Swan Valley, Western Australia

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Centenary Stone st the All Saints Church in the Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is the area either side of the Swan River between Guildford at its south western end and Bells rapids at its north eastern end. It is bordered to the east by the Darling Scarp, both Ellen Brook and Jane Brook discharge into the Swan river. There are 14 rural 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 the then 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 bieutiful 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 main settlement and Guildford on the southern end of the Swan Valley region. The area north of Guildford was the most successful communtiy at the with descendents of the early families still residing within the shire. Within the first 10 years 2 of Perths oldest churches had been built the first was St Mary's in Middle Swan followed All Saints Church, Henley Brook built at the site of Stirlings 1827 camp. St Marys was pulled down and rebuilt in 1850's with All Saints is still the original structure and Perths oldest standing church.

The valley is notable for its highly fertile soil, uncommon in Perth area, numerous wineries including Houghton, Sandalford and Lamont's, several microbreweries and a rum distillery. There are numerous locations for day-trippers and tourists to seek out. During October the annual 'Spring in the Valley' weekend occurs which seeks to increase tourism into the area.