Western Australia, AU Distance 992.8 km Vertical Gain 17,500 m The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, to Albany on the south coast, winding through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australia. It was quite a process! My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. But why? The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. Your email address will not be published. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. Over its (roughly) 1000-kilometer length, the Bibbulmun winds its way through dense native forests, passes through a handful of sleepy country towns, climbs up and down ranges with magnificent views, and traverses the white, sandy beaches of WAs powerful southern coast. When buying a backpack, try on as many packs as you can before making a decision, and ask the shop assistant to add weight to them and adjust the straps to fit your body so you can assess how the pack distributes the weight. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. Track so, if you walk in the spring when water is plentiful and temperatures are not too high, you could get away with carrying about two litres of water. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. Today there is still a timber mill in Pemberton, surrounded by old mill cottages, but tourism is also important for the towns survival. You need to be a special type of person to live in them and I admire people who thrive in these conditions I know I couldnt. The first version of the Track (from Kalamunda to Northcliffe) was marked in 1974, and named after a distinct Aboriginal language group, who inhabited some of the areas the Track passes through. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the longest continuously marked trails in Australia, stretching 963 kilometres from Kalamunda, 20 kilometres east of Perth, to Albany on the southern coast of Western Australia. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. Unless you can talk friends into bringing supplies to you, which could be difficult to coordinate, youll need to do a food drop before you go. Each town has its own distinct character, and the offerings of each are there to be savoured by walkers who have spent a few days in the bush. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . Most hikers take several months to cover WA's famous 1,000km Bibbulmun Track, but Perth school teacher Jono Ride managed to do it in just over two weeks, despite not setting out to break records. The current incarnation of the Bibbulmun Track was opened to the public in September 1998. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. If youre an experienced long-distance hiker, you could aim to finish in as little as a month. If you want to experience the geological features, biodiversity and scenic beauty of this long-distance walking trail, the Section-by-Section guide on the excellent Bibbulmun Track Foundation website is a great place to start. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Sounds as though it might be possible..Rosie, > miso soup (Ajishima freeze-dried miso with fungi, South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sawyer-Sque :rk:2:pf:0, https://www.facebook.com/andrew.richman 1913222176, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ edit#gid=0, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ 1858826788, https://www.facebook.com/andrew.richman 1659377176. I highly recommend it! Tank water is often yellowish from the tannins in the leaves that get stuck in the shelter gutters, but is still perfectly safe to drink once treated. Also, the campsites, which are located between 10 and 20 kilometres apart, are closer together near Perth, which is useful for end to end walkers to ease themselves into condition. They generally only have one brand of everything though, and fresh items are often very limited. Proud of your achievement. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2014. Thank you so much for the quick reply! The Bibbulmun Track is one of the longest continuously marked trails in Australia, stretching 963 kilometres from Kalamunda, 20 kilometres east of Perth, to Albany on the southern coast of Western Australia. Know that most who hike this track choose to hike hut to hut in almost double the time that I chose to do this track, and enjoy a relaxed experience of not having to hike full days. In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. A fully-stocked ultralight backpack using mainly gear from decent overseas manufacturers will cost somewhere between 2000-3500AUD. To walk the whole track is an adventure in contrasts, where the reward for your hard work is to see the world change before you at the speed of a human being. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. This creates a logistical nightmare. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. If you are doing more than a day walk on the Track, you will need to take a lot of equipment: sleeping gear, cooking equipment and food, a change of clothing, basic toiletries, a first aid kit and maybe a tent. If you are doing more than a day walk on the Track, you will need to take a lot of equipment: sleeping gear, cooking equipment and food, a change of clothing, basic toiletries, a first aid kit and maybe a tent. Although I had grown up in the hiking mecca of Derbyshire in the UK, Id never done a multi-day hike and didnt even own a pair of hiking boots. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. It is named 'Bibbulmun' after a group of . But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. Required fields are marked *. Hi Emma, You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. It may be several weeks before you arrive there on foot, so make sure your food parcel is water- and vermin-proof by packing the food in plastic bags, inside plastic boxes, inside another large plastic bag. At this time the wild flowers (including orchids) are out, temperatures are moderate, and the streams and water tanks are likely to have plenty of water in them. I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. 4WD campers have the luxury of an engine with a few hundred horsepower to lug all their gear around, while hikers only have their own two legs. This occurs on the first stretch (on a north to south hike) between Kalamunda and Dwellingup and involves walking for at least 10 days with no opportunities to resupply. As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. In August of 2018 after 2.5 years of planning I started my thru-hike of the 1005km Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. Hi! A combination approach really worked well for me. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. Please read my food goals for a deeper understanding on some of these food choices, and the food menus for details of my daily diet. I currently have a fracture of my fifth metatarsal which will heal by then but I am wondering about the steepness of the terrain, especially near the Gloucester tree, and also the unevenness of the ground. This would create the best variation and flexibility, encouraging me to explore the track towns and purchase local foods, while still predominately enjoying the same meals I would eat at home everyday!! That way the cooler areas in the south would be warming up, but were unlikely to be too hot, by the time I got there. This occurs on the first stretch (on a north to south hike) between Kalamunda and Dwellingup and involves walking for at least 10 days with no opportunities to resupply. Thanks Andrew for such detailed notes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. There are many free shelters and towns along the way, so this trail is welcomed to many whether they be end-to-enders, weekenders, or day hikers. There are a number of things to consider before setting out on the Track. Thats it. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. Preparing the right kind of food for an overnight or extended walk on the Bibbulmun Track is one of the most important considerations walkers need to make. Autumn (March to May) is another good time weather-wise, though water supplies will be low if you set off early in the season before the rain. The Pingerup Plains between Northcliffe and Mandalay Beach are usually inundated in late winter and spring, but many hikers believe its worth a few days of wading to see their magnificent wildflowers in full bloom. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. The $270,000 structure was designed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in consultation with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and has been constructed using fire resistant products such as rammed earth and steel. was to work out what to take with me. There are plenty of great online resources with more info on long-distance hiking. 10 kg each. You will know the right one when it comes along! Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. Then bury it. Testing out the Sawyer Filter in a murky Peak District stream. With that decided, training should have been next on the list, but I was pretty fit so figured I didnt need to do much of that. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. Bibbulmun hikes: Harvey-Quindanning Road to Harris Dam, Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Tent (for emergencies, and in case the shelter is full), Compass (some say optional, but I always take one in case I get lost), A personal locator beacon (PLB not optional for any responsible hiker), Dishwashing cloth (I can get by without detergent, but you may prefer it), Trowel (for digging holes for #2 between campsites), Water containers for at least three litres, Some method of water treatment (filter, UV lamp, chemical), Trekking poles (optional, I swear by them), Breakfasts (pre-made oat sachets are a good option here), Lunch (generally cold food that doesnt need too much preparation), Dinner (dehydrated meals are popular for dinner). Starting from just outside of Perth, it will take approximately 45 days to hike through the towering forests, quiet farmland and wild beaches until we reach Albany. Hey Ben! For a thru-hike or multi-day section hike youll need: The key difference between hiking equipment and regular camping equipment is its size and weight. If youre attempting an end-to-end for the first time, youll inevitably develop your own way of living on the track that will probably vary a little from the directions in this guide. This series will show you what it's like to thru-hike the 1002 km (623 mile) Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, including the terrain, life in camp, the b. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Distinctive yellow triangles displaying a waugal symbol (a rainbow serpent spirit-being from the Aboriginal Dreaming) are nailed to trees along the way to mark the Track. The towns Tourist/Information centers and some petrol stations have stored supplies for her. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. was to work out what to take with me. On my first attempt at hiking the Bibbulmun Track end to end, I was thwarted by very nasty blisters, caused by my boots being slightly too loose and rubbing on my heels. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. Not a fussy eater at all, just after the basic hiker foods. The karri tree is one of the tallest species in the world, reaching heights of ninety metres, and some of the tallest karri trees in the area were used as fire lookouts from the 1930s to the 1960s. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. The Bibbulmun Track passes a wide range of experiences, from a gentle stroll to enjoy the peace and beauty of the natural environment, to an epic eight week adventure camping out at the 49 campsites and enjoying the hospitality of nine communities along the way. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. Well be weighing out all our food and making decisions on menus based on the weight/calorie ratio ( and cost will have a small impact on decision-making), to ensure were carrying the most calorie efficient food. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! In my humble opinion, the Australian outdoor gear industry is still stuck in the 1980s, when heavy packs were a source of pride and durability was the biggest concern. Our current plan involves only restocking at the towns, although we are also exploring the option of calling upon the Tracks Trail Angels to drop off food on some of the longer, 7+ day stints to reduce our pack weights. Hi Ben, I did end to end over 10 years ago, agree with most of what you wrote but for your info, I passed a bloke wearing Dunlop volleys, an american wearing Teva sandals and socks and an Israeli carry a bag of rice. Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. How much food you need to take will depend on your metabolism, how long you are walking for, and which section of the track you are doing. It is situated in Western Australia starting in the beautiful suburban town of Kalamunda and stretches 1000 km's south down to the historical coastal town of Albany. The WA Parks Foundation is running two prize draws online throughout March to encourage membership to help support the Foundations, Dark Sky Festival celebrates total solar eclipse, The Dark Sky Festival from 19 to 21 April will take place in the Shires of Ashburton, Carnarvon and Exmouth, Signing up to protect endangered black cockatoos, Murdoch University is working closely with Main Roads Western Australia on projects to minimise the impact of motorists and road. It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! Your email address will not be published. You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! This occurs on the first stretch (on a north to south hike) between Kalamunda and Dwellingup and involves walking for at least 10 days with no opportunities to resupply. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. There is no charge for accommodation and it cant be pre-booked, so if youre hiking for a long time or overnighting during a busy period (e.g. Thanks for all the information about the Bibbulman Track. The route is clearly marked out, with signs all along and huts every 10-20 km for hikers to sleep in (well be bringing a tent as a backup). Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! These pages are bursting with information to help you have a safe and pleasant journey. With a couple of exceptions (like the excellent Tier Gear, Wild Earth and Paddy Pallin), the Australian industry seems to have decided its simply not going to even try and keep up with technological advancements that are making it into the mainstream of the global hiking community. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. I have opted for. Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. Mmm, difficult question! my partner and I are planning to do the Bibbulmun Track starting ~14th of September (we're arriving 10th of September in Perth from Europe) and we're looking for some advice. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. The rest includes a teeny, tiny cooker and gas canister, down jacket, one change of clothes, basic hygiene kit, first aid kit and basic electronics. Nick. It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. Anyone with an average level of fitness should be able to complete an end-to-end, so long as they actively manage their body and dont injure themselves. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. For me, that meant getting a pair of custom orthotics from my podiatrist after experiencing some serious arch pain on multi-day hikes in the Darling Range. It may not have the most spectacular scenery for most of it, but it somehow wins the heart of everyone that hikes it for the pleasant experience. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. as we pass through the eight track towns along the route, but other than that will be camping out in the specially designated campsites for Thru-hikers with only the snakes for company. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Of course this is all a bit subjective but if there is a lot of unstable rocky ground or long, steep walks uphill then I might be in trouble, Thanks for your quick reply, Andrew. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Thanks for your comment. What about tracking navigation? I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. Since I started using this I havent had a blister.