A brief Karri-on at Pembie

[JohnM]

Tomorrow morning, it’s off ‘down south’ to Pemberton (aka ‘Pembie’) (Pemberton, Western Australia - Wikipedia, Pemberton Visitor Centre - Home, https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Destination/Pemberton/56b266c4aeeeaaf773cf965f)

in the heart of Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) country for the weekend.

The route there will be through Manjimup (truffles, cherries, apples) and back through Nannup (hippies, funny mushrooms).



To be completed upon return.

 

[drron]

In the alternate world of 2020 if you are staying the weekend you would have just missed us.We arrive in the Margaret River area on Tuesday.

 

[SuePa]

Enjoy!
Unless things change before October ☹, it looks as though this is as close as I'll get to WA this year, so I'll have to visit vicariously through your trip.

 

[Daver6]

Best time of the year to visit Pembie too IMHO.

 

[Major]

It's a pity you are not going a bit further to see the magnificent Red Tingle trees ( Eucalyptus jacksonii ) at Walpole

 

[Cossie]

Climbed all the fire towers in that area 20 years ago, doing it now would probably give me a coronary!

Love that area, hoping to get back one day.

 

[JohnM]

It's a pity you are not going a bit further to see the magnificent Red Tingle trees ( Eucalyptus jacksonii ) at Walpole

Like Pembie, been there, done that - many times. There aren't too many places in WA I can be tripped up on. Work (agriculture/biology) and leisure has taken me all over.

Now I'm taking new PartnerJohnM all over...

 

[JohnM]

Done it a squillion times for work at all times of the year, but agree that late winter/early spring is tops.

 

[JohnM]

Best time of the year to visit Pembie too IMHO.

Done it a squillion times for work at all times of the year, but agree that late winter/early spring is tops.

Oops, forgot to insert @Daver6's post.

 

[Black Duck]

The tulip/flower festival should be underway in Nannup.

 

[JohnM]

The tulip/flower festival should be underway in Nannup.

It was. We made a brief stop as we passed through yesterday afternoon.

 

[JohnM]

OK, I need to knock this off. Things to do, places to go...

A great weekend. The weather was benign. No wind and the forecast weak cold front was indeed very weak and crossed over on Saturday evening. The sprinkle just freshened up the place.

Cloud and drizzle on Sunday morning didn’t show on the radar. Just the typical coastal-influence low cloud that I’ve experienced numerous times at Pembie. Cleared to a glorious day.

First stop between Manjimup (aka ‘Manji’) and Pembie along Channybearup Road was Big Karri in Big Brook State Forest.



Then on to Big Brook dam for a lunch break. Some folks with metal detectors were playing around. Finds were a ring, a 5-cent piece and bottle caps…

 

[JohnM]

On to Pembie and the mandatory visit to the famed Gloucester Tree fire lookout, just on the edge of town.



I’ve climbed it – when I was about 12, so not so long ago…



The Bibbulmun Track, a lazy c. 1K-click walk from Perth to Albany (Bibbulmun Track - Wikipedia) passes close by. We wandered along about 1 of those clicks.

The karri trees had finished shedding their bark.



This tree had numerous large flat fungi growing from it and shed at its base. Maybe a sign of a tree in decline.

Lovely moss.



I encountered a tree-hugger.

 

[Daver6]

I’ve climbed it – when I was about 12, so not so long ago…

I think you'll find the one you climbed when you were 12 has died and they since planted the new tree that you see today

 

[drron]

So he has to climb the new tree Daver6.

 

[JohnM]

Then a spin out west of Pembie to the southern end of Channybearup Road where there are large avocado orchards (these now are common throughout the Manji-Pembie area), extensive vineyards (where I’ve done a lot of work) and a massive strawberry farm.

The strawberries are planted in raised troughs (ease of picking) under frames that support shadecloth in summer. It’s early in the season now, so the seedlings are open to the elements.



Then on for a quick squiz at Karri Valley resort (Overview - RAC Karri Valley Resort).

This place has a chequered history. Originally, the lake (really a dam) was built in about the 1960s to supply irrigation water for Bunn’s Hop Garden. They supplied hops to the original Swan Brewery. In about the mid-1970s the brewery began sourcing their hops from elsewhere and Bunn’s fizzled out. A tourist village was built and passed through several owners, including the Ananda Marga (of Ma Sheela ‘tough cough’ infamy - Sect leader famous for 'Tough cough' interview tells about new life) sect and it was embroiled in the WA Inc debacle. It’s now run by RAC WA.

Without walking the trail around the lake, it’s not easily possible to photograph the lakeside hotel/restaurant part of the complex (but the RACWA web page shows it well). It’s picturesque at night with floodlights set amongst the karris on the shore opposite.



Then to our accommodation at Forest Lodge, a couple of clicks outside Pembie towards Manji. Recommended.



The centrepiece Californian Sequoia was planted in 1935.



Plenty of rhododendrons blooming.

 

[JohnM]

A drive along Old Vasse Road through Warren NP and a loop down Heartbreak Trail to the Warren River is a must-do. There are plenty of camping sites along the river and we caught up with some friends that we unexpectedly ran into the day before at Big Brook dam. They were having a long weekend camping on the Warren River. Serene.



First, the Dave Evans Millennial Tree. A higher fire lookout than the better-known Gloucester Tree, and climbing is also permitted.



The back story on the Marianne North Tree, which is right on Old Vasse Road, is interesting. An intrepid traveller (anyone remember that…? )

 

[JohnM]

Warren River and our friends’ camp site. The camps are well set up with river platforms and dry firewood provided. Superb location for a gentle kayak.



Looking down a steeper slope than it seems to the Warren River from the track that follows the north side of the river, interspersed with camping sites.



We then made our way home via a very brief stop at Nannup. The Garden Festival was under way, featuring tulips.



Another brief stop at Australind, just north of Bunbury for a coffee with a friend of PJM, and home by 1800h.

Glorious weather and a quick, but nevertheless relaxing, break. PJM back to work while I’ve dropped my vehicle in for its 15K click first service, grabbed a loaner, knocking off this TR and getting prepped for a departure tomorrow for 2-3 weeks up north.

Lockdown? What lockdown?

 

[Daver6]

Without walking the trail around the lake, it’s not easily possible to photograph the lakeside hotel/restaurant part of the complex (but the RACWA web page shows it well). It’s picturesque at night with floodlights set amongst the karris on the shore opposite.

Here's one I prepared earlier for you...

 

[cove]

@JohnM with the heavy rainfall our 100 acre lot out from Bridgetown at Winnijup is quite beautiful this time of year. It has white water rapids on the Blackwood River as a big attraction but we never got around to building a cottage. A great camping spot but we don’t do that these days when there is comfortable warm accommodation in Bridgetown.