Blogs from Pemberton, Western Australia, Australia, Oceania

Après un jus de fruit, on part faire le tour du barrage, 4 km de marche rapide pour se réchauffer un peu, on va croiser de nombreux et beaux oiseaux. L’eau de l’étang est tiède et plutôt clean, parfait un bain sauvage. C’est plus tentant que la douche solaire qu’on a achetée. On remballe tout et part juste à côté pour faire le Karri Forest Explorer, une piste dans la forêt d’eucalyptus qu’on peut faire à pied ou voiture. Elle est longue de 86km, le tronçon que l’on fait est de 10km. Nous rejoignons un parc national ou l’on peut grimper un arbre haut de 61m par un escalier en colimaçon. Arrivé au pied du Glouceter Tree, quelle surprise, les escaliers sont des tiges métalliques assez espacées pas très sécurisé. Je commence l’ascension... read more

Started out the day with a hike from our campsite to nearby Big Brook Dam which was purpose built in 1986 with a view for tourism. The walking trail around the dam itself is a few kilometers and has shelters sporadically dotted on the way for picnics and there is even a man-made beach for those passing through to enjoy. The area around the dam is first class and there are opportunities to walk through nearby forest. There were plenty of swans and ducks in the water and for those wanting to do a spot of fishing there is ample opportunity (with the necessary licence of course). We arrived back at our campsite and decided it was time to head to the caravan park as after three nights of camping we were in dire need of ... read more

What I had in my head at the start of the day as we set out to walk to a nearby attraction was a short hike; in the end it was a five hour return trip but it was worth it. Our sights were set on Greens Pool which came highly recommended by a couple we met in Esperance. The trail there started off at Parry Beach and headed around Williams Bay. The distance doesn't seem to trouble you when you have the Southern Ocean to your right, massive sand dunes to your left and you're walking on largely untouched coastline. An unplanned but necessary diversion had us walking on a makeshift path through scrubland prior to reaching our destination. The sight atop the stairs on the way down to the beach made the two hour ... read more

Pemberton 10th January 2012 Leaving Albany we headed 50 Klms North on the Albany Hwy to Mt Barker. Not so long ago the area was known for its apples but today the region’s agriculture is based on sheep, cattle and cropping. Vineyards also play an important role throughout the Plantagenet District of which Mt Barker is the administrative centre. The town serves a wide agricultural community within this vast district and although the major shopping centre of Albany is ‘just down the road’ it still maintains a strong local retail centre providing all the necessary requirements of the community. The Plantagenet District vineyards are quickly establishing themselves as a premium cool climate wine region and the towns proximity to the Porongurup Range and Stirling Ranges where wildflowers are a major tourist attraction, (in season), has put ... read more

Pemberton is a country town set amongs forests and fertile farm land. Tourism is a key part of the towns economy and offers all the usual facilities including a very informative visitor centre. The Pemberton Tram is a famous ride through the forests over an old logging track. An impressive steam loco is there also but looks to be under repair at the moment. Now for the good stuff. If you go to Pemberton - It is obligatory to go to the Lavender and berry farm. Rob had a blueberry pancake (small) and coffee, and Margaret had a lavender scone with jam and cream with her coffee. The pancake was a real dream and the scone was very nice - Marg bought another to take away. We camped in the Big Brook National Park under tall ... read more