Pemberton: Hiking, Cycling and the Tramway

A stay in Pemberton can be centred on a range of activities: hiking the Bibbulmun Track or the Beedelup Loop Walk, cycling with a connection to the Munda Biddi Trail, and taking a ride on the Pemberton Tramway. The Bibbulmun Track passes through town, and Pemberton is a stop on the Munda Biddi Trail. The Beedelup Falls and the history of the Pemberton Swimming Pool are also part of the picture. These interests can help you define the character of your trip and, in turn, guide your hotel search.

On foot: the track and Beedelup

The Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton; check current track conditions before setting out. From the car park, a 300-metre walking path leads to Beedelup Falls. The Beedelup Loop Walk winds through karri forest, is 4.5 kilometres long and is classified as moderate. The two Beedelup options can be distinguished by their purpose: for the falls, the distance describes access from the car park, while for the loop walk, it describes the trail length; its difficulty rating adds to the distance information. This lets you compare a focused visit to the falls with a longer hike and choose the scope of your outing accordingly.

Tramway ride and railway history

The Pemberton Tramway offers a 75-minute return trip from Pemberton to the Cascades, including a 25-minute stop. Timetables may change, so check the times before making plans. Pemberton Tramway Company Pty Ltd is a privately operated tourist railway that recreates the history of the timber railways that were important to the region’s development and growth. Diesel-hydraulic railcars and a total route length of 10 kilometres add to the picture of this railway. If you are interested in regional history, the ride offers a distinctive historical focus as well as a set duration.

Cycling route and more local history

Pemberton is a stop on the Munda Biddi Trail. For cyclists, this is a direct connection to the route; the Bibbulmun Track, by contrast, passes through town. Pemberton therefore plays different roles on the two trails: a stop on the cycling trail and a town along the walking track. This difference can help you shape your trip around cycling or hiking. Another local point of historical interest is the Pemberton Swimming Pool, which was created by damming Lefroy Brook. While the tramway recreates the history of the timber railways, the story of how the swimming pool came about adds a different historical aspect to Pemberton.

Plan your trip around your interests

For trip planning, distance, difficulty and duration are different points of reference. Access to the falls is listed as a 300-metre walking path from the car park; the Beedelup Loop Walk combines its trail length with a moderate difficulty rating. For the tramway, the focus is on the duration of the return trip and the stop. You can weigh up whether you would like to include a focused visit to the waterfalls, a hike or a rail excursion in your stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Pemberton, this travel focus can be a useful starting point.

Discover more destinations: Karijini, Kingston, Brigadoon, Cervantes, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Yallingup Siding, Bow Bridge, Yanchep

For the main travel overview: Western Australia.