Food Experiences and Dining

Food Experiences in the Southern Forests

The Southern Forests Region is situated 300 kilometres from Perth in the beuatiful SW corner of Western Australia.The Southern Forests provides a wonderful experience for people exploring the the food and people of a unique region.

The joy of eating fresh, local and sustainable produce with some 50 different varieties of fruit and vegetables, truffles, marron, beef cattle and much more.

Visitors to the Southern Forest Region can truly indulge in nature, taking advantage of bushwalking, fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, canoeing, beach four wheel driving and visiting the spectacular Karri forests. The Southern Forest Food council has branded the region "Genuinely Southern Forest" which is testimount to the genuine, authentic and slightly innocent industry we have showcasing the region. 

PEMBERTON

Known as “Karri Country”, picturesque Pemberton is surrounded by the spectacular karri forests of Gloucester National Park. Its cool Mediterranean climate makes it not only ideal wine country but perfect for growing a diverse range of produce.

The area is truly a remarkable food bowl; from producing some of the world’s finest truffles, to Hass variety avocados, potatoes, berries and hazelnuts, marron, sheep and beef cattle, the rich soil and temperate climate produces some of the finest foods available.

Home to one of Australia’s youngest and most exciting wine regions, Pemberton’s first commercial winery was established in 1982. With rich, loam soil, the area has more than 40 vineyards and almost 20 mostly family-owned wineries, many of which offer cellar door tastings and house beautiful restaurants serving fresh, local, gourmet food.

Lying on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail, Pemberton has abundant streams, rivers and dams, perfect for trout fishing and catching the local marron delicacy. Avocado farms are now replacing vineyards and dairy's as the major agricultural crop dispersed with truffle groves of oak and hazelnuts. Berry Sweet have chosen Pemberton as the prmium loation for growing the sweetest strawberries, blueberries and raspberries in the region - with their prime crop supplying major supermarkets around the country. Finger limes, a native bush food originally from Queensland has also found its place here in Pemberton and restaurants are lining up in droves to be supplied from this region. 

NORTHCLIFFE

Set among a wealth of forests, rivers, sand dunes and coastlines, Northcliffe is renowned for its dairy industry, which produces some of the finest, cleanest milk in WA. True to the diversity the Southern Forests region is known for, Northcliffe is also home to wineries and local growers who produce olives and olive oil, berries, truffles and top-quality marron.

A nature-tourism hotspot, Northcliffe also offers unbeatable fishing, whale-spotting, national parks and dunes.

The Understory – the first purpose-built walk trail in the country to permanently feature artworks – has works by national and international artists that reflect the essence of the Southern Forests region.

MANJIMUP

Nestled in hundreds of hectares of National Park, the town of Manjimup is the centre of a diverse, thriving fruit and vegetable industry. Local growers produce everything from avocados, cherries, plums and kiwi fruit to hazelnuts, broccoli and potatoes. It is renowned for the internationally famous Pink Lady apple and is home to world-class gourmet black truffles.

Every year Manjimup hosts the three-day Cherry Harmony Festival to celebrate its magnificent cherry harvest. It includes a street festival, an evening concert, and the fine-dining Cherry Long Table Lunch, served in the picturesque surrounds of one of its lush cherry orchards.

Manjimup is also the home of the Truffle Kerfuffle – an annual celebration of the region’s magnificent truffles, which features local produce stalls, master classes by top chefs, a gala dinner and guided truffle hunts. As well as unparalleled fresh farm produce, available from the farm gate and at the twice-monthly farmers market, the Manjimup area offers wine tasting, the popular Fonty’s Pool for relaxing and swimming and marron and trout fishing.

WALPOLE

About an hour from Northcliffe, Walpole sits against the spectacular backdrop of tall trees and incredible coastal scenery. On the beautiful waters of Walpole Inlet and surrounded by 400-year-old tingle trees and the Southern Forests’ ubiquitous karri trees, Walpole is a haven for everything outdoors.

The area has a thriving dairy industry, as well as sheep and beef cattle, with its pristine natural environment making it perfect for agriculture. Local honey producers create honey and honey products in the most natural way possible, harvesting all the goodness from uncrowded hives.