Oakover Grounds, Swan Valley

Oakover grounds is in a lovely setting just off the Great Northern Highway in the Swan Valley. With lush grounds and a small lake, it is the ideal place to bring grandchildren for a day out. Use the free paddle boats on the lake or play games on the grass; there is plenty of room for little ones to run around. There is also a giant game of Connect Four and totem tennis racquets provided as well as a nature hunt that all the family can enjoy.

Picnics are not allowed but Oakover has a cafe and Smokehouse to ensure a full day out. There are outside tables so guests can enjoy the lovely views.

We visited on a Friday afternoon intending to try the Smokehouse but it is only open at weekends from 11:30. It is first come, first served at the Smokehouse but bookings are available in the Grounds cafe.

The cafe is part of a large barn renovation and is best described as industrial style. Certainly, there is an industrial feel to the area which also houses a coffee area, the cellar door tasting area and a gift shop. The tables in the cafe are all wood as were some of chairs that were quite uncomfortable and reminiscent of a 1970s schoolroom. Pick a chair with cushions!

Service was slow, very slow, considering we were the only customers at 12:30. However all the staff members were pleasant and friendly.

We ordered a sharing deli platter which I felt wasn’t great value for money. Two large slices of toasted bread, a handful of salad leaves, a small amount of olives and an equally small amount of pepper relish was served with four slices of salami, a few slices of prosciutto and a chunk of Brie. I expected more for $32. Luckily we had added a bowl of chips ($9), which made the offering slightly more substantial.

Other menu items include Scotch fillet, potato and leek gratin and green beans ($32), roast pork belly with an Asian salad ($25.5) and an Angus beef burger with chips ($26)

My husband enjoyed the Fiori coffee (roasted on site) and I enjoyed a glass of Oakover’s sparkling wine. We will go back to try the Smokehouse and perhaps a hot meal from the cafe.

Oakover is also open for breakfast.

There is plenty of parking available.

Address: 14 Yukich Close, Middle Swan

Phone: 08 9374 8000

Reservations: Restaurant only

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday – breakfast from 8am, lunch from 11:30. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Gluten-free options: Yes

Vegetarian options: Yes

Entertainment Book: No

Website: https://oakovergrounds.com.au/grounds-cafe

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About Hazel Broomhead

My name is Hazel and I am a Perth senior!

Originally from Edinburgh in Scotland, my husband and I moved to New Zealand with our children in 1974. As my husband is in the oil business, we moved to several other countries including the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, Singapore, the Philippines, the USA, Russia and Kazakhstan during the next 36 years before retiring to Perth.

We have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who live in different parts of the globe – New Zealand, Scotland and Colombia - which makes a great excuse for us to travel and visit.

My career background is in radio and print journalism in Scotland and New Zealand as well as public relations in various other countries.

We love to eat out, walk, travel and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle here in Western Australia.