Duration:
Operated By:
Our signature experience brings together the very best of the Southern Forests in one carefully paced day — towering old growth forest, the landlocked Yeagarup Dunes and the wild southern coastline.
There’s no need for a 4WD or detailed planning — all transport, access and guiding are included.
Family-run since 1999, this guided 4WD tour departs from Pemberton and takes you beyond sealed roads into places most visitors simply can’t reach on their own.
A relaxed picnic lunch is included, and walking is minimal and flexible, making the tour suitable for most fitness levels.
Tours operate in small groups, typically with fewer than eight guests. For larger groups, multiple 4WD vehicles are used, with a maximum of 13 passengers per guide, ensuring a personalised and unhurried experience throughout the day.
The experience (for those who like to read on)
From Pemberton, the journey winds through towering karri forest within Warren and D’Entrecasteaux National Parks, home to some of the tallest trees in the world. Along the way, your local guide shares stories of the landscape, seasonal wildflowers, and the natural rhythms that shape this remarkable region.
A highlight of the day is visiting the Yeagarup Dunes — the largest landlocked sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. This vast, shifting landscape sits unexpectedly between forest and coast, creating a dramatic contrast that few visitors anticipate.
From the dunes, the tour continues through pristine forest to the wild southern coastline. You’ll travel along Yeagarup Beach to the mouth of the Warren River, where river and ocean meet. This ever-changing place offers expansive views, birdlife, and a strong sense of remoteness that defines the Southern Forests.
Time is allowed at key locations to enjoy the scenery, take photographs, and simply take it all in, before returning to Pemberton in the afternoon.
Practical details
Departures
• 9.00am daily
• 2.00pm departures available on request (with afternoon tea)
Private tours are available for couples, families, and small groups.
Minimum numbers apply. If your preferred date or time isn’t listed, please contact us — we can often adjust to suit your itinerary.
We collect our picnic from the Crossings Bakery prior to departure – so the best place to park is in the carpark opposite (4 Brockman St Pemberton) – the carpark is attached to the Pemberton Sportsclub and is the first carpark on the highway on your left if you are coming from the south, near the Mill in downtown Pemberton.
Fill your holiday with activity! This downloadable map can help turn a weekend escape into a week of adventure. Click here for more information.
If you have paid via credit card, your card will be debited closer to the tour time unless you allocated internet banking or advised us you will be paying by cash or another card on the day. A receipt is available on request.
Enjoy your tour – it is your experience, ask questions, grab that memorable photo as we endeavour to fulfil your perfect day :)
We look forward to meeting you soon!
SUITS
Interests:
Skill Level:
Accessibility:
Share:
We thoroughly enjoyed being with him.
Highly recommend.
The only thing to improve it for me would have been a little portable step, to help me get into, and out of the truck! As I’m quite short in statue! ( I did mention this to Graeme, our guide.) though I did manage with a bit of help from my husband.
As others have mentioned the view you get once over the large sand dune is stunning. All in all, it was quite an adventure going off road, riding through forest and on sand dunes.
Last week I had a remarkable day with Pemberton Discovery Tours onboard with Graeme Dearle who was our driver and guide. I learnt so much. Graeme has a deep knowledge and understanding of the landscape and very generously shares this with guests. History, Geology, Botany, Wildlife, Weather, Land Use, Forestry, Bush Tucker were topics discussed as the day unwound with our questions answered in a considered, informative and very thoughtful way.
The tour is hard to describe but the words diverse, ancient, rugged and alive are the first that come to mind. Our first stop was an ancient swamp and I love swamps. Probably my favourite landscape to be in. This one was very very special. It was raining a fine mist and a patchy sky. Huge Melaleuca trees (Paperbarks) estimated to be over 800 years old. Hollowed, blackened, gnarly, twisted and tangled.Such places command reverence. I feel it, stillness and wisdom, intertwined with an ancient knowing that runs deep. Like diving down into deep dark water, when it touches you it changes you. Impossible to translate with words. Very beautiful place to photograph. Alas when I changed my lens it got slightly wet and fogged. I got some images but will go back during winter in heavy fog or rain for different moods. In a way it was good because the memory of the place and experience is far more important than images.
Our next stop was Lake Jasper, a beautiful freshwater lake with still waters surrounded by reeds. Alive with Dragonflies. Peter, an Ornithologist and bird expert was onboard and spotted Great Crested Grebes out on the lake along with Hoary Headed Grebes. We drank hot tea and coffee and ate some very delicious cake and fresh fruit from Graeme and Toni’s garden. Back on board for an exciting drive on a very windy track through the dunes to Black Point. A quick stop to photograph a gorgeous Bobtail Lizard and then a Goanna.
Sandy landscape, dunes covered with vegetation and with low lying swamps alive with bright orange flowers from the Swamp Bottlebrush (Beaufortia sparsa,). I got a few close up shots of the detail. The plants in the SW corner of Australia are diverse and fascinating. I am slowly learning more and take every opportunity to photograph the flowers I see. The beautiful Toyota Arkana 4WD Troop Carrier carried us up and over a final dune to a magnificent view of the Southern Ocean. Windy, sunny, deep dark blues, azure sparkles and that divine turquoise colour of the water over white sand. Huge cliffs, crashing waves, and black basalt interspersed with limestone. Rugged and very very beautiful.
We had a delicious lunch, fresh rolls from the bakery packed with salad, cheese and a variety of fillings, fresh fruit and hot drinks. As usual I was eating, photographing and wrangling gear all at the same time. Peter spotted a Caspian Tern at the bottom of a cliff along with a few hundred seagulls sheltering from the wind. We continued on to a spot named Breakfast Holes and I took a lot of images of waves crashing over the rocks. The Basalt rocks are part of the geological formation known as Bunbury Basalt from an eruption 130 million years ago. The lava cooled in a particular way and formed huge hexagonal columns that are put to twelve metres high. The rain had gone and the sun was bright and hot. The contrast of white water and black rocks was spectacular.
A beautiful patch of Red Swamp Banksias were flowering about a 100m from the cliffs. It is not a species I have seen before, very bright red almost fluorescent. Many flowers, the plants thriving in an extremely harsh landscape known for very poor soil. One the way back to the vehicle a tiny snake crossed the path. Very beautiful close up, difficult to photography in harsh light. The marking on his head were very interesting and the rich copper colour of his body was beautiful.
Our last spot was truly spectacular. A white sandy beach, interspersed with broad areas of rocky boulders worn smooth from the waves over millennia. The sand sparkled with dark purple illmenite, mineral sands that formed patterns with white sand, the different weights creating beautiful lines and ripples. We navigated carefully over the boulder fields, slowly getting closer to the massive black basalt columns in the distance. Huge waves crashed, a Pacific Gull flew overhead, interesting pieces of seaweed and cuttlefish were caught between the rocks, the sand crunched and best of all when a big wave hit the beach and retreated all the submerged boulders clattered together making an amazing sound. Peter spotted a family of Hooded Plovers on the sand at the base of the point. Two juveniles at different stages suggested successful breeding which was good news given the challenges these tiny ones face on a daily basis.
The sky was patchy with dark clouds and bright sun. The light was challenging so I took a lot of images truing to get some with sun and some with shadow. Looking for compositions to highlight the size of the basalt columns and capture the majesty of the place. Words and images simply don’t do it justice. So much is felt, the texture of the sand, wind whipping my face, taste of salt, stinging eyes, the noises, birds and ocean, textures and colours that don’t translate in images, the desolation and dramatic beauty, the endless shifts in light that change the mood and a sense of being immersed again in an ancient and knowing landscape.
I would love to photograph it again, in a storm or in pouring rain or on a bleak still day with a glassy ocean. I imagine the moods would be endless in this very special place.
I didn’t really want to leave and I think we probably all wanted to stay a little longer but there was a very long walk back over the very tricky boulder patches to the vehicle. I walked last behind everyone else to take some photos and try to capture the sense of scale, tiny people immersed and connected to the earth, ocean and sky in one of the most beautiful, rugged and interesting landscapes I have ever seen!! Huge thank you to Graeme for spectacular driving and a truly awesome day. I will definitely be doing this tour again!!
My partner and I joined the Beach and Eco Forest Adventure Tour with Pemberton Discovery Tours on the 18th of October, and it was such an incredible experience from start to finish!
Our guide **Graeme** was fantastic — his knowledge of the area was so impressive, right down to the scientific names of the plants and wildflowers! I never realised how many beautiful wildflowers there were until this tour — it completely blew my mind.
The 4WD vehicle was super comfortable, and Graeme’s driving skills were top-notch — smooth, confident, and made the ride so enjoyable. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, from the majestic forests to the rolling sand dunes and the stunning Yeagarup Beach. The moment the ocean came into view after crossing the dunes — wow, pure magic!
We’ll definitely be back for more adventures — especially the *Black Point Eco Adventure*!
Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable day!
I soaked up Graeme's knowledge & passion for the Southern Forests area & sustainability of the tour is evident.
I had so much fun & there was a WOW moment when I saw the Warren River flowing into the Southern Ocean.
World-class experience.
We were picked up at the Crossings Bakery which is a very short walk from the caravan park.
The morning included a drive through the Karri Forest where Graeme explained the history of Pemberton and gave a very interesting commentary of the vegetation within the forest and how it changes along the drive to the coast. There was a short walk through the forest where you can really experience the enormity of the trees.
The next stop was at the spectacular Yeagarup Dunes where Graeme gave us an explanation of how the dunes originated and how they are moving slowly into the forest.
There was a brief stop at the Yeagarup Hut before the final stop on the beach where the Warren River opens into the Southern Ocean. After all of the recent rain the river was in full flow making a spectacular sight.
The only slight disappointment was that we were looking forward to trying sand boarding, as it was mentioned on the Viator listing that there might be a stop for a sand slide or two. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen on our trip. Still, the overall experience more than made up for it, and we came away with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for the region.
Great lunch and thoroughly recommend.
Craig and Tania
The tour took us through the Karri forest and up to the sand dunes which was amazing to be able to see, a unique experience for sure.
We then headed out onto the beach and watched the ocean 🪸 🌊 while eating an apple 🍏 from Graeme garden
Finally we headed back into the forest for a spot of lunch.
Thank you Graeme for sharing your knowledge and providing an unique experience and opportunity to learn and explore
As well as the alfresco lunch Graeme was generous with fruit picked from his tree that morning for everyone. Very generous with feijoas too - we'd never heard of them before! Worth doing.
Some excellent photo opportunities and very interesting discussions about the wildlife and the dunes.
Lovely lunch as well.
Thank you to Graeme and Toni
WOW WOW WOW.
This is an area very few would ever see, totally unique and nature at her stunning best.
Wonderful interesting tour through the Warren reserve, dunes and then onto the coast. Graham great guide - learnt so much. Magical area - and beautifully explained by Graham. The Karri forest is unique then leading onto dunes that are moving from the coastline. Really thoroughly recommend
Graeme, was not only knowledgeable but also took the time to engage with everyone on the tour. His expertise and personable nature truly enhanced our experience. From the moment we started until the very end, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to both Graeme and Toni for facilitating another fantastic experience. Their dedication and passion for what they do are evident and greatly appreciated.
We are already looking forward to our next adventure with you. Once again, thank you for an unforgettable experience. Lorretta and Michael.
Our boys still talk about it, our 4 other friends loved every bit of it. It's a must, also Toni made the booking so easy.
Thankyou again Toni and Graeme
The huge, white, sand-dunes were both a surprise to find and beautiful. I've always associated Pembi with trees and forest, not dunes and beaches. The stretch of beach was amazing and the forest we went through to get there was stunning.
Owner/guide, Graeme, was engaging and informative. His connection with this place was evident as he shared his knowledge with the group. The vehicle is comfortable with forward facing seats, but rugged enough to take you down some hair-raising tracks. Graeme's skill and confidence at driving made everyone feel safe, even when the vehicle lurched from side-to-side, and the destination was well worth it.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Pemberton region.
The trip ended with a delicious picnic in the Forrest.
Wow! The trip was phenomenal and breathtaking. Some of the most spectacular places in southwest WA are inaccessible by regular roads and cars. You need an off-road vehicle with a highly-skilled driver to navigate through sand dunes and rough terrain.
I emphasize that a skilled driver is essential, and Pemberton Discovery Tours guides were certainly skilled. Meanwhile, we saw several people with their own 4 wheel drive vehicles bogged in the soft sand. (Our driver helped a couple of them.)
NOTE: Travelled in March 2023. (A bit delayed getting to this review.)
Our tour guide Graeme made it easy and helped with our tyre pressures and tips for driving up the dunes. The first climb to get on the dunes was a challenge and took 3 attempts. We dropped the tyres to 10psi and made it up and was smooth driving from there on. The hand held radio provided was helpful, as Graeme drove the tracks first and radioed the all clear when the tracks were free from traffic.
The forest, dunes, beach and rivermouth all provide beautiful scenery throughout the morning tour.
Highly recommend, taking the tour to see the area.
We were a family of 9 adults with 4 toddlers. We did a short walk in the Karri Forest. Our guide, Graeme was friendly and knowledgeable. The 4WD ride was awesome. The highlight was definitely the drive from the sand dunes to the beach. Even the kids enjoyed it. Highly recommended!
Toni and Graham went above and beyond for our group (75 people).
From the organisation and communication pre-tour to the transport, guide knowledge, friendliness and delicious home made lunch and snacks on the day, I cannot rave about this team enough.
The experience itself was incredible, driving through the forest onto those sand dunes was fantastic.
Toni & Graham - thank you so much for an absolutely incredible day!!
Picked up on the dot, taken to where the itinerary said where we were going. And there we were in a Karri forest. Enough time to get out and walk a few hundred metres if you desired with Graham passing on all you wanted to know about the flora and fauna of the region.
Stopped at a rare and stunning lake that is easily missed if not aware of its locale let alone understanding its context. Would have been hard to find from the literature.
Geologic time is not visible as a process to the naked eye. Yet here we were taken to sand dunes that were dynamic, moving relentlessly towards the lake. Rising up in height from the ocean to what has to be the best 4 wheel driving I've ever experienced. Genuinely impressed by the safety first culture and driving skill. Dude must have been born in a 4 wheel drive. Just to see those Yeagarup dunes, respectfully traversed and be informed of the strata, soil, speed of transition was illuminated by Graham's commentary. And there we were at the ocean beside the Warren river, tannins blending into the ocean, the sand dunes behind us. A real sight to experience. No one else there. Came back over the dunes for a fresh organic lunch and real coffee. My wife and I had a ball.
How does one convey this felt 'real'? Seeing only what locals know and experiencing forest and dunes that next year will have changed. Grateful for Graham sharing his passion of the place and passing on what he knew.



















































