It is a great community of enthusiastic Bibb Track hikers, supporters and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. The shelters with the water supplies are 10 km apart in the first few days out of Perth, average 18 km over the rest of the track until they go back to 10-12 km apart as you come into Albany. Cheers, Andrew. 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. 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. 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. was to work out what to take with me. 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 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. What a contradiction! North to South - South to North: 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). I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. As you become more experienced you will get better at knowing what gear works for you. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. For example, I discovered from the registers that the Track markers on the Monadnocks (a series of exposed rocky hills) were piles of rocks instead of the usual waugals. There are three-sided shelters with picnic tables, rainwater tanks, as well as dunnies with toilet bowls and sometimes even toilet paper. 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. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. 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. Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. 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. 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. 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. If youre more tech-savvy than me, a GPS could also be invaluable, though youll need to take a solar charger too as there are no power points between towns. 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!). This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. 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. 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. 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. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. Its become an obsession. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Required fields are marked *. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. Cheers! 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. 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. Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! 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 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. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. 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 just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! Most of the sections are somewhere between 20 and 25 kilometres long, or about a full days walk for the average hiker. 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. 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. Im passionate about the Bibb, and am forever encouraging others to give it a go. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. 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. 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. One thru-hike at a time. But why? However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. From Perth, there are a couple of public buses that will take us straight to the Northern Terminus of the Bibbulmun Track in Kalamunda. 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. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! A fully-stocked ultralight backpack using mainly gear from decent overseas manufacturers will cost somewhere between 2000-3500AUD. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. There are many free shelters and towns along the way, so this trail is welcomed to many whether they be end-to-enders, weekenders, or day hikers. Bibbulmun Track 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 SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! The only bad time to walk the Bibbulmun is summer. 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. 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. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. 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. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. 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 first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. Your email address will not be published. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. Im all about lists & planning for a hike. At the end of the weekend we felt tired yet recharged by our brief break in the country. Good luck! 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. Hi! 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. 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. Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. There's a chance of no water, with many days the temperatures up in the high 30's, and some days reaching 40C and beyond. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. I really wouldnt change much. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! Plus purchasing a small amount of meals from the supermarket did still switch up my diet. If youve got a decent budget, Id recommend looking at equipment made by speciality manufacturers in the US like Zpacks, Enlightened Equipment, ULA and others (detailed gear reviews coming soon!). 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 . 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. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. Matt. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. My kneecaps tend to rub against their track if I allow my IT band to get too tight, so I make a point of stretching it and rolling it out whenever I get the chance. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. BT Day 33: Nerang to Monadnocks 855.9km (25km) June 19, 2021. 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. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. This creates a logistical nightmare. I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. Cate. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. Scroll down for a Map of the Bibbulmun Track through Denmark WA. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. 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. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. 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 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. I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. 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. 1000km. 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. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. 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.