A Mad Christmas 2025
- Toni Dearle
- Dec 12, 2025
- 6 min read
Well only slightly mad.
2025 was a massive year for Graeme and me. We were privileged to attend both the Australian Tourism Exchange Trade Show in Brisbane in April, but I returned with Tourism WA for the Western Australian Roadshow visiting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland, New Zealand in May. Connecting with our local tourism industry, old agents and reconnecting with agents from across the globe. Many of whom will be receiving this newsletter. (So, hi from us here in Pemberton!)
We had the excitement of seeing our home on National TV (see below), send our son off to Canada for work (sad - but we are hoping to visit in 2026), visiting NZ with my dad and enjoyed showing people around the world our stunning backyard from the comfort of our new tour vehicle.
Pemberton’s famous fire look out trees are having a birthday with the Bicentennial Tree open to the 20M platform and the Gloucester Tree reopening early in the new year. For more information visit the special DBCA Fire Lookout Tree website (artist impression above).
The Pemberton Arboretum Trails will hopefully open around the same time, bringing Pemberton’s mountain bike trails to over 56km of bespoke mountain bike trails. This does not include the Munda Biddi and Bibbulmun trails which weave through our region. Current trail maps for the road and trails are available here.
Cycle tourism is huge for our region with a growing awareness including the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships happening this coming October in Nannup - worldwide UCI event which will see people visit from all over the world to discover our magic dirt!
So, here are some more reasons to return to Pemberton in 2026.
Unplug with WA Wilderness - this is so true over family holidays, and with the recent ban on social media for children under 16 it is important that we provide extra support for families to get through this transition time by providing an easy way for them to detox in nature. Check out our holiday itineraries you can use with any accommodation venue here!
WIN - the Pemberton Chamber of Commerce & Industry are holding a fantastic raffle with over $4000 worth of prizes - not bad for a $10 ticket! Visit www.raffletix.com.au/Pembertonmonsterraffle25 to find out more!
PLAN
Aerial Adventure Pemberton: www.aerialadventurepemberton.com.au are open and swinging through the trees near the Gloucester Tree with their exciting aerial experiences - definitely book online to avoid disappointment
WA Wilderness: www.wawilderness.com.au - We continue to offer bespoke camping experiences in the stunning Warren National Park ** CHRISTMAS VACANCIES**.
Lavender Berry - Veska Sauna Resort : www.veska.com.au – Revitalised under new ownership, offering delightful culinary experiences - check out their Sauna experience (its sublime!).
Forest Lodge Resort: www.forestlodgeresort.com.au- Expanded dining options to breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Jarrah & Jade: Brilliant continental rolls, Bai mae (yep! the best!) in Pemberton, using local ingredients. Keely is amazing!
Pemberley of Pemberton www.pemberley.com.au : Private group wine tastings around the table with the owners at their vineyard. (We often visit them on our wine tours) and 2025 has seen their venue expand into a tasting room, cellar door and more. I would definitely sign up to their newsletter if you are looking at returning or simply to capture their specials.
Pumphill Farm: Offering yoga retreats through Spring Valley Farm and hay rides in the mornings most days.
RAC Karri Valley www.rackarrivalleyresort.com.au : Now open at the Lodge on the highway with their food van. Perfect for caravanners or people staying in the Beedelup area.
Ampersand Estates: Open 7 days per week for wine, the famous Donnelly River Port, Rainfall gin and vodka tastings with lunch hampers available.
Pemberton Discovery Tours www.pembertondiscoverytours.com.au : Yes this is us again! Ready for the busy period with additional eco-tours through the enchanting Yeagarup Dunes, we have also put on an additional vehicle. We would also love to give both Aaron and Mike a massive shout out for assisting us this year. They are absolutely fantastic tour guides - we love them! Colin is still here helping in the background too :)
Pemberton Tramway www.pemtram.com.au : Continuing their refurbishment with the tram now coming straight to the station and the beautiful garden reestablished. With twice daily tours (three tours per day during the busy Christmas period) from the Tramway station.
Balang Miya (Pemberton Visitors Centre): Now located at the new co-location, combining the Visitors Centre www.pembertonvisitor.com.au , Community Resource Centre, Chamber of Commerce, RSL, and Library. They will offer some changes early in the year with the installation of the new door.
Pemberton Swimming Pool - have you heard? We hope to see the Pemberton Swimming Pool Sauna complete with cold plunge installed in the new year. This is a trial along the lines of the Sauna at Lake Berley Griffiths in Tasmania by Nigel Reeve and his family. Great work by the Pemberton Visitor Centre committee. The fundraiser is also active so feel free to contribute here.
Pemberton Crossings Bakery also deserves a shout out here - they have been preparing our lunch’s now and are doing such an amazing job. If you are in Pemberton you must try their pies - award winning and delicious.
Did we mention Avocado’s? They grow remarkably well here and in fact provide some 90% of the avocados supplied to Australia over Christmas! Farmgate Avocado’s here in Pemberton are worth stocking up on ($2 for 2 is the usual rate or you can get boxes of seconds for next to nothing!)
Mark the next Pemby Avo Fest in your diary - it wont be until the first weekend in November but if the first one was anything to go by, this next one will be a hoot!
🎬 Lights, Camera, Pemberton!
It was really cool to see our little house (yes that’s Jay looking at our roof (colour graded I hope!) on the Television when Mystery Road Origin was released on ABC in September. This production employed 180 locals, and it was amazing to see our community come together to support such a big project. Thank you so much once again Greer & David @ Bunya Productions for bringing your dynamic crew back to Pemberton. If you have yet to see it, you can see it on iView here.
🌟 Updates from Pemberton
Our new 4WD bus is now 12 months old and we have noticed a massive increase in accessible tours throughout the year. The wider door and handrails make it easier for everyone to enjoy the Yeagarup Dunes and national parks. Check out the video Kieran created—it’s fantastic!
ATE Adelaide: We’ll be attending the Australian Tourism Exchange in Adelaide in May next year, reconnecting with operators and agents. Please email us if you wish to catch up as we will both be attending - mind you only one of us will be on the stand so I am available for interviews (aka coffee) outside of the booth timetable.
2025 saw us receive a Finalist nomination in the Pan Pacific Sustainability Award for the Regional Community Awards and Finalist for Tour and Transport operator for the Western Australian Tourism Awards
WA Wilderness Camping: Our fully set-up campsites are perfect for a hassle-free escape. Book now for New Year and school holiday availability : www.wawilderness.com.au.
💡 Community Highlights
Pemberton Visitor Centre Website: The new site is live at www.pembertonvisitor.com.au.
Christmas Decorations: Thanks to the Chamber’s funding, schoolchildren’s festive drawings now adorn the town as banners—bringing a cheerful holiday vibe to our town.
🌱 What’s New?
Beach Clean-Up: Over 35 volunteers collected 1 ton of rubbish, most of it washed up from the ocean. Thank you to everyone who pitched in!
Jasper’s Tree Campground: Reopening in April - We’re excited to welcome you to this special spot and are exploring ways to extend the season in the future.
💛Gratitude
Whilst we talk about gratitude, we must say a huge thank-you to our incredible team for keeping everything running smoothly this year. You’ve made all the difference to our business, our life and our ability to give back to community.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we wrap up 2025, we’re excited for what’s to come. From the Gloucester Tree to Sauna to new trails funded by Trails WA, the future of Pemberton is bright.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with discovery, adventure, and unforgettable moments.
Warm regards,Graeme, Toni & Team
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