OUT // ABOUT
MAKING TRAILS
Explore the very best of what the Swan Valley has to offer on one of the region’s eight official trails. By MONIQUE CECCATO
KIDS IN THE VALLEY TRAIL Bushwalks, cuddles with farm animals, and a round of super-sized Supa Golf: it’s all in a day’s visit to the Swan Valley. The region is known for being kid-friendly, and this bumper 10-stop trail is proof of that. There’s so much to do, it is suggested that families pick an adventure or attraction, a lunch stop and a treat stop to enjoy each time they tackle the trail. The kids will love getting to pat, feed and know the animals at Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm and driving an oversized golfball down the green at Oasis Supa Golf and Mini Golf. If they’re up for a more scaly encounter, the West Australian Reptile Park delivers in spades. End an actionpacked day with a treat from Oggies Ice Cream Cafe or Whistlers’ Chocolate Co and Cafe. “Something that never fails to catch the eyes of our visitors are our chocolate sculptures that are all designed and made
by our chocolatier”, says Whistler’s owner, Roseanne Sargent. “Along with that comes the experience of tasting our chocolate that always has our visitors craving more.”
BUSH TUCKER AND BEYOND TRAIL The Wadjuk Noongar people have inhabited the Swan coastal plain for more than 40,000 years. There are many culturally significant sites throughout the Swan Valley including the township of Guildford, which has always been an important meeting site for the Wadjuk people, and the Swan River. Often referred to as Derbarl Yerrigan, the Swan River is said to have been created by a giant serpent-like creature called the wagyl as it made its way down from the hills to the ocean. Visitors to the Swan Valley can uncover these stories and more on the Bush Tucker and Beyond trail. “My connection to country was always there through my Aboriginal grandmother,
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but further enhanced by an elder whom I had a lot to do with in my teens. It was his idea that I start a business around Aboriginal culture,” explains Dale Tilbrook, a proud Wardandi woman, local aboriginal tour guide, and the owner of Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery. As well as running a gallery full of Aboriginal gifts, art, and native Australian herbs, spices, and preserves, Dale runs a number of educational workshops. “At Dale Tilbrook Experiences we offer four set experiences - bushtucker tastings, art and Dreamtime stories, bushtucker and wellbeing, and history and culture talks - but are always happy to tailor an experience for a group.” Trail-goers can visit some cultural points of significance with stops at Whiteman Park, Bells Rapids, Walyunga National Park, and Yagan Memorial Park included along the way.
