(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Since I started using this I havent had a blister. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. 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. If youre on a tight budget, its still possible to put together a kit with gear from AliExpress and sale items watch this space for gear reviews on how to make that happen! You will know the right one when it comes along! Collie was a bigger town with a large supermarket. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. was to work out what to take with me. I hope to do this one day soon. 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. Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. 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). Your email address will not be published. Sharing the journey. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. 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. 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. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. 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. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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. If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. 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. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. I vividly remember the day I committed to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. BT Day 33: Nerang to Monadnocks 855.9km (25km) June 19, 2021. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. 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. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour 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. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. At this time the wild flowers (including orchids) are out, temperatures are moderate, and the streams and water tanks are likely to have plenty of water in them. Get insights together with secure sharing in real-time and from any device. They generally only have one brand of everything though, and fresh items are often very limited. 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. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. 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. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. 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. Matt. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. So many! 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. 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. Testing out the Sawyer Filter in a murky Peak District stream. 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. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. One thru-hike at a time. 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. 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. There certainly are! Required fields are marked *. 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. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. The track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. It is named 'Bibbulmun' after a group of . A combination approach really worked well for me. Hi Emma, 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. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? 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. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. For a thru-hike or multi-day section hike youll need: The key difference between hiking equipment and regular camping equipment is its size and weight. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. I currently have a fracture of my fifth metatarsal which will heal by then but I am wondering about the steepness of the terrain, especially near the Gloucester tree, and also the unevenness of the ground. When buying a backpack, try on as many packs as you can before making a decision, and ask the shop assistant to add weight to them and adjust the straps to fit your body so you can assess how the pack distributes the weight. 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. 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 calculator works in both north and south directions. What my heart chose surprised even me. Walpole Denmark: Purchase all food in Walpole supermarket to reach Denmark, Denmark Albany: Purchase all food in Denmark shops/supermarket to reach Albany. The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. Bibbulmun Track Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. 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. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. I have met a lot of people with the same foot conformation so, if this applies to you, you may need to choose between sore toes or blisters on your heels. The next thing I needed to do in preparation for hiking the Bibbulmun Track (see my previous blog for the background to this crazy idea!) ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. Posted on July 8, 2018 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. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Proud of your achievement. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. Rain and flooding can be a problem that time of year, but its generally nothing that cant be overcome with good rain gear and a positive attitude. 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. Glad you found my post useful. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Then bury it. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). Your email address will not be published. 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 Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda, on the outer reaches of Perth, to the south coast harbour town of Albany. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. What pack did you use for this hike? 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. 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. The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. 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). My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. If you have a car, you can drive to an accessible place on the Track, walk to a certain point then retrace your steps back to the car. 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. 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 love that people do that just for the love of helping. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . Walking the Bibbulmun has been one of the best things Ive ever done not only because it whipped me into shape after years of being overweight, but because it gave me an appreciation for adventure and the natural world. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2014. Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. 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. Then bury it. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. 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. Full-day walks average about 16 km. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. The Bibbulmun Track can be tough so, go on take a walk on the wild side! Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. 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. 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. Just read your article, brilliant! Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! I tried to find a balance between: The ethical conundrum of what to buy & where, was so big in my head that I tried to change my itinerary to make sure I reached Northcliffe on a day that the food cooperative was open. A fully-stocked ultralight backpack using mainly gear from decent overseas manufacturers will cost somewhere between 2000-3500AUD. 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. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. 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. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. But how basic are these village stores? The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. I packed too many teabags and sugary lollies (things I never would normally eat! Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. Do you keep your phone on you? With tips on how to create your ideal. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Hi Anna, The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Good luck! 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!) Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. 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. I have opted for. 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. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. 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. 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. Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. 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. 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. Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. The Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton and we did two walks, totalling 7 hours. The current incarnation of the Bibbulmun Track was opened to the public in September 1998. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! 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. To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. 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? The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 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 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. 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). Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? I have met a lot of people with the same foot conformation so, if this applies to you, you may need to choose between sore toes or blisters on your heels. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. 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. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. 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. There is no charge for accommodation and it cant be pre-booked, so if youre hiking for a long time or overnighting during a busy period (e.g. 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. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. 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. Unfortunately, Ive been nursing a small injury in my hip so our grand plans for training has gone out of the window, but we are now walking to and from work whenever possible, as well as planning longer walks in the Peaks and near London as well as the Lakes in the coming weeks to build up our strength and endurance.

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