Category: Western Australia

Pemberton is an ideal location from which to explore the south west corner of Western Australia. Pemberton is located about an hour and a half’s drive from Margaret River, Busselton, Walpole/Nornalup and the Valley of the Giants, and only two hours’ drive from Bunbury. Pemberton was established in 1913 as a timber town. The town’s name comes from one of the earliest European settlers, Pemberton Walcott. Nestled in the valley surrounded by the karri forests of the Gloucester National Park and the Pemberton Forest Park, Pemberton enjoys a cool Mediterranean climate with crystal clear streams, rich soils and friendly locals. It’s the smell of the forest that you won’t forget, the cool night air, the crackle of a log fire or the views from your verandah. While the karri forest may be the backdrop, Pemberton offers great diversity within a very small area. Explore by self drive, regular four wheel drive, or guided tour. Discover the forest on horseback, tranquil at a walk and exhilarating at a faster pace. Four wheel drive tracks enable you to see the best of the karri forest, discover the secret Yeagerup dunes or the nearby coast. Canoe hire is available for you to travel by river. An experienced and knowledgeable guide will lead you on a leisurely stroll or take you for a hiking and camping experience of several days. Take a timber tour, see a working timber mill and find out how the forests are managed, or join an Aboriginal cultural tour and taste some bush tucker. Learn how to drive the engine while on a nostalgic trip on a Steam Train. See the karri forest by tramway, travelling over many streams and brooks on wooden trestle bridges. Pemberton’s cool climate and abundant fresh water make it ideal for raising trout and marron (a local freshwater crayfish). You can purchase your marron or trout direct from the farm or catch your own in the farm’s ponds. Safe swimming and a magnificent setting can be found at the Big Brook Dam. The beaches close to Pemberton also offer superb beach fishing. Arts and crafts are created from the inspiration of the forest. Be inspired yourself and visit one of the many galleries and craft centres featuring fine local work. Relax in a garden cafe, enjoy a gourmet meal as you gaze out over the karri forest, purchase some fine local wine at the cellar door and enjoy the wholesome country cooking and hospitality. Pemberton is famous for its towering karri forests, cool bubbling streams, steep river valleys and secluded white beaches. Pemberton is serviced by bus services from Perth, Bunbury and Albany. A wide range of quality accommodation is available including lodge, hotel, motel, self contained cottages, cabins, bed and breakfast and caravan and camping facilities.

Nestled at the mouth of the Harding River near Roebourne, Cossack beckons the traveller and offers a unique glimpse into the past. The town features many fine stone buildings, which have been fully restored and now offer an array of services designed to make the visitors stay informative and memorable. Cossack was the first port in the North West servicing growing pastoral industry. It played host to thousands of people seeking their fortunes in the Pilbara gold rush. Cossack was also the home of the fast growing pearling industry. It was after the Cossack pearling grounds were fished out that the pearling fleet moved further north to Broome. Cossacks growth was spread over forty years, however its decline was more rapid. By 1900 the pearling fleet had moved to Broome, the gold rush had diminished, vessels became larger and the Cossck port was no longer suitable as a harbour. In 1904 a jetty was established at Point Samson and all shipping movements were relocated there. Cossack had lost her position as the most important port in the Northwest. The Municipality of Cossack was dissolved in 1910, however, people still lived in the town until after World War II. The town was abandoned by 1950. Now Cossack offers the visitor a pleasant stay at the Backpackers and an ideal location from which to explore nearby Jarman Island, enjoy the seven unique species of mangroves or take a stroll along Settlers Beach and Witness a wondrous Pilbara Sunset.

Eighty Mile Beach is situated almost halfway between Broome and Port Hedland. The beach is a paradise of pristine coastline. It is perfect for walking, fishing, fossicking for shells or just sitting back and enjoying the magnificent sunset. The area is also a listed wetland and feeding ground for migratory birds. The beach supports about half a million of these waders, comprising over 20 different species. Each year these shorebirds arrive in northern Australia from their feeding and breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle. By the time they arrive here, they have travelled between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometres. Eighty Mile Beach is a rich food source for the birds. The continuity of these birds depends on their successful feeding, resting and breeding, and Eighty Mile Beach is a crucial part of their life cycle. Eighty Mile Beach has a caravan park offering camping, caravan and cabin accommodation.