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Spend a perfect day exploring Western Australia's most celebrated wine region on the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise — the only experience in Australia that takes you from a capital city CBD to an award-winning wine region and back entirely by boat in a single day. Cruise up the stunning Swan River from Barrack Street Jetty, enjoy a shared platter lunch and wine tasting at Mandoon Estate, and cruise back to Perth with live entertainment and all-inclusive wines included on the return journey.

Key Highlights

  • Cruise the scenic Swan River from Perth to the Swan Valley 
  • Enjoy a premium wine tasting experience at Mandoon Estate, one of the Swan Valley's most celebrated wineries, paired with a delicious shared platter lunch
  • Relax on the return cruise with all-inclusive wines, live entertainment, and indulgent desserts 
  • Explore Western Australia's oldest wine growing region 
  • Depart from Pier 3, Barrack Street Jetty in the heart of Perth

About Captain Cook: Swan Valley Wine Cruise

Perth is the only place in Australia where you can board a boat in a capital city centre and arrive in an award-winning wine region in the same morning — and the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise makes the most of that extraordinary geographic luxury. Departing at 9:45 AM from Pier 3, Barrack Street Jetty, the cruise heads upstream along the beautiful Swan River through Perth's leafy riverside suburbs, with the city skyline fading behind you and the vineyard-covered hills of the Swan Valley emerging ahead, all accompanied by the captain's commentary on the river's history and the surrounding landscape.

On arrival in the Swan Valley, guests disembark and enjoy a curated winery experience at Mandoon Estate — a premium Swan Valley estate producing award-winning Western Australian wines across a range of varieties. A shared platter lunch is served alongside a premium wine tasting, allowing guests to sample the estate's best wines in a relaxed, convivial setting with time to browse the cellar door. After the winery visit, guests reboard the vessel for the leisurely return cruise downstream to Perth — and from 3:15 PM, the bar opens for all-inclusive standard Western Australian wines, accompanied by live entertainment and indulgent desserts that make the return journey as much a celebration as the winery visit itself.

Note: On certain days the winery visit is to Sandalford Estate rather than Mandoon Estate, and on the Taste of the Valley variant the coach tour visits Lancaster Winery and the Margaret River Chocolate Company in the Swan Valley before re-boarding for the return. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free lunch options are available — advise dietary requirements at the time of booking. Book your Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise now on Thrillark and save up to 17%.

Inclusions

  • Return river cruise from Barrack Street Jetty, Perth to the Swan Valley and back
  • Shared platter lunch with a glass of wine at the winery
  • All-inclusive standard Western Australian wines on the return cruise 
  • Live entertainment on the return cruise
  • Desserts and cakes on the return cruise
  • Expert captain and guide commentary throughout

Exclusions

  • Personal expenses

Insiders' Tips

Sit on the upper deck for the cruise upriver — the views of the Swan River and Swan Valley as you approach the wine region are genuinely beautiful in the morning light. At the winery, take your time at the cellar door tasting and ask the pouring staff about the estate's best current vintage

Additional Information

Operating Hours
  • 10:30 AM
Restrictions
  • Adults aged 18 and above only 
  • Coach transfer may be necessary due to high-water levels on the Swan River
  • Mobility access is limited on the vessels
Accessibility & Facilities
  • Mobility access is limited due to vessel design 
  • Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free lunch options available on request at booking
  • Bar, restrooms, and comfortable seating on board the vessel

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation at least 72 hrs before the travel date for a full refund

Captain Cook: Swan Valley Wine Cruise Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise?
The Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise is a full-day cruise experience departing at 9:45 AM from Pier 3, Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, cruising upstream along the Swan River to the Swan Valley wine region for a premium wine tasting and shared platter lunch at Mandoon Estate or Sandalford Estate, then returning to Perth with all-inclusive wines, live entertainment, and desserts on the return cruise from 3:15 PM. It is the only experience in Australia that takes guests from a capital city CBD to an award-winning wine region and back entirely by boat in a single day.
What winery is visited on the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise?
The standard Swan Valley Wine Cruise visits Mandoon Estate — one of the Swan Valley's most celebrated premium wineries — for a guided wine tasting and shared platter lunch, though on certain dates the visit is to Sandalford Estate instead. A variant of the cruise called the Taste of the Valley includes a coach tour in the Swan Valley visiting Lancaster Winery and the Margaret River Chocolate Company before returning to the boat for the inclusive wines on the afternoon cruise back to Perth.
What is included in the wine tasting at the winery?
The winery visit includes a tasting of premium Western Australian wines paired with a delicious shared platter lunch and a glass of wine — giving guests a relaxed, cellar door style experience at one of the Swan Valley's best producers with time to browse and purchase additional bottles at their own expense. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free lunch options are available and must be requested at the time of booking.
When do the all-inclusive wines start on the return cruise?
All-inclusive standard Western Australian wines on the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise are available from 3:15 PM on the return cruise downstream from the Swan Valley to Perth — not during the morning cruise upriver. From 3:15 PM, guests can enjoy unlimited pours of included wines alongside live entertainment and desserts for the remainder of the return journey to Barrack Street Jetty.
How long does the Swan River cruise take each way?
The cruise along the Swan River from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth to the Swan Valley takes approximately 2 hours each way — a relaxing and scenic journey through Perth's leafy riverside suburbs with captain commentary on the river's history, geography, and surroundings. Perth is the only Australian capital city from which you can cruise directly from the CBD to an award-winning wine region and back on the same day.
Is the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise suitable for non-wine drinkers?
The cruise is primarily designed as a wine experience, but the river journey, landscape commentary, winery setting, and shared platter lunch are enjoyable regardless of interest in wine. Non-drinkers should note that the all-inclusive return package is wine-only, and alternative soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages are available to purchase from the bar on board. Guests with any concerns about the wine-focused nature of the experience are advised to contact the operator before booking.
What happens if the Swan River water levels are too high?
Due to the possibility of high-water levels in the Swan River during periods of heavy rainfall or high tide, a coach transfer may be substituted for all or part of the river journey without advance notice. This substitution is entirely outside the operator's control and all cruise inclusions — including the winery visit, lunch, and return wine service — are maintained regardless of the transport method used to reach the Swan Valley on the day.
What is the Swan Valley and why is it significant?
The Swan Valley is Western Australia's oldest wine-growing region, located approximately 30 kilometres upstream from Perth along the Swan River and home to rolling vineyards, award-winning wineries including Sandalford and Mandoon Estate, microbreweries, artisan food producers, and the chocolateries and nougat shops that have made it a beloved day-trip destination for Perth locals and visitors alike. Many of the Swan Valley's wineries are still owned and operated by descendants of the European emigrants who established the region in the 19th century, giving it an authentic and deeply rooted character.
Is minimum age strictly enforced on the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise?
Yes — the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise is strictly for adults aged 18 years and above, with no exceptions permitted. Valid photo ID is required to confirm age, and bookings for passengers under 18 years will not be accepted or refunded. This age requirement applies to all passengers regardless of whether they intend to consume alcohol during the cruise.
Do I need to book the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise in advance?
Yes — advance booking is strongly recommended for the Captain Cook Swan Valley Wine Cruise, particularly for weekend departures and during peak season from September to May when the cruise regularly fills to capacity. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 17% on the standard rate with instant confirmation, and please note that all sales are final — tickets cannot be cancelled, changed, or refunded after purchase, so always confirm your intended date falls on an operating day before completing your booking.

Ratings & Reviews

Captain Cook: Swan Valley Wine Cruise

USD 153.52

Insiders’ Tips

Sit on the upper deck for the cruise upriver — the views of the Swan River and Swan Valley as you approach the wine region are genuinely beautiful in the morning light. At the winery, take your time at the cellar door tasting and ask the pouring staff about the estate's best current vintage

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