Published on 27 January 2023
The Swan Valley is the ultimate day trip destination for families during summer, and it's situated only 25 minutes from the city. From family adventures and tasty food to beautiful wineries and fun tours, the memories will last forever.
The following guide contains fantastic summer activities for the whole family, from sampling delicious ice cream to fun water attractions.
Family outings
Create fun new memories with all your children with exciting family outings to Swan Valley. Keep cool in the summer heat with water attractions at Perth's Outback Splash, while calmer souls will love the relaxed pace and scenery on the Great Valley Rally and Kids in the Valley trails.
If you prefer to get out of the heat, why not check out a museum? Popular attractions include the Museum of Natural History in Guildford and the three transport museums in Whiteman Park.
The perfect ending to a fun family day out is, of course, some delicious treats. Choose from tasty ice cream and gelato at Sub Zero Gelato, nougat at Mondo Nougat, delicious honey and cakes at The House of Honey, or chocolate at the epic Margaret River Chocolate Factory.
Make some grape discoveries
A unique outdoor activity for fruit-loving families is picking your own table grapes, or purchasing from local growers. Many different popular varieties such as Autumn Crisp and Crimson Seedless are grown in Swan Valley and are available to pick during table grape season - i.e. the grapes we eat, not drink!
Locations open for your own grapes this season include Grumpy Grapes Vineyard, Grapes on Swan, Kafarela's Vineyard, Swan Street Vineyard and Padbury Pickings. Make sure to check business' Facebook pages or phone ahead for opening hours and picking requirements as these vary between businesses.
Harvest in the Swan Valley is a three-week celebration of the region's summer produce happening February 16 - March 5, offering unique seasonal events and experiences the whole family can enjoy. From market days to delicious feasts, seasonal summer desserts and fun photo opportunities it's a great way to enjoy the region's delicious produce at its best.
Other produce available during the hot summer months include figs, avocados, melons and tomatoes; so if you're interested in getting your hands on even more local produce at its freshest check out the fresh seasonal produce trail for the full experience!
Family-friendly dining
The Swan Valley is known for its restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries, and there are a plethora of fantastic locations that cater to families.
Make sure to visit a few favourite family-friendly restaurants with great play areas for kids, including Pasta in the Valley, Bailey Brewing Co, Sandalford Wines, Mash Brewing, Mandoon Estate, The Henley Brook, and Oakover Grounds.
Staycations
Beautiful resorts like The Vines make for the ideal weekend break, with plenty of nearby attractions to beat the heat such as museums, art studios, and the Swan Settler’s Market.
Resort stays are ideal for families with a range of fantastic features that everyone can enjoy - from playgrounds, mini golf, and swimming pools to movies, spas, and relaxed dining experiences.
Looking for even more family things to do in the Swan Valley?
Check out the complete list of family activities or drop into the Swan Valley Visitor Centre, open every day from 9am to 4pm.