In 2027, the area's newest attraction, Unleashed: Swan Valley, will be a free outdoor trail of colourful art installations made from at least 60 per cent reclaimed materials. Colossal in scale and vivid in appearance, Bordalo II's art trail is coming to Australia for the first time.
Chosen for its unique natural environment, rich Aboriginal heritage, and reputation as one of the State's premier tourism destinations, the Swan Valley offers an ideal setting for visitors to explore the works and their surroundings with fresh eyes. The project aims to enhance local and global appreciation of native wildlife biodiversity, while raising awareness around the reusability of waste materials. The art discovery trail is set to attract seekers of experiences that combine creativity, culture, nature, and culinary excellence, paired with the valley's most recognisable product, wine.
Designed for all ages and abilities, Unleashed: Swan Valley brings a refreshing perspective to the region's vibrant tapestries, shaped by its community and local businesses over the years. The trail's broad appeal to visit and engage with it unlocks opportunities for people to connect deeply with the place through art, learning, and cultural storytelling.
“Great public art changes how people see a place and how they see themselves within it,” says FORM CEO Tabitha McMullan. “Bordalo II transforms reclaimed materials into the native wildlife we share this Valley with, inviting a richer conversation about consumption, conservation and what we value."
“Working with Tourism WA, FORM and the artist has been a seamless operation so far, we collectively hope the sculpture trail adds another reason to visit the beautiful Swan Valley, creating a reason to stay a little longer to discover all the sculptures along the trail as well as the other hidden tourist attractions in the valley” said Whiteman Park Director Steven Lowe.
The Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Ellenbrook Arts and the City of Swan have supported the trail since its earliest planning, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Nature Based Tourism Division sees it as an opportunity to link interpretation to conservation and raise awareness of nearby national parks. The project is managed by Tourism Western Australia and produced by FORM.
“Working with FORM on the Swan Valley sculpture trail has been a really collaborative experience for Destination Perth, creating an exciting new reason for visitors and locals to discover and explore the Swan Valley,” said Destination Perth Chief Executive Officer Sonja Mitchell. “We know the trail will drive increased visitation and spend, encouraging people to stay longer, visit more local businesses and immerse themselves in the Swan Valley.”
“For myself, it is an opportunity to participate in the project, and I am happy to be part of it. It will be a good attraction for the Swan Valley. Hopefully your project will open the eyes of people and draw them in."
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“I would like to thank FORM for inviting us Elders to be involved and have input into this project,” said Whadjuk Noongar Elder Bella Bropho of the project's Aboriginal Advisory Group. “We are participating for our families, and our opinions matter. We are happy with the locations chosen to showcase these sculptures."
The trail is an opportunity for the Swan Valley to showcase itself through a different lens, one that celebrates the region’s natural environment, cultural heritage and stories,” said Up Close and Local Tours Founder and Chef Tour Guide Paul Montague.
"The Sculpture Trail is a really exciting opportunity to give people a new reason to explore the Swan Valley, while connecting them with the local producers, hospitality businesses and experiences that make the region what it is. What I’ve loved already is the collaborative approach FORM has taken. It feels like something being created with the local community rather than simply dropped into it, and I really like that it’s also considering the many layers of local heritage and identity that have shaped the Valley. I think there’s enormous potential for it to encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more and discover parts of the Valley they might otherwise have missed." Tim Laferla, Co-Founder & Distiller, Damaged Goods Distilling Co.
“I particularly value the awareness it brings to Aboriginal culture and the deeper connection it encourages between visitors and place. I hope it sparks curiosity about the many layers of the Swan Valley’s history, encouraging visitors to engage with both its rich Aboriginal history as well as the stories of the families who have helped shape the region over subsequent generations.
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“By creating another unique experience for the region, it encourages people to spend more time exploring local businesses, attractions, and hospitality venues, perhaps even taking paths into corners they haven’t discovered before. I know firsthand as a tour guide that many locals don’t venture far from what they already know, and this project will be asking them to do just that.”
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