Servicing Perth & Beyond
How to Organise a Perfect Bickley Valley Tour in 2024!
Been to the Swan Valley a few to many times? It's time to try something new...The amazing Bickley Valley!
After successfully hosting countless Bickley Valley Charters onboard The Avocado Bus in the past 5 years, I have put together the perfect step-by-step guide with every bit of information needed, to help you plan and book the perfect Bickley Valley Tour for your next day out!
Step 1) Pick the Date
Saturday or Sunday is the way to go. The Bickley Valley is mostly weekend traders, with limited options on Monday to Thursday and a some of the bigger venues open Fridays too!
Step 2) Invite your Friends
Use Facebook Events or a similar app
Step 3) Book your Bus
If your group is 20, 13 or fewer passengers, of course you are riding onboard one of The Avocado Bus'! Get a quote or further info here
What makes The Avocado Bus the best option around!
- Complimentary water, mints, phone chargers and WIFI onboard
- Relaxed, friendly and professional service at very competitive prices
- Ice cold air-con and play your own music through the bus speakers, on the device with Spotify provided
- If you need more information or ideas then provided below, give me a call or email and ill happily help you plan the perfect tour!
Step 4) Start Planning the Day / Timings
Usual Bickley Valley Day Charters onboard my bus go from 11:00am to 5:45pm, being a 6.75 hour tour. This includes pickup and drop-off to your location of choice and gives us enough time to visit 3 to 4 venues throughout the day. I suggest around 45 minutes to 1 hour for a tasting at a venue and up to 2.5 hours for your lunch stop to ensure you’re not rushed and can really enjoy each venue at a relaxed pace. Additionally, allow 10-15 minutes for travel time between stops.
Here is an example of timings for your convenience:
- 11:00am to 11:45am Pickup and Transfer to Venue 1 - Note: The Bickley Valley is approx. 35 minutes South-East of Perth CBD.
- 11:45am to 12:30pm - Venue 1
- 12:30pm to 12:45pm - Transfer
- 12:45pm to 1:45pm - Venue 2
- 1:45pm to 2:00pm - Transfer
- 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Lunch at Venue 3
- 4:00pm to 4:15pm - Transfer
- 4:15pm to 5:00pm - Venue 4
- 5:00pm to 5:45pm - Depart the Valley to your drop-off location
Step 5) Choose and then Book the Venues you will be Visiting
All your venues need to be booked in advance and prime-times on a Saturday can be booked out a few weeks in advance. The earlier you lock in your bookings, the better! Here are my favourite venues to give you some ideas and help you start your planning!
Wineries:
Myattsfield Winery - Website & Facebook Page
- About: Beautiful Winery with a specialisation in some of the more unique blended wines! Highly recommend!
- Tasting Cost: Free wine tasting! They also offer bottle sales, wine by the glass and artisanal cheeses.
- How to Book: Call +61 8 9293 5567 or online enquiry by clicking here
Tonon Vineyard & Winery - Website & Facebook
- About: Tonon is an independent, family owned and operated vineyard, winery and cellar door. Specialising in the production of boutique, award winning wines, handcrafted from estate grown alternative varieties including a multi award winning range of Sparkling Wines!
- Tasting Cost: $10 per person
- How to Book: Call/text Dan on 0417 928 613 or email cellardoor@tononwines.com.au
The Packing Shed @ Lawnbrook - Website & Facebook
- About: Great food, great wine, great coffee & tea! The Packing Shed is set on beautiful green grounds and has something for everyone!
- Tasting Cost: $10 per person for groups of up to 12. This is a Wine and Gin Tasting!
- How to Book: Contact via phone 0490 678 998 or Email: wine@lawnbrook.com.au
Distillery's/Spirits
HHH Spirits - Website & Facebook
- About: New Gin Distillery in Bickley Valley! The setup is very industrial as HHH manufactures stills as well so if you like the technical stuff, there is plenty of it! You will hear about the process of making gin and if time permits, whisky too!
- Tasting Cost: $7.50 PP for 3 x Gin Tasting or $15 PP for 3 x Gin Tasting & 1 x Mini Cocktail (tours get to keep their tasting glass!)
- How to Book: Bookings can be made online here. If you have a special request for bookings during the week or groups larger than 10 people, please make sure to contact Hilton directly on 0416 662 188.
Lunch Venues:
Plume Estate - Website & Facebook
- About: Plume Estate is a boutique vineyard with by far the most stunning view of the Bickley Valley! Their handcrafted wines include Sparkling Pinot Noir, Verdejo, Rose, Pinot, Shiraz and Durif. They offer a great small menu of tasty Tapas and Platters, perfect for grazing!
- Food Menu: Check it out here
- How to Book: Call: 92935808 - Email: cellardoor@plumeestate.com.au - Online: https://www.plumeestate.com.au/bookings
La Fattoria - Website & Facebook
- About: This amazing venue is a family run establishment without an al la carte menu. There is a fixed or platter menu, of a series of seasonal dishes shared at the table, typical of an Italian family meal!
- Wine Tasting Cost: $1 per wine tasted. Refundable with a purchase!
- Food Menu: Check out the 'Pick A Platter' Menu
- How to Book: Call Eric or Lucy on 9293 7888.
Cideries:
Core Cider - Website & Facebook
- About: Stunning venue with lots going on! Beautiful gardens to relax in on a long table and enjoy the live music between 12-3pm on weekends! A very diverse range of Ciders and a great Ginger Beer!
- Tasting Cost: Purchase a drink or Tasting Paddle over the bar!
- How to Book: 9293 7583 or bookings@corecider.com.au
Hot Tips:
- Enter your choice of venues into Google Maps and pick the most logical route for the day, before you start booking. This way there will be less time in-between venues or backtracking and more time with a drink in your hand!
- Venues want to deal directly with the visiting group, this is to pass on any extra info, house rules or possibly a deposit may be required.
- Always get your booking in writing (via email)
Step 6) Pay all your deposits and reconfirm all bookings!
Be sure to pay all your required deposits ASAP and a week or so out send a friendly reconfirmation email to each venue.
