The Southern Forests Region
“If you are looking for seasonal or casual work in the Southern Forests Region of Western Australia you have come to the right place.”
~ Manjimup Community Resource Centre
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The Southern Forest region is about 307km from Perth in the beautiful southwest corner of Western Australia. The region begins just outside Manjimup, where agricultural land dotted with tall stands of magnificient karri trees. Further south is the timber town of Pemberton where the forest is more established, with many karri trees well over 300 years.
Towards the southern coast lies the small town of Northcliffe surrounded by towering forests and rich coastal plains and wetlands. On the south coast of the state surrounded by the Walpole Nornalup National Park, is the idyllic town of Walpole, an ideal location from which to explore the beautiful forests and beaches of the area.
The clear, crisp air and a magical landscape of magnificent karri, marri and tingle forests, vine clad hillsides, fertile orchards, dramatic cliffs and white sandy beaches with exhilarating views across the vast Southern Ocean. All this awaits you on a visit to the Southern Forrest Region.
Boyup Brook gives visitors a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of bigger towns or cities. Nestled in lush farming land and natural bush, Boyup Brook is the gateway to the Blackwood Valley, located 269 km South East of Perth.
The town is situated between the South Western and Albany Highways and provides an ideal opportunity to leave the busy life of the city and relax in a clean and tranquil environment of rolling hills and beautiful wildflowers.
Visitors can sample rural life by visiting a working farm, canoe down the Blackwood River, take a bush walk in the unspoilt bush, enjoying the varied wildflowers and birdlife.
As the Country Music Capital of Western Australia Boyup Brook hosts WA’s premier music annual event, the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival sponsored by the Countryman.
Boyup Brook is full of surprises. The town is located on the Blackwood River and is rich in local history. Visit the pioneer museum where you can peer back into our agricultural past. Then see the wonderful mysterious holograms produced by local artist Sandy Chambers. The Sandakan Memorial gives visitors an appreciation of the tragedy of war, whilst the Carnaby Beetle and Butterfly Collection highlights the wonders of nature. These are just a few of the many things to see and do in Boyup Brook — so take a break and spend some wonderful time in this warm and picturesque rural community.
The town of Boyup Brook is home to a number of outstanding events, including the Blackwood Marathon, the Western Australian Dingy Club races, Harvey Dickson’s Rodeo, an Open Tennis Tournament, a men’s Anniversary Cup for golf, a women’s Open Day, the Mayanup Campdraft and also a Gala day during summer months. There are many things to do during a stay in Boyup Brook. The kids are not forgotten either – they can swim in the pool, use the skate park or go canoeing with you on the river. There are a number of walk trails for those with a little energy to spare, and also shorter trails for those who just enjoy a stroll.
A short drive will take you to wineries, a wildlife sanctuary or a country music museum. The wineries in the Boyup Brook area form part of the Blackwood Valley Wine Association. The Association holds an annual Wine Show October showcasing wines grown both in Boyup Brook and the Blackwood Valley, and this show is fast becoming very popular. Some vineyards have cellar door sales, but most of the wines can be purchased from the Boyup Brook Club on Railway Parade.
Olives have also become an industry of more recent times. The olive oils, dukka, tapenade, and soaps – all locally produced – can be purchased from the Visitor Centre.
Greenbushes is an historic mining/timber town is situated 250km south of Perth and is located between Balingup and Bridgetown on the south west highway in the state’s south-west.
Greenbushes has a tantalising history and is well worth a visit. Explore the rich seams of the Greenbushes story beginning with the discovery of a pound of tin in a creek in 1888 through to the development of a mining industry that supplies 35 percent of the world’s demand for the strategic mineral tantalum.This small town has contributed for over a century to the wealth of the Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire through its mining, timber and agricultural industries.
Bridgetown is the only heritage listed town in the South West of Western Australia. Tranquility, hospitality and breathtaking views make Bridgetown an ideal place to catch your breath and establish a base from which to explore the Blackwood Valleys wealth of attractions. Just under 3 hours’ drive from Perth and a little over an hour from Margaret River and the coastal strip, the area is your opportunity to unwind and enjoy the very best of the South West.
Bridgetown itself enjoys a rustic charm with a unique wooded backdrop and an enviable array of eating houses and boutique shops. Once the apple growing centre of the state, Bridgetown is now famous for its rolling hills, scenic drives, jarrah forests, starry nights and the longest flowing river in the state, the mighty Blackwood. Bridgetowns steep hills and low valleys contribute to its appeal. The interaction of the historic buildings with the natural environment is one of its greatest attractions.
Nannup is known as the Garden Village. In the centre of the Blackwood Valley it is the hidden jewel in the heart of the South West, and also the gateway to the southern forests with 4WD access to surf and fishing on the south coast.
Nannup is a picturesque historic town nestled by the banks of the Blackwood River and is surrounded by magnificent native forest and rolling farmland. It is perfectly situated as a base from which to explore the whole South West, with many towns within easy reach (approx one hour away or less).
Activities include fishing for trout and marron in season, canoeing, birdwatching, bush walking and wildflowers, swimming in natural pools, wining and dining, open gardens, flower and music festivals and a mythic maze.
Manjimup is just 307 km from Perth, in the beautiful south west corner of Western Australia – a land of tall timbers, abundant fresh water, rich soils and undulating scenery.
Early settlers rejoiced in the potential wealth of the land and created their future with the axe, plough and the sweat of their brows. This pioneer history has created the vibrant cultures that are so much a part of Manjimup today.
Manjimup has a population of around 5,000 and is the regional centre for the Warren and Blackwood Valleys, providing all the facilities you would expect, including an airport. Timber is synonymous with Manjimup and its effect on the area is recorded with pride, combined with educational insights, at the Timber and Heritage park, the King Jarrah, Diamond Tree Lookout, One Tree Bridge and more.
Nestled in the valley surrounded by the karri forests of the Gloucester National Park and the Pemberton Forest Park, Pemberton enjoys a cool climate with crystal clear streams, rich soils and friendly locals. Located 325 kilometres south of Perth via South West Highway and Vasse Highway, the town began as a timber town and was established in 1913. Before then, cattlemen and farmers had sparsely populated the surrounding country and the town’s name comes from one of the earliest settlers, Pemberton Walcott.
An ideal central location to make your base for discovering the whole south west corner of Western Australia, it is about an hour and a half drive from Margaret River, Busselton, Walpole/Nornalup and the Valley of the Giants and only two hours from Bunbury.
Like Manjimup, Pemberton’s main attractions focus on the timber industry. There is the giant Gloucester Tree, an old timber carrying railway line, a museum which focuses on the timber industry and a number of pleasant drives through the forests which surround the town. As timber has declined in importance the town has increasingly become a tourist destination, and like so much of the rest of Australia, some people have sought their fortune by planting vineyards.
It’s the smell of the forest that you won’t forget, the cool night air all year round, the romance and crackle of a log fire or the views from your verandah. It will make you feel refreshed and alive. While the karri forest may be the backdrop – Pemberton offers great diversity within a very small area. Explore by self-drive, regular 4WD, or guided tour. Four wheel drive tracks enable you to see the best of the karri forest and the coast with the Yeagerup Dunes. Wildflowers are a feature in springtime. Travel by river – canoe hire is available.
For an extraordinary holiday, you need to go to an extraordinary destination. Welcome to Northcliffe. The forests, rivers, coastal heath, sand dunes and coastline can be enjoyed at leisure, in peace and throughout the year.
There are many favourite places to visit and many more to discover for yourself. The wild flowers, birds and fauna add delight to any visit.
The people of Northcliffe feel strongly about their surrounding natural environment and see nature – based tourism as a perfect fit.
If you need to get away from the hustle and noise of modern city life then Northcliffe is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural world. Enjoy the clean air, fresh rain water and clear night skies awash with stars.
Walpole and Nornalup are two small coastal towns located on the Walpole inlet and the Frankland River some 420 Km.
South of Perth Where the mighty Karri and Tingle forests meet the Southern Ocean.
Unique in this area of the State the giant Tingle tree forest has spurned the opening up of two of the South coast’s most impressive tourist attractions. The Ancient Empire trail in the Valley of the Giants leads the visitor through spectacular forest scenery and the Tree Walk a 430 metre long walkway which enables the visitor to easily walk through the uppermost branches of these ancient trees 40 meters above the forest floor.
This southern coastline is famous for its pristine beaches, east of Walpole is the William Bay National Park and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
A popular stopover in this region is the Observatory Resort overlooking the inlet and the Nullakai Peninsular.
Time to Explore
Travellers on Tour
Australia’s South West
www.australiassouthwest.com
Tourism Western Australia
www.westernaustralia.com
Tourism Australia
www.australia.com
WA Holiday Guide
www.waholidayguide.com.au
Work Related
The Serious Stuff
Department of Commerce – Labour Relations
www.commerce.wa.gov.au
Department of Immigration – Work in Australia
www.immi.gov.au
Southwest Development Commission
www.swdc.wa.gov.au
Backpacker
Time to Rest
Manji Hostel
www.manjihostel.com.au
Normalee Manor Hostel
Working Hostel
Tel: 08 9772 1200
