The Perth Hills Are Alive!

We've often taken day trips east into the Perth Hills, a stunning escape just 35 minutes from the CBD. It's always been a fantastic place to explore, but this time, we decided to extend our visit and stay for the weekend—and wow, what a fabulous experience it was!

Our late morning start didn’t dampen our spirits as we made our way to Plume Estate Vineyard for lunch. With breathtaking views over the Bickley Valley, it was the perfect way to kick off our weekend. We savored a bottle of wine, paired with tapas-style dishes—the Flammkuchen, in particular, was light and absolutely delicious.

Just a short drive later, we arrived at the charming Bickley Valley Cottage, where we were warmly greeted by Petra. She graciously gave us a tour of our weekend retreat. This cozy, award-winning cottage, which comfortably sleeps five with its two queen-sized beds and a single, is perfectly nestled in the heart of the valley. It's an ideal spot, surrounded by beautiful walking trails and wineries waiting to be explored.

The Bickley Valley might not have the fame of Margaret River, but the wines produced here are truly exceptional. Thanks to its unique geography, topography, and climate, this region stands out as one of Western Australia's hidden gems for wine production.

The Bickley Valley Wine Trail comprises of a number of boutique wineries. This trip we stopped in at Tonon Wines where we enjoyed a tasting and chat with owner Dan while it poured with rain outside and Myattsfield, one of the oldest wine producers in the region.

Kalamunda is just a quick 10-minute drive away, where you can visit the Farmers Markets every Sunday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Nearby, and especially stunning in spring, are the Araluen Botanic Gardens. It's the perfect spot to pack a picnic and soak in the beauty of the oldest gardens in the Perth Hills.

There’s so much to see and do in this area that one weekend just wasn’t enough to experience it all. We’ll definitely be back!