If your planning a trip down in June I recommend going to the Manjimup Truffle Kerfuffle (TK13). It is being held on 22nd and will include wineries, food stalls, master classes, cooking demonstrations, free kids food classes, food discussion/truffle seminars. Also Truffle Dog competitions, Truffle orchard tours/hunts, local produce by way of the local farmers markets and a heap more. The night will be finished off with a 5 Course Gala Dinner prepared by some of the state’s finest Chefs – Hadleigh Troy, Russell Blaikie and Shane Watson. I had the chicken and truffle Paella last year for lunch at the TK13 and am now a new Truffle convert…Yum…I can recommend putting some truffle oil in your pantry.

21st January 2013

Question: Does Rainbow Trail Chalets have coffee machines.

Answer: Yes, Steve and I are trying really hard to keep our chalets not only totally clean and well maintained but modern as well.  We have just put a brand new Nespresso Coffee Machine into each of our spa chalets.  They are little beauties (yes, they were well trialled first by Steve, our resident coffee addict) and should be easy to use and clean. A few Nespresso capsules will be provided upon arrival and more will be available for purchase at reception if you need but BYO is certainly another option (Nespresso or Nespresso compatible pods only).

Enjoy!!!

Rainbow Trail Chalets is now a ‘bike friendly’ accommodation provider.  We are situated right on the Rainbow Trail and only a 1 and a 1/2km trail ride to Pemberton’s new mountain bike trail and skills track.  So, Bring Your Bikes
Along. We have double bike racks at each chalet, an emergency bike repair kit at reception should you be unfortunate enough to have to borrow it and we have also put a bucket and large washing sponge in your chalet to wash your bikes down (that is, for ‘you’ to wash them down and not me). Wildflower season is coming up and a bike will be a great way to see them from our property.

Now is the best time of year to visit Pemberton’s Cascade and Beedalup Waterfalls. We have had heaps of rain and both waterfalls are at their most beautiful right now.  If you like bushwalking there is also great bushwalks around the waterfalls. The small rapids on the Lefroy Brook (along Rainbow Trail) are also worth a walk to from your chalet.  Take your water bottle as you won’t get nicer drinking water.

The Truffle Kerfuffle is a great day out, it’s definitely worth the effort coming down from Perth and spending a couple of days in Pemberton for this event. AND… as a bonus the organizers have arranged a free bus service to and from Rainbow Trail Chalets on the day (that’s a bonus).

The  Truffle Kerfuffle gives foodies the chance to indulge in this expensive delicacy and taste first-hand what all the fuss is about. To match the gourmet star of the show (the Truffle), the Truffle Kerfuffle will host a truly impressive line up of West Australian epicurean talent headlined by Anna Gare from TV’s cooking phenomenon Master Chef, Matthew Evans and Ross O’Meara of SBS series The Gourmet Farmer and award winning Chef David Coomer of iconic Perth restaurants Star Anise and Pata Negra, and soon Xarcuteria.

Event Information Time: 10am – 4pm Saturday, 16th of June, 2012

Venue: Fonty’s Pool, Seven Day Road, Manjimup WA

Admission: Adults (12 and above): $2
Children (under 12): Free
Wine Tasting: Free upon purchase of a TK Tasting Glass for $10.

Food: Gourmet food stalls at the festival.

Other Experiences: Many free and ticketed events Truffle Hunts, Master Classes and demonstrations.

STAY 3 NIGHTS IN JUNE BETWEEN SUNDAY TO THURSDAY WITH RAINBOW TRAIL CHALETS AND ENJOY A UNIQUE AND RELAXING TRIP FOR TWO WITH DONNELLY RIVER CRUISES, ON US.

Your incredible journey on Pemberton’s pristine Donnelly River will include pick up and drop off, morning or afternoon tea and the opportunity to sight see a landscape that is only accessible by boat.  Valued at $130 per couple, this trip will be on us for June only, for you to enjoy. Phone Rainbow Trail Chalets now on 0438 561 664/97761576 to book your getaway or email rainbowtrailchalets@gmail.com .

It’s on again, The Relentless Blue Mountain Bike Race is coming to Pemberton. Pemberton’s new Southern Forest Festival has been scheduled to run at the same time as the bike race on April 21st, so bring all your family down with you, there is entertainment for all ages.  I encourage everyone to stay for the Friday and Saturday night as not only is there entertainment on at various venues at night, the festival on Saturday until 7pm and the Relentless Blue Mountain Bike Race,  there is Pemberton’s first ever Poker Run on the Sunday around the region.  If you would like more information about any of these events or about securing your accommodation (yes Pemberton will book out)  please call me on 04385691664 or go to Rainbow Trail Chalets Facebook Page.

Yes, each chalet has reverse cycling air-conditioning, so you can set your ideal temperature and be comfortable for your whole stay.  Each chalet also has a gas logged fire and electric blankets for winter.

Last week was ‘to say the least’ stifling and I live in Pemberton.  Locals have been saying that Pemberton hasn’t had a heat wave like this for at least 12 years.  On the upside, all our guests have loved going to Big Brook Dam and the Pemberton Swimming Pool to cool off, both ‘to quote one of our guests’ are “hidden gems of the South West”. Other guests have taken off to Windy Harbour or even gone 4WDing to the Yeargarup Sand Dunes and gone swimming at the beach (if you have a 4WD make sure you bring an air compressor).  Just to reassure anyone thinking  of coming down in February, all the chalets are airconditioned and we are only minutes from both swimming spots (you can even walk to the  pool if you want).

Pemberton’s brand new festival, the ‘Southern Forest Festival-Pemberton’ is on target to happen on the 21st of April this year.  Already accommodation bookings have started around Pemberton  from larger groups such as the Perth Porsche Club and a few others. It is going to be a great weekend with 8 wineries from the Southern Forest region signed up to participate in our wine tent, yeh can’t wait.  Our entertainment line-up has everything from professional cooking demonstrations using local produce to professional musical entertainment including the Lizards from Bridgetown (playing in the wine tent from 5 to 7pm) and other amazingly musically gifted musicians.  There will also be great opportunities to purchase local fresh produce from local growers including ‘Pemberton Fresh’ and other stalls exhibiting products and produce from the region.  Whereever you choose to stay, book your accommodation now as Pemberton is going to book out for this weekend and you don’t want to miss this one out.  This festival is at the tail end of the school holidays and Rainbow Trail Chalets is one of the only chalet accommodation providers in Pemberton that will do two night minimum stays rather than 3 or more.