The Swan Reach and District Museum tells the story of the people who lived on this magnificent part of the Murray River and surrounds.
Come and see the brand new displays in the old Schoolhouse.
New buildings display stories of the Telegraph, the blacksmith, the ferryman and the workman who built the William Randell Lock, lock 1, the first constructed on the Murray.
The museum's collection consists of documents, photographs and historical items from Swan Reach and river and rural communities of Murkbo, Maggea, Cooeville, Bowhill, Black Hill and Blanchetown.
Swan Reach Conservation Park is a classic example of Australia’s semi-arid mallee environment. You will find tranquillity in the gently undulating limestone country with its thick local mallee canopy overhead.
There are also a few small patches of low woodland comprising false sandalwood and bullock bush with an understory of stipa grass. With around 2,017 hectares to explore, don’t be surprised if you stumble across signs of a southern hairy-nosed wombat, as these elusive creatures were the primary reason for the proclamation of this park in 1970.
The park is an astronomer’s paradise and forms the “core” zone of the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve. The unpolluted skies and isolation from artificial light sources make the park one of the best places on Earth to gaze at the stars.
Swan Reach Golf Club is an all grass golf course consisting of 9 holes with 18 tee boxes offering an alternative tee-off for the back nine. It offers an enjoyable, yet challenging layout for a total of 18 holes with par of 71 strokes for men and 72 for women.
9 Holes on the Murray River and just 2 hours drive from Adelaide.
The course is run entirely by the efforts of the volunteers, who are part of our passionate community of local members.
Vendi Golf Green fee pay available onsite.
The Universe, Within Reach.
Step into a world of astronomical discovery at the Swan Reach Observatory, home to South Australia's premier research-grade CDK700 telescope.
Nestled within the pristine darkness of the globally recognised River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve—boasting a world-class darkness rating —our facility brings deep space into extraordinary clarity.
The observatory offers premium astronomy experiences normally reserved for major research institutions. Visitors can explore the cosmos via guided public tours, live deep-sky imaging, and immersive stargazing sessions.
The purpose-built venue features a custom sliding roof, an indoor climate-controlled meeting area with a 98" data screen, and a separate control room.
Located under a two-hour drive from Adelaide on the banks of the mighty river, it is the ultimate destination for families, regional travellers, and dedicated astrophotographers seeking "The Ultimate Quiet."
Key Features:
Home to South Australia's premier research-grade PlaneWave CDK700 telescope.
Situated in Australia's first globally accredited International Dark Sky Reserve.
Wheelchair-accessible viewing options and bus-friendly sealed parking.
Located just minutes from the Swan Reach ferry, township, and local accommodation.
Take in one of the most photogenic cityscapes from the Swan River and its foreshore, joining Perth locals for a walk, cycle, jog, picnic, spot of sailing and fishing or a gentle river cruise. The city stands proudly on its banks, with Perth's brilliant blue skies and many vantage points offering perfect photo opportunities. Head to Kings Park and Botanic Garden for a 180-degree panorama of the river, cityscape and Darling Range beyond.
Hop on the ferry to South Perth for a lazy lunch, or relax on the sweeping beach of Matilda Bay.
Follow the river to Fremantle, and gaze in awe at some of Perth's most opulent riverside residences. Or cruise to the upper reaches to sample the fruits and heritage of Western Australia's oldest wine region - the Swan Valley.
Those in search of water-based thrills - hire a surf cat, try twilight sailing, jump on a jet ski, throw in a fishing line.
In winter, the Swan River is also the setting for the Avon Descent - a gruelling two-day time trial that tests novices and Olympic champions from far and wide. Pitch yourself on the river banks and take in this amazing spectacle.
Get outdoors and enjoy the Swan River Foreshore where you can go walking, cycling, and picnicking while taking in fabulous views of the river and city.
On the city side of the river, a dual cycleway-walk trail takes you on a riverside jaunt between the two bridges which link the Swan River’s south and north shores - the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway. The circuit is 10 kilometres and a popular trail for locals who love to exercise.
Boat cruises of the river depart regularly from Barrack Square, which is also home to the Swan Bells. This glass and copper structure is open to the public and offers excellent river views from the observation deck.
From South Perth, the river and the city backdrop make an impressive sight and a great photo.
A regular ferry service operates between Barrack Square and Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Catch the ferry from the city and then spend some time relaxing at one of the many restaurants and cafes in South Perth.
Barbecues, playgrounds and public toilets make the foreshore an ideal place for a family picnic.
Swan River Sailing delivers unforgettable sailing experiences on the iconic Swan River in Perth, Western Australia - no prior sailing experience required! Guests board modern 36-foot yachts at the historic Royal Perth Yacht Club, just a 10-minute drive from Perth's CBD. The venue sits near landmark attractions like Kings Park and the Blue Boat House (famously dubbed "The Centre of the Universe"), blending convenience with stunning river and city skyline views.
The adventure begins on the picturesque lawn overlooking the Swan River, where participants meet experienced instructors. Each yacht, designed for safety and enjoyment, carries up to 10 guests plus a qualified skipper. Charters run 1.5 to 2.5 hours, fully customised to group preferences and schedules. All yachts meet Australian Maritime Safety Authority standards as a Gold Standard commercial operator, guaranteeing a secure and fun outing for everyone.
Yacht hire includes all safety and sailing equipment, an experienced instructor, and a complimentary icebox stocked with chilled water, soft drinks, mineral water, locally crafted mid- and full-strength beers, and premium WA white wine (opt-out available). Guests can extend the experience with hospitality ashore at the Royal Perth Yacht Club before or after sailing.
Perfect for corporate events, team building, celebrations, or leisure outings, Swan River Sailing offers a seamless, memorable way to enjoy one of Perth's most scenic waterways.
A delightful 10-kilometre loop around the Swan River that takes you past Elizabeth Quay, Barrack Street Jetty, Riverside Drive and the South Perth Foreshore. On foot or wheel, this is a great route with plenty of places for refreshments.
It is a very popular loop in Perth City, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Swan River on foot or bicycle. As you cross the Causeway Bridges, you can choose to take a detour and explore Heirisson Island, see the statue of Yagan and maybe a kangaroo or two.
Swan Settlers Market is a vibrant indoor weekend destination in the heart of the Swan Valley, bringing together artisan makers, international street food, and unique local experiences. Open every Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday Monday, the market offers something for everyone—from handcrafted goods and gourmet treats to live music, a wine cellar, gin distillery and is family-friendly.
With free entry and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, it's the perfect place to eat, drink, shop, and play all year round—rain, shine, or summer heat.
The Swan Valley enjoys a rich tradition as a food bowl.
On the bush tucker and beyond trail you can gain an insight into the culture and bush foods of the Swan Valley. Explore places significant to Aboriginal people in the natural environment, and visit businesses who have embraced bush food ingredients as part of their everyday offering.
Start your journey in Guildford, an important meeting place for Aboriginal people. Discover new artworks – the Kwobardak Boodja mural at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre and the kaleep (Aboriginal hearth) in Stirling Square.
Wander among striking installations and local bush foods at Yagan Memorial Park –a place of reflection that commemorates the life, spirit, and legacy of the greatNoongar leader, Yagan.
A must visit is the bush tucker providore at Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery, which is also home to Dale Tilbrook Experiences.Bookings are essential for cultural experiences.
Other businesses on this trail offer dishes and share-style dining experiences, artisan products made with native ingredients, or beverages crafted with Australian botanicals.
If you know where to look, bush tucker can still be found in the Swan Valley.
It might be the oldest wine-producing region in Western Australia, but there's certainly nothing old-fashioned about the Swan Valley.
In step with the worldwide craft beer movement, the Swan Valley is home to ten fantastic
breweries and cideries producing contemporary and creative beers and cider.
Behold an impressive variety of brews: lagers, pilsners, ales, wheat beers, stouts and more, as well as ciders and ginger beer; all handcrafted using traditional techniques, state-of-the-art equipment and only the best produce.
The Swan Valley Cider and Ale Trail is a dedicated trail for the lover of beer and cider and pays homage to the Swan Valley's talented brewers.
When visiting the picturesque Swan Valley and perhaps one of the many vineyards, restaurants, cafes, boutique breweries, chocolate factories, art galleries etcetera, be sure you call into the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm. The kids will love you and you'll love the farm too!
A visit to the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm provides children (and ‘grown-ups’) with the opportunity to experience the joy of getting ‘close and personal’ with lots of friendly farmyard animals in a delightful outdoor country atmosphere which is just 30 minutes from the Perth central business district in the heart of the beautiful Swan Valley.
The Swan Valley Distillery Trail is the only one of its kind in Australia where visitors can experience nine distinct and very different award-winning distilleries in less than a day.
Distilling has been a tradition in the Swan Valley for close to a century, with grapes distilled into spirit commercially at Valencia in Caversham and at Houghton in Middle Swan from the early 1900s.
New arrivals from Europe to the Swan Valley also brought with them the tradition and skill of distilling spirits. Many had home stills, with the distilling of grapes into rakia and grappa part of their way of life. On occasion, a loud explosion would echo across the Valley as one of the stills exploded, sending pots flying through ceilings and families running for cover.
Today, distillation in the Swan Valley is a fine art with dedicated distillers handcrafting a wide range of spirits including gin, vodka, brandy, limoncello and rum. This trail will provide you with an insight into the world of the Swan Valley's dedicated distillers who are passionately crafting world-class spirits, both in the traditional style and with cutting-edge innovation.
Meet the makers of these spirits. Taste, touch, smell and hear the stories of the botanicals that create unique flavours and at some cellar doors, go behind the scenes to view the distillation process.
Culturally and historically, the Swan Valley wine region is central to Western Australia's viticulture, story, and lifestyle. Vines were first planted in 1829, with the first commercial vintage following in 1834.
Generational and new winemakers embrace both tradition and innovation to craft fine wines that reflect the vineyard and the region.
Perfect growing conditions – a warm Mediterranean climate with afternoon sea breezes, well-drained alluvial soils along the Swan River, and shallow ironstone soils at the base of the Escarpment – allow for a diverse range of grape varieties and wine styles.
Combined with our rich winemaking heritage, this ensures consistent wine quality, vintage after vintage.
Winemakers respect the proven grape varieties – Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Shiraz, and Grenache – while also experimenting with emerging ones.
The Swan Valley is one of the few wine regions in Australia capable of producing a wide range of wine styles: sparkling wines, delicate and refined whites, smooth and generous reds, and luscious liqueur styles.
On this fine wine trail, discover wineries that have been awarded trophies at recent wine shows and produce some of the Swan Valley's best and most typical wines
Australia's second-oldest wine region, the Swan Valley is home to some of the oldest grapevines in Australia – and the world.
When grapevines were introduced to the Swan Valley in 1829, many of the varieties planted were likely intended for fortified wine production. Until the mid-1960s, dessert and fortified styles were the most popular wines in Australia, accounting for 85 per cent of all wine produced.
The Swan Valley's winemaking heritage and its Mediterranean climate allow for the production of rich, luscious liqueurs made from Muscat and Pedro Ximénez, as well as Shiraz, Verdelho, and aged tawny fortified wines.
With warm, dry summers, winemakers have the luxury of allowing the fruit to slightly dry on the vine before harvesting, which increases sugar and intensifies and concentrates flavours. During fermentation, winemakers add brandy spirit at a specific point to halt the process, leaving behind a natural residual sweetness.
The grape varieties used to make fortified wines in the Swan Valley include Shiraz, Verdelho, Pedro Ximénez, Grenache, Muscat, and Touriga Nacional. The main styles of fortified wine are Vintage Fortified, Tawny, Liqueur, and Apera.
Most Swan Valley wineries produce fortified wines, with some passing down barrel-aged wine, winemaking traditions, and techniques through generations, all contributing to a legacy of fortified wines ranked among the world's finest.
Welcome to the Swan Valley's Fresh Seasonal Produce Trail, an inspirational journey where you'll meet the people behind the produce that tantalises your tastebuds.
The growing of fresh Swan Valley produce is ruled by the four seasons. Passionate and dedicated growers, a warm climate and fertile soils create a bounty of mouth-watering food grown with love each season.
Seasonal eating makes perfect sense - using food that is fresh, flavoursome and abundant elevates your favourite dishes to the next level of delicious. As an added bonus, seasonal produce is also very kind on the purse strings!
The Swan Valley is a diverse and heavenly food bowl, where you can chat with friendly locals, vignerons and farmers. Here, you can experience fresh food with real taste, grown using farming traditions passed down from generation to generation.
From fresh and juicy table grapes that you can buy direct from the grower at one of the many roadside stalls, to homemade vincotto, gem squash, eggplants, stonefruit, tomatoes, melons, citrus, asparagus and the lushest ripe mangoes, the Valley is a food mecca.
Honey is also a specialty. Buy direct from the beekeeper and be assured that it is pure and natural.
Just a 25-minute drive from the Central Business District, the Swan Valley Heritage Cycle Trail comprises a series of signs that interpret the rich history, interesting characters and natural elements so you can appreciate the unique and special place that is the Swan Valley.
The trail is made up of three routes, four kilometres, 30 kilometres or 32 kilometres, and follows West Swan Road on a shared-use path that is suitable for riders of all ages and fitness levels. It has three entry points - Guildford, Maali Footbridge and West Swan Hall.
The trail passes many interesting places including fresh produce stalls, picnic spots, galleries, wineries and restaurants to name a few so you will find many opportunities to stop, relax and enjoy an abundance of experiences.
The trail takes a half day or less to complete. Bicycles can be hired in Perth City and transported by train to the start of the cycle in Guildford. Maps are available from the Swan Valley Visitor Centre.
Welcome to the Swan Valley's Kids in the Valley Trail, where kids and grown-ups alike can feed Australian wildlife, cuddle farm animals, venture on a bush walk and so much more.
Whether it's the excitement of seeing some of Western Australia’s coolest reptiles, enjoying delicious chocolate and ice cream, playing a round of mini golf or giving the cutest baby animals a big hug, the Kids in the Valley Trail has something for everyone.
All explorers need to eat, so once you’ve run the kids ragged, revive the family at one of the many venues on the trail that offer specialised children’s menus and treats. Just follow the map to find them!
You can also have fun at Bells Rapids on the hiking trail or enjoy a picnic by the river.
The activities on the Swan Valley Kids in the Valley Trail can be enjoyed over many days. They’re ideal for school holiday fun, a family day out or a weekend stay. They suggest you choose one adventure, a lunch stop and a special treat stop each time you visit.
The Swan Valley is home to the oldest grape vines in Western Australia.
Old vines have shaped classic styles of wine and are behind some of the most extraordinary wines produced in Australia.
Using grapes from vines that have been in the ground for generations elevates the wine experience beyond a glass of wine; it is sharing a piece of heritage.
Wine not only reflects a region’s sense of place, it also provides a snapshot of the year in which it was made.
The purpose of the Swan Valley Old Vine Charter is to support the long-term protection of old vines and validate their value in winemaking.
Within a decade the majority of vineyards in the Swan Valley will be classified as Old Vine.
Consumers can visit more than 20 Swan Valley winery charter members to taste and purchase wines made from the fruit of old vines.
Swan Valley Station is a unique nursery, cafe and gift shop where the country meets the city, in the heart of the Swan Valley.
Visitors can meet farm animals including peacocks, chickens, donkeys, goats, turkeys, miniature ponies and more, or wander the sculpture trail and marron lake.
Swan Valley Station is named after the specialty garden windmills available in the nursery, which is always full of plants and amazing garden art items.
It's a popular spot for families and seniors, serving coffee, scones, light meals, and freshly blended fruit ice creams.
Enjoy the rustic vibe and country air while relaxing under the trees, or on the patio overlooking the lawn and covered playground.
Discover handcrafted artisan products - the finest French macarons, scrumptious nougat, gourmet nuts, delicious cakes, chocolate, ice cream, and pure honey sourced straight from the hive.
The Swan Valley is the oldest wine region in Western Australia and the second oldest in the country. Your journey of sweet temptations includes sweeter-style reds, whites and fortified wines handcrafted by generational winemakers.
Most venues offer breakfast and lunch, and their own signature coffee blends and speciality teas — meaning you will be spoiled for choice.
Bon appétit.
Beautiful Swanbourne Beach is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Perth. You can take the opportunity to get an all-over tan on North Swanbourne Beach, which has been unofficially designated as a clothing optional beach.
South Swanbourne Beach is a family beach, thus the clothing optional status does not apply until you are 300 meters north of the carpark; look out for signage to ensure you are in the right spot!
Enjoy soaking up the sunshine, beach walking along soft white sand or swimming in the clear turquoise waters. It is best to visit in the mornings, as it sometimes gets a little windy in the afternoons.
Facilities include a Surf Life Saving Club, grassed areas, a café, carpark, public toilets and public change facilities.
Add a creative country stop to your next family drive with a visit to the Swanpool Heritage Murals, just 20 minutes from Benalla.
Painted in 2012 by artists Michael Larkin and Tim Bowtell, the artworks bring the area's early days to life in a fun, accessible way for visitors of all ages. The murals were created as part of a local streetscape beautification project, supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the Swanpool and District Community Development Association. Located near the local store, these colourful murals are an easy and enjoyable way to stretch your legs, take a few photos and discover the stories of the Swanpool district.
Perfect for art lovers, history seekers and curious kids, the Swanpool Heritage Murals offer a relaxed, family-friendly detour where creativity, community and country charm come together. Make it part of a weekend wander, enjoy the scenic drive and uncover another little gem in north-east Victoria.
Swanport Wetlands is a recreation reserve under the control of the Rural City of Murray Bridge. It covers an area of 19.4 hectares including 3.5 hectares of open water within a wetland of 13.6 hectares.
The wetland is essentially one lagoon, which has been bisected by a causeway. This causeway has altered the natural flow patterns of the wetland and now forms part of the wetlands as you see it today.
Flow patterns are very important to wetlands as the cycles of wetting, drying and flooding produce a range of conditions for the regeneration and breeding of plants and animals.
The wetland is an area of reed beds, lignum, samphire and Red gum trees. These are important habitats for fauna.
A considerable amount of work has been carried out to enhance your visit to the wetlands area including buffer zone revegetation, construction of raised walkways and bird watching hides.
