Pemberton and The Giant Karri Trees

 

We were both excited to be heading back to Pemberton, 30 years after the first visit with Mum and Dad. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful drive further south west, particularly as we began to drive through the forest. We arrived in time to check into Pemberton Caravan Park, select a site along the creek looking out to the forest and head up to the Pemberton Tramway in time for the 12:15pm departure. We had fond memories of this tram experience and it lived up to expectations this time around. A lovely 30min ride through the forest to the Cascades waterfall with time to wander through the forest, marvelling at the towering Karri and Marri trees and the brilliant, green moss-covered undergrowth, before rejoining the tram for the trip back.

After a wander through the town, a disappointing visit to the local marron farm (which had only three small marron for sale), it was back to the caravan park for a stroll through the forest. Passing the local, natural swimming pools (which would be a beautiful in summer), we met a mother duck and her 4 ducklings heading home as it began to get dark. Unfortunately, further along the path, we found duckling no. 5 who was fledging on his back in the mud trying to turn over. We grabbed some sticks and righted the little thing, but it was having great trouble walking and would no way be able to catch up to mum. Sippy to the rescue, he collected the duckling and met mum and the other 4 siblings up at the pools. The little thing seemed to go well in the water and rejoined the family – but the next day was not seen with the fam, so we assume he didn’t make it. Sad.

We settled into the BT for the night, with the heater on, as the rain came. At least we were nice and cosy.

The next day we set off in the drizzle for a drive through the forest. On the way to the Gloucester Tree, we stopped in at a local chocolate maker and came away with a dark, salted fig and a raspberry bar for later – yum. As we pulled up to the Gloucester Tree, Sippy was disappointed to learn that it was closed to climbing due to maintenance work. Thank heavens, as he was keen to climb the 53-metre-high tree, 30 years after his first climb. Looking up at the tree we were reminded of just how high it was, and being slippery, I was very glad that it was closed. We then headed out to Beedelup Falls, which was flowing beautifully. We walked the loop track, along the falls, crossing the suspension bridge and then headed back towards Pemberton. We drove the 10km explorer tree loop, admiring the majestic giants of the forest and stopped to see the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree (65m), which was also closed to climbing.