Perth to Pemberton drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops

Perth to Pemberton drive: Balingup to Bridgetown

The next town on the South Western Highway is Greenbushes, on the highest part of the Darling Scarp. Here you can walk the Mining Heritage Trail or learn more about the local timber and mining industries at the Greenbushes Discovery Centre. You can also take in the views from the Mine Lookout.

Greenbushes is the last realistic stop before reaching Bridgetown.

The best things to do in Bridgetown include walking through the Blackwood River Park, admiring jigsaws from around the globe at the Brierly Jigsaw Gallery and tasting locally-made ciders at the Cidery and Blackwood Valley Brewing Company.

Bridgetown accommodation

The best places to stay in Bridgetown are:

For riverside elegance, surrounded by gardens: Ford House Retreat.
For central location, with a bar and restaurant: The Bridgetown Hotel.
For great, wallet-friendly value: Thistle Do Bed and Breakfast.

Perth to Pemberton road trip: Bridgetown to Manjimup

Continuing south from Bridgetown to Manjimup, you’ll cross the Blackwood River, then pass Yornup State Forest and the Wilgarrup Nature Reserve. Neither is especially worth visiting.

Things to do in Manjimup include learning about the timber industry at Manjimup Heritage Park, going for a cruise along the Donnelly River and swimming at Fonty’s Pool.

The best places to stay in Manjimup

The best Manjimup accommodation options are:

For heritage and charm: Dingup House.
For cottages with fireplaces and a trout lake: Clover Cottage Country Retreat.
For a solid motel: Kingsley Motel.

The last leg: Manjimup to Pemberton

The final leg of the journey is the drive from Manjimup to Pemberton. The route goes past the Diamond Tree, one of the original fire lookout trees that was pegged for climbing. Alas, it is no longer possible to climb the Diamond Tree, but you can still admire it from the forest floor.

The turn-off down the Vasse Highway comes near Sir James Mitchell National Park and the Smith Brook Nature Reserve.

Head south-west along the Vasse, and you’ll pass a few wineries and truffle farms. The Lost Lake Pemberton winery and Below and Above Truffles and Wine make for arguably the best stops before you reach Pemberton.

3 Pemberton experiences to book now

Explore the surrounding national parks, forests and sand dunes – on a half day 4WD tour.
Take a tour through the national parks – including a visit to a Southern Ocean beach.
Tackle the Pemberton to Northcliffe section of the Bibbulmun Track – on a four day guided walk.

The best things to do in Pemberton include climbing the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree (if you dare), taking the Pemberton Tramway Company’s tourist train and admiring the Cascades in Gloucester National Park. It’s also worth taking a half day 4WD tour through the national parks, forests and sand dunes.

The best places to stay in Pemberton, WA

The top Pemberton accommodation options are:

For a charming forest location with kangaroos on the grounds: Forest Lodge Resort.
For cool cabins with kitchenettes: Jaspers Cabins.
For central location: The Pemberton Hotel.