Getting around Swan Valley wineries safely

This is general information and not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check current guidance from the relevant WA authorities.

A winery day is built around alcohol, and the drive between stops is where it can go wrong. Planning transport before the first tasting is the most useful thing you can do. It also makes the day more relaxed, because nobody is doing sums in their head at 3pm.

Pick your transport first

Option	Good for	Watch out for
Designated driver	Small groups, flexible plans	The driver has to stay sober all day
Winery tour with driver	Groups, first-timers	Less control over timing and stops
Hired driver or car service	Couples, celebrations	Costs and availability
Taxi or rideshare	Short, single-stop visits	Wait times in a rural area
Staying locally	Long lunches	Accommodation costs and bookings

Our review data shows strong interest in group tours and long lunches, which are the formats where a driver or tour makes most sense.

What the law and the venue expect

The general blood alcohol limit for full licence holders in Western Australia is 0.05, with stricter conditions for some licence types. Venues operate under responsible service of alcohol rules. One reviewer in our corpus raised an isolated, serious responsible-service concern about a venue, which is a reminder that you cannot assume the venue will always step in. The responsibility to plan sits with you.

Pacing the day

Tasting pours are small, but they add up across several venues.

1. Eat a proper breakfast and book lunch before the third stop.
2. Use the spit bucket. Staff expect it.
3. Drink a glass of water between pours.
4. Limit stops to three or four.
5. Take a break mid-afternoon rather than pushing on.

Signs to stop

Slurred speech, loud or unsteady behaviour, or feeling more affected than you expected are all reasons to stop and arrange another way home. If a friend is affected, do not let them drive. The next morning is also a risk. Alcohol can still be in your system hours after your last drink.

Planning the stops

Choose venues that are close together so the driving is short. If you are visiting breweries or distilleries as well, the combined effect is stronger, so be more conservative. The wineries with brewery or distillery hub lists mixed-drink venues, and spirits are generally stronger per pour than wine.

Your checklist

• Transport chosen and booked
• Designated driver agreed in advance
• Lunch booked and food planned
• Water in the car
• A fallback plan if plans change

Read how we gather themes like these in our methodology, and head to the home page to plan your stops.