Swan Valley

1,912 votes

Western Australia’s oldest wine region pairs boutique vineyards, chocolate factories and farm-gate produce with craft breweries and gin distilleries. Cycle trails and river-side picnic lawns mean long lunches morph into lazy afternoons, all a 25-minute drive from Perth’s CBD and five from Midland Gate.

2

Whiteman Park

1,045 votes

Over 4,000 hectares of bushland hide wildlife walks, heritage tram rides and pedal-karts. Kids burn energy at huge nature playgrounds while parents relax at shaded barbecues; weekend markets, dog parks and the new METRONET station make nature escapes part of everyday suburban life.

3

Midland Gate Shopping Centre

986 votes

Fresh from a $100-million revamp, Midland Gate delivers big-brand fashion, fresh-food halls and a dine-in cinema complex. Express bus bays, ample parking and late-night trading turn grocery dashes into social outings, anchoring Midland’s renaissance as the Valley’s urban hub.

4

Swan River

912 votes

The river winds past vineyards and wetlands, offering kayak launches, rowing regattas and shady fishing jetties. Walking trails link historic Guildford to Bells Rapids, so evening jogs, dawn bird-watching and sunset picnic cruises all start minutes from local driveways.

5

John Forrest National Park

789 votes

WA’s oldest national park boasts granite outcrops, seasonal waterfalls and kangaroo-lined picnic clearings. The Railway Reserve Heritage Trail tempts hikers and cyclists, while tavern beer gardens reward effort with sweeping valley views—bush adventure without leaving the metropolitan boundary.

6

St John of God Midland Hospital

645 votes

This 307-bed tertiary hospital anchors a growing health precinct, offering emergency, maternity and cancer care plus 1,000+ local jobs. On-site cafés, childcare and direct rail-bus links ease staff commutes and give residents specialist services minutes from home.

7

Midland Train Station

598 votes

End-of-line status guarantees regular seats on the 25-minute Perth CBD run, with quick transfers to Airport and Ellenbrook lines coming soon. Secure bike cages, a new bus interchange and heritage facades make car-free commuting stylish as well as practical.

8

Caversham Wildlife Park

551 votes

Hand-feed kangaroos, cuddle koalas and watch shearer shows at this family-run park inside Whiteman Park. Annual passes, shaded pram paths and picnic lawns turn it into a regular weekend outing for Valley locals and an instant hit with visiting relatives.

9

Ellenbrook Central Shopping Centre

522 votes

Major supermarkets, fashion chains and a dining square anchor one of Perth’s fastest-growing suburbs. A forthcoming METRONET station will link the mall to the CBD in 30 minutes, promising capital-city convenience without sacrificing new-estate affordability and space.

10

Guildford Grammar School

487 votes

Tudor-style buildings, riverside boat sheds and a chapel designed by Sir Walter Tapper give this co-ed boarding school Harry-Potter charm. Strong ATAR scores, GPS sport and IB programs lift local property values for families chasing prestige education within a country-town setting.

11

Bells Rapids

446 votes

Winter rapids roar beneath a wooden footbridge as trail runners tackle the 15-kilometre Eagle View loop. Picnic rocks, wildflowers and the Avon Descent white-water race make this bush reserve a year-round drawcard only 15 minutes from suburban rooftops.

12

The Vines Resort & Golf Course

431 votes

Two championship layouts weave between lakeside villas and vineyard rows, hosting kangaroos on fairways and major PGA events. Resort pools, day spa and restaurants transform a quick nine holes into a stay-cation, boosting holiday-let yields for nearby homeowners.

13

Altone Park Shopping Centre

412 votes

Everyday essentials—grocers, pharmacies, casual eats—sit beside a leisure centre with indoor pool, gym and library. Free parking and adjacent bus hubs make errands efficient, while weekend sports carnivals turn the broader Altone precinct into a lively community meeting spot.

14

La Salle College

388 votes

Catholic co-ed secondary offering specialist music, football academies and a shiny innovation hub. Strong pastoral care and extensive bus network serve Valley, Hills and Bassendean families, ensuring enrolments—and nearby housing demand—remain consistently healthy.

15

Caversham House

372 votes

Terraced gardens, a vine-draped ballroom and private jetty on the Swan make this 1835 homestead one of Perth’s premier wedding venues. Friday-night degustations and high-tea sittings add mid-week romance, drawing foodies and bridal parties into the Valley year-round.

16

Bassendean Train Station

347 votes

Heritage arches greet commuters boarding six-minute express services to East Perth Stadium or 18-minute trips to the CBD. Adjacent craft breweries, op-shops and riverside cycleways make ditching the car easy and inject a cool, village vibe into leafy streets.

17

Helena River

331 votes

Flowing from Mundaring Weir to the Swan, the Helena delivers bush-lined walking tracks, canoe launches and secret fishing nooks. Flood-plain parks host weekend soccer, while heritage rail bridges provide Insta-worthy backdrops for evening dog walks and wedding photos alike.

18

Swan Christian College

318 votes

K-12 learning on 26 hectares blends agricultural science plots, a trade-training centre and performing-arts academy. Flexible pathways suit future tradies and university hopefuls, making nearby Ellenbrook-Guildford corridors attractive to a broad range of families.

19

Aveley Secondary College

305 votes

Opened 2018, this state-of-the-art public high school boasts STEM maker spaces, dance studios and an AFL academy. Walking-and-ride zones reduce traffic, and future stage expansions promise senior school facilities that will further strengthen Aveley’s family-friendly appeal.

20

Woodbridge Riverside Park

289 votes

Gigantic ship-themed playgrounds, accessible swings and a riverside cycle loop make this park a magnet for families of all abilities. Free barbecues, sheltered tables and easy parking encourage long picnics, while the nearby Coal Dam boardwalk offers quiet bird-watching moments.

Area Hotlist — Swan WA