Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. The track is one of the world's longest walking trails stretching from Perth to Albany. Overview Stretching just over 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany, the Bibbulmun Track is Western Australia's longest walking trail, falling just behind South Australia's Heysen Trail as the longest walking-oriented trail in the country (the impressively long 5330 km Bicentennial National Trail is not designed with walkers in mind). 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. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. 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. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. 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). Matt. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. 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. 1000km. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. 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. Right now Im hiking the Via Dinarica trail through the Balkans, beautiful!! I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. 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 highly recommend it! Hello Andrew. 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. 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. 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 . a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. We wont be reaching anywhere near that kind of weight but does make sense to keep it down to the bare minimum with a combination of our existing kit and, where affordable or where it makes sense, new, super lightweight bits and pieces. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. 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. 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!) Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! What a contradiction! The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. This is intended as a guide for the absolute beginner. Although well be walking in Australias winter and rain is a distinct possibility, weve opted for lightweight trail shoes which will offer the tread we need without the weight and (hopefully) the blisters and pressure points on the feet. Hey Ben! 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. Many Different Landforms. Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! Thats it. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. Thanks Kelly! In the end I came away with the resupply plan: Kalamunda Sullivans Rock: Pack everything, dehydrating my own food & carrying from the start to reach Sullivans Rock, Sullivans Rock Dwellingup: Pack everything, dehydrating my own food & organise a trail angel to drop off near Sullivans Rock to reach Dwellingup. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. That said, its totally doable to do a thru-hike solely on town-bought supplies if you dont mind paying a little extra and youre not a fussy eater. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. 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. 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. Innovative lightweight backpacking and travel gear for your next adventure. The current incarnation of the Bibbulmun Track was opened to the public in September 1998. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Cheers, Andrew. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . 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. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. 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. 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 local food shop in Balingup had closed down. Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. Have booked to complete it later this year. Cooking for two, I prepared and dehydrated batches of 8-12 serves (4-6 days) of 11 different dishes, once or twice a week during our preparation time rather than all at once at the end, so the task wasn't too overwhelming. These pages are bursting with information to help you have a safe and pleasant journey. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. Hi we are considering heading over to WA from SA in September to experience a section of the Bibbulmun Track, imagining that the border will be open by then. May 4th 2016 It is the night before (it actually isn't but I am now writing this all in retrospect) and I am so very excited. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. 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. A great option to have when the rain hits. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. 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. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. Your email address will not be published. Whether you are thinking about planning your first ever walk on the Track or wondering which section to walk next, the Trip Planner pages will assist you regardless of your level of experience. 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. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Ive lived in Western Australia all my life, but it wasnt until I walked the Bibbulmun that I really appreciated what a rich and incredibly diverse landscape were blessed with. 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. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. 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. 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. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. 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. Western Australias famous Bibbulmun Track extending from Kalamunda in the Perth hills to Albany on the south coast has much to offer in that regard and the best seasons to walk it are Winter and Spring. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. Pingerup Plains, the swamps comprising days . 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. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. 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. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. 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. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Posted on July 8, 2018 The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers, by Empacitator Wed 22 Jan, 2014 12:20 am, by Empacitator Fri 24 Jan, 2014 10:58 am, by InspirationOutdoors Mon 27 Jan, 2014 1:33 pm, Return to South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. The website also carries excellent suggestions for itineraries ranging from two to six days, with each itinerary including suggestions for day-walks on the Track, as well as sights and attractions to visit. We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Its important to ensure your pack fits comfortably and has a good hip belt to keep the weight on your hips rather than on your shoulders. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. While cooking and dehydrating meals took extra time & energy, this allowed me to enjoy meals that were more delicious, full of veggies & legumes, lighter & cheaper than many supermarket options. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. Hi Emma, BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour 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. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) 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. People also record their experiences in these registers so, as well as being a safety precaution, they are a useful source of Track intelligence about such things as: missing markers; the condition of the Track; the state of the water supply at the next campsite; big hills en route; flora and fauna to look out for; or the school party that took over the campsite the day before. It was quite a process! It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! 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. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. It was quite a process!! They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. 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. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. 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 love that people do that just for the love of helping. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. The majority of this comes from the big four: pack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and tent - most of which we already had and are heavier than we might like. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. 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. Most hotels, hostels and post offices along the track will happily hold resupply packages for you, just be sure to call in advance before you send them. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. 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. He was also a pretty good breeder himself, fathering nine children! Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). In May this year, Tim and I will be flying to Western Australia to take on our biggest challenge yet; well be hiking the Bibbulmun track, 1,000 km through the remote Australian wilderness. 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. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. Im all about lists & planning for a hike. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. WA Parks Foundation Chair the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO with Board Director Eva Skira AM hiking on the Bibbulmun Track. Plus purchasing a small amount of meals from the supermarket did still switch up my diet. Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. For gear reviews, I often rely on Outdoor Gear Lab. The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. 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 next thing I needed to do in preparation for hiking the Bibbulmun Track (see my previous blog for the background to this crazy idea!) However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Then bury it. It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. I ate out in town more than I had originally planned, and so a few of my homemade meals were repacked for the next section. Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. Everyone looked stunned. Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. I put together a list of distances from the details on the Bibbulmun Website today and a rough guide on how long I would potentially take, it's roughly based off your times but I've added a few extra days to sections as I won't be doing it as fast as you did. Today there is still a timber mill in Pemberton, surrounded by old mill cottages, but tourism is also important for the towns survival. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. There are three-sided shelters with picnic tables, rainwater tanks, as well as dunnies with toilet bowls and sometimes even toilet paper. While I had mapped out many of the places to shop along the way, where I planned to buy certain items, sometimes that didnt work out. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Testing out the Sawyer Filter in a murky Peak District stream. I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option.
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