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. The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. 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 youre not walking alone and have two cars at your disposal, a good strategy is to park a car at each end of the section. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. 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. 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. If you are not sure then please contact us. The Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia Ranging from inland planes to beaches, limestone ranges to damp gullies, the 965-kilometre Bibbulmun Track, spanning from Perth to Albany, is one of Australia's great walks. We have been planning in earnest for a few weeks now and we have been using a huge excel spreadsheet to help us battle the logistics one step at a time. I tried to find a balance between: The ethical conundrum of what to buy & where, was so big in my head that I tried to change my itinerary to make sure I reached Northcliffe on a day that the food cooperative was open. The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast. Thats it. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. The most well-known is the Gloucester Tree, which is located only a couple of kilometres out of Pemberton.Despite not being very confident about heights, I climbed the Gloucester Tree once in the late 1980s so do not feel the need to climb it again. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. 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. Many people undertake this journey as a section hike, doing pieces of it over a period of months and even years. It was quite a process!! Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! 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. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). If you want to get the most out of your Bibbulmun Track walk, use it as an opportunity to explore the South Coast of Western Australia . It also provides schools with the resources to participate in the WACE endorsed end-to-end program and students to attain the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. I really wouldnt change much. Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth hills, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. Again, thank you and happy hiking! Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Track Angels are locals that support hikers on the track - whether they be end to enders like us, or just doing sections of it - with food drops, accommodation, advice and lifts. It's designed to help decide which part of the 1000 km Track you'd like to walk and to give you all the planning information you need. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. 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. How big were the towns and what were their supermarkets/food stores/cooperatives like for resupplying? It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike. The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour How do you keep it charged, do you have a solar charger of some sort? Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. Thats literally just a petrol station with very basic, expensive options, although it does have an attached cafe so you can have at least one decent hot meal. 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. Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. It was a useful meeting in that he gave some good key advice on certain sections and we spoke at length about the inlet crossings to be factored in. I found these answers by completing some research on the Bibbulmun Track website, Facebook, Google maps, and asking people who had previously hiked the track. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. Follow the bright yellow waugyl through towering forests, over creeks and rivers, along wild beaches and up and over some impressive granite features. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. If youre walking the whole Track in one go, transport is not an issue you can catch a bus from Perth to the northern terminus of the Track in Kalamunda, and get a bus back from Albany when you arrive at the southern terminus a month or two later (or vice versa if youre walking from south to north). A practice walk of three or more days should give a good indication of how much food you need, otherwise allow about one kilogram of food per day. How many days of food could I carry at a time? Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. I have met a lot of people with the same foot conformation so, if this applies to you, you may need to choose between sore toes or blisters on your heels. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. Metal rungs were hammered into the tree trunks to form a spiral ladder leading up to a look out in the canopy of the tree. What my heart chose surprised even me. In Pemberton purchase two days worth of food to reach Northcliffe. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? Walking through the massive karri trees as they stretch high above you like a natural cathedral is awe inspiring, and we were lucky enough to see emus and kangaroos, the two native animals on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. Ive never had a single blister since I started wearing Injinji toe socks as a liner, underneath thicker wool socks (in my case, Darn Toughs). In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. The local food shop in Balingup had closed down. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. They generally only have one brand of everything though, and fresh items are often very limited. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. I highly recommend it! Im passionate about the Bibb, and am forever encouraging others to give it a go. Your email address will not be published. I was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. This isnt a problem on the outward journey, but on the way back it may be difficult to predict what time (or even what day) youll reach a town on foot. 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. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. My kneecaps tend to rub against their track if I allow my IT band to get too tight, so I make a point of stretching it and rolling it out whenever I get the chance. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. Hi Anna, At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. A checklist is great way to start. Your email address will not be published. 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. Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. Required fields are marked *. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Whether you want to walk for a couple of hours or a couple of months, the Bibbulmun Track provides the means to get away from it all and to experience the peace and beauty of south-west Australia. 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. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. WA Parks Foundation Chair the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO with Board Director Eva Skira AM hiking on the Bibbulmun Track. I was thinking I could toughen up for two nights, but would love to hear from someone who has already walked it as I dont want to regret not bringing a mat when I cant get to sleep. The next thing I needed to do in preparation for hiking the Bibbulmun Track (see my previous blog for the background to this crazy idea!) Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. 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. It also provides schools with the resources to participate in the WACE endorsed end-to-end program and students to attain the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. As were planning on doing the entire 1,000 km in 45 days, well need to skip some of the huts and plan carefully so we can resupply and rest where possible. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. Thanks Ben. Therefore, if my boots fit well at the heels, my second toes end up getting battered on hikes and eventually, the nails turn black and drop off. You will need to take some sort of shelter, both for safety reasons (getting caught out inbetween the huts) and just because sometimes the huts do get full. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Therefore, if my boots fit well at the heels, my second toes end up getting battered on hikes and eventually, the nails turn black and drop off. 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. cooking at home with bulk foods & predominately organic or local vegetables that were purchased from independent stores but would then travel to Western Australia, buying food in these small towns from local businesses that sell ethical products to support their local food economy, understanding I would be shopping from supermarkets and purchasing standard food, sold in packaging both here at home & in Western Australia. While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. I have opted for. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. Nick. I have since found a fabulous tape called fixumol, which I put on my heels and toes at the start of a hike as a preventative measure and add more of as hot-spots begin to develop. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. This creates a logistical nightmare. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2014. More to come, I'm sure. Then bury it. Weve bought a Sawyer Squeeze Filter - apparently it gets rid of 99.9% of bacteria and only weighs 85 grams (I did say weight was now the only thing I think about!). Your email address will not be published. They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. Its become an obsession. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. 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. Hello Andrew. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. was to work out what to take with me. Cate. Over 1000km, the walk traverses red ironstone gravel in the Darling Range, elevated granite domes with vast views, coastal cliffs of jagged limestone, peaty swamp plains, gorges with cascading . It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Mmm, difficult question! If youre an experienced long-distance hiker, you could aim to finish in as little as a month. Full-day walks average about 16 km. Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. 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. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. The Bibbs campsites are far better than those on the famous Appalachian Trail, but not quite as lavish as those in Tasmania or New Zealand. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. 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. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. Read More. The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. 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. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. 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. Thankyou in advance! Do you keep your phone on you? The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda, on the outer reaches of Perth, to the south coast harbour town of Albany. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. There are many businesses and organisations along the entire length of the Track that offer goods and services to help you get the most out of your walk, whether it be for a few hours or an epic end-to-end journey. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! Thanks for all the information about the Bibbulman Track. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. I also occasionally use my phone. You will know the right one when it comes along! was to work out what to take with me. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. 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. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. Id actually recommend this option for an end-to-end, because it supports the communities that host you and it saves you from agonising over a nutrition plan before your hike. If youve got a decent budget, Id recommend looking at equipment made by speciality manufacturers in the US like Zpacks, Enlightened Equipment, ULA and others (detailed gear reviews coming soon!). Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track.