Photo: SeanMack / Public domain
Deep in the heart of Western Australia's southern forests, Manjimup is a laid-back timber town that surprises visitors with its cool-climate produce, towering karri forests, and a genuine sense of frontier history. This is prime truffle country, where you can wander through ancient woodlands, taste award-winning wines, and uncover stories of early settlers and logging pioneers. Manjimup makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding national parks and the scenic Southern Forests region.
Highlights & What to See
- Diamond Tree Lookout – Climb a 52-metre-high karri tree for panoramic views over the forest canopy; a true bucket-list experience.
- Manjimup Timber Park – Explore the region's logging heritage through vintage machinery, a heritage village, and the impressive Heritage Forest with its giant karri trees.
- Truffle farms – Join a guided tour at a local truffière (like The Truffle Farm or Manjimup Truffle) to see truffle-hunting dogs in action and taste the prized 'black diamond' fresh from the earth.
- Fonty's Pool – A historic swimming spot and now a quirky accommodation and events venue; perfect for a cool dip in summer.
- Southern Forests Wine Region – Sample cool-climate wines, especially shiraz and chardonnay, at cellar doors such as Silkwood Wines and Hidden River Estate.
- Nearby national parks – Drive to Shannon National Park or Greater Kingston National Park for hiking, wildflowers, and peaceful forest camping.
Suggested Time to Spend
Two to three days allows you to soak up the town's highlights, visit a truffle farm, and explore the surrounding forests. If you're combining Manjimup with a longer drive from Perth, plan for a relaxed overnight stay – the town's accommodation ranges from cosy B&Bs to farm stays.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Pemberton – Just 30 minutes north, with more giant karri trees, the Gloucester Tree lookout, and excellent trout fishing.
- Margaret River – About 1.5 hours west, famous for world-class surf, wineries, and limestone caves.
- Walpole & Nornalup – An hour south, where the giant tingle trees and the Tree Top Walk await.
- Denmark – A scenic coastal town with beautiful beaches and a thriving food scene, about 1.5 hours south-east.
- Albany – The historic port city with stunning coastline and the Torndirrup National Park, roughly 2.5 hours south-east.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Perth — File:Perth CBD skyline from State War Memorial Lookout, 2023, 04.jpg : Kgbo derivative work: Georgfotoart / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fremantle — Chewy m at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
- Margaret River — Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rottnest Island — Pedro Szekely / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Broome — Kat Clay from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0
- Ningaloo Reef — Eugene Regis / CC BY 2.0
- Pinnacles Desert — No machine-readable author provided. Neilcreek~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 2.5