Pemberton, W A, originally known as Big Brook, was established in 1913 as a sawmill town, originally known as Big Brook. The Pemberton Museum showcases this sawmilling
history.
Famous for the karri trees in Gloucester National Park,where you can find the Gloucester Tree with its lookout point, the Cascades waterfall and Lefroy Brooks rocky rapids. And a short drive a way, more giant karris at Warren National Park and the dunes at Yeagarup Beach.
The Noongar people
The Noongar people's homeland is the southwest corner of Western Australia. Dialects of the Noongar language were spoken across the region, and estimates of the number of dialects range from 3 to 15. Today there are three Noongar language groups, being the Bibbulmun, Minang, and Kaniyang people, who called the area
Wandergarup, meaning 'plenty of water.'
The Noongar people
exhibit a distinct material culture. Traditionally this includes wearing stitched kangaroo skin as an adaptation to the cool, moist winter climate or using a particular style of axe and saw-like knife. Also constructed were temporary but waterproof semicircular dome huts made with a framework of tied branches and paperbark or grass-tree thatch.
The buka is a
traditional cloak of the Noongar people made of kangaroo skin.
Zamia nuts, Quokkas and possums, Kangaroos, Marron and freshwater fish were commonly eaten.
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| Bibbulmun man |
1820s
Western Australia was established as the Swan River Colony in 1829, initially intended for free settlers, but commenced receiving convicts in 1850.
Although a convict-supported settlement was established in Western Australia from 1826 to 1831, direct transportation of convicts did not begin until 1850. Convicts built many public buildings and laid the foundations for future
towns.
1860s
There was an expedition to the area in 1861 by Edward Reveley Brockman, his brother-in-law Gerald de Courcy Lefroy, and his uncle Pemberton Walcot.
The Brockman family were the first settlers in the Pemberton district. Edward Revely Brockman took up
land on the banks the Warren River in the early 1860s. Brockton married Capel Bussell in 1861 and they had nine children.
In 1862, when Brockman established Warren House homestead and station on the Warren River. the Governor of Western Australia promised to build a road from Nannup, a bridge over the Warren Rim and a, fortnightly mail service. The road and bridge were constructed by convict labor, and a mail service via Nannup from Busselton, known then as the Vasse, was instituted. (
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HISTORIC HOMESTEADS, WARREN HOUSE 1862 From the Brockman home at Heme Hill built by William Locke Brockman in 1830, his son Edward Revely Brockman rode south searching for suitable pastures for his cattle. He decided that the country around the Warren River was ideal for his purpose, and settled there, soon afterwards marrying Cape! Bussell. daughter of J. C. Bussell. After the wedding in Busselton the young couple rode through the bush the many miles to the bride's new home among the tair karri and jarrah of the Warren. Warren House" was completed about 1862. and was built in comfortable bungalow style with an enormous shingled roof. There were no roads in those days, and the Warren settlers had to rely on bullock teams to bring their stores through the bush from Albany, making their own bread !from ground maize, and Jiving largely on a diet of salted beef. Edward Brockman went in for cattle and horse breeding, and it was necessary to drive the stock through heavy br'.ih. swimming the rivers that they might finally be shipped from Albany—the horses being sent to India . . Published as a tribute to our Pioneers by The Swan Brewery Company Limited. Makers of Swan Lager.York Leader and Quairading and Dangin Herald (WA : 1935 - 1947) |
Pemberton Walcott, after whom the town would be named, established Karri Dale farm on the northern outskirts of the later townsite; and Lefroy established a farm and flour mill on Lefroy Brook (the current site of the 100 Year Forest). Walcott remained until at least 1867.
The first settlers who
arrived in the Pemberton area established farms.
1900s
It was not until the State Government established Sawmills No. 2 and No. 3. to supply railway sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway at 'Big Brook' (Pemberton) in 1913, that
settlement really began in the area.
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| A GIANT KARRI LOG. A VISIT TO THE STATE SAWMILLS AT BIG BROOK (Pemberton) .Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 14 August 1914 |
In 1916, a local farmer W.L. Brockman proposed the name Pemberton for the town, in honour of Pemberton Walcott, the first European settler in the area.
WWI
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| Blackwood Times (Greenbushes, WA : 1905 - 1955), Friday 3 August 1917 |
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1. 3rd ENGINEER S. G. JOHNSON. (Mediterranean Fleet.) 2. TROOPER N. T. JOHNSON
10th Light Horse. (On active service.) TWO SONS OF MR. AND MRS. THOS. G. JOHNSON, OF PEMBERTON, VIA BRIDGETOWN. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 6 July 1917 |
The State Sawmills Department developed a private mill town in the area.
Brockman was the first Chairman of the Lower Blackwood Road Board and became an
important citizen.
1920s
By the 1920s, Pemberton became a focus of the Group Settlement Scheme, attracting migrants to the area.
Pemberton was officially gazetted in October 1925.
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| Rural State School children, GROUP 99, NORTHCLIFFE, PEMBERTON. WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 29 January 1925, |
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| Pemberton Hotel, WA, established 1926 |
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| A LOG TRAIN ROUNDING BIG BROOK ON THE WAY TO THE STATE SAW MILLS AT PEMBERTON. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 30 September 1926 |
For her first book, 'Working bullocks', Katharine Susannah Prichard went in search of experience to Pemberton (then known as Big Brook) in the heart of Western Australia’s karri country. (
2.) Read novel free
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NEW PEMBERTON HOSPITAL Left to right: The Minister for Health (Mr. Munsie), Mr. L. Everett (secretary of the committee), Dr. Abbott, Mr. H. Perry, Mr. J. H. Smith, M.L.A., and the Secretary for Health (Mr. F. J. Huelin) at the opening of the Pemberton hospital.West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Wednesday 11 April 1928 |
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| Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Thursday 3 May 1928, |
1930s
The trout acclimatisation began in 1930 at Pemberton. The main objects were hatching, rearing, distribution and protection of trout.
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| West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Tuesday 24 February 1931 |
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| A bullock-log hauling team at work, Pemberton, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 25 December 1931 |
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| Stock sales at Pemberton, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 11 August 1932 |
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AN EXHIBITION OF LOCAL PRODUCTS IN THE STATE SAW MILLS GENERAL |
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| The five-foot high concrete retaining wall which has been erected across Lefroy Brook by the Pemberton Electric Power Co. Work will shortly be started on the pipe line to convey waterfrom the dam to the site of the proposed power house. Here a large drop in the water level will supply the necessary power to work the turbines which will be installed.Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 10 January 1935 |
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| West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Tuesday 2 April 1935 |
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A steamhauler which drags the fallen logs half a mile to the bush log landing; and workers cutting planking at the No. 3 saw bench, Pemberton Timber Mill, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 19 December 1935 |
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Cutting planking at the No. 3 saw bench, Pemberton Timber Mill, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 19 December 1935 |
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| Manjimup Mail and Jardee-Pemberton-Northcliffe Press (WA : 1927 - 1950), Friday 27 September 1935 |
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| Pemberton Post (WA : 1937 - 1950), Friday 3 December 1937 |
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| Pemberton Post (WA : 1937 - 1950), Friday 3 December 1937 |
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| Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 28 October 1937 |
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| At Work in the State Saw Mills at Pemberton. WA. Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Wednesday 6 September 1939 |
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| A general view of the swimming carnival held at Pemberton on February 5. There was an attendance of well over 1,000 and competitors travelled from as far as Bunbury.Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 16 February 1939 |
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| Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Thursday 24 December 1936 |
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| Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Wednesday 6 September 1939 |
1940s and WWII
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| WX4395 Cpl. J. H. Brockman, Pemberton.Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 13 February 1941 |
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FOOTBALLER. He was born in Greenbushes, educated there, worked for State Saw Mills at Pemberton before enlisting in June, 1940. He went overseas in September. Lance - C o rporal Robinsonserved served in Libya, nnd after Greece his wife, Mrs. G. C. Robinson, of 36 Trafalger Road, East Perth, received a cable telling her he was safe. On Wednesday she was informed he is missing. Lance Corporai Robinsonwas was a solid worker for the Douglas Social Credit organisation and was foundation president of the Pemberton Agricultural Society. L.-CORP. ROBINSON. He played football for Pemberton and appeared in country week cainivals at Perth. |
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| Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 13 July 1944 |
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| Pemberton Post (WA : 1937 - 1950), Friday 11 October 1946 |
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| Manjimup Mail and Jardee-Pemberton-Northcliffe Press (WA : 1927 - 1950), Thursday 18 April 1946 |
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| Swimming pool at Pemberton, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 7 March 1946, |
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THE SCARF: Axeman cuffing the scarf which controls the fall of the tree, Pemberton, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 4 July 1946 |
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| FEEDING TIME; Fish breoking the surface for food cause a smother of foam in the trouthatchery. The wire netting it to protect the fish from shags. Pemberton, WA. Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 4 July 1946 |
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| Horse team hauling logs, Pemberton, WA, Walkabout. Vol. 12 No. 12 (1 October 1946) |
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| The Pemberton swimming pool, WA, Vol. 12 No. 12 (1 October 1946) |
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| HOP GARDENS OF PEMBERTON. Hop picking has begun in the South-West. The picture shows some of the pickers resting from their labours on the property of Mr. W. Gardner, at Pemberton.West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 28 February 1947 |
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| Typical “bush” conditions in Pemberton trout streams. WA, Walkabout. Vol. 13 No. 4 (1 February 1947) |
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| Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Wednesday 13 April 1949 |
1950s
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| Pemberton girls watching the swimming races, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 16 March 1950 |
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| Infant Health Centre PEMBERTON HEALTH CLINIC OPENED, WA, Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Wednesday 7 November 1951 |
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| Blackwood-Warren Sentinel (Bridgetown, WA : 1950 - 1954), Thursday 20 March 1952 |
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| Pemberton Court House, WA, Blackwood-Warren Sentinel (Bridgetown, WA : 1950 - 1954), Thursday 17 January 1952 |
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| Pemberton, WA, Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 25 December 1952 |
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| The Eastree Look-out, Pemberton, Western Australia, can be climbed by a spiral ladder....Walkabout. Vol. 18 No. 1 (1 January 1952) |
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| Blackwood-Warren Sentinel (Bridgetown, WA : 1950 - 1954), Thursday 14 May 1953 |
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| Blackwood-Warren Sentinel (Bridgetown, WA : 1950 - 1954), Thursday 14 May 1953 |
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| Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Wednesday 29 July 1953 |
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| The sensational derailment of the Royal train on the return journey from Pemberton to Bridgetown was not known, H.R.H. climbs through the window of his coach. " Anyway, at last we have done one thing that wasn't on the official programme." he laughingly remarked. Showing the toppled Royal and Ministerial coaches and the twisted lines.Farmers' Weekly (Perth, WA : 1947 - 1954), Thursday 10 December 1953, |
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| Manjimup and Warren Times (Bunbury, WA : 1927 - 1954), Wednesday 3 November 1954 |
1980s
The town became a tourist destination in the 1980s, with its cool-climate wines and natural attractions.
The Pemberton Tramway Company was established in 1987 to operate a tourist railway service on the Pemberton – Northcliffe Railway.
2020s
For many years, visitors climbed the 61-metre Gloucester Tree unsupervised without a harness, until authorities closed the attraction in 2023 due to structural
issues and public safety concerns. Reopened March 2026.
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| The 61-metre Gloucester Tree, Pemberton, WA |
Around Pemberton
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| The Pemberton Tramway Company was established in 1987, WA |
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| The Pemberton Tramway Company was established in 1987, WA |
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| The Pemberton Mill is located at the heart of Pemberton, WA, was first established in 1913-14 |
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| Pemberton Mill & Chimney Complex consists of large industrial buildings, milling machinery, sheds, storage bays and vehicles. The old brick chimney is still intact, WA |
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| Pemberton, WA |
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| Pemberton, WA |
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| Pemberton Hotel, WA built 2026 |
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| Lake Beedelup,, Pemberton, WA |
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| Pemberton Pool, WA |
Things To Do and Places To Go
Walk the Bibbulmun Track The track runs through or near the towns of Collie, Balingup, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Walpole and Denmark before finishing in Albany.
The Pemberton Tramway Company
Pemberton: What To Do
The Pemberton Mill Workers’ Cottages Precinct. Located east and north-east of the Pemberton Mill; • A complex of single storey timber residences (karri); • Located in Broadway, Brockman, Dean, Pine and Kelly Streets, and Karri Rise.
Yeagarup Dunes—the largest moving inland dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
