To Revise The Flow Of Your Ideas, Consider:, Articles B

Which towns were I planning to have rest days? I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? We have included all campsites, towns, recreation sites and legal vehicle access points as shown by the red car on the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks. 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. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? 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. 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. 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 . Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2014. 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. It underwent many changes over the next two decades until, in 1993, work began to turn the Bibbulmun Track into one of the worlds great long distance walks, modelled on the Appalachian Trail in the USA. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. How big were the towns and what were their supermarkets/food stores/cooperatives like for resupplying? I tried to allow at least one rest day in each town to stock up on supplies, do my washing, shower, eat and, most importantly, rest. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. 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. If some of the forums are anything to go by, people have hiked the APT and PCT - much longer trails than we are planning for - with as little as 5 kg base-packs (the weight of your bag before any food or drink is added). As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! The Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton and we did two walks, totalling 7 hours. 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. 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. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. 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). Bibbulmun Track Trip highlights Trek the spectacular South West Australian Coast and enjoy the incredible coastal scenery Enjoy the serenity of the many secluded beaches along the way Immerse yourself amongst the colourful wildflowers in spring Walk beneath the huge turbines of the Albany wind-farm 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. 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. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! 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 WA's powerful southern coast. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. Im passionate about the Bibb, and am forever encouraging others to give it a go. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. 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). Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. 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!) For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Good luck! However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. 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. 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. Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! 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 Group page. What about tracking navigation? I have opted for. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. 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. 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. 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. Should just bite the bullet and get one! Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. 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. 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. 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. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. 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. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. 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. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. Pingerup Plains, the swamps comprising days . I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. Just read your article, brilliant! The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. 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!). Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. But why? In August of 2018 after 2.5 years of planning I started my thru-hike of the 1005km Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. WA Parks Foundation Chair the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO with Board Director Eva Skira AM hiking on the Bibbulmun Track. You should always use this calculator in conjunction with the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks as whilst the distances are a good guide, they are rounded to the nearest 100 metres. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. So I thought it might be helpful to share in a little more detail some of the things I considered when organising food for the trip. 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. 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. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). 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. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. 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. 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. 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. Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. 10 kg each. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. Plus purchasing a small amount of meals from the supermarket did still switch up my diet. Your email address will not be published. Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. 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. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. 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. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. 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. Required fields are marked *. Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. 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. 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. I am hiking only a section of the Bibbulmum (two nights) during July (not the best time, Im sure) but I was wondering if you think I really need a sleeping mat? 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. You should always use this calculator in conjunction with the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks as whilst the distances are a good guide, they are rounded to the nearest 100 metres. Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. 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. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. . Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. Awesome write up thank you! Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . Thankyou in advance! Thanks Kelly! 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!) If youre an experienced long-distance hiker, you could aim to finish in as little as a month. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. How many days of food could I carry at a time? 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. Thanks for your comment. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. May 27, 2020 thebanksiaburrow 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. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. After all, hiking is only walking for a long time. 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. Personally, I would take one. 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. 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. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. 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. It would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . Sharing the journey. 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. Innovative lightweight backpacking and travel gear for your next adventure. There are plenty of great online resources with more info on long-distance hiking. 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. I highly recommend it! 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. Cate. 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. Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. 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). It was quite a process! 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. Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. 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. If youre picky about what you eat or you have specific dietary requirements, you can make dried meals with a dehydrator and vacuum sealer, and ship them to yourself along the way. 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. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. 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. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. 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. 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. Not a fussy eater at all, just after the basic hiker foods. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a website or blog at WordPress.com, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). 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!). From Perth, there are a couple of public buses that will take us straight to the Northern Terminus of the Bibbulmun Track in Kalamunda. 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. 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. There are also taxi services and tour operators who can help you to co-ordinate your walk, and some B&Bs near the Track offer drop-off and pick-up services. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Your email address will not be published. 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 Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? I also occasionally use my phone. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. The route is well mapped, way-marked and maintained. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. Somewhere in the world: Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable.