Getting there

Planes

Western Australia’s capital, Perth, is the gateway to the Southern Forests, serviced by regular flights from all major Australian cities with Qantas (www.qantas.com.au), Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) and Jetstar (www.jetstar.com). Air Australia (www.airaustralia.net) operates charter flights from Perth’s Jandakot airport to Manjimup, north of Pemberton, in the Southern Forests.

Trains

TransWA (www.transwa.wa.gov.au) runs daily trains from Perth, south to coastal Bunbury, which then connects with the Westrail bus service that will take you to Pemberton.

Automobiles

It takes a leisurely five hours to drive the 300 kilometres from Perth to the Southern Forests region along the South Western Highway. Local bus services are available but a car is far more flexible for exploring off-piste. Hire one at Perth Airport or in nearby Margaret River. Smith members get a discount with Hertz (www.hertz.com).