Pemberton is only 30km as the crow flies from the coast. This section of coastline is treacherous and needs to be visited with caution. It is accessible only by 4WD.

 

Windy Harbour however is under 60km south of Pemberton and has a safe swimming harbour and boat anchorage for seaworthy craft.

 

If you have your own boat you may wish to explore the secrets of the Donnelly River. This best kept secret accessible via Boat Landing Road. This gets you to “yes, you guessed it!” – to a boat landing and to where the Donnelly River is navigable for the 14km journey to the mouth of the river. Boat Landing Road is located off Vasse Hwy, 22km north of Pemberton or 4km north of Karri Valley.

 

The Warren River is not suitable for boats from the Warren National Park however closer to the coast in the D’Entrecasteaux National Park it has some lagoon stretches near the mouth of the river so if you can get your boat to the river mouth and paddle upstream that would be the best option.

 

Small row boats for use only on Lake Beedelup are available for hire at Karri Valley Resort for $5 per hour.

 

If you have your own canoe or small wind powered craft you may like to try Big Brook Dam or Lake Jasper . Lake Jasper is only accessible by 4WD. This is now accessible via Pneumonia Road (near Black Point).

 

Other lakes nearby are Lake Unicup or Lake Meerup (off Muir Hwy near Manjimup) or Broke Inlet (shallow) east of Windy Harbour. 

 

Donnelly River Cruises depart daily from Pemberton Visitors Centre at 8.50am Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday or 1.20pm Saturday, Monday or Wednesday.

 

Further South Gary Muir run’s WOW Wilderness Eco Cruises – and does a great job travelling through the Walpole inlet to the inlet mouth.

 

See Canoeing for more information about canoes and kayaks or have a chat to Andy from Pemberton Hiking & Canoeing.

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