Self-catering properties
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Stonebarn
- Style
- Rustic-deluxe retreat
- Setting
- Truffle-touting timber town
Southern Forests Overview
Western Australia
- Countryside
- Towering trees and wildflowers
- Country Life
- Trekking and truffle-hunting
A small area cultivating a big reputation, WA’s Southern Forests is a nature- and food-lover’s paradise. Chill out, by wandering majestic woods of giant karri, jarrah and marri trees, or fish in pristine rivers.
To refuel, sample world-class wineries or savour fruits from the largest trufferie in the southern hemisphere. Relax in the region’s small towns Pemberton and Manjimup, or head for the stunning nearby coast, where wild heath clings to rolling sand dunes and rocky cliffs drop into the ocean. Margaret River’s famous vineyards further west may be more established, but this region is on the up, so get in on the ground floor. Or rather, the forest floor...
Suitably Southern Forests
Black truffles (also known as ‘black diamonds’ or ‘black gold’ because of their rarity and value) are grown here in the largest trufferie in the southern hemisphere. From June to August these highly regarded black fungi are sniffed out by dogs, rather than the usual pigs, so that oinkers like us can devour them at restaurants across Australia. Delicious.
Local Knowledge
- Taxis
- You’ll need to call cabs in this rural area. Try Manjimup Taxi Service (04 1894 9936).
- Tipping culture
- Tipping isn't expected, but 10 per cent for good service is appreciated.
- Siesta and fiesta
- Most wineries open their cellar doors between 9am/10am and 4pm/5pm daily. The shops in the region's towns keep standard 9am to 5pm hours, as do most cafés. It's fairly sleepy here so don't expect to eat out much later than 8pm.
- Packing tips
- Boots: a pair of Hunters for wet winters and Neoprenes in summer (for when you go swimming in pebbly rivers and lakes).
- Recommended reads
- Those Karri Days, by local author Phil Radomiljac, tells the history of this forest-tastic area’s timber industry up to the present day. Settlers, Fishers and All Sorts is a collection of stories about the region’s quirky community by Jane Muir.
- Cuisine
- The black truffle rules here and when it’s in season you’ll find menus dominated by the expensive little fungus, including scrambled eggs, salt and pepper squid, and even pannacotta. The region loves it so much that out of season you’ll discover dishes using truffle honey, truffle butter, truffle oil and more.
- Regional specialities
- Other players in these parts are trout and marron, a large freshwater crayfish and a delicacy only found in this corner of Australia. This is also one of Oz’s premier cool-climate wine regions, producing grape varieties such as merlot, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and shiraz.
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AU$).
- Time zone
- GMT + 8.
- Dialling codes
- Country code for Australia: +61; Western Australia (0)8.
- Do go/don't go
- With a temperate climate year-round, any time is good to visit; temperatures rarely exceed 32°C in summer (when the cool forest canopy provides relief from the sun) and winters are mild but wet – so bring a brolly and curl up in front of a cosy log fire. To see the region’s famous wildflowers and orchids come in spring (October to December), or to enjoy another Southern Forests speciality – fresh truffles – time your trip between June and August.
Don't go home without...
visiting one of the Southern Forests boutique wineries. Our favourites include Silkwood (www.silkwoodwines.com.au) and Lost Lake Wines (www.lostlake.com.au), both near Pemberton.
