Quinninup and Karri Lake, 15 mins

The tiny Mill Settlement is famed for both the lake and its tavern, sadly razed by fire in 2017 but swiftly re-built. The perfect place to reward yourself with a glass of one of Southern Forests’ finest after walking the trails around beautiful Karri Lake.

With pine trees on one side and Karri trees on the other, the lake is surrounded by cottages and cabins and each side has a decidedly different feel. Misty mornings here are other-worldly…

Note there is no fuel available in Quinninup.

Manjimup, 18 mins

The closest town to The Woodsman, Manjimup is the place to stock up with gourmet produce, wine, marron and truffles as you pass through. With coffee roasters, and fantastic restaurants and pubs in the town, Manji is the perfect stop for a quality coffee before a day of exploring the Southern Forests region, or for a lazy afternoon-come-evening meal.

In Winter, the world-class local truffières often host tours hunting for the famed black winter or Périgord Truffles with their adorable truffle dogs, and each June the delicacy is celebrated with Truffle Kerfuffle, a multi-day festival event attracting chefs, producers and food and wine writers from around the country.

With climate and sunlight hours similar to the famed Bordeaux region in France, you can expect this to guide the varietals grown in the Manjimup wine region, which we like to think of as the cooler, classy and elegantly subdued ‘grown up’ wine region of the South West. Pinot Noir is a staple, but hunt out a Cabernet Franc for something extra special.

Northcliffe, 35 mins

Originally built around the timber and tobacco industries, Northcliffe is now predominantly agricultural land, with a small but vibrant arts scene and stunning natural beauty.

Home to the Bannister Downs Creamery with on-site cafe re-openings soon, a stop here to watch the cows using the state-of-the-art voluntary robotic dairy is well-worth it! Check their website for updates on re-opening dates.

If sculpture is more your scene, the Understory Art Trail takes in 1.2km of incredible art-in-nature experience.

Quinninup and Northcliffe are both excellent stops on the way to Windy Harbour and the D’Entrecasteaux National Park from The Woodsman.

Pemberton & Big Brook Dam, 40 mins

A 40 minute drive will see you arrive on the banks of Big Brook Dam or in the middle of the town of Pemberton.

Another timber town which has diversified to become a flourishing cool-climate wine, dairy and produce region. Seek out honey from the famed Karri trees for a take-home forest experience.

Fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the rivers and dams is allowed with a freshwater fishing licence (available online), or you can try your hand with some expert guidance at any of the trout and marron farms in the region.

Head to Jaspers Wine Bar in town, or Hidden River Estate in Eastbrook Valley to wine and dine away an afternoon.

On hot summer days, set up at the natural splendour of Pemberton Pool on Swimming Pool Road, and bring along a picnic or bbq, or treat yourself to refreshments from the Karri Kiosk.

If you’re feeling brave, climb one of the fire lookout trees (Gloucester or Dave Evans Bicentennial) for a very different view of the forest!

Bridgetown, 45 mins

A lively little town of Antiques and Artisans; Bridgetown is a beautifully preserved historic timber town on the banks of the Blackwood River.

Dubbed “The Winter Capital of Western Australia”, the town embraces its chilly rolling hills and valleys with the three-month Fridgetown Winter Festival, including the famed ‘Banquet on the Bridge’ long-table lunch.

The Stables IGA is a great stop for gourmet supplies on your way to The Woodsman, with plenty of eateries to fuel a wander around town and along the bridge for the best views of the Blackwood.

Windy Harbour & D’Entrecasteaux National Park, 1 hr

A holiday fishing settlement surrounded by the D’Entrecasteaux National Park, with the sweetest, eclectic assortment of shacks and cottages.

There are 4wd only tracks to wild, singing basalt cliffs, or more leisurely hikes along the limestone coastline. Coastal Survivors Walk is a coastal walk along the dunes and cliff tops which links Point D’Entrecasteaux and Windy Harbour via Cathedral Rock (accessible by 2wd).

In Summer, the harbour is one of few spots along the coastline offering safe swimming and fishing options.

Walpole, 1.5 hrs

Undeniably a longer drive, but just as undeniably stunning and so worthy of inclusion here.
If you have a longer stay planned at The Woodsman, spending a day meandering through the forest towards Walpole and the Nornalup Inlet is a day well-spent.

Home to towering Red Tingle trees that make you feel all at once insignificant and awed, the Valley of the Giants offers treetop walks through the forest canopy, and also one of the best opportunities to see wild Quokkas on the mainland!

Walpole also offers swimming, fishing and hiking along the coast and throughout the forests, including the granite peak of Mt Frankland.

Mt Barker, 1.5 hrs

Home to a dozen wineries, and thousands of wildflowers in the Spring, Mount Barker is the heart of WA’s Mountain Country. With the Porongurups to the South and Stirling Range to the North, the natural landscapes here are breathtaking year-round.

In February to April, the region plays host to the Taste Great Southern Festival, and there are a number of other Arts and foodie events held throughout the year.

There is always something going on in this vibrant, quintessential country town and the wider region. While you’re there, pay a visit to Rocky Gully, Kendenup, Narrikup or Porongurup to enjoy the more of this amazing region.