About Pemberton Discovery Tours

OUR STORY

Pemberton Discovery Tours; an iconic tour for a iconic town.

Thank you Toni for your brilliant customer service and Graeme for an UNFORGETTABLE day in the 4WD through the forest, bush, dunes and beach of Pemby.

We all loved the experience, took my elderly parents and they said they will never forget it!! So thanks heaps!

- Pebs 2016

Once upon a time...

It does seem like a fairy tale.

To live in a world class location and have the enviable job of showing visitors (and locals) through a backyard of National Parks and unique and iconic landmarks.

It wasn't always this way...

Prior to 2000 they were working a 'normal' job - in another state and only had the benefits of visiting Pemberton when they came home. Toni's parents had been operating chalets in the region for a number of years and it was seen as a 'retirement dream' for the couple.

A dream to 'come home' gave them their reason to return to the West with the opportunity of running 4WD adventure tours and in October 1999 Pemberton Discovery Tours was born.

With a mission to ensure everyone who visits this area discovers the beautiful and magnificent country in and around Pemberton. And to promote 'The BEST is OFF the Highway!"

OUR TEAM

Graeme Dearle - Finalist 2023 / 2021 / 2007 / 2006 / 2005 FACET Golden Guide Western Australian Tourism Awards

Graeme, Toni, Colin and now Aaron have been guiding in the Pemberton area for many years and offer visitors to the area a personalised and guided experience of the national parks.

Graeme and Toni Dearles’ vision for Pemberton Discovery Tours is based on sound eco tourism principles.

Graeme has had many years of 4WDing experience prior to starting Pemberton DIscovery Tours in 1999. He has augmented his skill with both Safari Guide Training with good friends Jan & Jeremy from Global Gypsies which includes safety and survival certification and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Colin, is a local through and through... citizen of the year too many times to count Colin gives his heart back to our community - and also has great tales to tell about Pemberton and its surrounds.

Aaron is the newest member of our team. Joining us in 2023 and with his own business keeping him busy, we asked Aaron if he would be keen to help us with our larger groups and tours. Lucky for us he said YES! Aaron has played a big part in Pemberton's tourism industry already. Previously he started walking tours with a friend, ran a successful restaurant and gift shop and is very keen on speedway. He has a beautiful family and a few years back they took some time off to travel around Australia with the children. We are very excited to have Aaron join us and we know you will love him as much as we do.

Toni - With a Bachelor of Science under her belt, her real passion is meeting people and helping them discover the beautiful region. This often means tackling people to the ground or chasing them around an event so don't forget to say hi next time you are in town!

Pemberton Discovery Tours continually benchmarks itself against state and national award winners by entering awards and improving every year.

Awards & Community

We are proud of our business - and support a lot of initiatives along the way. I hope we have listed everything here!

Community Recognition

Proudly support the following organisations, events and initiatives.

Native Animal Rescue
Pemberton District High School
Southern Forest Steppers Fundraiser
Little Taddies Childcare Centre
Fruit Loop Friday (Pemberton People Feel good sponsored by Berri Sweet and the amazing Dougy).
Northcliffe King Karri Cup
Pemberton Visitors Centre
Northcliffe Visitors Centre
Pemberton Community Resource Centre
Pemberton Fire & Rescue
Sam Johnson's Love your Sister initiative
RFDS - Royal Flying Doctor's Ball
Perth Wild Cats
Tangaroa Blue Annual Beach Clean up with TrackcareWA
Western Australian Tourism Awards

Environment

Advanced Ecotourism Certified for the Beach & Forest Eco Adventure and Black Point Eco Adventure Tours
Winner 2012 FACET (Forum for Avocating Cultural and Eco Tourism) Tour Operator Award
Finalist in 2020 Tidy Towns - Dumbleyung Landcare Environmental Awards
Keep Australia Beautiful Council Recognition & Tangaroa Blue Recognition for our beach cleanups with Trackcare WA (see our blog posts). - Annual event held usually in November.

Certificate of Excellence Trip Advisor Pemberton Discovery Tours

Excellence & Business

Southern Forest Regional Business Awards Finalist 2015
Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2015, 2014, 2013 & 2013
Winner 2012 FACET Tour Operator Award
Winner 2007 Small Business Customer Service Award
Winner 2007 Small Business Achiever Award
Finalist 2010 Travelmole Web Awards
Finalist 2007 Micro Business Awards (Telstra Western Australia Small Business Awards)
Finalist 2021, 2005 & 2006 FACET Golden Guide Award (Graeme Dearle)
Runner Up 2004 Home Based Business Award - South West Small Business Awards
Runner Up 2003 Customer Culture Award - South West Small Business Awards

Media

Australia's South West - Winter Down South campaign 2023
Going Places with Ernie Dingo - Season 5, episode 1.
Western Australian News article in travel Mag
Article in Great Australian Outdoors Magazine
NRM Openroad Magazine 2023 by Dorian and Lydia
Supporting Graham Cahill on his recent trip through the region and finding our common passion - filming for the 4WD 24/7 Channel.
Supporting Chris Wood with filming for the 4WD Adventure show.
Supporting the Shire of Manjimup with the 4WD Adventure show in Perth in Nov 22.
Something Wild interview on MMM
Tourism Australia - National Experiential Content Initiative 2022
Australia's South West - Great South West Drive - Southern Forests Experience
Jasper Jones working with the Location Manager (Porchlight productions)
ViewPort
Destination WA - Saturday 5.30pm on Channel 7 12/4/2014
Great Outdoors
Today Tonight 2008 & 2016
Hooked On Adventure
Great Australian Outdoors Magazine (2nd edition 2020)