No longer constrained to simple agricultural villages, The Ferguson Valley is now bursting with life and bustling businesses. Producing some of Australia’s best alternative wine varieties, the region is a go-to for those foodies and wine connoisseurs. The Stunning landscape is peppered with vines, coastal plains and dense Jarrah forest provides ideal backdrop for outdoor activities and adventure lovers.
No longer constrained to simple agricultural villages, The Ferguson Valley is now bursting with life and bustling businesses. Producing some of Australia’s best alternative wine varieties, the region is a go-to for those foodies and wine connoisseurs. The Stunning landscape is peppered with vines, coastal plains and dense Jarrah forest provides ideal backdrop for outdoor activities and adventure lovers.
Things to do in Ferguson Valley
[gallery columns="2" size="full" link="none" ess_grid_gal="" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/CollieRiver-1200x675.jpg|Collie River,https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/Gnomesville-1200x675.jpg|Gnomesville"]
Visit a winery
With more than 20 vineyards and wineries, wine tasting is a must in the Ferguson Valley. If wine isn’t your thing, there’s also a couple of breweries that have tastings available. The winemakers in the region are welcoming and passionate, more than happy to share their time and knowledge with their customers, so pull up a stool and get involved. From 5 star James Halliday rated wineries such as Willow Bridge Estate, to the smaller family run producers, there is plenty to test out your palate.
Discover Gnomesville
This community driven gnome village features over three thousand gnome inhabitants. It’s a quirky and fun stop on your Ferguson Valley trip, bring along your own gnome to add to the collection, take a selfie with the rest of the gnome family or pick up a copy of the children’s illustrated book, Gnomesville- the real story by Lesley Geers.
Take a walk in the Gum Forest
There’s heaps of trails to explore in the Valley for all ages and abilities. Break up your walk with a visit to the King Jarrah Tree- the largest tree in the region. This majestic tree stands approximately 36 metres tall and is estimated to be aged between 300 and 500 years old.
Get on your bike
Mount Lennard Mountain Bike Network is a dream location for mountain bikers. Providing a fun area of trails built on a gentle slope, suitable for a range of abilities and ages. If you’re feeling confident, check out the Grizzly trail. Regarded as one of the more technical trails of the collection; it weaves in an out of the Jarrah trees providing plenty of obstacles, jumps and berms to challenge the more experienced riders.
Taste the local produce
The region is steeped with agricultural history, with dairy farming still prominent in the valleys. The rich low plains, gentle slopes and valleys combined with the plentiful annual rainfall- results in an ideal environment for the creation of delicious produce. Explore farm gates, cellar doors, local food markets and meet the farmers, winemakers and restaurateurs who are dedicated to growing, producing and serving the very best the region has to offer. There’s plenty of options available, from award winning restaurants to established bakeries and family run cafes, there’s a strong theme of respect for local, home-grown ingredients throughout the region.
[gallery columns="2" size="full" ess_grid_gal="" link="none" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/Dardanup-1200x675.jpg|Dardanup Gum Forest,https://media.localista.com.au/2018/09/Ferguson-Valley-farmviewcows-credit-Phil-Hollett-1200x675-1.jpg|Farmyard Ferguson Valley"]
View local art and crafts
Get a true insight into acclaimed local artists worlds during the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Trail event that’s held annually in the Ferguson Valley. There’s also a series of local galleries within the area providing a variety of unique artworks, hand-crafted jewelry, ceramics and glassware.
Learn about the history of the region
The Dardanup Heritage Trail has 15 heritage sites all within the 2.5km route, including the first Catholic Church in Western Australia outside the metropolitan area. The Dardanup Heritage Park also houses one of Australia’s finest collections of historic agricultural and industrial items with more than 20 sheds full of restored antiques.
Get out in nature
There’s plenty of walks and trails available within the region, if you’re lucky you might spot a friendly kangaroo or two! The Eaton Foreshore Walk meanders for five kilometres along the beautiful Collie River. There’s also the Forest Path at Crooked Brook which is ideally suited for those with limited mobility, providing easy access to an area of natural bushland with interpretive signage about the flora and fauna and plenty of bench seats, this route is especially beautiful in spring, when wildflowers come into bloom.
5 Annual Events in Ferguson Valley
The region hosts a fantastic selection of annual festival and events that attract thousands of tourists to the area every year.
- Dardanup Art Spectacular and Trail
- Dardanup Bull & Barrel
- Crave Subaru Mountain Bike challenge
- St Aidan’s Shakespeare Among the Vines
- Ferguson Valley Open Gardens
Image credits: Collie River, Gnomesville, Dardanup Gum Forest - Shutterstock, Ferguson Valley Farmyard - Phil Hollett