Pemberton

The heart of Western Australia's karri forests in the south, where you can climb fire lookout trees like the Gloucester Tree and drive the forest loop, plus dunes, waterfalls and cool-climate wineries.

Pemberton is a small town in the Manjimup Shire of southern Western Australia, about 330 km from Perth. It is the centre of the state's karri forests and is surrounded by four national parks: Gloucester, Warren, Greater Beedelup and D'Entrecasteaux. Karri trees are among the tallest tree species in the world, reaching over 80 m. The town's most famous experience is climbing fire-lookout trees such as the Gloucester Tree and the Bicentennial Tree by hand. The roughly 86 km Karri Forest Explorer Drive links waterfalls, giant trees and river valleys, and is ideal for a full day by car. A tramway runs along an old logging railway through the forest. To the southwest, the Yeagarup Dunes can be reached by four-wheel drive, and you can drive down the dunes straight to the Indian Ocean. To the south, Northcliffe, Chudalup and Windy Harbour can be combined into a coastal day trip.

The climate is cool and wet. September–November brings spring wildflowers and strong waterfall flow. March–May, autumn, is good for wine tasting and the period around the truffle season. Winters are wet and cold, and summer fires occasionally close parks.

Getting there: drive from Perth for about 4 hours, or link Margaret River and Albany into a south-west loop. Plan 2–3 days. National parks require a vehicle entry pass. Climbing the lookout trees has no protection, so climb within your ability. Watch for kangaroos on the gravel forest roads, and avoid driving at night.

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Where to eat