
1. PEMBERTON
RICH IN HISTORY AND NATURAL BEAUTY, PEMBERTON IS A GATEWAY TO THE SPECTACULAR COASTLINE IN D'ENTRECASTEAUX NATIONAL PARK ON THE SOUTH-WEST POINT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT
KEV SMITH
PEMBERTON is a quiet town known for its local boutique wines and beers, handmade pies and cakes, and shops with a country feel. The old restored railway station at the back of the town is a highlight, featuring a steam engine, turntable, diesel engines, a low-loader crane, and a disused tram that once ran tourists along the line. Although the trains and tram no longer run, the area remains a fascinating place to visit and explore.
The railway line was built in 1926 through the forest to Northcliffe during the timber-industry boom, transporting goods to new farmlands and moving timber. It operated at heavy losses for 50 years, sustained only by the timber industry. By 1961, things started to decline due to bridge fires, and buildings were sold and relocated. The last train ran in 1986. Today, many bridges, sheds and the station are heritage-listed or recognised as highly significant. A tourist tramway operated here until February 2023.
A popular route in Pemberton is the Karri Forest Explorer scenic drive, looping around the town's attractions. National Parks surround the area, offering timber-related points of interest. One significant feature is the fire lookout trees, an idea conceived in the 1930s by local forester Don Stewart. Tall karri trees were used to spot fires, with large steel pegs forming ladders to small cabins high up in the canopy. Today, two of these trees can still be climbed: the 53m Gloucester Tree with 153 pegs and the 65m Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree with 182 pegs. A third tree, the Diamond Tree, has been declared unsafe to climb due to decay but there is a replica hut nearby.
Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

THE ULTIMATE PROTECTIVE UPGRADE
QUALITY PROTECTION FOR THE FRONT END, SIDE PANELS AND SILLS IS NECESSARY FOR WHERE THIS D-MAX IS HEADING

2025 LEXUS LX OVERTRAIL COMING TO AUSTRALIA
OFF-ROAD-FOCUSED LEXUS LX OVERTRAIL 4X4 WAGON TO JOIN LOCAL LINE-UP IN 2025

FOUR-POT COG-SWAPPER
YOU CAN NOW HAVE YOUR FOUR-CYLINDER LANDCRUISER 70 SERIES WITH A MANUAL GEARBOX. WE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO TEST THIS 76 WAGON WITH THE MANUAL COG-SWAPPER

2025 GWM CANNON ALPHA PHEV DUE IN DEALERSHIPS IN APRIL
GWM TAKES AIM AT THE BYD SHARK AND FORD RANGER WITH ITS NEW CANNON ALPHA PHEV

OUT ON THE RANGE
The western part of the Flinders Ranges offers some challenging tracks for four-wheel drivers, as well as rich history, unique station stays and remarkable rock formations

SPLIT PERSONALITY
THIS FJ CRUISER HAS BEEN CHOPPED, STRETCHED AND TURNED IN TO WHAT SOME MIGHT DESCRIBE AS A QUIRKY FARM TRUCK ... BUT IT'S ALSO A DAILY WORK HORSE AND A HANDY WEAPON OFF ROAD

CLEVER COMPRESSOR
WHEN YOU HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN STAND OVER A TYRE WHILE IT DEFLATES OR PUMPS UP, THE NSV INTEGRATED SMART COMPRESSOR DOES THE WORK FOR YOU

PEER PRESSURE
This chopped V8-powered Patrol may seem unstoppable at first glance, but even the most capable of units can eventually be beaten by Mother Nature.

DESERT'S EDGE
This northern part of the Pilbara has a lot to offer in-between the massive mining operations and remote expanses

STYLE COUNCIL
MAZDA HAS GIVEN ITS BT-50 UTE A MIDLIFE MAKEOVER TO KEEP THE MODEL LOOKING UP TO DATE