Valley of taste

LAST year, Singapore was Western Australia's (WA) second largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and the fifth largest for Australia.

The number of Singapore visitors to the country hit 340,500, increasing by some 14 per cent over 2012.

Slightly more than eight in 10 were repeat visitors, Singapore Market Profile 2014 statistics released by Tourism Australia show.

That's not surprising given that destinations like Perth are just a five-hour flight away, and the surrounds of this WA city offer rich pickings of things to see, do - and, yes, taste - for food-loving Singaporeans.

Wine goldmine

Take the Swan Valley - Perth's Valley of Taste - a halfhour drive from the city's centre.

So popular is the Valley, it attracts 2.1 million day trips each year. Make the Visitor Centre your first stop for advice; it is open seven days a week.

The easiest way to experience the region is to follow the award-winning Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail (www.swanvalley.com.au).

The 32km scenic loop covers relaxed wineries, lively breweries, fine restaurants, bustling cafes, shops and roadside stalls selling farm-fresh produce.

The region's viticulture heritage is strong as the Valley, with its 150 wineries, marks 180 years of winemaking this year.

Located at the entrance to the Swan Valley, Houghton Winery, with its semi-alfresco dining café, has been producing WA's award- winning wines for more than 175 years.

Or have a sip of premium wines and taste local cheeses at the bar of Lancaster Wines' famous outdoor tasting shed.

At Sandalford Wines, one of WA's oldest winemakers, opt for the Winemaker for a Day experience.

But the Swan Valley is more than viticulture.

There are also five boutique microbreweries and two distilleries offering handcrafted, organic and preservative-free brews.

They include Elmar's In The Valley (a German-themed stop in the heart of the Swan Valley) and Duckstein Brewery (one of the pioneers of craft brewing offering traditional German dining experience and live music on weekends).

Food fantastic

The Swan Valley is also Australia's first Humane Food Region, an initiative by the City of Swan and WA's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to ensure that farm animals are raised in high quality conditions. For instance, chickens have space to forage and pigs can wallow in mud.

The Valley is also morphing with new food and wine establishments. Sample Mandoon Estate's boutique range of premium wines at its cellar door.

Morish Nuts is a caramel-coated nut, with some versions boasting a hint of chilli. They are free of preservatives, colouring and gluten. Buy them by the bagfuls at Morish Nuts' new shop and factory in the Swan Valley.

Meanwhile, Mondo Nougat (started as a home-based dessert business by an Italian husband-and-wife pair in 1989) is a byword for the young and old.

And The Margaret River Chocolate Company (Swan Valley) is a perennial favourite.

To combine food, drink and family time, set aside time to explore Margaret River, the jewel in WA's crown.

Make it the convenient base from which to explore the region's natural beauty: It is the only wine region in Australia that boasts beautiful beaches, spectacular tall tree forests and caves that date back 40,000 years.

Stay longer

Given that there's so much to do, an overnight stay is recommended. The range of accommodation is extensive: bed and breakfast, farm stay, resort, motel, caravan park, self-contained cottages and chalets are just some of the choices.

Explore the surrounds in an easy self-drive, join a coach or cruise group, amble along in a horse-drawn wagon, or enjoy the big picture from a helicopter.

No time to visit art and craft shops in the Swan Valley? Head for Perth Upmarket when you are back in the city.

The market, which is on till Nov 30, gathers some 150 of the city's premier artists and craftsmen under one roof.

Top up your shopping cart with handmade clothing, wall art, homeware, jewellery and skincare products.

This article was published by the Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH.

This article was first published on September 21, 2014.
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