Swan Valley Station is one of those places that makes you want to slow down and stay a while. Tucked just off the main tourist strip, this charming spot combines a relaxed café, a well-stocked nursery, a beautiful gift shop and loads of kid-friendly attractions, making it a brilliant all-rounder for families exploring the Swan Valley.
The first thing families will notice is the huge, sand-based Playground that sits at the heart of the venue. It’s designed with younger children in mind, with slides, cubby houses, climbing frames, a giant sandpit and even a sailboat ready for imaginary voyages. Much of the play area is shaded, and the real win for parents is that most café tables face towards the Playground. You can sip your coffee or enjoy lunch while still keeping a close eye on the kids as they run, dig and make new friends.
Animal lovers are well catered for too. There’s no need to drive out to a farm stay when you can meet friendly farm animals right here. Resident donkeys, miniature ponies, goats, turkeys and chickens live at Swan Valley Station, with peacocks roaming the grounds and a miniature cow paddock planned. The owners are big on helping city kids learn how to respect and understand farm animals, so it’s a lovely way to add a bit of gentle “farm school” to your outing. Kids will love saying hello to the animals between Playground sessions. Friendly dogs are also welcome as long as they’re on a lead, so the four-legged family members don’t have to miss out.
A real standout is the impressive marron lake and sculpture trail. The man-made lake holds around five million litres of water and is home to marron, silver perch, a few turtles and plenty of birdlife. Families can take an easy stroll around the water and follow the sculpture trail, which includes more than $300,000 worth of life-size and oversized artworks depicting Western Australian animals and plants. Look out for horses, kangaroos, pelicans, a striking boab tree and pieces such as the Kangaroo Paw by Will Wilson, a Frilled Neck Lizard by Stephen Rowe of Austech Illusions and Giant Rusty Daisies by Martin Jaine. The lake is fenced and gated, but as always, keep a close eye on little ones around water and remind them not to climb on the sculptures.
The café at Swan Valley Station is ideal for anything from a quick coffee stop to a relaxed light lunch. Coffee lovers are looked after with barista-made brews using Koffee and More beans roasted in Fremantle. In the cabinet you’ll usually find fresh-baked cakes, scones, muffins, cookies, fruit salad and fun kids’ treats such as monster cupcakes and cookies from Robyn’s Creative Cakes. For something more substantial there are options like shepherd’s pie with salad, quiche or frittata with salad, sausage rolls, ham and cheese croissants and kids’ packs for smaller appetites. There’s plenty of undercover and outdoor seating, and the verandah spills out onto a manicured lawn, picnic rugs, bean bags and rustic pallet furniture, all adding to the relaxed, country-meets-city feel.
There are also some great midweek deals that make Swan Valley Station even more budget-friendly. On Wednesdays to Fridays, seniors can receive a discount on Devonshire tea by presenting a senior’s card, and families can take advantage of a cute offer where buying a kid-sized muffin scores you a free babycino. It’s a nice incentive if you’re looking for a quieter visit outside the busy weekend rush. Swan Valley Station also runs seasonal specials, Christmas shopping bonuses and “Farmyard Fun” days, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their socials or website if you like a bit of extra entertainment with your coffee.
If you’re planning a birthday, Swan Valley Station is a very handy children’s party venue. The combination of a big, covered Playground, wide lawns and friendly farm animals means kids are instantly occupied, and the on-site team can take care of much of the setup and pack-down for you. Party packages include hot party food, a generous fruit platter, drinks, ice cream, decorations, a special chair for the birthday child and a staff member to help keep things running smoothly. Optional extras like adult platters and coffee tabs can also be arranged, making it a stress-reducing alternative to hosting in your own backyard.
Away from the Playground and animals, the gift shop and nursery are a destination in their own right. Garden lovers will be in heaven with the range of outdoor art at the front of the property – think windmills, wind spinners, bird baths, water features, sculptures, rustic metal art and outdoor furniture. There’s yet more garden art and pots tucked near the nursery, so it’s worth wandering right through. Inside, next to the café, shelves are filled with candles, soaps, diffusers, jewellery, books, glassware, indoor pots and homewares. Many of the products are locally or Australian made, including brands like Bramble Bay, The Soap Bar, Coast to Coast and Alfresco Gardenware, along with a tasty selection of WA gourmet goodies such as Regan’s Ridge olive oil, Swan Valley Fudge and condiments from A Bit on the Side.
A particularly special touch is their range of mini wind spinners and glowing art candle holders, imported from Germany. Swan Valley Station is possibly the only WA stockist, and the designs often feature Australiana flora and fauna, making them beautiful, unique gifts or keepsakes. Stock changes regularly, so each visit offers something new to discover on both the regular and sale shelves.
The on-site nursery is well stocked and clearly run by people who know and love plants. You’ll find more than 250 varieties, from indoor plants and succulents to hedging plants, climbers, palms, gardenias, fruit trees, magnolias and lilly pillies. Many of the succulents, herbs and palms are propagated by owner Jon himself, and there’s even a small range of carnivorous plants for kids (and grown-ups!) who are fascinated by something a bit different. It’s easy to leave with a new addition for your garden as well as a full belly.
Swan Valley Station really does feel like a “little bit of everything” spot: a family-friendly café, a play destination, an animal encounter, a sculpture walk and a garden centre all rolled into one. Whether you’re meeting friends for a relaxed morning tea, hunting for a special gift, planning a kids’ party or simply wanting somewhere the kids can play while you enjoy a proper coffee, it’s well worth adding to your Swan Valley must-visit list.
Swan Valley Station
Address: 60 Forest Road, Henley Brook, Western Australia
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm, and public holidays 9am to 4pm (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday)
Official website: https://swanvalleystation.com.au
See our guide to the Swan Valley with kids here.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots (brunching, tapas or something a little fancy), as well as fun family activities with the kiddos in tow, so Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
Beautiful place to take overseas visitors