Swan River Distillery: Crafting Local Spirits With Heart, Creativity and a True WA Spirit

Tucked right into the heart of Vic Park, where their small-batch, award-winning spirits are made with care, precision and a whole lot of personality.

There’s something special about watching a small idea grow into a business that feels deeply connected to its community. Swan River Distillery is the perfect example. What began as a father-daughter passion project has become one of Victoria Park’s most exciting urban distilleries, known for its handcrafted spirits, bold flavours and genuine love for creativity.

Scott and Abby launched Swan River Distillery in 2021, blending Scott’s expertise in craft distilling with Abby’s natural talent for flavour, design and dreaming up new creations. What started with a lineup of seven spirits—three gins, vodka, absinthe, limoncello and coffee liqueur—quickly took on a life of its own. Their different tastes and approaches became their strength, shaping a range built on the idea that there should be something for everyone.

From those early days experimenting with botanicals at home to selling out at farmers’ markets, the pair soon knew they had something worth building on. Today, Swan River Distillery has grown into a full-scale operation tucked right into the heart of Vic Park, where their small-batch, award-winning spirits are made with care, precision and a whole lot of personality.

The Craft Behind Every Bottle

Everything at Swan River Distillery is made in-house, and that level of care shows in every bottle. Their urban distillery uses high-quality, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, including native botanicals that give their spirits a true Western Australian character.

The team handles every stage of the process themselves—distilling, infusing, peeling fruit by hand and perfecting each batch until the flavour is balanced and just right. Some spirits come together in just a few days, while others rest for months to develop depth and warmth.

It’s a hands-on craft that mirrors the heart of the business: thoughtful, unhurried and committed to quality.

A New Home on the Vic Park Strip

A major milestone arrived in November 2024, when Swan River Distillery moved into their new home on the strip—just 400 metres from the river they’re named after. The move took close to a year of planning and building, and it’s given the business three times the space of their original distillery.

More room means bigger ideas. The long-term plan includes a bar and restaurant, expected in 2026–2027, where locals can enjoy signature cocktails, WA produce and the warm atmosphere the team is known for. For Scott and Abby, finally stepping into this larger, brighter space was a proud moment—another step in a journey that keeps surprising them.

Growing With Purpose

Caring for the environment is woven into everything they do. Swan River Distillery focuses on local, seasonal ingredients, reduces waste wherever possible and keeps energy and water use in check throughout the distilling process. Reusing materials is part of their everyday workflow, and it’s important to the team that their choices reflect the natural beauty of Western Australia—after all, it’s the source of many of their flavours.

Of course, growth comes with challenges. Balancing an expanding product range, managing production, and moving into a much larger space hasn’t always been simple. But each challenge has pushed the team to stay hands-on, innovative and true to their creative vision. That commitment is one of the reasons Swan River Distillery now produces an impressive 25 spirits and liqueurs—all with their distinct personality.

Looking Ahead

The future feels bright for this Vic Park favourite. Beyond their plans for a bar and restaurant, the team hopes to keep expanding along the strip, strengthening their connection to the local community and exploring more ways to champion WA flavours.

One standout from their growing range is the Orangecello—released earlier this year and already a crowd favourite. Made with oranges sourced from the Perth Hills and peeled by hand in the distillery, it’s sweet, bright and full of citrus warmth. Their Limoncello may be the top seller, but Orangecello is quickly becoming a close second.

Find Swan River Distillery at the Vic Park Summer Street Party

We’re excited to welcome Swan River Distillery back for another year at the Vic Park Summer Street Party on Saturday, 29 November 2025. It’s the perfect chance to meet the team, try their latest creations and pick up something special for the festive season.

Explore their full range at  www.swanriverdistillery.com.au or follow the journey on socials @swanriverdistillery