The grounds of Big Brook Cottage were stunning. We enjoyed watching the birds and admired the flowers.
Between 1937 and 1952 series of eight fire lookouts were constructed in the tops of a few tall Karri trees. Today there is a trilogy that remains open to the public. Sunshine climbed the Gloucester Tree (53m). Once she got used to the ladder it got easier but it was definitely less challenging coming down. The look out was named after the Governor-General of Australia who visited Pemberton when it was being built. Next time we will climb the other two trees: the Dave Evans Bicentennial tree (75m) and the Diamond tree (51m)
There were areas in Warren and D’Entrecasteaux National Parks that we wanted to visit but are inaccessible with a regular car. So, we decided to take a 4WD Beach and Forest Adventure. We started driving through old growth Karri Forest. We learned that some of the trees are showing signs of distress because of changing weather patterns.
After stoping to let air out of the tires, we continued onto the Yeagarup Dunes. It was mind bending to see the largest landlock sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. It was surprising to learn that the sand dunes are moving 4m to the forest each year. What was once beachside is now more than 6km from the ocean.
We continued through the Karri Forest to the mouth of the Warren River where it meets the Southern Ocean. We loved how colors changed in a matter of minutes on the Winter Solstice.
The Truffle Kerfuffle was a weekend celebration honoring the local production of black truffles in Manjimup. (Manjimup produces 70% of Australia’s truffles.) We could not get tickets to the special events or truffle picking but we enjoyed the main tent. We tasted all sorts of foods with truffles from potatoes, pumpkin pie, jams, cheese, chestnuts and chocolates. We even tasted a truffle liquor that was surprisingly smooth and delicious. If we did not have a two hour drive, we may have enjoyed more of the wine, beer and cider.