Perth to Pemberton Weekend Road Trip + FREE Map

Pemberton has always been one of our favourite weekend escapes from Perth. And it’s SO underrated!

There’s more to do besides The Gloucester Tree and Dave Evans Bicentennial – forest hikes, swimming holes, MTB trails, wineries…

If we only had a weekend in Pemberton, this is the itinerary we’d do. Plus a bonus Monday at the Valley of the Giants if you can take the extra day off.

Road trip snapshot

• Distance: ~700km return
• Drive time: ~7 hrs across the weekend
• Areas covered: Pemberton, Beedelup Falls, Optional: Walpole & Valley of the Giants
• Best time: Year-round, but best in spring for wildflowers, or winter for truffle season
• Vehicle: 2WD is fine, but there are some well-maintained dirt roads
• Pet-friendly: Not really, most places on this itinerary are in National Parks. But the swimming pool and the Big Brook Dam are dog-friendly (on leash).
• Good for: Couples and families after an easy weekend in the forest and maybe a wine tasting.

Day 1: Perth > Pemberton (Friday)

• Distance: ~290km
• Drive time: ~3.5 hrs

This first leg is a bit long, so today focus on getting into Pemberton and settling in, proper exploring starts tomorrow!

Just keep in mind most restaurants in Pemberton close by 7:30PM, so consider bringing something for dinner before leaving, or eat on the way.

Where to stay in Pemberton

We stayed at RAC Karri Valley Resort and absolutely loved it!

It’s within walking distance to Beedelup Falls and there’s a lake at the back which is great for paddling. But it’s a 15-min drive outside of town, we didn’t mind but some people do.

If you’d rather stay closer to town, here are some good options:

• Karri Forest Motel if you prefer a typical hotel, and you could walk to Gloucester Tree from there
• Pemberton Caravan Park, great option if you’re caravanning, plus it’s next to Pemberton pool
• Forest Lodge Resort for those after something more fancy

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Day 2: Pemberton (Saturday)

• Distance: ~40km of short hops around the area
• Drive time: ~1 to 1.5 hrs total, in small chunks

Grab breakfast at the Wild at Heart Café (excellent coffee) before starting your day dong some of the best things to do in Pemberton:

• Gloucester Tree: A famous 61-metre-tall karri tree. Visitors can climb up to the lookout, 37 metres above the ground! If you’re not keen, walk the forest loop around its base.
• The Cascades: A beautiful set of natural rock cascades and swimming holes on Lefroy Brook, 2WD-friendly (the Pemberton Tramway also runs here but not on Sundays).
• Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree: WA’s tallest fire lookout, 65 mts tall! And you can climb up to the first lookout (20 m). The road in is unsealed but in great condition.
• Beedelup Falls: A beautiful spot, especially after heavy rain when the falls are their strongest. There’s a beautiful forest walk and a suspension bridge.
• Pemberton Pool: Epic spot for a refreshing swim, plus the towering karri trees around the pool make it a truly special place! Free, open all day, but unpatrolled.

Some of these spots are in National Park grounds, so make sure to have your park pass!

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Wineries and food-related activities

Pemberton is an underrated destination for wine and food if you ask us! There are a couple of epic places to check out:

• Hidden River Estate: Cellar door tasting of cool climate wines with a restaurant on site.
• Picardy: A small, well regarded producer known for chardonnay and pinot noir.
• Pemberley of Pemberton: Family-run winery with relaxed tastings and forest views.
• Southern Forests Chocolate Company: Boutique chocolatier 10 minutes from town, with tastings, hot chocolates and coffee among the karri forest.

It’s also truffle season in winter! If you visit then, make sure to do a truffle hunt. Here are some places to do so:

• Truffle Hill
• Australian Truffle Traders

Keen on more guided activities? Check out our rundown of the best tours in Pemberton!

Day 3: Pemberton > Perth via Bunbury (Sunday)

• Distance: ~350km
• Drive time: ~4 hrs

Today you can try something different and head to the Pemberton Mountain Bike Park, next to Pemberton pool!

It’s a purpose built trail network through the karri forest, for riders of all levels. It’s free to access and you can hire a bike in town.

Here are all the trails if you’re keen.

Then, you can take a refreshing dip in the pool to wash off all the dust. Or skip the MTB and go straight to the pool *wink*

There’s also the Big Brook Dam if you want to swim somewhere different. It’s a 10-min drive from town, great for a paddle and a picnic before driving back to Perth.

Consider breaking the drive in Bunbury to stretch your legs, grab a bite, and maybe even watch some dolphins!

Want more inspo? Here are some epic things to do in Margaret River

Bonus: Walpole & Valley of the Giants

• Distance: ~550 km total, including the drive back to Perth
• Drive time: ~6hrs between Sunday evening and Monday

If you’ve got a long weekend on your side, keep the forest theme going and check out the iconic Valley of the Giants!

Start by driving to Walpole on Sunday evening and stay there overnight. The Coalmine Beach Holiday Park and the Crystal Springs Campground are both good stays for that day.

Then check out these bucket-list spots the next day:

• Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk: It’s a suspended walkway through towering tingle trees, with views right out across the forest canopy. It’s mind-blowing in wildflower season.
• Giant Tingle Tree: One of the tallest in the region, standing at 75 metres tall. The base is so wide and hollowed out, you can actually walk inside it!
• Coalmine Beach: Go for a swim before driving back home.

Falling in love with the southwest? Check out this road trip itinerary to explore all of it!

Planning your weekend road trip

Best time to go

Pemberton works year-round, but a few things shift the timing.

Spring brings wildflowers through the forest and warmer, more comfortable days for walking, while Beedelup Falls needs a good winter to have proper flow.

Winter is truffle season, so if a truffle hunt is on your list, that’s your window!

Summer is great if you need to escape from the heat, the hottest it gets is 26-27°C!

What to pack

• Swimmers and a towel
• Closed shoes with grip for the tree climbs
• A warm layer, forest nights get cold even in summer
• A small esky for any wine or chocolate you pick up along the way
• A raincoat if you’re going in winter for the truffle hunt

Top tips

Book the truffle hunt well ahead if you’re going in season, these fill up fast on winter weekends.

Climb the trees early if you can, the pegs get slippery if there’s been any rain overnight.

If you’re doing the wine trail, pick a designated driver or book one of the tours, the cellar doors are spread out enough that you don’t want to be doing it solo after a few tastings.

Check ahead for the Pemberton Tramway, it doesn’t run on Sundays.

FAQs