The Great Valley Rally is a fun, free way for families to explore the Swan Valley together, turning a simple drive into an interactive scavenger hunt. Designed especially for kids aged five to twelve, the rally follows the adventures of Stirling the Black Swan, who has left a trail of cryptic clues scattered along a set route through the valley. Families work together to solve the clues, discover new places and piece together a secret message as they go.
Your adventure begins at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre, housed in the beautiful old Guildford Courthouse. Here you can collect a paper clue sheet and a map of the Swan Valley, which is handy for planning where to stop for lunch, snacks or play breaks along the way. If you prefer a digital experience, you can now also do the Great Valley Rally via Facebook Messenger, with Stirling’s clues delivered straight to your phone. Either way, the rally starts and finishes at the Visitor Centre and takes around three hours to complete, not including stops.
Once you’ve got your clue sheet or registered online, it’s time to hop in the car and head out on the trail. As you follow Stirling’s directions from stop to stop, kids are encouraged to look closely at their surroundings to find the answers – it might be a sign, a sculpture, a date on a building or a quirky feature at a family-friendly venue. Children can fill in the “secret message” squares as they go and answer the extra quiz questions about each location. It’s a great way to get them reading, thinking and navigating, all without feeling like “schoolwork”.
One of the best things about the Great Valley Rally is that it naturally leads you to some of the Swan Valley’s most family-friendly spots. Many families like to break up the trail with a relaxed lunch stop – for example, at a child-friendly venue such as Whistlers Chocolate Company, where there’s a big grassed area, sandpits, balls to kick around and a long blackboard for chalk masterpieces, plus a varied menu that suits both kids and adults. You can use the map and clue sheet to plan where you’ll pause for coffee, ice cream, a Playground run or a produce tasting along the way.
Back in the car, the rally continues as you track down the remaining clues and work towards solving the final riddle. The trail is not a race, so you can take things at your own pace, linger at favourite stops or split it over two visits if little legs (or attention spans) get tired. Public toilets are available at the Visitor Centre and at some rally stops, and dogs on leads are welcome on the trail, which is handy for families bringing a furry friend. The entire experience is free to participate in, aside from any food or activities you choose to enjoy along the way.
The Great Valley Rally makes an excellent choice for weekends, school holidays or when you have visiting friends and relatives and want to show off the Swan Valley in a way that’s engaging for children. The recommended age range is five to twelve, but younger siblings can still join in the fun, and older kids and adults often get just as competitive about solving the clues. With flexible timing, no booking required and the option to do it on paper or online every day of the year, it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable family activities in the valley.
Great Valley Rally
Address: Starts and finishes at Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Guildford Courthouse, Cnr Meadow & Swan Streets, Guildford WA 6055
Opening hours: The rally (paper and online versions) can be done every day of the year. The Swan Valley Visitor Centre is open 7 days, 9am – 4pm.
Website: https://www.swanvalley.com.au/experience/family/great-valley-rally=
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