Swan Valley, Western Australia

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Centenary Stone st the All Saints Church in the Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is a region in the upper reaches of the Swan River between Guildford and Bells Rapids. It is bordered to the east by the Darling Scarp. Both Ellen Brook and Jane Brook lie within the region and discharge into the Swan River. There are 14 suburbs within the region including Henley Brook, Caversham, Upper Swan, Brigadoon and Whiteman; It occurs in the City of Swan local government area.

The area was explored in 1827 by Captain James Stirling later to become Governor of the Swan River Colony. Stirling was so impressed with the area the he wrote in his diary (spelling errors are as written in his diary):^[1].

“

...the richness of the soil, the bright foliage of the shrubs, the majesty of the surrounding trees, the abrupt and red colour banks of the river occasionally seen, and the view of the blue mountains, from which we were not far distant, made the scenery of this spot as beautiful as anything of the kind I have ever witnessed...

”

When Stirling returned to establish the Colony in 1829 he created three settlements: Fremantle as the port; Perth as the major commercial and political centre; and Guildford on the southern end of the Swan Valley region. Descendants of many of the early families still reside within the shire. Within the first ten years, two of Perth's oldest churches had been built there: the first was St. Mary's Church in Middle Swan, followed All Saints Church, Henley Brook built at the site of Stirling's 1827 camp. St. Mary's was rebuilt in the 1869 but All Saint's is still the original structure and is Perth's oldest standing church.

The Swan Valley is noted for its fertile soil, uncommon in the Perth region, and the recent expansion of tourism-based destinations. These include numerous wineries such as the huge complex at Houghtons; the State's biggest producer and Sandalfords but also many small though excellent family-owned concerns such as John Kosovich wines and the first organic winery in the district, LedaSwan Organic Winery. Also there are several microbreweries and rum distilleries. During October the annual 'Spring in the Valley' weekend takes place; it is one of Australia's biggest wine festivals.