The forested areas surrounding Manjimup may have started out as timber country, but today the region is best known for its myriad fresh produce. Intermingled with tall karri forest, the surrounding farmlands take centre stage in a thriving fruit and vegetable industry.
The famous ‘Pink Lady’ apple was developed in Manjimup more than 50 years ago and the horticultural industry has continued to evolve since then, with new pursuits including avocado farming, green tea, finger limes and the rare gourmet black truffle. You can pick up the freshest produce straight from the farm gate including apples, pears, cherries, nectarines, kiwi fruit, chestnuts, hazelnuts, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and corn.
Black truffles
Manjimup is home to Australia’s first mainland truffles and a very successful exporter, now ranked as the largest producer of black Perigord truffles in the southern hemisphere. Top restaurants throughout the world use Manjimup truffles, from Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in Napa and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in England. During truffle season, from June to August each year, guests can visit a truffière and join a truffle hunt, where they follow the sweet and highly trained truffle dogs as they sniff their way through the orchards in search of the black truffle.
Manjimup food and wine events
To properly celebrate the produce on offer, several food-focused events occur each year. Manjimup’s Cherry Harmony Festival held in early December. The town comes alive for the three day festival in celebration of the start of the cherry season. Several varieties of cherries are grown in local orchards and are available from November to January. In June, the truffle industry is celebrated and the iconic Truffle Kefuffle – a three day food and wine event that celebrates not only the rare black truffle, but more largely the food and wine industry of the Southern Forests region.
Top things to do in Manjimup and surrounds
1. Take the family to the Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park
It offers a fascinating insight into the local industry and logging heritage through a museum, historical hamlet, vintage machinery and a blacksmith’s forge. Plus the playground on site will keep kids and adults entertained for a good few hours!
2. Check out the Four Aces
The Four Aces are a straight row of karri trees that are over 300 years old and stand only one kilometre from One Tree Bridge. As the name suggests, the bridge was made from a single karri tree and survives as a testament to the ingenuity of the early pioneers.
3. Take a dip at the popular Fonty’s Pool
Created in 1925 by Archimede Fontanini as a pool to irrigate his vegetables, it soon became and still is a favourite spot with families for picnicking and enjoying a summertime swim.
4. Hop on a mountain bike for an adventure
Manjimup has some beautiful mountain bike trails through the unspoilt forest and bushland. Follow the Deanmill Heritage Trail or the world-class Munda Biddi, a 1000km trail that runs from Mundaring to Albany for an incredible off-road experience.
5. Head to the Cosy Creek circuit to watch motocross
The circuit is world renowned and each June the town revs up for the Manjimup 15,000 motocross event, the largest of its kind in Australia.
6. Spend the day sipping your way through the region’s wines
Pinot noir is widely planted, but its cabernet sauvignon and merlot are beginning to make a name for themselves.
7. Over 80% of the region is national park and forest
Take some time to explore the walking trails. For a tranquil picnic try Glenoran Pool or the King Jarrah Tree. Several marked walk trails wind through the forest from the King Jarrah.
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