TDP Experience Perth - Tourism Western Australia

Attractions and activities
The Swan Valley is most renowned for its food and wine experiences which revolve
around the wide variety of restaurants, wineries, breweries and fresh produce
outlets that exist in the area. These outlets are highly popular during weekends
and many have become attractions in their own right. In addition to food and wine
experiences, the Swan Valley is home to other attractions popular amongst day
trippers including art galleries, Whiteman Park and Caversham Wildlife Park.
In contrast, the Perth Hills is known mainly for its nature based attractions and is
home to several national parks which provide the opportunity for walking, cycling,
and picnicking. The area around Mundaring Weir is an extremely popular day trip
destination, and is a hub for walkers and cyclists using the Bibbulmun Track, Kep
Track, Railway Reserves Heritage Trail and Munda Biddi Trail. The townships
of Armadale, Kalamunda and Mundaring also provide the opportunity to engage
in the area’s heritage and history as well as experience arts, crafts, fresh produce
and regional markets. In addition, the region is home to a small but emerging wine
region.
Both the Swan Valley and Perth Hills are home to well known local festivals such as
Taste of the Valley, Spring in the Valley, the Avon Descent and Mundaring Truffle
Festival.
Perhaps the biggest issue for attractions and activities in the region revolves
around access and competition for water. In the Swan Valley, the rural
landscape, characterised by viticultural and horticultural pursuits, is a key drawcard
to the region. Among other impacts on this region, the decreased availability of
water is impacting the viability of the agricultural businesses which ultimately
underpin the tourism offering in the region.
In the Perth Hills, access to and the ability to undertake activities at water catchment
areas is often limited and tourism development is often hampered by the regulations
which apply when developing in water catchments. Furthermore, the impact of
water related infrastructure, such as the infrastructure planned for Mundaring Weir,
also has the potential to impact negatively on the tourism experience in the Perth
Hills. With an increasing population in the region resulting in increasing demand for
attractions and activities that revolve around waterways, it is essential that tourism
agencies continue to collaborate with the Department of Sport and Recreation, the
Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water to ensure
tourism related needs are taken into consideration in the long term planning for water
catchment areas in the region. This includes ensuring that any offset provided by the
Water Corporation as a result of capital works is used to improve the integration and
orientation of the tourism-related assets at Mundaring Weir.
Outside of issues to do with water catchment areas, a number of significant attraction
development projects have been planned. Of particular significance is the development
of the Kalamunda Community and Cultural Centre, a multipurpose centre
integrating art exhibitions, local wine experiences, the existing Kalamunda Heritage
Village and a relocated Kalamunda Visitors Centre.
“The development will cost $5.4 million and has already
attracted a number of new businesses including food and drink
type businesses and art galleries.” (Destination stakeholder)
In the Swan Valley there are plans to further expand upon the indigenous culture
and history in the area through the development of an Indigenous Cultural Centre
on the banks of the Swan River and the development of a memorial to Aboriginal
historical identity, Yagan. There are also plans to develop the Swan Region Riverside
Park, a 100 hectare recreational facility incorporating environmental, historical and
mythological interpretation. Lastly, a rejuvenation of heritage building facades
is planned in Guildford and Midland with the aim of preserving and enhancing the
historical look and feel of these townships.
Experience Perth
Tourism Western Australia | Tourism Development Priorities
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