Weekend Wine Getaways In Western Australia
Perth is one of the most liveable cities in the world. In fact, in the 2021 Global Liveability Index, Perth City beat out Sydney and Melbourne, coming in at sixth place. It’s not surprising for us Western Australians! Our state has many draw cards when you call it home. Aside from fantastic weather and uninterrupted coastlines, Perth’s proximity to various wine regions is almost a little too convenient. Drive for merely half an hour from the CBD and you’ll hit the Swan Valley, home to some of the state’s oldest vines.
If you are prepared to wander further out yonder, make it a weekend of wine getaway and explore our South West, Australia’s largest wine region. Made up of Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup, the Great Southern hosts ideal growing conditions for winemakers thanks to the cool, Mediterranean climate and proximity to the ocean.
For your next weekend wine getaway in Western Australia, these are our recommendations for sips and sleeps!
Swan Valley
For those who want their weekend getaway to consist of as little time in the car as possible, winery accommodation in the Swan Valley is far enough from the city without costing you too much in petrol. For lovers of natty wine, stock up at Harris Organic Wines, the only 100% organic winery in Perth. Or, pay homage to wine history and visit Olive Farm Wines, home to the state’s oldest vine planted just after the Swan River Colony settled in 1829.
For our pick of the bunch, you can never go wrong with a luncheon at Sandalford Winery; if it’s not broke, don’t fix it! For those looking to stay the night, check out Upper Reach Winery for accommodation in the Swan Valley. Book your stay in February or March to catch one of their Twilight Concerts, a picnic-style outdoor concert featuring local soul, swing and jazz musicians.
If Upper Reach Winery is booked out, try to snag a reservation at The Swan Valley Retreat. This spa retreat boasts in local; a stone's throw away from Black Swan Winery, Little River Winery and Albion on Swan. The wooden cabins are the perfect fresh air retreat away from the city. Ensure any whites you’ve purchased from Olive Wine Farms are kept cool in one of our stainless steel wine bottles. Complete the picnic with a matching stainless steel wine tumbler and you are all set.
South West
When you want your wine getaway to take you as far away from the city as possible, jump on Bussell Highway southbound and stop when you reach Margaret River. The region known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Margaret River, is a wine lover’s paradise. But where do you visit in a spot with over 90 cellar doors?
Visit a winery whose speciality is the region’s hallmarked bottles of vino. Voyager Estate hosts an award-winning tasting flight (accompanied by a tasty share platter), and you can peruse the behind the scenes action with a tour to fill your glass directly from the barrel. Amelia Park receives an honorable mention for their aesthetic cellar doors (not to mention the outstanding menu and service). For folk looking for something off the beaten track, stop at Blind Corner for minimal intervention wine.
Where to stay if you don’t want to drive after your tasting? Barn Hives gives you the best of both worlds, close proximity to the iconic Smiths Beach with vines on site. The accommodation pods sit beautifully amongst the natural landscape and are sustainably built with a minimal carbon footprint.
If you are a frequenter of the South West like us, you’ve done the beachside getaway plenty of times. Why not lux it up a little with a spa retreat in WA? We’ve heard glowing reviews of The Empire Retreat and Spa for a boutique hotel experience. Explore the 12 acres of vineyards and relax in the spa’s stone bath after an afternoon sipping.
Pack your weekend essentials in one of our handbags or travel bags to holiday in style. If you are heading to the Swan Valley, be sure to stop by our store in Guilford. Start your weekend of indulgence with a gift for yourself and lunch at Padburys next door. We’d love to give you more recommendations of wineries to visit in the Swan Valley while you are here!
