RAC Karri Valley Resort Review: What to Expect

Set hidden in the West Australian Southern Forests on Lake Beedalup is the recently renovated RAC Karri Valley Resort. Several years ago, during a trip to Pemberton we stopped in to have a look at the resort. We were so impressed with the idyllic location we vowed to one day return.

Finally, we have returned to stay in the Karri Valley chalets. I am quite excited in the lead up to our stay, though I have to say it was difficult finding information about the Karri Valley Resort activities, facilities and costs involved with those attractions in the lead up to our departure.

If you too are having this problem, or just want to know if this is the place for you, I am here to help with this detailed RAC Karri Valley Resort review that includes lots of information, photos and tips to help you plan your trip to Karri Valley near Pemberton in the Southern Forests Region of WA.

In this Article Learn All that RAC Karri Valley Resort Has to Offer

Karri Valley Resort history
Karri Valley chalets and accommodation choices
Karri Valley Resort activities and facilities
Karri Valley Caravan Park
Plan your stay at Karri Valley Resort
- Location
- How to book
- What to take
- What to do
The verdict

View through tall timber trees to Lake Beedalup at RAC Karri Valley Resort — Do you know someone who would find this useful?
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Karri Valley Resort History

There is a colourful history to the Karri Valley Resort. The land was originally purchased by Arthur Bunn and his family who developed a 50-acre hops farms that supplied enough hops to the Swan Brewery for a third of its production. In the early 1960’s a dam was built below the Beedalup Falls to create a water catchment to hold a billion litres of water to irrigate the farm.

By 1978, the farm was no longer viable and so it was sold to a developer who wanted to create a trout fishing retreat. A lodge, caravan park, three big chalets and swagman’s huts were built. But the retreat never took off and the property was then sold to the Rajneeshee movement aka the Orange People in 1985. However, there was much controversy and upset from the local people and again it was sold off.

This time to the WA Government Employee Superannuation Board GESB. A lot of money was put into the property and it was renamed Karri Valley Resort. It became the place to be seen during the high-flying times of the 1980’s.

But then again quieter times and changes of management saw another downturn in its popularity, and it fell into disrepair. Until 2017, when the RAC group bought the property. Over the past few years, they have fully renovated the entire property.

Join me as I explore and review RAC Karri Valley Resort’s renovated property.

Karri Valley Accommodation

There is quite a selection of choices for Karri Valley accommodation that includes:

Lake view family chalets
Three-bedroom chalets (lake or forest views)
Two-bedroom chalets (lake or forest views)
Lakefront motel units
A caravan park with
- Ensuite powered sites
- Powered sites
- Unpowered sites

I have booked a two-bedroom chalet, however a week before our arrival I am informed via email that we have been up graded to a three-bedroom chalet.

We arrive at the resort reception located on Vasse Highway late in the afternoon. As we wait to have our paperwork finalised, I note that the reception area offers an extensive range of Australian souvenirs, a fridge with cool drinks, milk and a few staples along plus a counter with fresh bread and rolls (I later learn that the bread is delivered three times a week from Augusta Bakery, what isn’t sold on the day is then sold as frozen bread the next day).

large building on road front — *Reception*

We are then given our key and map showing the location of our chalet. We are also provided with an activities sheet that includes the WiFi password.

Three-Bedroom Forest View Chalet

We follow the one-way directions given to us by reception to our log cabin set high in the forest. We pull our car into the under-cover car bay located next to the front door.

log cabin Karri Valley chalet set high in the forest — *Three bedroom Karri Valley Chalet*

Dining/Lounge

Walking straight in from the front door onto the timber look lino flooring we see the long modern timber table with black metal legs and seven matching black iron chairs.

Further into the lounge area is a slow combustion wood heater on a tiled hearth. As it is summer, we cannot use the wood heater. There is only a ceiling fan to cool the room, which was generally fine except for our final day when the temperature climbs to 38°C.

Wooden dining table and couch in living area of Karri Valley accommodation chalet — *Living area*

The main living area consists of an extra-large three-to-four-seater chocolate fabric couch with a metre-diameter round black coffee table looking onto the wall-mounted flat-screen television situated above a timber and black iron side table. In the corner of the room is a beige hide cushion footrest.

The TV is connected to Foxtel with most Perth TV stations, five movie channels, two kids’ channels and sports. This is quite handy as there is only a limited amount of free WiFi per 24 hours, however, you can purchase more.

Top Trip Tip: The only phone coverage at the resort is through Telstra

Balcony

Leading out from the wall of windows and glass sliding doors overlooking the forest with glimpses to Lake Beedalup is the balcony. On the wooden one and a half metre deep and five metres long balcony is a rectangular wooden table with an ashtray and two wooden chairs.

We buy a small bag of birdseed from the Activities Centre for a couple of dollars and use the ashtray to feed the wild birds 🙂

Kitchen

On the other side of the living area is the kitchen with a full-size fridge and four-burner electric stove. On the pale wood look laminate benchtops is a microwave, kettle, toaster and starter kit of tea and coffee sachets. Inside the beige cupboards you’ll find:

Kitchen in cabin at Karri Valley Resort — *Kitchen*

Cutlery, crockery and glasses for 7 people
3 saucepans/pots
2 frypans
Cooking utensils (no peeler)
2 sharp knives
Chopping board
Grater
Colander
Large metal mixing bowl
Large plastic measuring jug
3 serving bowls and platters

To clean up there is a dish rack, tea towels, dishwashing liquid and cloths under the sink.

Main Bedroom

To the left of the living room is the main bedroom with windows overlooking the forest view that can be shut out with block-out curtains. The queen-size bed sits in the middle of the carpeted room with two round timber side tables and lamps on either side of the bed that is made up of white sheets, a brown light rug and white bath towels placed at the end of the bed. Inside the sliding mirrored door wardrobe are a pine shelving unit, pedestal fan, small electric fan heater and spare pillows.

Queen bed and mirrored wardrobe in RAC Karri Valley Resort chalet — *Main bedroom*

Bedroom Two

On the other side of the living room are the other two bedrooms, both of which are carpeted. Bedroom two has a queen size bed with one side table, a lamp and white bath towels laid at the end of the bed. The open wardrobe offers hanging space only with a pedestal fan and spare pillow. The window has block-out curtains.

Queen bed at Karri Valley Resort accommodation — *Bedroom two*

Bedroom Three

Bedroom three has a single bed and a set of bunk beds separated by a round timber side table and lamp in front of a narrow window with block-out curtains. Again, the wardrobe is open with hanging space only, a pedestal fan and a spare pillow. White bath towels are laid out on each of the beds.

Single bed and bink beds in Karri Valley accommodation chalet — *Bedroom three*

Top Trip Tip: Pack collapsible hanging shelves*

Bathroom/Laundry

In the short hall leading to the bathroom and toilet is a broom closet with a mop, broom, dustpan with a brush, iron, ironing board and two small electric fan heaters.

One of the nice things about the three-bedroom chalet is that it has a separate toilet from the combined bathroom/laundry. The bathroom is quite large with a standing shower, a long timber-look vanity bench with a vanity basin and cupboard plus a laundry trough and cupboard that are separated by an electric clothes dryer. On the bench, there is a selection of mini shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers and soap.

shower, sink and dryer in the Karri Valley chalets bathroom — Bathroom

I feel it is a little odd that there is no washing machine, only a dryer. But if you are in need of a washing machine there is a laundrette at the motel units with two coin-operated machines. The laundrette is open from 10am-6pm and costs $2 per wash and if you need a dryer that is $2 as well.

Top Trip Tip: Pack pegless clotheslines* to hang your swimming clothes on the balcony

Check Prices for Karri Valley Resort*

Two-Bedroom Forest View Chalet

The following year we return to Karri Valley Resort and stay in the two-bedroom forest view chalet. It is a little more compact than the three-bedroom cabin with a slightly smaller living area and bathroom.

Again, we follow the directions supplied by the reception staff and drive into our undercover carport that is situated in front of the chalet entrance door. On the raised timber front porch, a bench seat sits to the side with a broom and mop hanging from the exterior coat racks.