Review · AUSTRALIA SAFARIS
Swan Valley: Golf Cart Kangaroo Safari w/ Mini Golf & Drink
The best part of this one-hour safari is the setting: you ride a golf cart across The Vines golf course while wild kangaroos move through the fairways. It is a simple way to see Australian wildlife without committing to a long day in the bush.
I like the mix of wildlife and play, especially the 18-hole mini golf round and the drink included at the end. I also like that guides such as Ray, Grant, and Keith add personal stories and facts, rather than leaving you to spot kangaroos on your own.
The main consideration is that these are wild animals, not a petting-zoo display. You may get good photographs, but you must keep your distance and accept that kangaroo sightings and viewing time cannot be controlled.
Key points before you book

- Golf cart safari: Ride through the fairways of The Vines Resort golf course while looking for resident kangaroos.
- Wild animals: Enjoy the kangaroos from a respectful distance, with no feeding or handling included.
- Helpful guides: English-speaking guides including Ray, Grant, and Keith share facts and stories about the local kangaroos.
- Two activities in one: Finish the wildlife outing with 18 holes of mini golf.
- Drink included: Choose a house wine, bottled beer, or soft drink.
- Good short stop: At $48 per person and one hour in length, this suits a spare afternoon or a stop before heading to the airport.
The Vines Resort gives this outing an unusual setting. You are not heading into a remote national park or waiting beside a wildlife enclosure. Instead, you travel by golf cart across the fairways of a prestigious golf course, where kangaroos have made their home.
That contrast is the appeal. The manicured greens and open fairways make it easier to look across the area, while the kangaroos provide the untidy, unpredictable part of the scene. One moment you are following a cart path, and the next you may notice a kangaroo resting or moving through the grass.
I would choose this tour if you want a taste of Western Australian wildlife without giving up comfort. The golf cart keeps the outing easy on your feet, and the route gives you a moving view of the course rather than one fixed lookout.
Still, you need the right expectations. This is not a guaranteed animal encounter, and the kangaroos are not trained to approach people. The tour works best when you are happy to watch quietly and let the animals set the distance.
Your starting point is the golf porte-cochere on the south side of The Vines Resort. That detail matters because a large resort can have several entrances and activity areas. Plan to arrive at the golf side of the property rather than wandering around looking for the meeting point.
At the start, staff give you a short introduction to driving the golf cart. This keeps the activity accessible for people who are not regular golfers, though you still need to listen carefully and follow the guide’s instructions.
The cart is the practical heart of the tour. You get a clear view from a seated position, and you can move between fairways without turning the outing into a strenuous walk. The tradeoff is that the cart adds a little distance between you and the animals, but that is also the safer and more respectful approach.
The tour is conducted in English. If you want detailed explanations about kangaroo behavior and the resort area, make sure you are comfortable following spoken English.
Once the short driving introduction is over, you head down the fairway with the guide. The route focuses on finding the kangaroos that live around The Vines, rather than racing from one fixed attraction to another.
This is where the guide makes a real difference. A guide can point out animals that blend into the grass, explain what you are seeing, and fill quiet moments with facts about the resident kangaroos. Ray received particular praise for his friendly, funny, and informative style, while Grant and Keith were also singled out for making the outing welcoming and interesting.
You should bring a camera, but keep it ready without becoming so focused on photographs that you miss the scene itself. The open course can provide strong photo opportunities, especially when a kangaroo is visible against the fairway. You may also find that the best moment is a quiet one, with an animal simply resting or watching the cart.
The wildlife rule is straightforward: keep your distance. Do not expect to touch, feed, or call the kangaroos closer. Their wild nature is what makes the encounter worthwhile, but it also means the animals choose where they go and how long they remain in view.
A short animal outing can feel thin if it is only a drive and a few sightings. Here, the guide gives the hour more shape. You are not simply circling the course and hoping for luck. You receive information about the kangaroos and the way they live around the resort.
The guide’s personality also matters. Ray’s humor and stories were a strong part of the experience for some visitors, while Keith was praised for providing plenty of information during the afternoon. Grant was also described as an excellent guide, with staff helping create a welcoming atmosphere.
That range of guide names is useful because it shows that the quality does not depend on one advertised personality alone. Your exact guide may vary, but the activity is designed around live commentary rather than a recorded explanation.
The one-hour length keeps the outing focused. You have enough time to search for kangaroos, stop for photographs, and hear some local information, but not enough time for the pace to become tiring. If you want a full-day wildlife program with several habitats and species, this is too short. If you want one well-defined activity before dinner or an onward journey, the timing works well.
After the kangaroo search, the activity shifts from wildlife to light competition. You receive one drink, with a choice of house wine, bottled beer, or a soft drink, then play 18 holes of mini golf on the course at the resort.
I like this ending because it gives the outing a second purpose. If the kangaroos keep their distance or appear only briefly, you still have a complete activity afterward. Mini golf also makes the tour more appealing to families and mixed-age groups, since not everyone needs to be equally interested in wildlife.
The drink adds a relaxed finish, but food is not included. You should plan separately if you want a meal or substantial snack. The included drink is best viewed as part of the closing experience, not as a replacement for dinner.
The mini golf round also changes the mood. The safari asks you to slow down and observe. The final game gives you something active and social to do. You can challenge friends or family, keep score, and enjoy the resort setting without needing golf experience.
At $48 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a kangaroo in Western Australia. The value comes from combining several elements in one booking: a guided golf cart ride, wildlife viewing, an included drink, and 18 holes of mini golf.
I think the price works best for people who would otherwise pay separately for a short wildlife activity and a recreational outing. You are not paying only for transport around the course. You are also paying for the guide’s local commentary, access to the golf cart route, the mini golf round, and the drink.
The value is weaker if you care only about photographing kangaroos. Since the animals are wild, you cannot count on a close approach or a long viewing session. In that case, you may prefer a dedicated wildlife park or a longer nature tour designed around animal sightings.
For families, couples, and friends, the combined format makes more sense. One person may enjoy the animals, another may prefer mini golf, and everyone gets a shared hour rather than splitting up for separate activities.
I would recommend the tour to several types of visitors:
- First-time visitors to Western Australia who want a manageable introduction to local wildlife.
- Families looking for an activity that combines animals, a ride, a drink, and a game.
- Couples and friends who want something more unusual than a standard meal or bar stop.
- People with a spare afternoon before an airport departure or another booking.
- Golf fans who like seeing the fairways from a different angle, even if they do not plan to play a full round.
The activity is also suitable for people who prefer a short outing. One review described using it to fill time before going to the airport with a hire car, which is a sensible use of the schedule.
I would be less likely to choose it for someone seeking a long, serious wildlife expedition. You will not spend hours tracking animals across different habitats. The appeal is convenience, setting, and variety.
Meet at the golf porte-cochere on the south side of The Vines Resort. I would allow enough time to find that part of the property, since the meeting point is specific and not simply the general resort entrance.
Wear clothing that lets you sit comfortably in a golf cart and move around during mini golf. The provided information does not list a dress code or equipment requirements, so keep your preparation simple and practical.
Keep your camera or phone ready during the safari, but do not let photography push you toward the kangaroos. A good image is never worth disturbing a wild animal. Your guide can help you understand when it is appropriate to stop and look.
If your plans may change, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several parts of a Western Australia itinerary.
Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date. The activity is described as a sunset tour, but you should confirm the exact start time when booking rather than assuming every departure has the same light.
The strongest feature is the combination of a comfortable ride and genuine wildlife. You get to see kangaroos in the area where they live, rather than meeting animals in a controlled display.
The second strength is the guide-led format. Ray, Grant, and Keith are named as guides who can make the hour more personal with facts, humor, and conversation. That human element matters when animal sightings are unpredictable.
The third strength is the finish. The drink and mini golf make the outing feel complete, particularly for families or groups with different interests.
The limits are just as clear. There is no food included, the activity lasts only one hour, and kangaroo sightings cannot be guaranteed in a particular spot. You also need to keep your distance from the animals, so do not book this expecting hands-on contact.
Book it if you want a short, easygoing Western Australia activity with more variety than a simple animal viewing stop. The golf cart setting, local guide, drink, and 18-hole mini golf round give you several reasons to choose it, even if the kangaroos are cautious.
I would especially choose it for a family afternoon, a relaxed date, or a useful gap in a driving itinerary. The tour also makes sense if you want wildlife without a long walk or a full-day commitment.
Skip it if your only goal is guaranteed close-up wildlife photography. The kangaroos are wild, and the best moments depend on their behavior. For everyone else, the $48 price is reasonable when you value the complete package rather than treating it as a kangaroo sighting alone.
FAQ

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Where does the golf cart kangaroo safari meet?
Meet at the golf porte-cochere on the south side of The Vines Resort.
How long does the activity last?
The activity lasts one hour.
How much does the experience cost?
The price is $48 per person.
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What is included in the price?
The price includes the golf cart tour, an English-speaking guide, one beer, wine, or soft drink, and access to the mini golf course.
What drink can I choose?
You can choose a house wine, bottled beer, or soft drink.
Is food included?
No. Food is not included.
How many holes of mini golf are included?
You receive access to 18 holes of mini golf.
Are the kangaroos tame?
No. The kangaroos are wild and should be enjoyed from a distance.
What language is the tour conducted in?
The live tour guide conducts the activity in English.
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