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

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GreGory’s 4WD australia: 50 short GetaWays
TOuR INFORmATION
Distance
• it’s 123km including the side trip to yeagarup lake.
Duration
• Minimum three days.
• allow two half-days to drive from Perth to
Pemberton and back.
• allow one day to fully enjoy the Karri
Forest Drive with a stop to catch some
trout at the King trout Farm.
• allow at least five hours for the side trip
to yeagarup lake to include stops for a swim, a picnic, to view wildflowers, to visit a winery and maybe even to fish.
• the optional 4WD-only track to yeagarup Beach should be driven on a separate occasion as it has different challenges and requires full concentration; allow 3–4 hours for that track.
When to go
• september to mid-November for a botanical wonderland of flowers.
• summer for bushwalking and swimming.
• autumn for trout fishing.
• Winter for misty forests and roaring rivers.
Road rating
• sealed two-lane highway from Perth to Pemberton.
• unsealed two-lane roads between Vasse hwy and Channybearup rd.
• unsealed one-lane track to the Big Brook arboretum.
• unsealed one-lane track on the heartbreak trail.
• 4WD-only sandy track and sand dunes on the separate yeagarup Beach track.
Road conditions
• the 4WD-only track out to yeagarup Beach is over a series of shifting sand dunes. Contact DeC (Ph: 08 9776 1207) for track conditions before attempting this drive.
Vehicle requirements
• suV, aWD or 4WD for the Karri Forest Drive.
• 4WD with high clearance and low range for the separate yeagarup Beach track. ensure your 4WD has recovery points.
• Check with your tyre manufacturer to find out how low the tyre pressure can be dropped before running the risk of having the tyre come off the rim. take particular care with tubeless tyres that are trickier to deflate and reinflate.
Where to stay
• the Pemberton CP is a pleasant park set among trees with a visit from a mobile fruit and veggie truck most afternoons.
• there is tent or camper-trailer camping at Big Brook arboretum, yeagarup lake CG, Drafty’s Camp and Warren Campsite. None of these takes bookings; it is first come first serve.
• the town has a range of charming accommodation options. Contact the Pemberton Visitor Centre (Ph: 1800 671 133 www.pembertontourist.com.au).
Caravanners
• the nearest place for caravan camping is at the Pemberton Caravan Park.
• the only suitable campground for caravans on the forest drive is at the yeagarup lake Campground.
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Maps and guides
• DeC’s streetsmart Touring Map for the Southern Forests and Blackwood River Valley is available from regional newsagents and service stations (and the DeC office of course).
• the DeC Guide to Southern Forests and the Karri Forest Explorer pamphlet available at the Visitor Centre or the DeC office.
• Pemberton Visitors Guide available from the Visitor Centre.
What to take
• Plan to be self-sufficient with food and water in the national park campgrounds.
rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
there are shops and restaurants in Pemberton and the caravan park has drinking water.
• Bring a first aid kit, personal items and clothing (it tends to get cool at night, even in the summer), bathers, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Bring fishing gear for the trout fishing, hiking boots for the bush walks and a canoe or kayak for boating.
• For the more difficult yeagarup track, take an air compressor to reinflate tyres after completing the track as well as a shovel and a snatch strap.
Permits and fees
• a daily entry fee applies to visit the national parks; this is available from the Pemberton Visitor Centre and the local DeC office. a current annual all Parks Pass covers the entry.
• Modest camping fees also apply in the national parks; these are payable by cash or cheque through self-registration at the park entrance.
• annual all Parks Passes may be purchased at any DeC office, NatureBase bookstore or regional tourist centre. For fee details, visit the DeC website (www.naturebase.net).
Money
•
Park entrance and camping fees are payable by cash or cheque.
yeagarup track through dunes in D’entrecasteaux NP
4458 Perth 10.0.indd 268
15/10/08
2:42:35 PM