Page 2 - 4WD Australia 50 Short Getaways 2nd Edition, Explore Australia

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GreGory’s 4WD australia: 50 short GetaWays
Pemberton Forest Drive
IN bRIEF
From Perth 335km
Length of tour 123km (including side trip) Duration 3 days
When to go year round
Road rating
• sealed two-lane highway
• unsealed two-lane roads
• unsealed one-lane track
• 4WD-only sandy track and sand dunes
INFORmATION FOR TRAvELLERS
bridgetown visitor Centre
hampton st
Bridgetown Wa 6255
Ph: 08 9761 1740 www.bridgetownvisitors.com.au
manjimup Tourist visitor Centre
Giblett st
Manjimup Wa 6258 Ph: 08 9771 1831
Pemberton Department of Environment and Conservation Kennedy st
Pemberton Wa 6260
Ph: 08 9776 1207 www.naturebase.net
Pemberton visitor Centre
Brockman st
Pemberton Wa 6260
Ph: 08 9776 1133 www.pembertontourist.com.au
Climbing the Dave evans Bicentennial tree, Warren NP
the south-west of Western australia is renowned for its towering tingle forests of karri, jarrah and marri. the town of Pemberton is surrounded by these eucalypts reaching 90 metres straight up. With walking trails, wineries, craft galleries and trout fishing, Pemberton can easily fill any weekend with activities.
the Department of environment and Conservation (DeC) has added to Pemberton’s attractions with a drive through Pemberton’s forests. this is the perfect family drive and any 4WD, suV or aWD will handle the unsealed sections. the experience is enhanced with radio broadcasts at points along the way. the trip begins and ends
with a climb up two of the fire lookout trees. Big Brook Dam has a sandy white beach ideal for a swim. the one-way track through Beedelup National Park and then Beedelup Falls is a highlight. heartbreak trail – the only rough section of the drive – was hand- cut out of the forest to access the Warren river; here, the Maiden Bush swimming hole invites another plunge. By taking it easy on the somewhat slippery road, everyone can enjoy this trip.
experienced sand drivers with a high- clearance 4WD may want more of a challenge and the deep, sandy track
to yeagarup Beach via an advancing,
ever-shifting dune system is in an entirely different category to the forest drive. Best done in a convoy of at least two vehicles in case of bogging, its greatest challenge is the steep ascents and descents over the dunes, which are pegged out by DeC. the track is a popular one, especially on long weekends and holidays, so be prepared to reverse along the rutted track to the nearest pullout. tent camping (with no facilities) is available at yeagarup Beach and camper-trailer or caravan camping with toilet facilities is available at yeagarup lake.
With birds singing and calling in the forests, trout and marron swimming in the rivers, wineries and galleries to visit and explore and serene bushwalks ranging from one hour to several days, Pemberton has much to offer. Whether you stick with a peaceful family forest drive or take up the challenge of undulating sand dunes, a weekend or even a week in Pemberton
is a delight.
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