As well as relaxing in your heated spa enjoying your favourite beverage, there are some other ways to pass the time at Donnelly Lakes.

Archery is the latest installation at DL - as you come in on the main driveway you will see the archery field to your left, opposite the homestead.   

After a recent visit by Bill Nicholson from the WA Archery Society, John and Elisabeth are now fully qualified community archery instructors and happy to share their knowledge with you.

Archery sessions are for a minimum of  two people for two hours, which includes all your equipment, a half hour training/instruction session to familiarise yourself with the safety requirements and field etiquette, with the remainder of the time spent on the field practising for that elusive bullseye!  The cost is $60 for two people,  with additional persons at $20.   It's a huge amount of fun and you will be surprised how quickly you gain competence.

We have beautifully crafted timber recurve bows suitable for right and left-handers with varying draw weights to suit both sexes, as well as a compound bow for younger guests.

• And you don't even have to wear tights!               

Bush Walks.  There are a number of magnificent bush walks for you to enjoy without even leaving the property.

Depending on the season, you will be delighted by many kinds of birds, animals, wild flowers and plants.  Remember to wear good covered in shoes or boots and keep an eye out for snakes which are occasionally to be seen around the place, particularly in the warmer months.  They will always try and get out of your way, but sometimes, particularly in the early morning they are a little on the sluggish side. On no account should you interfere with them or try to kill them as this may place you in danger.

The most popular walk is undoubtedly along the banks of the Donnelly River, 1 km of which forms one of the boundaries of Donnelly Lakes.  Look out for Karri Sheoaks (unique to the area) as well as a number of ferns and fungi species along the way. 

 We have seen the return of many endangered marsupials on the property such as the Ringed Tailed Possum and the Chuditch, since CALM began its fox-baiting program.  

 And of course watch out for the swamp monster! 

Canoeing.  One of the most relaxing things to do at Donnelly Lakes is to paddle your canoe around the lake, exploring all the nooks and crannies, perhaps throwing in a line to tease the trout, or perhaps just drifting around snoozing or reading a book. Please remember to wear your life-jacket.  

"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou"...... Picnics.  Donnelly Lakes is really just one big picnic ground. Favourite spots include the gazebo on the lake, Poets Nook and King of the Castle Hill.  But if you ask us, we might let you in on a few other secrets too.  Whether it's the simplest of fare or a full blown Donnelly Picnic Hamper (see the packages page for more details) there are lots of places to spread out the rug and relax with a good book.  

 "King of

Board Games, Bocce, as well as toys and DVDs are all available at the homestead.  Although there is no TV reception, all chalets have DVD, VCR and CD players. Bring along your favourite CD's. All chalets are equipped with  stereo CD sound systems. 

Families are welcome at Donnelly Lakes and enjoy the freedom of the open space with 3 of our chalets catering for families.

• A gold phone and internet access (for urgent communication only)  is available at reception.

The Beach Volleyball Court is available for guests to use. All that is needed is 4 active bodies.

Slow down...... if the thought of all that activity is making you tired, why not organise a massage or beauty treatment on site?  Alice of Serene Beauty will come to Donnelly Lakes and soothe away all that city tension with a 1 hour full body massage for $110 per person - call in at reception to organise your pampering.

And then.........

Donnelly Lakes is 3 kilometres from the Donnelly River Winery.   Tasting, cheese platters, coffee and just relaxing on the deck or in front of their fire.

Other activities available close by include mini golf, a three par golf course and Beedelup National Park where there are a number of beautiful walks through the Karri Forest. 

To make the most of your stay a list of leisurely day trips and walks has been written specifically for our guests. Centrally located, we are 25 minutes from Pemberton, 30 minutes from Nannup, 1 hour from Margaret River, less than an hour to Augusta and 40 minutes from Manjimup.

And for the more adventurous why not experience an exhilarating 4WD adventure tour through our national forests, to theYeagarup Dunes - the largest inland dunes in the southern hemisphere, through to the mouth of the Warren River. The half-day tour includes refreshments and if you have your own 4WD vehicle, you can tag along. Further information from Pemberton Discovery Tours -  please contact Toni and Graeme on (08) 9776 0484.

For further information on our nature-based activities please refer to the page on Ecotourism.

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