There are few things that lift the spirits after a long Perth winter quite like a walk beneath rows of flowering fruit trees, and the Blossom Festival at S&R Orchard in Walliston does it beautifully.
Every September this family-run stone fruit orchard in the Perth Hills opens its gates while the peach, nectarine and plum trees are in full bloom, and the whole place turns into a soft cloud of pink and white.
My mum came along on our last visit and barely stopped smiling, which tells you everything you need to know.
The orchard sits on flat, hard ground with no hills to negotiate, which makes it genuinely easy going for anyone who is a bit unsteady on their feet or using a walking frame. The venue is wheelchair and pram friendly and there is designated disabled parking, so it is one of those rare spring outings you can enjoy without worrying about rough tracks or steep paths. Comfortable shoes are still a good idea, as you will cover more ground than you expect once you start wandering the rows.
Entry is paid at the gate and covers the orchard itself, all the photo props and blossom displays, the free tractor rides and the animal farm. Recent seasons have run around $15 for adults and $6 for children aged three to twelve, with under threes free, so it is worth a quick look at the official website before you set off to confirm this year’s dates and prices. Parking is free, but the numbers are capped on Saturdays and Sundays, and you must book your parking ticket online in advance for those days or you will be turned away. Weekdays are far quieter, and if you have the flexibility, a Tuesday or Wednesday morning is the loveliest time to go.
The photo opportunities are half the fun. Scattered through the orchard you will find pink pianos, a red telephone box, floral thrones, decorative frames, a vintage caravan and, in recent years, floating umbrellas overhead. Professional photographers are welcome to bring clients along at no extra cost beyond normal entry, so do not be surprised to see a family portrait session or two underway. Bring your camera or just your phone, because the light filtering through the blossom in the morning is genuinely lovely.
Food is well covered with food vendors, market stalls, an ice cream van and a coffee hut, and there are usually market stalls to browse as well. You are also more than welcome to pack a picnic and spread a rug beneath the trees, which is what we tend to do. There is plenty of seating around the grounds, including an undercover area with tables and chairs that comes into its own on one of those unpredictable September showers. Portaloos are available on site.
If the grandchildren are joining you, they will be well entertained. Along with the free tractor rides and animal farm there are free children’s activities, plus a Ferris wheel, which carry a small extra fee.
Friendly dogs on leads are welcome too, so there is no need to leave the family pet at home.
S&R Orchard is an easy 25 to 30 minute drive from the Perth CBD, and it pairs nicely with the rest of the Hills. Masonmill Gardens, Core Cider House and La Fattoria are all close by, as is Kalamunda town and Lesmurdie Falls, so you can easily stretch the morning into a full day out. Spring in the Perth Hills is fleeting, and this is one of the prettiest ways to spend a few hours of it.
S&R Orchard Blossom Festival, Walliston
Address: 36 Halleendale Road, Walliston WA 6076
Opening hours: Daily through September during the Blossom Festival, generally 9am to 4pm. Free parking must be booked online in advance for Saturdays and Sundays. Check the official website for this year’s confirmed dates and pricing.
Website: srorchard.com.au/our-events/blossom-festival
Find out more information on their Facebook page.
Discover more places to eat and visit in the Perth Hills here.
