Pemberton

The Pemberton wine region is relatively small but has much to offer, including many karri forests, the third tallest hardwood trees in the world. Pemberton town itself is located some 335 kms, or a 4 hour drive, south of Perth.

Pemberton is named after Pemberton Walcott, an early settler and is home to the karri tree, the largest tree in Western Australia and the third largest hardwood in the world. Because of this, a timber industry was soon established on which the town’s prosperity was based. Here Group Settlement Scheme settlers (a government policy of subsidising groups of British migrants on land allotments), as in other West Australian wine regions, found life very tough and made only a small impact.

As with many of these former timber cutting regions, the limitations on the logging of old growth forest that began in the 1980s resulted in a shift to other sources of income. Wine growing and tourism related wine activities have played their part in the growth of the Pemberton region ever since. Beginning with experimental planting in the 1970s, more extensive vineyards began to develop in the 1980s, such as Gloucester Ridge in 1985, and really took off in the 1990s.

Pemberton region’s summers are moderate with occasional hot days and cool evenings.

It has heavier rainfall and higher humidity than its neighbouring regions and its vineyards are mostly established at the 100m to 200m level. The higher rainfall means that irrigation is not always essential.

In Pemberton region the focus is on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. The Pemberton region has many boutique wineries, several with excellent cellar doors. The first winery in Pemberton was Salitage, established after much research by John Horgan and Bill Pannell, who both moved from the Margaret River region in the early 1980’s. In the late 70's, John worked and studied in Oakville, California, from where he learned the minimalist approach that is characteristic of the Salitage winery.

Muirillup Estate Vineyard & Tea Rooms is certainly one worth the attention of any visitor to the Pemberton region. It is only two kms from Northcliffe and has tea rooms, or if you prefer, you can picnic down by the water. Offered on the Muirillup Estate are Devonshire teas, home made breads, gourmet cheeses, smoked trout, and fresh marron (a local freshwater crayfish). Another wonderful vineyard is the Channybearup Vineyard on Channybearup Rd, about 12 kms west of Pemberton. Established in 1998 on a 100 hectare property, Channybearup also has a trout filled stream running through it.

The Pemberton region is perhaps unique in having a wine centre located within a national park. At the Pemberton Wine Centre you can combine your thirst for a great wine with your desire to enjoy great natural surroundings. The Pemberton Wine Centre is located in the Warren National Park right in the middle of imposing karri trees. Visitors can walk through the splendid karri forest or can stay longer at one of the cottages.

The Pemberton region holds the Pemberton Autumn Festival (formerly called the Pemberton Marron and Wine Festival), with rides, local events, and the chance to sample the many wines and foods of the region. One of the local delicacies is a freshwater crayfish called a marron and the festival includes a ‘Guess the Marron Weight Competition’. In addition, there is a ‘Doughnut Eating Contest’, an ‘Aussie Meat Pie Bake Off’ and even a completion for the biggest vegetable!

Pemberton is surrounded by karri forest and has five national parks, including the Gloucester National Park where are found three climbable karri trees, each over 60 metres tall. The Gloucester Tree is the most famous, but there is also the Diamond Tree and the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, which is the tallest at around 71 metres. A fire lookout was built at the top of the Gloucester Tree and if you make the climb yourself you will receive a certificate to mark the achievement. 

Other tourist attractions of the Pemberton region include the Pemberton Tramway. This is a tourist railway from Lyall to Pemberton. Steam engines take trams from the old railway station at Pemberton to Northcliffe. Nearby is the Bibbulmun Track, a long distance walking track that runs from Kalamunda, near Perth, all the way down to Albany, a distance of almost 1,000 km. Also within the region is the Beedelup National Park and Beedelup Falls, reached via a suspension bridge. The park also has a ‘walk through Karri’, a 400 year old tree with a whole large enough for a person to walk through.

Well flavoured Chardonnay is a central product of the region, as of most West Australian wine regions. Merlot, either alone, or blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, is fast becoming more popular. And Pinot Noir for sparkling wine has produced many good wines.