Although Pemberton is
surrounded by National Parks which are heavily baited, there are provisions
for pets.
D-G Information Page
Knights Winery and Distillery is located 10km from Pemberton on the RHS driving from town.
For something different you may like to try Knight's winery - which is in fact more of a distillery than a winery with over 35 different varieties of liqueurs, which will be rotated through to always give something new for their customers. They also produce Rocky Road and a variety of hand made truffles with liqueur centres.
Further information is available on their website
Although Pemberton is
surrounded by National Parks which are heavily baited, there are provisions
for pets.
(For more information, click here to open Naturebase information on pets in National Parks)
|
WARNING to Dog & Cat Owners Operation Western Shield has been baiting crown land and state forests with dried meat baits containing toxin 1080. These baits are VERY toxic to domestic animals so watch for signs in baited areas. Further information is available from the Donnelly District CALM office on 9776 1207. |
Please check that your accommodation is pet friendly before you arrive as the majority of places will not accept pets.
If you wish to bring your pet and have not booked into a pet friendly accommodation then Kennels are available for your pets in Bridgetown, 60km from Pemberton. They can be contacted on 08 9761 1751 and are located on the South West Hwy between Bridgetown and Greenbushes.
Dogs are permitted in the following venues.
Dogs may be taken on a leash to the Big Brook Dam, but not around the beach area.
Dogs
are not allowed in the National Parks or on tours so be prepared to leave your
pet behind.
Please note the above does not apply to seeing eye and assistance dogs.
Unfortunately the last thing you want to think about on holiday, however here are a list of local people who can help should you be in an emergency situation:
Pemberton, like most country towns, operates with a Volunteer Fire and Rescue Brigade and Volunteer Ambulance - so if you see them around fundraising for these respective causes any donation would be appreciated.
| CALM | 9776 1207 |
| Emergency | 000 |
| Fire brigade |
9776 1074 (dial 000 in an emergency) |
| Police |
9776 1202 (dial 000 in an emergency) |
| Patchwork House Health Care (Doctors Surgery) | 9776 1620 |
|
Pemberton Garage (car trailer & Mechanic) For RAC service contact the 13 17 03 number |
9776 1288 |
| Pemberton - Northcliffe Health Service (hospital) |
9776 4000 (dial 000 for Ambulance) |
| Old Schoolhouse Doctors Surgery | 9776 1101 |
| RAC | 131703 |
| Veterinary clinic | Manjimup |
Have you caught a BIG ONE! Please let us know by email; pemberton@wn.com.au.
Pemberton has 3 main rivers as well as their major tributaries within 50km of the town centre. It is also only 30km from the coast. As you can imagine, fishing in Pemberton is fantastic. You have a mixture of fresh water fishing, surf fishing and Marroning.
You
may choose a tour should you want in-house knowledge or try your hand in your
favourite water hole.
King Trout have fishing equipment for hire to be used in their fully stocked dams. Why not bring the family and catch your lunch! You’re sure to have some fun.
Some accommodation venues also provide facilities. These places do not require a Fishing license however should you wish to fish for trout in the rivers and tributaries a Trout license is required. These may be purchased from the local Post Office or from Fisheries before you arrive. (Combine it with your Marron license to save a few dollars).
Trout season starts on 1 September and ends on 30 April. However the Blackwood, Donnelly and Warren Rivers are open all year round.
For Surf Fishing, Pemberton Discovery Tours offer a fishing adventure that takes you off road to some of the more inaccessible beaches. Ph 9776 0484
For rivers and tributaries, you may like to take a guided trip with Brendan from Poachers Apprentice. Brendan can even teach you the art of fly-fishing. Tours with Brendan are either from local accommodation places or Big Brook and start at $75pp for a 2 hour lesson. Ph Toni on 08 9776 0484 for enquiries.
Pemberton is located in the heart of the national park country in Australia's South West, making it a premier nature based destination. You will need a parks pass to drive into the national parks. One may be purchased from the CALM office on Kennedy St or at the visitors centre in town. Cost is $10 per vehicle for 24hrs ($5 Seniors). For stays of 2 days or longer a yearly pass is probably more the way to go as they are $20 per vehicle.
The National Parks found within a short distance from Pemberton are :
The hyperlinks go to the Naturebase website where further information on the parks can be found.
With the majority of these parks currently being extended and the high possibility of a new park being included, Pemberton is literally surrounded by National Parks making it a very ecologically special and relaxing place to visit.
Pemberton Karri Forest Explorer
Click here to Open or Download Map
Karri Forest Explorer Drive is a practical way to explore the majority of Pemberton's main natural attractions. Being an 85km circuit it may be started at any stage therefore allowing visitors to complete the circuit in its entirety over the course of a few days.
The drive covers the following main natural attractions and is complimented with a radio commentary on FM 100.0 at most of these.
Local businesses including wineries, galleries, restaurants and Cafes are either on the drive or not far from the circuit. Maps are available from the local DEC office on 9776 1207 or the Pemberton Discovery Shop.
Caution - the drive traverses sealed and unsealed roads. Hire vehicle drivers will need to check that their insurance covers them for gravel driving.
Shannon National Park - Great Forest Trees Drive
Located in the Shannon National Park, 50km South East of Pemberton, this drive has camping and boardwalks throughout and is a delightful way to enjoy the Shannon National Park.
Windy Harbour - Lighthouse and Salmon Beach
The journey to Windy Harbour is worthwhile. (See Windy in the suggested itineraries) The new lighthouse development makes it a tourist’s mecca with a scenic drive through the cliffs of Pt D'Entrecasteaux followed by a wild walk along the wide pathways hugging the cliffs. There are walkways with balconies perched over the limestone cliffs looking in to caves in the cliffs.
Salmon Beach is a local favourite . Bring a fishing rod and a picnic (also a camera!).
Channybearup Attractions
Channybearup Attractions is a 30km stretch of road between Vasse Hwy (Nannup - Pemberton section) and South West Hwy (8km from Manjimup).
This road has many attractions either on it or nearby.
The west end is close enough to Beedelup Falls should you wish to visit it enroute. The journey passes potato, broccoli and cauliflower farms on your right. On the left is the Airstrip (watch the sheep!) then the first of the many wineries accessible on this rich stretch of land. The road ends just north of the Diamond Tree.
So from West to East you can expect to be able to visit....
Grab a copy of Karri Country from the local DEC office - it has heaps of information available for walking, driving and touring. The Pemberton Map is available from most stores in town for $3.95.
Please note all our tour operators are DEC approved and the tour cost includes National Park Fees.
Pemberton is surrounded by National Parks that offer amazing 4WDriving opportunities of different levels into some truly breathtaking landscapes. Entering these areas requires the respect of the environment so it can be preserved for the future. Here in Australia’s southwest we are very fortunate to have the opportunity of a diverse range of places to go and get away from the rat race. By doing the right thing you will be playing your part in ensuring this opportunity remains for many generations to come.
Pemberton is not normally associated with the coast and when planning a holiday down this way its forest and rivers that are normally the first things that come to mind. The southern ocean is a 35km drive from Pemberton and 11km of that is 4wdriving only. There are numerous access tracks in the D’Entrecasteaux National Park leading to the coast that require low tyre pressures and you will require low range driving as the tracks are soft sand. There is up to 30 km of beach where you can 4WD, camp and fish - just the place to get away from it all!
If you are considering going 4WDriving to the coast it does pay to be prepared to prevent a leisurely trip turning in to a nightmare. - and don’t expect the RAC to come and help you as it wont happen!
There are some locals that can provide a vehicle recovery service with costs ranging from $350 to $1000. Not bad if you are trying to save a $80,000 4WD vehicle from the drink or you are bogged to your axils, no one within cooee and dreaming about that warm chalet.
Avoid travelling by yourself it is safer to travel in a group and a lot more fun. Safety in numbers is always a good motto. It always pays to let some one know where you are intended to go and what time you are due back!
Items to consider when 4WDriving out on the coast
§
4WD with sufficient clearance (please note some soft roaders are able to access some of the terrain during the wet season but have no hope during the dry)§
Water§
First aid kit§
Communications eg sat phone§
Dune flag (the tracks are very narrow and two way traffic is allowed)§
Long handle shovel§
Base plate (for sand use for jack)§
Air Compressor§
Recovery strap & ‘rated’ shackles (We recommend doing a 4WD course on how to use recovery gear prior to your journey)§
Rubbish Bags
These
items are only the basics when 4WDriving in soft sand.
There are 4WD tours and guided tag along tours run by Pemberton Discovery Tours that know the area well and provide an excellent service and commentary on the area. The tours run most days into the heart of old growth Karri forest, the Yeagarup dunes and to the Southern Ocean.
The tag along service is not only for the inexperienced it can save you a lot of traveling time if you don’t know the area and believe in the old motto “Safety in numbers”.
4WD guide: Graeme Dearle
Pemberton Discovery Tours
Pemberton is only approximately 18km from the coast as the crow flies and a 35km drive. It is only accessible by 4WD.
The D'Entrecasteaux National Park covers 118,000Ha of coastal country that runs between Walpole and Black point south of Augusta.
It is a fragile environment so when 4WDriving and camping Tread Lightly.
The coast offers some very good fishing however if it is the drive you want there is plenty of that. The Warren, Yeagarup and Marlimup beaches are joined when the river mouths close up during the summer months to offer a 30km stretch of beach and there are 3 access points to either enter or exit. There are circuits that can be created by checking maps purchased from DEC or the Pemberton Discovery Shop. The Warren Circuit can be a challenge to the more experienced driver.
Caution, there are a number of rivers that meet the coast and are extremely hazardous. If planning to negotiate one there have been numerous vehicles caught in the mouth of these rivers - I highly recommend not crossing the rivers, especially if you lack the expertise required to extract yourself from the soft sand slurry.
When 4WDriving in the Pemberton area observe signs and minimize damage to flora and fauna, reduce tyre pressures to suit conditions. Reducing tyre pressures not only allows you to drive in soft sand it also prevents track damage and the strain on your vehicle. When driving in soft dune sand, momentum is the key and preventing wheel spin is important as this will only dig you down. If you find it difficult to prevent the wheels spinning your tyre pressures are to high.
There are no rubbish bins supplied out here so what comes in must go out (don’t forget to add rubbish bags to the list)
I offer tours through this area almost daily and am available on UHF 10 should you see me enroute. Alternatively for tag along tour bookings or should you require a team leader for a group 4WD expedition I would be more than happy to help. My phone is (08) 9776 0484 or pop into the Pemberton Discovery Shop. Our interactive blog will be up shortly if you are interested in pasting your question online alternatively visit our webpage located at www.pembertondiscoverytours.com.au and email info@pembertondiscoverytours.com.au .
It’s not about the ‘biggest mountain’ you can climb it’s about getting in to a remote area and appreciating it – and letting others appreciate it as well!
Cheers
Other information...
Other great 4WD circuits are the Lake Jasper, Black Point Circuit and the Moons Crossing Circuit through the forest. Good maps are available at the Pemberton Discovery Shop. You can purchase them online by contacting us at the shop (again - info@pembertondiscoverytours.com.au).
Pemberton is home to many different frog species. Because of the abundance of pristine, clean waterways and our high rainfall, you often have to watch driving at night after a shower - as the frogs are on the move.
This section is currently being updated by Wendy.
Bug and Frog walks operate Monday and Frogday evenings at Big Brook Dam. Click here for more information.
The Pemberton Sports Club has a Gym available for visitors and members alike. The Gym is open from 9am till late every day with a crèche available both Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 till 11am for a minimal charge. Contact 9776 1066 or pembertonsports@westnet.com.au for more information.
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Pemberton has two golf courses and a mini putt.
The Pemberton Golf Course is located just off Golf Links Rd in Pemberton. Equipment hire and Green Fees are available at the Pemberton Discovery Shop (Ph 9776 0484) and range from $10pp green fees and $10 - $15 for club hire. The course is 18 hole with sand greens and only 2km from town centre. To book email here...
The Karri Valley Hideaway Golf is located just off
Hopgarden Rd in Karri Valley. It is a 9 hole, 3 par golf course with grassed
greens. All equipment may be hired - there is an honesty box onsite.
Restaurant opening soon!
Phone Sue on 9776 2184.
Ambrose is a fun game to play when you have 3 or more players. It is less competitive and you play it in pairs. The idea of the game is the best ball wins and the partner moves their ball besides yours to continue (good for kids and parents). A real hoot!
Karri Valley Resort has a mini putt course available. Contact the activities department at Karri Valley on 9776 2020 for further information and bookings.