Sweet Dreams

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life but remain close to home? Look no further than the Swan Valley for the ultimate staycation. By MARCIA BALL.

BREATHE IN THE noticeably fresh air, escape city life and be surrounded by nature among plentiful vineyards producing world-class wine.

With an array of accommodation options from boutique bed and breakfasts, to relaxing resorts, luxurious self-contained properties and homely farmstays, you can escape to the countryside just 25 minutes from Perth.

Situated on 10 acres of land in the heart of the region is Nivalis, a homestyle B&B surrounded by award-winning wineries, microbreweries and restaurants, many within walking distance.

The stay includes a cooked breakfast, a private pool area and facilities to hire a bike if you are a keen cyclist or want to explore the local heritage cycle trail. Owner Yvonne’s personal touch to ensure guests have a pleasant stay doesn’t go unnoticed.

For the more “outdoorsy” types or travelling families, The Big 4 Midland Tourist Park caters to campers with large slab or grass sites, tent camping, chalets, cabins and small double rooms for those on a budget. The recently renovated recreation room provides free access to table tennis, air-hockey, retro arcade games, a DVD and book library, large TV, free WiFi and lounges to relax in while enjoying free tea and coffee. It all adds up to hours of endless fun for the whole family. There is a pool, spa and hot showers on site and a modern, fully-equipped camp kitchen. You’ll find accommodation from deluxe one to three bedroom cabins, to powered caravan sites,

PLAN YOUR STAY

Rest your head at one of the Valley’s luxury or relaxed accommodation options, including Strelley Brook (left and above) and Swan Valley Retreat (top).

free WiFi and more at the dog-friendly Discovery Parks Swan Valley.

The park also has a pool and a major selling point is the location – in walking distance of neighbouring businesses such as Funk Cider House, Ironbark Tavern and Cidery and Maison Saint Honore.

Looking for something more unusual? Learn what the life of an early settler in the region was like at Strelley Brook Farmhouse. This heritage-listed mudbrick cottage was built in the 1860s and offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the wineries and local delights in a fully-renovated farmstay with all mod cons.

Close to local attractions by car, yet far enough away to enjoy the beautiful rural setting. If you are lucky, you may even be given access to wander the farm grounds, collect eggs, feed the sheep, visit the resident alpaca and cows, and pick seasonal fruits.

The Colony at Mandoon Estate opened in 2017 and is one of the newest and more luxurious accommodation offerings in the region, as is to be expected from WA’s most awarded boutique winery.

With 32 beautifully-appointed rooms overlooking the banks of the Swan River and the historic verdelho vines, which were planted in 1895, it’s a view that’s second to none - and one that general manager, Travers O’Rafferty, knows well.

His advice when visiting? “Jump on a helicopter at Mandoon Estate’s helipad and take a scenic flight to experience the Valley in a completely different way.”

A trip to the Swan Valley is made that much better when you book in at The Vines Resort. Since 1996, the resort hotel

PLAY TIME The Vines Resort will keep the whole family entertained, with a pool, golf course and more.

has offered top quality accommodation with spacious rooms equipped with private balconies and views over the resort gardens, golf course and Perth Hills.

“Our golf course is great for golfing weekends and our day spa is used by guests looking for a little R&R. We now have a hairdresser on site, new streaming services on TVs, high tea and Sunday lunch in our Muscats restaurant,” says marketing manager Carly Odgers.

A little closer to Perth at the gateway to the Valley is Guildford’s Rose and Crown Hotel.

Known for being the oldest operating hotel in Western Australia and established in 1841, if you are a fan of this historical gem, it may be time to re-book since they have recently renovated all rooms, with king suites now available.

If it is your first stay, don’t miss the country classic Georgian-style pub that also happens to be one of only a handful left in Australia.

Other features include a pool, outdoor terrace and restaurant facilities with both dine-in and room service offered via QR code ordering. Perfect if you don’t want to leave the comforts of your old-world suite.

The newest and most luxurious accommodation offering in the Swan Valley is The Wine Barrel room at Swan Valley Retreat, right, named after its distinctive shape. Promising “pure, unrivalled escapism”, the retreat’s premier room has its own private panoramic sauna, cedar hot tub on the balcony and golf cart to get around the grounds. Watch TV from the giant freestanding bathtub and indulge in the complimentary welcome platter on arrival and gourmet breakfast delivered to your room.

“After the success of our Cabernet and Merlot rooms, we had a dream to create something so unique and luxurious that it would become renowned just by its design,” says co-owner and manager Rhys Brown.

“We wanted to encompass an idea that fitted in with our Swan Valley wine region but was also so grand that people would come from all over the world to see it. It became obvious to us that our final and premier room at our retreat was going to be a giant wine barrel.” T he stylish Quest Hotel in Midland on the doorstep of the Swan Valley offers studio, one and two-bedroom serviced apartments for short or long stays. Designed for business or pleasure, the apartments have full kitchen and laundry facilities, while the Quest’s pantry shopping service will even have groceries delivered to your apartment. The hotel offers wheelchair access, a gym and a swimming pool for those warm Swan Valley days.