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. A range of tasty Back Country Cuisine meals are available in select stores along the Track. Hi Emma, In August of 2018 after 2.5 years of planning I started my thru-hike of the 1005km Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. 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. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. It is a great community of enthusiastic Bibb Track hikers, supporters and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Ive decided to walk the Bibbulmun Track! I also maintain a rigorous stretching routine when Im on multi-day hikes, to keep my legs from seizing up and to protect my knees. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! 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. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. The Bibbulmun's Wagyl or Rainbow Serpent blaze. 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. 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). Scroll down for a Map of the Bibbulmun Track through Denmark WA. A fully-stocked ultralight backpack using mainly gear from decent overseas manufacturers will cost somewhere between 2000-3500AUD. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. 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. Again, thank you and happy hiking! The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. 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!). 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. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. 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 have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. It would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . 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. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. There are three-sided shelters with picnic tables, rainwater tanks, as well as dunnies with toilet bowls and sometimes even toilet paper. If youre of average fitness, you could expect to finish the Bibbulmun in somewhere between 40 and 65 days, depending on your pace and how many rest days you take in towns. 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. While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. What about tracking navigation? Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. 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. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. 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. 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. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . If that makes your eyes water, its possible to put together a reasonably lightweight backpacking kit with gear from Paddy Pallin, Wild Earth and a few other retailers for less than 2000AUD. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! 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. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. Top-line results of the planning so far: 8 resupply towns + two possible food drops, Having been brought up hiking in the bogs of Dartmoor, the Peak Districts moorlands and the soggy Scottish Highlands, Ive always owned hardcore walking boots, with hard soles and waterproof casings. 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. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. 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 only bad time to walk the Bibbulmun is summer. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. 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 Bibbs campsites are far better than those on the famous Appalachian Trail, but not quite as lavish as those in Tasmania or New Zealand. 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. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. Walkers should always check the current Track conditions before embarking on a walk. Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. 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). Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . 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. 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. Answering these questions helped me map out how manybreakfast, lunches, dinners & snacks I would need across the hike, & where they would potentially come from along the way. 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. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. 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. However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with 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. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. The track is one of the world's longest walking trails stretching from Perth to Albany. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. Your email address will not be published. Thank you so much for the quick reply! I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . 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. 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. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. 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. 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). At the end of the weekend we felt tired yet recharged by our brief break in the country. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). 10 kg each. Somewhere in the world: Required fields are marked *. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. Your email address will not be published. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. With tips on how to create your ideal. 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. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. A "horrifying" attack on Perth's world-famous Bibbulmun Track has left two hikers in hospital after one was allegedly run down by a car before both were allegedly set upon by the driver wielding a . Notes for Potential Hikers of the Bibbulmun Track Introduction. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. The Perth ultra-endurance runner crossed the finish line at Kalamunda this afternoon, completing the 1000km journey in 11 days, seven hours and eight minutes. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. For me, that meant getting a pair of custom orthotics from my podiatrist after experiencing some serious arch pain on multi-day hikes in the Darling Range. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. Matt. Nick. As you become more experienced you will get better at knowing what gear works for you. In my humble opinion, the Australian outdoor gear industry is still stuck in the 1980s, when heavy packs were a source of pride and durability was the biggest concern. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. Hello Andrew. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. 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 . 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. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour It may not have the most spectacular scenery for most of it, but it somehow wins the heart of everyone that hikes it for the pleasant experience. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. Collie was a bigger town with a large supermarket. 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 . But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! 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 Hey Ben! Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. If youre attempting an end-to-end for the first time, youll inevitably develop your own way of living on the track that will probably vary a little from the directions in this guide. What a contradiction! The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. 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. 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. I vividly remember the day I committed to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. 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. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. 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. But why? The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast.