Because sometimes love needs wine, chocolate, and a cheeky day trip.
Perth is great and all, but sometimes you need to get out of the city, roll the windows down, and pretend you’re the main character in a rom-com driving toward love (or at least lunch).
Cue: The Swan Valley — Perth’s answer to “what if we went somewhere that feels romantic and relaxed but didn’t require a full-on holiday leave request?”
Here are our top date-worthy spots in the Valley — for first dates, long-time lovers, or “we’re not labelling it yet” situationships.
Vibe: Relaxed pub vibes. Good pub grub. Live music on a weekend.
Date move: Bring a picnic blanket and make yourself comfortable in the sprawling garden. This venue is very kid friendly so prepared for a lot of families.
Vibe: Laid-back winery with gorgeous wines and cheese. Rustic vibes. You might even see a party bus pull up which is always good fun.
Date move: People watch while being surrounded by vines. Friendly staff who are usually up for a good chat. Buy a bottle to take home and enjoy later…maybe even on another date.
Vibe: Isn’t this a compulsory stop for any Swan Valley trip? Even if it’s just to try some of their chocolate samples! There is a little cafe if you don’t fancy a winery.
Date move: Grab some chocolate-coated anything and head to your next stop for a sneaky riverside picnic.
Vibe: Wine and cheese power couple energy. This is a chef’s kiss combo of “let’s drink something lovely” and “let’s eat enough cheese to mildly panic our lactose intolerant side.” Plus, the vibe is low-key luxe and very “grown-up date with great banter.”
Date move: Do a tasting together and compare notes like you actually know what “oaky” means.
Vibe: French, flirty, and Instagrammable. A little slice of Paris in the Valley. Think colourful macarons, sparkling rosé, and a garden-style picnic setup that’s just begging for cute photos and coy glances over champagne flutes.
Date move: Split a box of macarons, but act chill about which colours you’re “letting” them choose.
Vibe: Casual, outdoorsy, slow burn romance. If you’re both into nature and don’t need a waiter to bring the vibes, BYO picnic at Bells Rapids. Bonus points if you bring local produce from the market stops nearby (hello, brownie points). Or if you want to hit your steps goals for the day go for a stroll around the park.
Date move: Pack your own grazing box, bring a speaker, and pretend you’re the couple in a lifestyle ad for camembert.
The best part of a Swan Valley date? The journey.
Pick a few spots, make a playlist, and treat it like a choose-your-own-flirtventure.
And if it’s going really well? There are some cute B&Bs and boutique stays in the area where you can turn the date into a sneaky overnight getaway… Just sayin’.
Whether it’s your first proper day date or your fiftieth “let’s do something different,” Swan Valley delivers wine, charm, chocolate, and views — about 30 minutes from the city.
So go ahead: ditch the apps for the day and get a little countryside chemistry going.