Things to do, Pemberton
The township of Pemberton lies nestled in a valley surrounded by the spectacular Karri forests of the Gloucester National Park, with lush green pastures and acres of rolling vineyards. With its cool Mediterranean climate, crystal clear streams and rich earth, the scenic diversity of Pemberton is awe inspiring.
Visitors can indulge in the taste sensations offered by many restaurants, cafes and wineries, who specialise in fresh gourmet food and home grown produce. Recreational activities such as canoeing, fishing, swimming and bushwalking are popular pastimes. The town lies on the Bibbulmun Track which winds through some of the most enchanting stretches of Karri forest.
Pemberton lies in the heart of tall timber country, and its timber heritage is maintained through several galleries that produce unique handcrafted works. Beautiful art and craft pieces can also be seen and purchased in the local shops.
Pemberton adjoins the Gloucester National Park, with its towering Karri trees and clear rivers. The Gloucester National Park also contains The Cascades, where the Lefroy Brook tumbles over a series of rocky shelves, which vary from a gentle flow in mid-summer, to a raging torrent in winter. The rocky rapids provide a place for an outdoor lunch, a leisurely stroll, or a few peaceful hours of fly fishing.
The district bursts into dazzling colour with the onset of the wildflower season in Spring, lending a magical charm to the area. It is home to two magnificent climbing trees; the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, a dizzying 75 metres high, and the Gloucester Tree standing 61 metres high. The Gloucester Tree, is probably Western Australia’s most famous karri tree, towering above the forest surrounding Pemberton. Visitors can climb to the cabin for sensational views of the surrounding karri forest.
Warren National Park covers 2982 hectares in the heart of the karri forest, south-west of Pemberton on the Old Vasse Road. It protects magnificent virgin karri forest along the valley of the Warren River. The one-way Heartbreak and Maidenbush trails follow alongside the Warren River, sometimes meandering level with the water and sometimes looking down from high above it. The bubbling rapids of Heartbreak Crossing and the Warren Lookout, offer a scenic picnic spot along the trail.
The Karri Forest Explorer Drive is a well sign-posted scenic drive that loops through many of Pemberton’s attractions, including lookouts and wineries. The river is flanked by magnificent karri trees, river banksias, peppermints and the wattie (Agonis juniperina).
With no less than 300 kilometres of freshwater streams, visitors love to try their luck for trout. There are also several private fisheries and hatcheries to make it a little easier as well. Don’t forget to try the region’s delicacy, marron. It’s a freshwater crayfish that is a unique gourmet treat when enjoyed with a glass or two of fine local wine.
The Pemberton area produces excellent quality wines, and you’ll enjoy stopping for tastings at many of the picturesque vineyards. Most offer cellar door sales, and some will tempt you to a delicious meal in a relaxed and charming setting.
Freshwater streams and rivers are hidden amongst the Karri forests. Beedelup Falls in the Beedelup National Park has one of the most amazing suspension bridges crossing the Falls, as well as forming part of the Bibbulmun Track. Beedelup Falls drop for 100 metres, over a series of steep granite rocks. The falls are in full flow during winter and spring and can be viewed year-round along a walk trail, and from the two nearby bridges. The Beedelup National Park includes dense karri forest, mixed with jarrah, and several beautiful stands of pure marri.
If you have time, it is well worth experiencing the majesty of yesteryear on a steam hauled passenger train, which delves deep into the forest exposing the picturesque countryside. This experience recreates the history of the timber railways that were so important to the regions development and growth.
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Pemberton Discovery Tours
48 Brockman Street
PEMBERTON WA 6260
PH: (08) 9776 0484
FAX(08) 9776 0480
Email: info@pembertondiscoverytours.com.au
Web: www.pembertondiscoverytours.com.au
Pemberton Hyrdo-Energy Station
Pump Hill Road
PEMBERTON WA 6260
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Wake up to the sound of kookaburras
Wake up to the sound of kookaburras and enjoy just lazing around the motel watching the abundance of bird life. Take time out to stroll through the gardens and inhale the floral aromas, unwind by the pool after a game of golf or tennis, take in some water activities or just enjoy all the fantastic local attractions.
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Gloucester Tree
At 61 metres (201 feet) in height, the Gloucester Tree is the world's tallest fire-lookout tree, and visitors can climb up to a platform in its upper branches for a spectacular view of the surrounding karri forest. The Gloucester Tree is a giant tree in the Gloucester National Park Western Australia.
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Pemberton Tramway
A slow scenic wander through the beautiful forest near Pemberton on an old-fashioned restored tram or steam train.