Perth in Four Chapters – Part 2: A Day in Swan Valley and Beyond
There’s something about Perth that immediately slows your pulse. Unlike Sydney’s towering skyline or Melbourne’s ceaseless buzz, Perth moves at a leisurely, unhurried pace. The skyline is modest, the streets spacious, and the light — that beautiful Western Australian light — feels cleaner somehow. It’s a city that breathes.
The next morning, as the mist lifted over the rooftops, my travelling companions and I set out beyond the city limits to explore the renowned Swan Valley, a region renowned for its natural beauty, wine, and the good life. Our guide for the day was the Operations Manager of Valentino Holidays Mr. Hafiz Ramelan, a cheerful and knowledgeable Singaporean who has made Perth his home. His stories, told with a mix of nostalgia and pride, made the journey all the more engaging.
“It’s winter,” Hafiz said as we drove north-east from the city, “so you’ll see Perth at its greenest.” He was right. The drive was only about half an hour, but the transformation was striking. The urban rhythm faded, replaced by rolling hills, open skies, and farmland that stretched endlessly into the horizon. Perth may be one of the most isolated cities in the world, but it never feels inaccessible. Out here, space is a luxury, and nature is generous.
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A Meeting with Australia’s Icons
Our first stop was the Caversham Wildlife Park, one of Western Australia’s best-known attractions for anyone wanting to meet Australia’s most iconic creatures.
Even before stepping through the gates, the calls of cockatoos and kookaburras echoed across the park. Inside, we were greeted by an open enclosure where dozens of kangaroos lounged lazily under the winter sun. Feeding them felt almost surreal; their fur coarse, their movements calm yet watchful. A few hopped closer, curious about the feed pellets in my palm.
Of course, no Australian wildlife experience is complete without meeting the koala, that adorable national symbol of serenity. Here at Caversham, visitors can get up close — respectfully and under the careful supervision of handlers — for a photo. It is heartening to learn that the park operates on strict ethical guidelines, ensuring the animals’ well-being always comes first.
Caversham felt less like a zoo and more like a sanctuary, the place where you could reconnect with nature, one curious creature at a time.
Golden Fields and Charming Towns
As we continued our drive, we passed through Guildford, one of the oldest towns in Western Australia. Its quaint, heritage-lined streets felt frozen in time, a mix of colonial-era cottages, character houses, and old shopfronts that whispered of centuries past.
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Western Australia, Hafiz explained, is known as the country’s largest producer of canola and wheat, giving rise to the poetic nickname “fields of gold.” Even in winter, you could sense the richness of the soil, expansive open farmlands framed by the soft folds of the Darling Range in the distance.
Sweet Encounters in Swan Valley
Next, we arrived at The House of Honey, a rustic boutique that’s equal parts shop, museum, and tasting room. It was love at first scent; the air was thick with the perfume of wildflower honey and beeswax.
Inside, we sampled a variety of raw, unpasteurised honey, each one distinct in flavour and colour. There was Jarrah honey, unique to Western Australia, prized for its antibacterial properties, and Manuka honey, its famous New Zealand cousin.
The staff introduced us to the concept of Total Activity (TA) — a rating that measures honey’s natural antimicrobial strength. “The higher the TA,” one of them explained, “the better it is at fighting germs.”
I tried a scoop of honey ice-cream, velvety and subtly floral, followed by a sip of sparkling honey water — one infused with ginger, the other purely golden. Both were refreshing and delightfully unconventional. Before leaving, I bought a box to take home, a sweet souvenir of the valley’s natural goodness.
Just a short drive away, two local favourites — Morish Nuts and Mondo Nougat — awaited. Both family-run and proudly artisanal, they celebrate indulgence in the most down-to-earth way. At Morish Nuts, we sampled roasted macadamias dusted in truffle salt. At the same time, at Mondo Nougat, I discovered my new weakness: soft lavender and almond nougat, which is both chewy and fragrant in equal measure.
Nature’s Symphony at Bells Rapids
Our next stop was Bells Rapids Park, where the Swan River narrows and tumbles over large granite rocks, creating a stunning natural amphitheatre of sound and motion. The rushing water glistened under the pale sun, the air filled with the scent of eucalyptus and wet stone.
This is one of the key viewing points for the Avon Descent, an annual whitewater race that sees kayakers and small boats navigate the river’s unpredictable rapids. Standing there, with the sound of the water crashing around me, I could easily imagine the thrill of that race.
There’s something humbling about being in a place like this; nature asserting its timeless rhythm while the city, just half an hour away, hums obliviously in the distance.
Old Ports and New Vibes in Fremantle
We later made our way to Fremantle, the coastal gem that locals fondly call Freo. Even as a quick drive-through, the town exudes a distinct personality; a blend of old-world charm and bohemian spirit.
The Roundhouse, built in 1831, stands proudly as Western Australia’s oldest public building, having once served as a prison and now serving as a lookout point with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.
Before leaving, we stopped at the Fremantle Markets, a beloved institution since 1897. Housed in a red-brick Victorian building, the market buzzes with energy: a kaleidoscope of colours, scents, and sounds. I wandered between stalls selling handmade crafts, local art, organic produce, and steaming street food. It is a sensory overload in the best possible way.
Sunset from the Best Seat in the City
On our way back to Perth, Hafiz pulled over at one last stop: the Crawley Edge Boatshed, better known as The Blue Boathouse. It’s one of Perth’s most photographed landmarks, a tiny blue shed perched over the Swan River, appearing to float on the still water. There was a queue, of course, a line of eager visitors waiting for their turn to capture that perfect, postcard-worthy shot.
As the sun dipped behind the city skyline, the sky turned from amber to violet. From here, Perth appeared almost ethereal, with a shimmering silhouette reflected on the water’s glassy surface.
Our final destination for the day was Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, even bigger than Central Park in New York. Set atop Mount Eliza, it offers panoramic views of the Perth CBD and the Swan River below. From the State War Memorial, the view was breathtaking with the city lights twinkling like a constellation at my feet.
Standing there in the cool evening breeze, I understood why locals take such pride in this city. Perth doesn’t need to shout for attention. Its beauty lies in its quiet confidence, evident in its open skies, untamed wilderness, and the simple luxury of space.
We ended the evening with dinner at Cucina on Hay. On this relaxed yet refined spot, Italian influences meet Australian produce. My plate of seafood linguine arrived steaming, fragrant with garlic and chilli, perfectly comforting after a long, adventure-filled day.
As I walked back to my hotel later that night, I couldn’t help but think that Perth may be one of the world’s most isolated capitals, but it’s also one of the most rewarding to discover. Every corner tells a story, every sunset feels earned.
Gaya Travel Magazine team is deeply grateful to AirAsia, Tourism Western Australia, and Ibis Perth for making the writer’s trip to Perth possible and smooth-sailing.
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