city worth visiting. With its flourishing dining scene and laid-back beaches, we reckon the world’s sunniest capital city is a perfect holiday destination. In fact, Perth is only a 5.5-hour direct flight away from Singapore!

From the must-see attractions, restaurant recommendations, popular nightlife spots to getting around, here is our comprehensive guide to Perth and everything else you should know.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN PERTH

Admittedly, Perth’s city life is nowhere as vibrant as its neighbouring global cities; but that doesn’t warrant it an awful online 2015 title of being the worst destinations on earth. Perth is home to several historical monuments and an exciting wine region called the Swan Valley—and there is so much to see and do at these attractions.

PERTH’S ICONIC BLUE BOATHOUSE

By now, you must have come across endless stunning shots of Perth’s iconic Blue Boathouse on your Instagram feed. It is believed that the historic Crawley Boat Shed was constructed in the 1930s and restored to its splendour in early 2000s. This photogenic boathouse is a must-visit for all photography enthusiasts.

COTTESLOE BEACH – THE MOST POPULAR BEACH IN PERTH

There are countless beaches in Perth for one to get his/her tan on (just keep in mind that summer season brings with it the constant buzz of houseflies) – one of the better suntanning spots would be the inviting Cottesloe Beach.

DAY TRIP TO FREMANTLE 

Fremantle can be easily reached in half an hour via car. Immerse yourself in history at the Fremantle Prison, a maximum-security-jail-turned-tourist-attraction or check out the weekend-only Fremantle Market which is known for hawking a wide array of indigenous and indie products, local organic produce and natural good.

Read our guide on day trip to Fremantle in Perth.

KING’S PARK

Attracting over six million visitors annually is King’s Park, one of the world’s largest inner city parks. The scenic park spans across 400.6 hectares and contains the The State War Memorial. Take a leisure stroll, have a picnic under the iconic 750-year-old tree and/or pay your respects on the dawn of ANZAC Day.

SWAN VALLEY

There is really no reason why visitors should miss out on the gorgeous Swan Valley, especially when it can be reached within a short 30-minute car journey from Perth’s CBD. Boasting animal farms, beautiful vineyards, chocolate factories, honey farms and more—you are guaranteed to have a fun-filled day exploring these places!

Read our guide on 12 reasons why you must visit Swan Valley in Perth.

MARGARET RIVER

Known for its popular craft breweries, award-winning restaurants, world-class wineries and beautiful beaches, Margaret River—a 3-hour drive from Perth—is a must-visit.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the famous White Elephant Cafe which comes with a stunning view of the Gnarabup beach in Prevelly. You can easily spend a day exploring the numerous wineries in the region. Some of our favourite wineries include Vasse Felix Winery, Voyager Estate and Wills Domain.

We will suggest to allocate at least 2 nights in Margaret River.

WHERE TO EAT IN PERTH

CHICHO GELATO

ChiCho Gelato is no ordinary ice-cream parlour. Made fresh from scratch daily, the sweet ice-cold treats are free from artificial colourings, flavours and preservatives – hence ensuring patrons only the highest quality possible. Anticipate a plethora of unique flavours such as Lavender & Honeycomb and Pandan & Roast Peanut Brittle.

180 William St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Tel: +61 423 480 520
Sun to Wed: 12pm – 10pm
Thu to Sat: 12pm – 11pm

CHU BAKERY

Chu Bakery is arguably among the top bakeries in Perth. Strategically located opposite Hyde Park, the takeaway-only bakery spots long queues every day.

The display of daily fresh bakes are visually arresting, to say the least. There are Asian nuances on the menu, as well as some French flair. What you must try is its signature Chu Puff—a choux pastry well made, topped with luscious and a surprise jelly in the middle. And if you are lucky, grab yourself a Kaya Coconut Croissant.

498 William St, Highgate, WA 6003, Australia
Tel: +61 893 284 740
Tues to Sun: 7am – 4pm

CIAO ITALIA

No reservations are allowed at Ciao Italia but that is clearly not stopping eager crowds from forming every operating night. The Italian trattoria serves awesome seafood pasta and calamari rings in ginormous portions. Complete your meal with a divine tiramisu had us nearly licking the plate clean.

273 Mill Point Rd, South Perth WA 6151, Australia
Tel: +61 8 9368 5500
Sun and Mon: Closed
Tue to Sat: 5pm – 10pm

DUOTONE

DuoTone serves a pretty wicked cuppa and we will certainly return everyday for our caffeine fix if we were based in Perth. Coffee aside, the new cafe also serves excellent breakfast Asian-inspired gourmet brekkie.

Read our guide on 17 best cafes and coffee shops in Perth.

313 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004, Australia
Tel: +61 8 9325 9396
Mon to Fri: 6am – 3pm
Sat and Sun: Closed

HYLIN

Hylin is hands-down our favourite cafe in Perth.

It may be a bit off the grid, but this neighbourhood cafe in West Leederville is totally worth travelling for. Its modern architecture and decor make the cafe a very cosy space to retreat to for breakfast. And we really liked the tables by the windows; perfect for a relaxing brunch session in Summer.

178 Railway Parade, West Leederville WA 6007, Australia
Mon to Sat: 6.30am – 3pm
Tel: +61 401 815 804

KAILIS FISH MARKET CAFE

Overseeing the boat harbour, award-winning Kaili’s Fish Market Cafe has been a well-loved destination amongst locals and tourists alike since 1928 for its tasty fish and chips and other fresh value-for-money seafood delights.

46 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Tel: +61 8 9335 7755
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 8am – 9pm

TOOK BAE KEE 2

Located along Barrack Street in Perth’s CBD, Took Bae Kee 2 is our go-to Korean restaurant for affordable and good Korean food in Perth. Some of the dishes that you can try include Sizzling Hot & Spicy BBQ Pork (A$7), Sizzling Sweet & Spicy BBQ Squid Tubes (A$9) and Hot & Spicy Soy Bean Soup (A$8).

127 Barrack St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Tel: +61 451 774 260
Thu to Tue: 11.30am – 8pm

TYPIKA ARTISAN ROASTERS

Do not leave cafe-cum-roastery Typika Artisan Roasters until you have savoured their insanely delicious Golden French Toast served with Maple Candied Bacon and Sliced Bananas drenched in Salted Caramel Sauce.

331 Stirling Hwy, Claremont WA 6010, Australia
Tel: +61 8 9284 6088
Daily: 6.30am – 3.30pm

WHERE TO DRINK IN PERTH

AIR NIGHTCLUB

Located in the bustling nightlife district of Northbridge, Air Nightclub is a stylish nightclub that opens till 5am on weekends. Kickstart the night with a potent ABC shot – a lethal mixture of Absinthe, Bacardi 151 and Chartreuse.

For something lighter, order Olivia’s cocktail and Death March; the former is a sweet, fruity alcoholic concoction that can only be prepared by bartender Olivia herself, while the latter is a spicy tobasco liqueur shot.

139 James Street, Northbridge WA 6003
Tel: +61 427 933 836
Fri and Sat: 9pm – 5am
Sun to Thu: Closed

LITTLE CREATURES BREWERY

Little Creatures is renowned for their pale ales and fans should make a special visit to their flagship brewery at Fremantle. No prior reservations are required and everyone is welcome to join one of the daily guided tours around the brewery.

40 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Tel: +61 8 6215 1000
Mon to Fri: 10am – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm

THE AVIARY

Spanning across two storeys, The Aviary is a fancy bar-cum-restaurant located in the heart of Perth’s city. Head straight to the stunning open-air rooftop bar perched atop Goron Stephenson House and join in the party. The watering hole is packed with corporate workers, university students and literally everyone from all walks of life.

Gordon Stephenson House, 1/140 William St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Tel: +61 8 9226 0259
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 11am – 1am
Sun: 11am – 10pm

THE BEACH CLUB

We love the spacious space, nautical design and relaxed vibes at The Beach Club. Situated directly across Cottesloe Beach, The Beach Club provides city dwellers a great respite with its extensive menu of alcoholic drinks and bar nosh.

Cottesloe Beach Hotel
104 Marine Parade, Cottesloe, Western Australia 6011
Tel: +61 8 9383 1100
Daily: 12pm – 10pm

THE STANDARD

The Standard Bar Garden and Kitchen is ideal for a chill night out. Grab a drink at their elegant indoors or enjoy the alfresco ambience outdoors. It is also worth mentioning that The Standard serves really impressive Asian-fusion gourmet dishes too.

28 Roe St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Tel: +61 8 9228 1331

TRANSPORTATION IN PERTH

TRANSFER FROM PERTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

CONNECT Shuttle: Upon arrival at Perth International Airport Terminal 1, board a free terminal-transfer bus (available 24/4 daily) which will take you to Terminal 3. Over there, you can hop on the Perth Airport CONNECT Shuttle at A$15 per person one way.

Tickets can be purchased from the driver and you will be dropped at one of the following five destinations: East Perth Train Station, WA Museum on Beaufort Street, Wellington Street, (opposite the YHA Backpackers Hostel), The Kings Perth Hotel and The Ambassador Hotel.

Taxi: If you are travelling in a group or have multiple luggage, it would be more cost-efficient and time-efficient to get a taxi instead. It costs roughly A$38 from Perth Airport to the CBD.

Public Transport: Board Transperth’s 380, 37 or 40. For information regarding the buses’ frequency and timetable, refer to Transperth’s official website. Each one-way ticket costs A$4.50.

HOW TO GET AROUND PERTH

CAT buses in Perth’s CBD are absolutely free and allow you to cover various places in the city easily. If you are venturing beyond the city, you might have to ride on the Transperth Train. An one-way ticket typically start from A$2.10.tl

You heard us right, Crocodile Meat. Now, before you click away, you have to know that we were as apprehensive as you were before trying out this dish.

With the exceptional skills in the preparation of this dish, we were taken aback when the chef of Muscat at the The Vines Resort & Country Club in Swan Valley, Perth, told us that he made a platter of Crocodile Cheesecake, Crocodile Balls and Crocodile Spring Rolls.

Crocodile meat is not anything new, especially in Australia where it is quite readily available. However, in Singapore, it is less popular, although it is used at times in Chinese herbal remedies. Using only the tail of the crocodile, the chef mentioned that only this part of the crocodile is edible, as the rest would be too chewy.

In case you are wondering why of all animals, crocodile meat is actually very high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthier choice of meat. Crocodile is a succulent white meat and many have compared it to chicken as they are both rather similar. And we have to agree that it does not stink a bit.

The crocodile meat served to us in the dishes were either minced finely or pureed, possibly to make it less intimidating. Everything was seasoned to perfection and prepared so well that we almost forgot we were having crocodile meat! It definitely reminded us a lot of minced chicken or chicken breast meat when having these dishes.

This game meat might taste strange to some if eaten on its own with minimal seasoning, but with the right cooking techniques and preparation, it could taste incredible. Sure, crocodile is definitely not an everyday meat eaten by households across Australia, but it is for sure, no stranger to the Aussies.

We highly recommend anyone to at least have a taste of this delicacy when visiting Swan Valley and if you are more adventurous, there’s always kangaroo or emu meat!

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.

Swan Valley is a fairly unexplored part of Western Australia, but after spending a fruitful five days here, we were sold. Everything about Swan Valley was better than expected and for just a short 30-min drive from the Perth airport, there is no reason why you should not visit this gem of Western Australia!

Courtesy of Tourism Western Australia, our journey was packed with exploring the breath-taking views and mouth-watering cuisine of Swan Valley. Besides being treated to world-class gastronomical delights, we were also greeted by gorgeous vineyards and a wide selection of fine wines and liquor.

There was so much to do in Swan Valley that every day was nothing less than fulfilling.

There was a stark contrast between the towering skyscrapers in Perth’s Central Business District and the rustic and homely feel of Swan Valley! Here are the 12 Reasons To Visit Swan Valley in Perth.

#1 ASPARAGUS MASTERCLASSES AT EDGECOMBE BROTHERS WINERY & CAFE

Asparagus is a glorious vegetable and what better way to enjoy it than to eat it raw, straight from its root? Yes, you heard us right. With Edgecombe Brother’s Asparagus Masterclasses, you can have a taste of freshly grown, juicy and plump asparaguses that are so naturally sweet and fresh, you can eat it raw (it is safe!).

We learnt a lot about asparagus farming and we also found out that Edgecombe Brothers harvest about 4 tonnes of asparaguses each year! You also have to have a taste of blanched and sautéed asparaguses; it would probably be the freshest you could ever ask for.

Prices are going for AU$58.50 per person on weekdays and AU$70 per person on weekends; payment in advance is accepted. For booking and payment, contact +61 9296 4307 or drop a message here.

1733 Gnangara Rd Henley Brook, Western Australia 6056 (Cnr Gnangara & West Swan Rds)

#2 CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING MASTERCLASSES AT COWARD & BLACK

Treat yourself to an exciting afternoon of wine pairing here at Coward & Black, a collaboration between Margaret River Chocolate Company and Providore. In this short 30-min class, expect a very informative yet fun and hands-on experience.

Prices start from AU$30 per person, and you can book or reserve a seat here.

448 Harmans Mill Rd Wilyabrup WA 6280, Australia

#3 CAVERSHAM WILDLIFE PARK

As Caversham Wildlife Park is a fully independent entity, they rely on you to ensure that these animals here – who are mostly native to Western Australia – will continue to live a long and healthy life, while educating the public at the same time.

The main attractions here are definitely the albino kangaroos, and the squishy-looking wombats which have their own show – Wombat & Friends! Animals such as Dingos, Black Swans and Quokkas are also awaiting your visit here.

B/99 Lord Street Whiteman WA 6068, Australia

#4 FIORI COFFEE

FiORi Coffee is one of the leading coffee suppliers in Swan Valley, offering one of the best freshly roasted beans. After trying a couple of the aromatic cuppas here, including an exciting and intense cold-drip one, we were sold! The coffee beans here are fantastic, indeed.

14 Yukich Close Middle Swan WA 6056, Australia

#5 HALOUMI CHEESE-MAKING AT THE CHEESE BARREL

This was one of our favourite activities! We had first-hand experience making haloumi cheese from scratch; it was fun, it was eye-opening. With the guidance, we saw how easy it actually is to make the cheese.

The Cheese Barrel also offers other exciting cheese-making classes. The sheer idea of learning how to make all your favourite cheese had our hearts skipping a beat and we wished we had more time here!

The Cheese Barrel is located in the same property as Olive Farm Wines, one of the oldest wineries in Western Australia. Here, you can find unique blends of fortified wines, including the classic selections.

For enquiries or bookings for cheese-making, contact info@thecheesemaker.com.au

920 Great Northern Hwy Millendon WA 6056, Australia

#6 HUMANE FOOD AT BLACK SWAN RESTAURANT

The City of Swan is striving towards being a fully humane food region with most restaurants and cafes already onboard to serve the best and freshest food, much like a farm-to-table concept. The food at Black Swan was one of the best we had.

Our dinner started with a starter of prawns with jasmine rice; aromatic and tasty. The main of Pork Belly was served in a massive portion – much to our delight, of course. The highlight of this meal was unanimously the the Sticky Date Pudding. The table went silent, and everyone buried their heads in the dessert that was so good, we took a while to come to terms with its taste. Some of us gobbled it down within seconds!

8600 West Swan Rd Henley Brook WA 6055, Australia

#7 SINGAPORE AIRLINES ANNUAL SWAN VALLEY WINE AWARDS SHOW

We were guests at this annual event where the best winemakers in Swan Valley were shortlisted and shared equal chances to win the coveted trophies of having the best wines in their division or category. Of course, this is an invite-only event, but it was held at the stunning and huge Mandoon Estate.

Mandoon Estate is a winery with many restaurants, a craft beer brewery and more. Its architectural appeal certainly wowed us, and we felt like we were in a luxury home in Beverly Hills. Is it worth coming here? Definitely. The amazing wines here are, of course, still the stars of the show.

10 Harris Rd Caversham WA 6055, Australia

#8 TAYLOR’S ART & COFFEE HOUSE

Taylor’s Art & Coffee House is one of the most popular cafes in Swan Valley, sitting a full house daily during breakfast service. The building itself used to be the Taylor family’s home, but is now run by their two children. Caroline Taylor heads the cafe with her brother and they aim to provide humane food, using only organic produce and food that they can get from farms in the vicinity.

Jude Taylor, Caroline’s mother, displays her beautiful wild flowers artwork inside the store and has fabrics, cards and more – all available for purchase. What we tasted here, we loved. Everything was so flavourful, yet we got a sense of comfort akin to dining at home.

Every piece of furniture was made by Caroline’s brother (whom used to be a furniture maker). The quirkiness and homeliness of this place are its biggest appeals.

510 Great Northern Hwy, Middle Swan WA 6056, Australia

#9 THE VINES RESORT AND COUNTRY CLUB

The Vines Resort & Country Club is the best place you can stay in at Swan Valley. Inside this huge area is a large golf course with free-roaming kangaroos, vineyards and amenities such as a spa and pool. The room itself is huge and you can pick from a selection of different room types.

Verdelho Drive, The Vines WA 6069, Australia

#10 WHISTLER’S CHOCOLATE FACTORY

This is every chocolate lover’s dream – a full chocolate factory offering hundreds of different chocolate options. You can have a taste of the chocolates first, before picking your favourite ones to buy. Our tastebuds were immediately drawn to the chocolate pretzels here; you bet we bought so many of that!

506 Great Northern Hwy Middle Swan

#11 WINDY CREEK ESTATE WINES

Windy Creek is one of our favourite wineries for two very simple reasons – the comforting vibes and the amazing wines. Windy Creek was also one of the award winners at the wine show, and a bottle is well-priced at an average of A$12 per bottle.

You can start off with a wine tasting session, and it including fortified options, before deciding what to buy. They also offer amazing freshly-made jams and relishes that we were so impressed with; we bought at least 5 jars each!

27 Stock Rd Herne Hill WA 6056, Australia

#12 YAHAVA KOFFEEWORKS

Yahava Koffeeworks is a very popular coffee house that you must visit when in Swan Valley. They even have an adorable drive-thru! We attended a casual talk given by an extremely skilful barista, who shared with us so much about their coffee. We even witnessed a coffee roasting session on the roasting machines.

The beans here are so fresh, and they even have coffee chocolates made in-house. Also, be wowed by the stunning view of a water body and lush greenery just behind Yahava Koffeeworks – all these while you enjoy a fresh and warm cuppa and give thanks to all that you have in life.

4752 W Swan Rd West Swan WA 6055, Australia

This trip to Swan Valley is made possible by Tourism Western Australia.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.