Perth & Western Australia - Australia 2004 - page 447

wines, wine tasting en route and at the winery, souvenir wine glass, and a wine-
education kit. It costs A$129 (US$84) per person and includes coach return to
Perth.
TOURING THE WINERIES & OTHER THINGS TO DO
Most Swan wineries are small family-run affairs, but an exception is Houghton
Wines, Dale Road, Middle Swan ( & 08/9274 9540 ), Western Australia's oldest,
biggest, and most venerable winery. The big-beamed timber cellar has old wine-
making machinery on show, and there are beautiful picnic grounds (especially
nice in Nov when mauve jacaranda trees blossom gloriously), a cafe, and an art
gallery selling works by local artists. Open 10am to 5pm daily except Good Fri-
day and Christmas. The other big-name winery is Sandalford Caversham
Estate, 3210 West Swan Rd., Caversham ( & 08/9374 9300 ). You may want to
take its 90-minute winery tour, which takes you along walkways over the hi-tech
production areas. The A$15 (US$9.75) fee includes a tasting of premium wine
and a wine-education kit. It runs three times daily. The winery also has a good
gift shop, a pretty vine-covered casual dining area, and a pleasant restaurant.
Both wineries' cellar doors are open daily for free tastings from 10am to 5pm.
The popular Margaret River Chocolate Company has an outlet at 5123 W.
Swan Rd. (near the Reid Hwy.), West Swan ( & 08/9250 1588 ), open daily
from 10am to 5pm. It does sales and tasting, and you can see the chocolate being
made through the viewing window.
After a move in 2003 to a new site in Whiteman Park, West Swan, the Caver-
sham Wildlife Park & Zoo ( & 08/9274 2202 ) has smart new homes for its
collection of 200 species of mostly Western Australian wildlife. You can stroke
koalas (but not hold them), cuddle wombats and joeys sometimes, feed kanga-
roos, pet farm animals, and take a camel ride. It's open daily from 9am to 5pm,
closed Christmas. Admission is A$12 (US$7.80) for adults, A$9 (US$5.85) for
seniors and students, and A$5 (US$3.25) for children 2 to 14.
Lovers of old stuff should browse the junk-shop strip on James Street, in
Guildford (most shops are open daily), or visit Woodbridge House, a beautifully
restored 1883 manor at Ford Street, in West Midland ( & 08/9274 2432 ). The
house is open daily (closed Wed) from 1 to 4pm; closed all July for maintenance,
and Christmas, Boxing Day (Dec 26) and Good Friday. Admission is A$3.85
(US$2.50) for adults, A$1.65 (US$1.10) for seniors and school-age children,
and A$8.80 (US$5.70) for a family. Its river-view tearooms open for lunch.
One of Perth's best boutiques, the Swan Valley Boutique ( & 08/9377 2070 )
is in the unlikely location of 4 Johnson St., Guildford; it serves coffee while you
try on clothes by big-name Aussie fashion designers.
WHERE TO STAY
Hansons Swan Valley “At last!” some of you will cry as you step into
the sleek entry hall—it's a B&B that's not hokey or drowning in chintz. Instead,
these rooms have stark white walls and groovy furniture a la Philippe Starck.
Most rooms have king-size beds; all have bathrobes and minibars stocked with
cheeses, chocolates, and other goodies. Hair dryers and irons are available. For-
mer advertising executives Jon and Selina Hanson built this house to create
a slick B&B of the kind they would like to stay in themselves. It is set on a
10-hectare (25-acre) farm. It also has great breakfasts and dinners. No smoking
indoors.
60 Forest Rd., Henley Brook, WA 6055. & 08/9296 3366. Fax [phone]. www.hansons.com.au. 10 units
(6 with Jacuzzis and shower, 4 with shower only). A$195-A$290 (US$127-US$189) double. Rates include full