The best things to do in Pemberton, Western Australia

The best things to do in Pemberton, WA, include swimming in the Pemberton Pool, taking the Pemberton Tramway Company tourist train and climbing the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree.

7 best things to do in Pemberton, WA

The best things to do in Pemberton are:

Take a 4WD tour through the national parks, forests and sand dunes.
Walk a section of the Bibbulmun Track.
Climb the terrifying Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree.
Explore the surrounding forests on the Karri Forest Explorer Drive.
See the Cascades in Gloucester National Park.
Go for an al-fresco swim in the Pemberton Pool.
Enjoy a scenic tourist train ride with the Pemberton Tramway Company.

Where is Pemberton, Western Australia?

Pemberton is a small town surrounded by forests in the south-western corner of Western Australia. Many travellers will come to Pemberton as part of a road trip around the south west, taking in the likes of Busselton, Margaret River, Denmark and Albany.

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.

Pemberton area tours

If you want to see the best of Pemberton and the surrounding areas, there are a couple of tours available. The half day Pemberton national parks, beach and forest adventure goes where only 4WD vehicles can reach. Itinerary highlights include the tall karri forest of Warren National Park, Dead Man’s Lake in D’Entrecasteaux National Park and the dazzling Yeagarup Sand Dunes. At the time of writing, this Pemberton national parks tour costs $135 and should be booked online in advance.

There’s also a beach and forest eco adventure, which takes in much of the same, but also visits a beach on the Southern Ocean. This tour costs $178.54. Again, book online.

For walkers, the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton, and the less stoic can tackle just a short section of it while in the region.

Those wanting more of a challenge can take a four day guided hike on the Pemberton to Northcliffe section of the Bibbulmun Track. This also needs advance booking.

Pemberton climbing trees

The most famous attractions in Pemberton, Western Australia, are the two climbing trees. The Gloucester Tree and Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree are tests of nerve. Originally designed as fire lookouts, the Pemberton climbing trees are studded with spiralling metal pegs around the trunk.

The way up involves circling around the tree, climbing ladder-style on these pegs, while looking down at the ground beneath you. The experience is not for those with vertigo.

Of these Pemberton climbing trees, the Gloucester Tree is the closest to the town, but it was closed for safety improvements at the time of writing.

The Gloucester Tree in Pemberton, Western Australia. Photo by of Frances Andrijich.

The Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree in Warren National Park is taller, and visitors can climb up 65 metres. If they dare.

Things to do in Pemberton: Karri Forest Explorer Drive

Pemberton is surrounded by forests and national parks, and the best way to explore them is along the 86km Karri Forest Explorer Drive.

Highlights of the route include the Cascades in Gloucester National Park. This series of small waterfalls can be gently trickly in summer and absolutely raging in winter.

Other attractions near Pemberton on the Karri Forest Explorer Drive include the Warren Lookout in Warren National Park and Big Brook Dam, which has a lovely picnic area.

Things to do in Pemberton: Pemberton Pool

Things to do in Pemberton itself include having a swim at the Pemberton Pool, which was created in Lefroy Brook back in the 1920s. It’s a popular barbecue and picnic spot next to the Pemberton Mountain Bike Park.

What to do in Pemberton, WA: Pemberton Tramway Company

Perhaps the most popular attraction in Pemberton, however, is the Pemberton Tramway Company.

This tourist train operator runs 75 minute train rides through the karri forests and over trestle bridges to the Cascades in Gloucester National Park. At the time of writing, tickets cost $28. For timetable information, visit the Pemberton Tramway Company website.

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.

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