Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

Please note – The below Itinerary is targeted at a family of two adults and two children.

Experience the Southern Forests region right on your door-step, with our suggested itinerary expected to titillate all your senses. An embodiment of the sights, characters and produce of our unique area. Our aim is to have you depart with a totality experience and an appreciation of the magnificence of your own backyard.

There is an array of accommodation options available in Manjimup including motels, bed and breakfasts, farm chalets and caravan parks – the Manjimup Visitor Centre can assist you with finding just the right style to accommodate your Southern Forests getaway.

Day One Commence the day with a hearty cooked breakfast at Park Café where you will receive fresh produce, house- baked goods and locally roasted coffee served amongst the trees in the Manjimup Heritage Park.

Once you have fuelled up for your day of adventuring step into the Heritage Park precinct, the perfect place where everyone can have fun and learn about Manjimup’s rich history.

The ideal start to your Heritage Park experience is the Power Up Electricity Museum, which delivers an immersive learning experience that the whole family can enjoy. Exploring the development and impact of electricity in Western Australia, you’ll discover stimulating displays and people- powered interactive activities that spark everyone’s curiosity. From the first light bulb to the future of solar energy, you’ll be switched on at Power Up.

Make sure you pick up a copy of the Hunt in the Heritage Park family activity book from the Manjimup Visitor Centre before you explore the Manjimup Heritage Park!

Next you will learn the history of the State’s timber industry and learn how it continues to play an important role in the life of people living in the Southern Forest region, at the award winning State Timber Museum. Originally opened in 1977, the museum honours the impact the timber and forestry industry has had on the lives of Western Australians and the local area.

Time for the kids to burn off some steam? Let them loose on Manjimup

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

Heritage Park’s famous adventure playground! Are you brave enough to face the 17 metre high viewing platform and slide with the kids? Or take a turn on the 40 metre flying fox! With guaranteed thrills for the whole family, it is a must do activity for everyone.

There is more knowledge to be discovered when you then further explore the Heritage Park and step back in time and discover what life would have been like when Manjimup’s town site significantly expanded in the 1940s and 50s. The Hamlet features replica and some original relocated buildings such as the Police Station, Lock Up and School. You can also climb aboard a 109 Locomotive and meander through the Rail Relics display to discover how railways helped shape the local timber industry. Discover how steam power revolutionised the timber industry at the Manjimup Steam Museum.

Discover the native flora and fauna of the South West as you wander the extensive native bushlands in Manjimup Heritage Park. With over 12 hectares of parkland to explore, you will discover different varieties of trees, flowers and animals when you visit through changing seasons.

Take in some lunch at one of our many delicious cafes located within walking distance of the Heritage Park. The Manjimup Recreation Plaza is a short stroll from the town centre top allow the kids (or yourself) to scoot, skate or BMX within the skate park precinct.

Your next destination is a short drive east of town to visit the massive King Jarrah Tree, estimated to be over 500 years old and enjoy the birdsong and wildflowers on the loop trail.

Then, more history to discover. Approximately 20kms west of the town site is One Tree Bridge, Glenoran Pool and the nearby Four Aces - great places to stop and enjoy the sights and sounds of the karri forest.

At One Tree Bridge, you can see the remains of the bridge made from a single karri tree that once spanned the Donnelly River.

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

Day Two

You will be collected by complimentary coach from the bus bay located outside the Manjimup Visitor Centre to experience the award-winning Donnelly River Cruises. Donnelly River Cruises conducts a river cruise of the lower twelve-kilometre section of the Donnelly River, within the confines of the D’Entrecasteaux National Park, in the South West of Western Australia. The cruise area, including the beach landing, encompasses an area that is only accessible by boat.

The atmosphere of the cruise is to “sit back, relax and enjoy” as you meander through the diversified eco system of the river. In a conversational format where you are encouraged to join in, your tour guide will enlighten you about the river, the ecology and geology of the area, the fauna and flora and some history of the area. The scenery is constantly changing as you commence in lush Jarrah and Marri forests, then pass through Paperbark and Wetlands, past limestone cliffs, to the majestic Southern Ocean. On the way you will cruise past unique holiday huts nestled amongst the towering Marri trees and coastal dunes. Whilst at the mouth of the river, you are given the opportunity to disembark and experience the isolation and pristine quality of the area with a brief walk along the beach. The beach is approximately 2km long confined by rocky outcrops at each end with no vehicle access at all.

You are able to stroll along the soft white beaches in virtual isolation except for possibly a few locals trying their hand at some beach fishing. After toe tapping with the Southern Ocean, you will make your way back to the boat where you begin the return journey with a morning or afternoon tea complimented by “fantastic” muffins.

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

On your return journey back to Manjimup, some of Manjimup’s diverse history will be highlighted by your tour operator who will also share a story or two about some local characters. Your tour operator will also gladly stop in at local roadside stalls where you can pick up seasonal delights including avocados, strawberries, apples and more.

You could spend the afternoon enriching yourself in the history of Manjimup’s historic milling town sites of Jardee or Deanmill. Then a stop at Fonty’s Pool, one of WA’s tourism treasures, where the swimming pool from which the park takes its name is a famous icon and local landmark. Consisting of nearly an acre of fresh spring water and known as the fountain of youth, it provides beautiful swimming, picnic and barbeque areas. Simply enjoying the gardens or floating around on tractor tubes enjoying the ambience of Fonty’s Pool is refreshingly invigorating.

Immerse yourselves in history and fauna for the remainder of your afternoon at the heritage listed Donnelly River Village. The Donnelly River Mill is an excellent example not only of how a timber mill operated, but also of the social environment of the workers and their families. Besides the mill, the workers’ housing, social club, general store, butcher’s shop and school remain. You can take a walk along a bush trail, ride a bike through a field of wild flowers, have a swim in a deep forest lake surrounded by majestic Karris or even pat a possum, feed a baby kangaroo and make friends with an emu. Donnelly River Village is the perfect way to reconnect with nature and reminisce about past family holidays in its relaxed surroundings.

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

Day Three Today you take in some of the natural sights, learn the history of the area and how multi-cultural influences have developed the unique agricultural diversity and quality of the Southern Forests Food Bowl region.

We go on a truffle hunting adventure with Australian Truffle Traders and discover the alluring story about Australian black truffles (tuber melanosporum or Périgord truffle) and how they came to be sought after by the world's best chefs.

Your hosts will take you for a wander amongst the hazelnut and oak trees in their orchard and engage the services of truffle dogs Molly, Gidgee and Max who will lead us through the trees as they nose out the ripest of black truffles. Experience the excitement of digging up a truffle yourself: the heady aroma of truffle the moment it's unearthed is unforgettable. You will have the opportunity to purchase a truffle and discover the joy of cooking at home with this remarkable ingredient.

Whilst in the area call in to Historic Dingup House, which is a hidden gem filled with old Australian charm situated in the gateway to the Southern Forests of Western Australia. Dingup House is set on 45 acres of beautiful countryside featuring lovely expansive gardens, a tennis court and rustic old barn oozing with character, surrounding the heritage homestead which dates back to 1870.

Manjimup is known as the Food Bowl of Western Australia, so why not treat your tastebuds along your drive by stopping at a few of the local roadside stalls. Suggestions include Bella & Bryn’s Produce Stall on Cosy Creek Road, Guadagnino’s where you can get a range of fruit, vegetables, Southern Forest Fungi or nuts, just keep your eyes open on your travels when your stomach grumbles!

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

On your return travels, call in to a local winery and try some of our regional award winning wines. Some suggested wineries include The Truffle & Wine Co, Woodgate Wines and Chestnut Grove, all within short driving distance of Manjimup’s town site.

Your final port of call is Tall Timbers Restaurant, where you get to experience over twenty wines, all produced in the Southern Forests area and of course, dine on local delights with your evening meal.

Take a short stroll across the road to our very own working Tall Timbers Craft Brewery and experience the best of Western Australia’s local, quality beer all brewed and batched on site!

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

Day Four The Southern Forests and Valleys is bursting with natural wonders to discover, making Manjimup your ideal base to explore neighbouring town sites of Pemberton, Northcliffe and Quinninup.

The Pemberton Tramway Co awaits you to board their morning service which will meander through towering karri, marri and jarrah forest over trestle bridges, spanning rivers and streams, along one of Australia’s most majestic rail lines. You will receive informative commentary about the forest, the Cascades and history of the region on this iconic railway line.

The Karri Forrest Explorer Drive now welcomes you to explore the forest at your own pace. Winding your way through many of Pemberton’s natural attractions, stop in at Big Brook Dam (a fresh water lake set in the backdrop of our spectacular forest), climb the 65m Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree or the smaller 53m Gloucester Tree or see Beedalup Falls from its suspension bridge.

The afternoon will see you explore the ‘understory’ of the South West’s majestic native forest at the Understory art and nature trail located in Northcliffe. You will meander through the forest in this easy 1.2km forest walk and discover more than 60 sculptures and the unique story the trail uncovers. How many local carved Northcliffe locals will you uncover in Understory?

If time permits why not call into Hidden River Estate, Jaspers, Mountford Wines, Ten Chains Estate, or many of the other local wineries in the Southern Forests region. This area produces some of the finest wines to be had anywhere in the world. You will find an eclectic range of cellar doors in spectacular settings where tranquil, unhurried wine tasting experiences are on offer – since you are already here why not indulge?

Manjimup: Your Destination for Every Season Proposed Four Day Itinerary

Your four day Manjimup experience now concludes. You have explored just a small part of what Manjimup and the Southern Forests region has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you to further explore Manjimup – your destination for every season.