I'm ashamed of myself. I dart around Western Australia, ever keen to explore more of my backyard, but neglect to appreciate what's on my porch. Swan Valley is that place. Just 25 minutes from the Perth CBD, it is the state's oldest wine region and Australia's second oldest, with vines first planted in 1829.
Another title the region relishes is being the only wine region in the country within close proximity to a capital city. How's that for an upmarket bottle shop run? And yet, sometimes, it gets overlooked by the lure of the south, Margaret River and the Great Southern wine regions. But those same temptations – eatable indulgences, those full-bodied drops – can be had right here without the need to refuel. Now that's convenient.
Getting back to basics
We arrived at Discovery Parks Swan Valley late on a Friday autumn afternoon, and what a sight – and site. The park neighbours a vineyard, with sundown presenting it as a field of golden grapes. Some caravan sites sit opposite these straight lines, a thirsty reminder of what's in the region:
