Come join me on our exclusive small group tours. Meet my mates that farm the quality food of our area, that produce our quality wines and the chefs who bind them all together with experiences that are not available to the public.
Welcome to our exclusive Southern Forest Experiences! As a long time Manjimup local, and owner of Donnelly River Cruises, I have been working closely with Tour Operator Annette Porter of Travel with Me to develop a series (Trilogy) of “Hidden Gems” Experiential Journeys. These intimate trips provide an insight to real farmers and their efforts in improving sustainable farming practices and to taste the quality of our local produce by experienced local chefs.
Our 3 seasonal Gems Journeys provide a unique and exclusive opportunity to enjoy a special backstage pass to the primary producers of the Southern Forests. We meet and talk with the farmers, hear their stories, feel their passion and learn about what they are doing to improve their farming methods in order to produce outstanding quality foods, wines and more, while ensuring limited impact on the environment.
All tours include meeting local winemakers and experiencing their wine in unique ways. We also have exclusive access to areas not normally open to the public, allowing a better understanding of the region that is fast becoming known as the food bowl of Western Australia. We will enjoy plenty of fine dining and wine to sample along the way including some private dinners with multi-award-winning chefs who are specialists in showcasing the local food and wine at its best.
Come and savour our Gems of the Southern Forests on these unique small group tours limited to 14 people. The aim is to connect, leaving you feeling a part of the community at the end of your tour and to leave with a real understanding and appreciation of where our food comes from and how it is grown.
Fully escorted with transport, accommodation, all meals and entries, you will connect with and discover our gems of the Southern Forests.
Apart from the total fabulous experience I was most impressed with the opportunity to see and hear the growers and producers stories about their journey to establishing their businesses. Then sitting down each night to savour the produce prepared and presented by chefs who anywhere else would be awarded a HAT or two.**
The food was extraordinary but for me starting at the source was at the top of the list.
The variety of sources was most impressive
I have never experienced anything like this tour it felt so personal Meeting all the Farmers, the Chefs, the wine experts and everyone else Pete our tour guide introduced us to and being drawn into their stories and their passion for what they do All Local Gems of the South West. Tasting all the amazing top quality food and wine (and there is plenty of both) was an added bonus. So Thank you Annette for organising this for us and thank you to Pete for taking us on this Magical journey, Thanks Mate
An exquisite, from the heart, experience with the local caring/giving community who share their history of properties and restaurants and put themselves out there to ensure our experience is top notch. There is nothing else like it, the personal introduction with the locals and shared knowledge of farming techniques are not available anywhere else.
Listening to Peter – his knowledge and information & obvious love and respect for the people and places around Manjimup is amazing. Very informative and interesting
This is the best trip that I have ever been on, food was excellent, full with education, learning about the produce that is available in that area, the story telling about the families and how they set up the Orchards.
I booked this trip for the truffle experience and enjoyed much more than I could ever have imagined. The way the Manjimup people embraced our small tourist group was so special they made us feel like one of them. They were all Peters MATES and the food and wine experiences were amazing
DEPARTURES AVAILABLE FEB TO APRIL 2023
Price from $2685 pp Twin Share and from $2915 SOLO room
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SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2022
Price from $2768 pp Twin Share and from $2998 SOLO room
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SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2022
Price from $2860 pp Twin Share and from $3090 SOLO room
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DEPARTURES AVAILABLE FEB TO APRIL 2023
Price from $2845 pp Twin Share and from $3065 SOLO room
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DEPARTURES AVAILABLE FEB TO APRIL 2023
Price from $2845 pp Twin Share and from $3065 SOLO room
Catch our courtesy transfers from Mandurah train station or drive to Manjimup for a 2.30pm check-in and meet your Guide Peter.
Your journey will take you through wonderful small towns and undulating countryside to arrive in Manjimup.
You will have time to settle into your accommodation and freshen up before transferring for a welcome dinner at a local Restaurant with a complimentary drink and an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.
After breakfast, in a local café, we head off for a scenic drive and some fabulous farm visits with this Gems journey including an insight into Finger lime farming and a visit to a berry farm at the peak of blackberry season, yum.A beautiful location for our gourmet platter lunch today and a wine tasting, the stunning, re-imaged Ampersand Estates (Formally Donnelly River Wines). A very special cocktail will be included that uses the local flavours superbly.
Ampersand Estates is also home to Australia’s only single harvest distillery, Rainfall Distillery, specialising in vodka and gin distilled in a single region and year using local ingredients found in the region so of course a Gin and Vodka tasting is a must.
This afternoon we will transfer to our boat where Pete will take us down the pristine Donnelly River, which will include a sunset BBQ and Marron entree. This is an incredibly special evening and a fabulous way to finish a wonderful first day.
This morning we visit a farm that specialises in heirloom vegetables (the older varieties that have not been modified for mass production) Here is your opportunity to sample fresh tomatoes that have maximum flavour and maximum nutrients, does anyone remember tomatoes with flavour? These vegies will not look like your standard supermarket stuff but may well bring back some childhood memories of flavourful vege. Look out for guest star, Maddie.
Next, we are going to check out one of Manji’s most known vege, the potato. There are many varieties grown here so get ready to be surprised by what you learn about our number one dinner staple. Also, the number one ingredient for the base spirit at Rainfall Distillery.
A light lunch in Pemberton today featuring some of the produce we have learned about so far before a little rest back at our hotel to get ready for a very special, private dinner overlooking Fontes Pool.
Mark Aitken of Woodgate wines will join us for a wine tasting and matching to our dinner featuring wonderful fresh seafood, including something a little different, Abalone.
Another amazing day today starting with a fun workshop at historic Dingup House using the tomatoes we have sourced from our farms earlier. Enjoy lunch and have a little time to explore this historic home and its beautiful gardens.This afternoon we visit Jess and Adam, part of the third generation of the Guadagnino family who settled in Manjimup from Italy. This newest part of the family food business specialises in exotic mushrooms. New flavours to explore from the Southern Forests.A short break at the hotel before glamming up for our private, 5 course, dining experience at Two Little Black Birds with Chef Joe Ditri with a menu featuring the flavours of the Southern Forests.
After coming from Northcliffe, Joe moved to Perth and was a chef at “Fraser’s Restaurant” in Kings Park for 16 years. During this time Joe was awarded 2 gold medals at the “Restaurant of Champions” and in 2006 was awarded the “Western Australian Young Chef of the Year”. After then spending 3 years as head chef at Brika’s Restaurant in Perth, Joe decided to move back to Manjimup to be closer to family and the fresh produce and food of the area which inspired his original journey.
Please remember that we are visiting working farms and not tourist sites therefore itinerary changes may occur due to their work commitments
Fitness Level
Please note that this tour involves walking across some farmland which will be a mixture of terrains and will vary dependant on weather conditions. Clients must be able to get on/off the bus unaided, manage own luggage and occasionally be able to stand up for up to 30 minutes
Departures June to August 2022
Price from $2685 pp Twin Share and from $2915 SOLO room
Catch our courtesy transfers from Mandurah train station, or drive to Manjimup, for a 2.30pm check-in and meet your Guide Peter. Your journey will take you through wonderful small towns and undulating countryside to arrive in Manjimup.
You will have time to settle into your accommodation and freshen up before transferring for a welcome dinner at a local Restaurant with a complimentary drink and an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.
As a starter, we will visit Tall Timbers brewery all the time watching the river bank, the water and the sky for wildlife and birds. We will to learn how they make the only local beer and we will, of course, sample their produce, including take a relatively short trek in the lush riverine their Truffle Beer.
Our next port of call is Tall Timbers Restaurant. We will provide you with a $10 tasting card, so you can experience some of the many wines which are all produced in the Southern Forests area and a tapas dinner showcasing the local produce.
After a hot breakfast, we commence our agricultural knowledge of the Southern Forests area with a tour of our local marron and trout farm, where you will meet some of the characters that farm the region.
We then visit a local orchard, one of the biggest in WA, and learn of the developing varieties that are constantly changing for consumer demands.Our lunch today is with Chef Deb at “Sooma” Restaurant. Deb, one of our most unique chefs, will indulge you in a feast of Marron & Trout displaying her creative flair on our local produce.Following lunch, we take a tour of 3 Ryan’s egg farm. The Ryan’s are one of the traditional farmers of the area cultivating a range of our stable vegetables.
This evening we are off to Peos Estate where we will meet Vic and Bente who will be our hosts for the evening. We will sample their wines before indulging in a cultural feast in a unique facility overlooking the vineyard with a glass of complimentary wine in hand.
We start the morning with a hot breakfast at a local café before heading off to visit the locals that sort and pack our produce, ready for delivery to retailers. This morning we visit the locals that sort and pack our produce ready for delivery to retailers.We then move on to lunch with Chef Raj at Cilantros restaurant where he will display his Indian heritage in our local produce.
Next a truffle hunt adventure to discover the alluring story of Australian black truffles (tuber melanosporum or Périgord truffle) and how they came to be sought after by the world’s best chefs.
The Booth family take us for a wander amongst the hazelnut and oak trees in their orchard and engage the services of Truffle dogs Molly, Gidgee and Max who will lead us through the trees as they nose out the ripest of black truffles. Experience the excitement of digging up a truffle yourself: the heady aroma of truffle the moment it is unearthed is unforgettable. You will have the opportunity to purchase a truffle and discover the joy of cooking at home with this remarkable ingredient.
After a short break at our motel, we will head out to see Mark and Tracey at Woodgate Wines (new addition). We will have a private tasting of some of Marks wines before sitting down at the Cellar door to a dinner catered for us by Chef Joe Ditri.
We commence the day with a hot breakfast and then meander into Manjimup to discover the Manjimup Heritage Park, which provides a unique experience that combines both museums and recreational activities in the same place. Guided entry to all three museums is included in your tour of the Heritage Park precinct. Then a light lunch at the Park Café before beginning our afternoon adventuresWe go on a truffle hunting adventure and discover the alluring story Australian black truffles (tuber melanosporum or Périgord truffle) and how they came to be sought after by the world’s best chefs.
The Booth family take us for a wander amongst the hazelnut and oak trees in their orchard and engage the services of Truffle dogs Molly, Gidgee and Max who will lead us through the trees as they nose out the ripest of black truffles. Experience the excitement of digging up a truffle yourself: the heady aroma of truffle the moment it is unearthed is unforgettable. You will have the opportunity to purchase a truffle and discover the joy of cooking at home with this remarkable ingredient.
On our return travels we will call in to a local winery and prepare your tastebuds for the evening decadence ahead with a truffle product and wine pairing experience. A perfect opportunity to pick up some wine to enjoy with your evening meal tonight.
Dinner will be a delight for your senses where you will be treated to a private six course Truffle exclusive dining experience with Chef Joe Ditri.
After coming from Northcliffe, Joe moved to Perth and was a chef at “Fraser’s Restaurant” in Kings Park for 16 years. During this time Joe was awarded 2 gold medals at the “Restaurant of Champions” and in 2006 was awarded the “Western Australian Young Chef of the Year”. After then spending 3 years as head chef at Brika’s Restaurant in Perth, Joe decided to move back to Manjimup to be closer to family and the fresh produce and food of the area which inspired his original journey.
Please remember that we are visiting working farms and not tourist sites therefore itinerary changes may occur due to their work commitments
Fitness Level
Please note that this tour involves walking across some farmland which will be a mixture of terrains and will vary dependant on weather conditions. Clients must be able to get on/off the bus unaided, manage own luggage and occasionally be able to stand up for up to 30 minutes
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2022
Price from $2768 pp Twin Share and from $2998 SOLO room
Catch our courtesy transfers from Mandurah train station or drive to Manjimup for a 2.30pm check-in and meet your Guide Peter.
Your journey will take you through wonderful small towns and undulating countryside to arrive in Manjimup.
You will have time to settle into your accommodation and freshen up before transferring for a welcome dinner at a local Restaurant with a complimentary drink and an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.
After a hot breakfast, we head off for a scenic drive to the small timber town of Northcliffe. An earlier start today but it will be a magical day as we discover wildflowers and enjoy a guided nature and art walk in this historic town.We have arranged a private tour and morning tea at Bannister Downs Farm, a family owned, ethically run dairy providing milk to Western Australia. Cows here are treated like family and are milked only 10 metres from the processing facility.
A fish and chip lunch here today with fresh fish from Windy Harbour and then off for a scenic drive to discover one of the areas newest Gems, Southern Forests organic Green Tea
Dinner tonight will be at the home of one of our favorite local families, the Peos family – farmers and winemakers in Manjimup for more than 90 years.
After breakfast this morning we will explore the Manjimup area and visit some local farms where you will meet some of the characters that farm the region. You will hear their stories and feel their passion for the area and their produce. Their forward-thinking farming practices will amaze you.Today our feature lunch at stunning Fontes Pool. A multi course long lunch with Chef Raj and his team from Cilantros, will be something you will be talking about for years to come.
Choice tonight of staying in and taking it easy after our long feature lunch or join Pete for dinner and enjoy some local wine tasting at Tall Timbers in town.
After coming from Northcliffe, Joe moved to Perth and was a chef at “Fraser’s Restaurant” in Kings Park for 16 years. During this time Joe was awarded 2 gold medals at the “Restaurant of Champions” and in 2006 was awarded the “Western Australian Young Chef of the Year”. After then spending 3 years as head chef at Brika’s Restaurant in Perth, Joe decided to move back to Manjimup to be closer to family and the fresh produce and food of the area which inspired his original journey.
Please remember that we are visiting working farms and not tourist sites therefore itinerary changes may occur due to their work commitments
Fitness Level
Please note that this tour involves walking across some farmland which will be a mixture of terrains and will vary dependant on weather conditions. Clients must be able to get on/off the bus unaided, manage own luggage and occasionally be able to stand up for up to 30 minutes
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2022
Price from $2860 pp Twin Share and from $3090 SOLO room
Catch our courtesy transfers from Mandurah train station or drive to Manjimup for a 2.30pm check-in and meet your Guide Peter.
Your journey will take you through wonderful small towns and undulating countryside to arrive in Manjimup.
You will have time to settle into your accommodation and freshen up before transferring for a welcome dinner at a local Restaurant with Our early morning wake us is rewarded by a tranquil boat journey to a nearby Ox Bow Lake, a complimentary drink and an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.
After hot breakfast, we head off for a scenic drive to the small timber town of Northcliffe. An earlier start today but it will be a magical day as we discover wildflowers and enjoy a guided nature and art walk in this historic town.
We have arranged a private tour and morning tea at Bannister Downs Farm, a family owned, ethically run dairy providing milk to Western Australia. Cows here are treated like family and are milked only 10 metres from the processing facility.
A fish and chip lunch here today with fresh fish from Windy Harbour and then off for a scenic drive through Pemberton and visit a local chocolate factory.
A very special evening cruise along the Donnelly River tonight with a gourmet BBQ featuring Marron Entrée and wine tasting from a fabulous local winery. ** Special guest local winemaker on board to provide a wine tasting as we cruise down the river**
After breakfast this morning we will explore the Manjimup area and visit some local farms where you will meet some of the characters that farm the region. You will hear their stories and feel their passion for the area and their produce. Their forward-thinking farming practices will amaze you.Today our feature lunch at stunning Fontes Pool. A multi course long lunch with Chef Raj and his team from Cilantros, will be something you will be talking about for years to come.
Dinner tonight will be at the home of one of our favorite local families, the Peos family – farmers and winemakers in Manjimup for more than 90 years.
After coming from Northcliffe, Joe moved to Perth and was a chef at “Fraser’s Restaurant” in Kings Park for 16 years. During this time Joe was awarded 2 gold medals at the “Restaurant of Champions” and in 2006 was awarded the “Western Australian Young Chef of the Year”. After then spending 3 years as head chef at Brika’s Restaurant in Perth, Joe decided to move back to Manjimup to be closer to family and the fresh produce and food of the area which inspired his original journey.
Please remember that we are visiting working farms and not tourist sites therefore itinerary changes may occur due to their work commitments
Fitness Level
Please note that this tour involves walking across some farmland which will be a mixture of terrains and will vary dependant on weather conditions. Clients must be able to get on/off the bus unaided, manage own luggage and occasionally be able to stand up for up to 30 minutes
