Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. Walking through the massive karri trees as they stretch high above you like a natural cathedral is awe inspiring, and we were lucky enough to see emus and kangaroos, the two native animals on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. 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. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Here are the main points we are currently looking at: If left to my own devices I would happily stick with the full contingent of hiking kit I currently own - including a sleeping bag dating back well over 15 years and a hiking pack purchased for my Bronze D of E. In my mind, if its not broken, why replace it? 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. 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 doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! 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. Required fields are marked *. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! 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. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. Get insights together with secure sharing in real-time and from any device. 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. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. 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. 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. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. Nick. 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. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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. Pembertons first settler was Edward Brockman, the son of Perths first mayor, who moved to the area in 1861 to breed horses. Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. 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. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. 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. 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. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. 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. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. Hey Ben! Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? Thanks for all the information about the Bibbulman Track. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. So far, our base packs come to approx. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. This series will show you what it's like to thru-hike the 1002 km (623 mile) Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, including the terrain, life in camp, the b. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. 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). Track so, if you walk in the spring when water is plentiful and temperatures are not too high, you could get away with carrying about two litres of water. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. Right now Im hiking the Via Dinarica trail through the Balkans, beautiful!! Karri trees grow in the high rainfall areas of south west Australia. 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. I vividly remember the day I committed to walk the Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry. Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. 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. 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 . It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. 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. I highly recommend it! 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. 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 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. BT Day 33: Nerang to Monadnocks 855.9km (25km) June 19, 2021. 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. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. 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). 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. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. 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 . Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! 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. 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. 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. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. Tank water is often yellowish from the tannins in the leaves that get stuck in the shelter gutters, but is still perfectly safe to drink once treated. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . The calculator works in both north and south directions. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. 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. The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. 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. I really wouldnt change much. There are a number of things to consider before setting out on the Track. 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. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. 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. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. What a contradiction! Matt. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. The route is well mapped, way-marked and maintained. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth hills, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. 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. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. The Group page. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. Bibbulmun hikes: Harvey-Quindanning Road to Harris Dam, Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Tent (for emergencies, and in case the shelter is full), Compass (some say optional, but I always take one in case I get lost), A personal locator beacon (PLB not optional for any responsible hiker), Dishwashing cloth (I can get by without detergent, but you may prefer it), Trowel (for digging holes for #2 between campsites), Water containers for at least three litres, Some method of water treatment (filter, UV lamp, chemical), Trekking poles (optional, I swear by them), Breakfasts (pre-made oat sachets are a good option here), Lunch (generally cold food that doesnt need too much preparation), Dinner (dehydrated meals are popular for dinner). You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia's famous long distance bush walking trails. How many days of food could I carry at a time? Today there is still a timber mill in Pemberton, surrounded by old mill cottages, but tourism is also important for the towns survival. Required fields are marked *. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. 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. But why? 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 Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. 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. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. 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. 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. The track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? What pack did you use for this hike? Many Different Landforms. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. 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. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! 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. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. Good luck choosing one! The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. Its become an obsession. With that decided, training should have been next on the list, but I was pretty fit so figured I didnt need to do much of that. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Your email address will not be published. There was a cooperative in Pemberton I didnt know about! Should just bite the bullet and get one! 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). 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. 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!) cooking at home with bulk foods & predominately organic or local vegetables that were purchased from independent stores but would then travel to Western Australia, buying food in these small towns from local businesses that sell ethical products to support their local food economy, understanding I would be shopping from supermarkets and purchasing standard food, sold in packaging both here at home & in Western Australia. 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. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. 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. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. There certainly are! 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!) It should be noted that access points shown with a green car on the official maps and guidebooks, are not included as they involve walking various distances along trails or forestry tracks to access the Bibbulmun Track. The Bibbulmun Track can be tough so, go on take a walk on the wild side! The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. Bibbulmun Track Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! Notes for Potential Hikers of the Bibbulmun Track Introduction. 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 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. 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. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. Hi Emma, Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. 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. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. 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. 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. Everyone looked stunned. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. 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. 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. 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 was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. I hope to do this one day soon. 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. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. Mmm, difficult question! However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. 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 combination approach really worked well for me. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Pingerup Plains, the swamps comprising days . 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. Hi Anna, 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. In Pemberton purchase two days worth of food to reach Northcliffe. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! Distinctive yellow triangles displaying a waugal symbol (a rainbow serpent spirit-being from the Aboriginal Dreaming) are nailed to trees along the way to mark the Track. 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. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. I also occasionally use my phone. If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know!
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