Climbing the Gloucester Tree

Yeagarup dunes

Warren River

Pemberton is a small timber milling town that is off the main highway through the south-west of Western Australia, and would be missed by many who have fallen under its spell, were it not for the fact that it is on the shortest route from the Margaret River area to the south coast of WA and the holiday town of Albany.

A 4hr drive south of Perth, Pemberton is in to the heart of Karri country, the home of the Karri tree 'Eucalyptus diversicolor', one of the largest trees found on the planet and today protected for the natural environment and future generations to appreciate. A Karri tree can grow for (on average) 400 years however a life expectancy of 700 years has been confirmed. In this time they can grow up to just under 90m with the taller trees growing in the valleys where competition for light is fierce.
Its location means Pemberton has become a diverse destination of old growth forest, rivers, mobile dune systems, to isolated stretches of coast line. This all adds up to there being plenty of places to see and activities to embark upon in and around the town, and a good reason to stop a while before moving on to your next destination.
An example of what is on offer here is the Beach & Forest Eco Adventure tour that takes guests through the heart of the old growth Karri Forest, stopping at Lake Yeagarup and then onto a desert in the middle of the forest - the Yeagarup dunes. The coastal heath puts on a display of wildflowers during September/October.

Another way to discover the karri forests is to ride the Pemberton to Northcliffe railway, considered one of the most expensive railways built - ever! One of the more unique railway lines in Western Australia, a section of the line is now devoted to tourist tram to travels deep into the forest around Pemberton.
A different perspective of the karri forests can be obtained from the treetops; Pemberton is fortunate to have three climbing trees in close proximity to each other. The Gloucester Tree is the oldest and most well known of these trees. It was pegged in 1946 as a lookout to spot forest fires, and was named after the Duke of Gloucester who visited and climbed a few rungs that year. The tree is 61m tall and has 300 rungs. From the top you can see the Yeagarup Dunes in the distance.
There are free gas BBQs and picnic shelters available next to the tree. Around the tree, parrots of all colours and sizes tend to congregate and are not impartial to visitors bringing along some bird seed for them to feast on. A National Park Pass is required for entry and can be purchased on site. The Gloucester Tree is a short drive from the town centre.

Windy Harbour	Beedelup Falls

Pegging the tallest of Pemberton's climbing trees - the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree - was commenced in 1988, however was not completed until 1998. The tree is 75m tall and located in the heart of the Old Growth Forest in the Warren National Park. There are free gas BBQs and picnic shelters available next to the tree. Again, a National Park Pass is required to drive into the Bicentennial Tree.
The Diamond Tree is located 16km North of Pemberton and is 51m tall. There are plans in the future to put a lift next to this tree, which would make it another major icon in the area.

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