Sealink WA Swan Valley Wine Cruise

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Leave Perth by boat and arrive in an award-winning wine region the same day: a cruise up the Swan River with a wine tasting and shared lunch on board, a wine and macaron pairing at Mandoon Estate, and dessert with music on the way home.

Days

About 6.5 hours

Age

18 and over

Group size

Shared cruise, open seating

Start / finish

Perth / Swan Valley / Perth
Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, about 5pm

Return

Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, about 5pm

Transport

Swan River cruise boat

Meals

Shared platter lunch with wine, dessert

Route

Map of Sealink WA Swan Valley Wine Cruise

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Included experiences

Swan River — cruise from Perth up into the Swan Valley
Wine tasting — premium West Australian wines on board
Mandoon Estate — wine and macaron pairing
Return cruise — dessert, live entertainment and wines

Sealink WA Swan Valley Gourmet Wine Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: BARRACK STREET JETTY TO THE UPPER SWAN

Your day starts at Barrack Street Jetty in the middle of Perth, with a welcome drink as you step aboard beside the Bell Tower. Its twelve historic bells came from London's St Martin-in-the-Fields as a gift for Australia's bicentenary in 1988. At 10:30am the boat turns upstream on the Swan River, named in 1697 by the Dutch captain Willem de Vlamingh after its black swans; to the Noongar people it is Derbarl Yerrigan. You slide past Heirisson Island, where western grey kangaroos live in a sanctuary a few minutes from the city, and the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium on the Burswood shore, while the captain fills in the stories.

LATE MORNING: TASTING AND LUNCH ON THE RIVER

With the skyline falling away, the crew pour a guided tasting of premium Western Australian wines. Then lunch comes out: a share platter with a glass of wine to go with it. Suburbs give way to paddocks, river gums and old riverside homesteads as you near Guildford, founded in 1829 in the first year of the Swan River Colony, where the Helena River joins the Swan. Beyond it lies the Swan Valley, Western Australia's oldest wine region, where settlers planted vines in the 1830s. Few places let you leave a capital city by boat and step off in wine country the same day.

MIDDAY: MANDOON ESTATE

You go ashore at Mandoon Estate for a tasting that pairs its wines with macarons. The land here belonged to the Roe family from the 1840s, descendants of John Septimus Roe, the colony's first Surveyor General, before the Erceg family bought it and opened the estate in 2008. Take your time between glasses and ask about the vintages you like best. If a bottle catches your eye, you can buy it to take home.

AFTERNOON: BACK DOWN THE RIVER TO PERTH

Back on board, the return trip is the easy part of the day. Dessert is served, the crew put on live entertainment, and from 3:15pm the wines are included, so you can sit back and watch the valley turn to suburbs and the city towers rise ahead. You tie up at Barrack Street Jetty at about 5pm, a short walk from Elizabeth Quay station.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Captain Cook Cruises ticket counter, Pier 3, Barrack Square (Barrack Street Jetty), Perth, by the Bell Tower near Elizabeth Quay. Check in at least 30 minutes before departure. Elizabeth Quay train station and busport is about 400 m away, and the free Blue CAT bus stops at Barrack Street Jetty. Parking at the jetty is limited to two or three hours; the Terrace Road and Council House car parks take longer stays.
Departure time: 10:30am, back about 5pm. It runs Friday to Sunday from April to October, and on Mondays and Wednesdays too from November to March.
Duration: About 6.5 hours.
Minimum age: 18. This is an adults-only cruise.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free lunches can be arranged if booked at least the day before; other diets can't be catered for.
Please note: Seating isn't allocated, so you may share a booth or table. After heavy rain or at very high tides the boat can't pass under some bridges and a coach may take you for part or all of the trip, sometimes without notice. No BYO. Dress is smart casual. Mobility access is limited on all the Swan River boats because of how they're built, and toilets are small and often downstairs. Mention any mobility needs when you book.

What is included

Return Swan River cruise between Perth and the Swan Valley
Welcome drink and captain's commentary
Premium WA wine tasting on board
Shared platter lunch on board, with wine
Wine and macaron pairing at Mandoon Estate
Dessert and live entertainment on the return cruise
Included wines on the return cruise from 3:15pm

Not included

Other drinks from the bar before 3:15pm
Premium drinks package upgrade (optional)
Wine bought to take home

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.