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Pilot an electric launch from Ascot Waters Marina up the Swan River to Mandoon Estate for wine, food and the Hidden Pour—an adults-only six-hour cruise through wetlands, heritage estates and Swan Valley vineyards. No designated driver required; just bring good company and a sense of leisure.
Pilot an electric launch from Ascot Waters Marina up the Swan River to Mandoon Estate for wine, food and the Hidden Pour—an adults-only six-hour cruise through wetlands, heritage estates and Swan Valley vineyards. No designated driver required; just bring good company and a sense of leisure.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Nauti Picnics · Ascot, Western Australia
The Grape Escape — The Swan Valley Edition puts you at the helm of a quiet electric launch that slips upriver from Ascot Waters Marina in Ascot, Western Australia, into the heart of the Swan Valley. Over six leisure hours you cruise past Guildford’s colonial riverfront, thread wetlands alive with birdlife, and tie up at Mandoon Estate on the Roe family property for wine, food and a private tasting.
This one-day outing reads like a slow-motion travel film. Launch at Ascot Waters (16 Marina Dr, Ascot WA 6104) and point upstream toward Guildford, one of Western Australia’s oldest settlements established in 1829. The river narrows and bends; riverbanks alternate between riverside homes, remnant eucalyptus, and vineyard edges where viticulture in the Swan Valley traces back to the first vines planted at Olive Farm in 1829. Keep an eye out for black swans, pelicans and dabbling ducks that make the quieter channels their runway.
What makes this trip stand out is the combination of effortless navigation and local product: passengers pilot an easy electric boat for a social, adult-only cruise with no designated driver required. The route is as much the attraction as the stop. Historic riverfront estates and natural wetlands frame the journey, while the Hidden Pour—a surprise pairing of Swan Valley wine and a curated local bite—adds a playful, sensory finish ashore at Mandoon Estate.
At Mandoon Estate you’ll have roughly an hour to visit the cellar door, stroll the grounds on the Roe family property, or sit with a glass by the riverside. The estate’s riverside setting is a textbook example of the Swan Valley’s mix of heritage agriculture and riparian habitat. Back aboard, the downstream run offers widened vistas and a different light on the same landmarks.
Practical details matter: the trip departs Ascot Waters Marina and runs about six hours; groups are small and the experience is adults-only. The electric boats are simple to operate but require basic balance and comfort boarding from a low dock. Food, drink and the Hidden Pour are included, and there’s an option to add extra time at Mandoon for a longer lunch.
For visitors staying in Perth or nearby Guildford, this outing transforms the Swan River into a roadway that skips traffic and amplifies local food and wine culture. It’s a mellow, intimate way to experience the Valley’s history, waterways and wildlife from a perspective most travelers don’t get—quiet, low-impact, and distinctly Western Australian. Bookings depart from Ascot Waters Marina; check-in details are provided by the operator at time of booking. The experience emphasizes low-impact travel—electric propulsion keeps engine noise and emissions low while letting you enjoy birdsong and quiet stretches of river that define this corner of Western Australia.
Meet at Ascot Waters Marina (16 Marina Dr, Ascot WA 6104); check-in details are provided by the operator at booking.
The standard outing is six hours, including roughly one hour ashore at Mandoon Estate.
Yes. The experience is restricted to adults with a minimum age of 20 years.
Yes. You can add 2 hours to your hire for an extra fee (the operator lists an option to add 2 hours for $120).
Group size is limited to seven to keep the outing intimate and easy to manage.
Yes. The Swan River route passes wetlands and quiet channels where you can spot black swans, pelicans and other waterbirds.
Nauti Picnics is a small boat hire and picnic experience provider based in Ascot, Western Australia. The company operates private electric picnic boats on the Swan River, offering hands-on boat hire and curated short cruises for groups, couples and families. Trips range from two-hour private sunrise cruises to flexible picnic boat hire where guests act as their own skipper, navigating from Ascot toward Perth or the Swan Valley. Nauti Picnics supplies all essentials for trips, and several experiences allow guests to bring their own picnic food and drinks. Product offerings include the Early Riser two-hour sunrise cruise ideal for breakfasts, the Picnic Boat Hire private electric boats for self-skippers, and the Sunset Cruise on the Swan River offered seasonally from November to February. Retail items and add-ons include the Enviro Pirates Kit ($30) with an activity booklet, colouring pencils and a long-shaft butterfly net; a limited-edition Pelli x Nauti Picnics insulated cooler bag that supports ocean cleanup goals; and an adjustable Captain’s Hat sized for children and adults. Nauti Picnics emphasizes relaxed, private outings on the water, with clear product descriptions and straightforward booking options. The business operates from Ascot and focuses on safe, accessible experiences on the Swan River while supporting local environmental initiatives through select merchandise sales. Bookings include boat orientation, a safety briefing and clear instructions for self-skipper hires, ensuring guests feel comfortable before departure. Customer communication and online booking details specify departure location, duration and what to bring. Reservations are confirmed via email and SMS notifications.
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