Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. Id read an article about the newly aligned Bibbulmun Track that would be opening later in the year, but hadnt thought much more about it. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . Over the last couple of weeks before I left for the Bibbulmun Track, I was up until midnight planning my itinerary, counting sections, cooking up curries, dehydrating meals, weighing portions & allocating food for each day. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . 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. Cate. Required fields are marked *. Hey Ben! 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. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. 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. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? There was a cooperative in Pemberton I didnt know about! Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. 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 . The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? What a contradiction! 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. Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. was to work out what to take with me. 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. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. 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. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. On an excel spreadsheet I mapped out my entire walk highlighting where I was planning to stay each night, how many days I would be on the track, how many nights I would be in each town to provide an overall understanding of where I would be for each day and for each meal. I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. 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. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. Pembertons first settler was Edward Brockman, the son of Perths first mayor, who moved to the area in 1861 to breed horses. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. But how basic are these village stores? I highly recommend it! Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms from Kalamunda (Perth Hills) to Albany (South Coast) through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australian town of Denmark, Western Australia. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. Thanks for your comment. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. Glad you found my post useful. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Good luck choosing one! March 27, 2018 Bibbulmun Track Planning - Spreadsheets and an obsession with weight In May this year, Tim and I will be flying to Western Australia to take on our biggest challenge yet; we'll be hiking the Bibbulmun track, 1,000 km through the remote Australian wilderness. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. Hi Emma, The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. 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. Thanks Andrew for such detailed notes. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. The only bad time to walk the Bibbulmun is summer. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! ! It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to walk the track, but winter is my favourite because I love seeing all the creeks and rivers in full flow. It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! 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. There are three-sided shelters with picnic tables, rainwater tanks, as well as dunnies with toilet bowls and sometimes even toilet paper. Have booked to complete it later this year. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. . Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) 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. A combination approach really worked well for me. 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. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. I hope to do this one day soon. The Bibbulmun's Wagyl or Rainbow Serpent blaze. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. Then bury it. 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 other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Matt. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. Thank you so much for the quick reply! These pages are bursting with information to help you have a safe and pleasant journey. 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. Nick. 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. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. Buying food along the way also allowed me to get meals that I wanted to eat at the time, instead of having to make those choices months in advance. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. 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. On my last 16-day section hike from Northcliffe to Albany, I lost 5 kilos and that was with a calorie-rich diet, while stuffing my face in each of the towns I visited. 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. 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!) Ive decided to walk 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. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. 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. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. 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. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. 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. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. Many people undertake this journey as a section hike, doing pieces of it over a period of months and even years. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Required fields are marked *. For example, I discovered from the registers that the Track markers on the Monadnocks (a series of exposed rocky hills) were piles of rocks instead of the usual waugals. 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!). Just read your article, brilliant! It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. What pack did you use for this hike? 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. Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. If youre more tech-savvy than me, a GPS could also be invaluable, though youll need to take a solar charger too as there are no power points between towns. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. This creates a logistical nightmare. Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Thanks Kelly! I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. 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. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. Thanks Ben. The Bibbulmun Track passes through some remote areas of Western Australia, so once youre on the Track you need to know how to stay on it. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. 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. 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 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. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. Western Australia generally doesnt experience snow or extreme cold, although it can get a little chilly at nights and in the early mornings, so warm clothes and sleeping gear are a must. Personally, I would take one. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. 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. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. 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. Its become an obsession. 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. 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. With tips on how to create your ideal. Hello Andrew. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. 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. Photos featured on this site are courtesy of Tourism WA, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Doug Coughran, Colin Ingram, Peter Nicholas, L-A Shibish and Nature Play WA. Oct 10, 2021 28 Dislike Share Dori's Hiking Adventures 2.03K subscribers This video is for everyone that is planning to hike the Bibbulmun Track. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour The route is well mapped, way-marked and maintained. However, we went there last weekend to hike on the Bibbulmun Track a 963km walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda in the eastern suburbs of Perth to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. Your email address will not be published. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. 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. So far, our base packs come to approx. The local food shop in Balingup had closed down. The calculator works in both north and south directions. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. Most of the towns on the Bibbulmun Track are serviced by buses, but they are infrequent and may need to be booked in advance. Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. 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. Youll be carrying your whole life on your back, so youll need to make sure you have the right equipment and supplies to make it work. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! 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). Your email address will not be published. Somewhere in the world: The only place you might need to plan ahead is the Kalamunda to Dwellingup section, where the only resupply point is the North Bannister Road House. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. It is a great community of enthusiastic Bibb Track hikers, supporters and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 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. 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. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. 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. Get insights together with secure sharing in real-time and from any device. Well be sending a second pair of each ahead to one of the Track towns in case they are so worn we need to replace them (gulp!). One of many shelters with covered tables and water tanks. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. 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. 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. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. Read More. Should just bite the bullet and get one! Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. This creates a logistical nightmare. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. 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. Full-day walks average about 16 km. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. 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. Again, thank you and happy hiking! Hi Anna, Mmm, difficult question! It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. How do you keep it charged, do you have a solar charger of some sort? The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. 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 packed too many teabags and sugary lollies (things I never would normally eat! It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. I vividly remember the day I committed to walk the Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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.