Pemberton

The pretty timber town of Pemberton in the south west of the state is all about indulging in local gourmet produce, tasting top wines and feasting your eyes on breathtaking forest scenery. The tall trees - Pemberton's biggest attraction - are truly magnificent. Stretching skywards as far as the eye can see, these vast Karri giants are awe-inspiring. And in spring the forest floor transforms with a burst of colourful wildflowers. Get off road and explore the forest by hiking the bush tracks, travelling by four-wheel drive or horseback adventure. For spectacular views, venture up Pemberton's climbing trees, originally fire lookouts in the 1940s. Paddle a canoe around Pemberton's river, lake and estuary waters, visit the largest inland dune system in the Southern Hemisphere and browse around local art galleries. Step back in time to Pemberton's timber milling days and ride a steam train, tour a timber mill and taste some Aboriginal bush tucker. Pemberton is also fast gaining a reputation for its wine and gourmet produce. Whatever your culinary preference, there's something to suit your palate and and wallet. Stop at the cellar door of a local winery for a bottle of chardonnay en route to a picnic at Beedelup Falls. Or slap a steak on a barbeque at Big Brook Dam and settle in for the afternoon. Find a quiet riverbank and throw in a line for trout, perch and marron. Pemberton is also a great base to explore the south west, with Margaret River, Busselton and the Valley of the Giants only an hour-and-a-half away. Accommodation ranges from luxurious to budget. Beautiful lakeside chalets and country retreats offer the chance to kick back on your private veranda and listen to the Kookaburras. To get there, hire a car and make the scenic three hour drive south of Perth.