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. 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. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. 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. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. Your email address will not be published. There are eight towns along the way, where well be able to buy supplies, but other than that, well be relying on what we carry to keep us going. I hope to do this one day soon. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. 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 track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. 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. March 27, 2018 Bibbulmun Track Planning - Spreadsheets and an obsession with weight In May this year, Tim and I will be flying to Western Australia to take on our biggest challenge yet; we'll be hiking the Bibbulmun track, 1,000 km through the remote Australian wilderness. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. A great option to have when the rain hits. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. 55 days on the wallaby -- the Bibbulmun Track 55 days on the wallaby - an unauthorized guide to the Bibbulmun Track (Text by Ian McAuley, photographs by Helen McAuley) In October and November 2008, three of us walked the 966 km length of the Bibbulmun Track, from Albany to Perth. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. 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. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. The Group page. Personally, I would take one. 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. Mmm, difficult question! Cheers! There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! In August of 2018 after 2.5 years of planning I started my thru-hike of the 1005km Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on 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. I ate out in town more than I had originally planned, and so a few of my homemade meals were repacked for the next section. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. There certainly are! However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. Somewhere in the world: Pingerup Plains, the swamps comprising days . It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. Not a fussy eater at all, just after the basic hiker foods. 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. To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. 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. It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! More to come, I'm sure. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. 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). 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. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. 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. Your email address will not be published. Good luck! As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! So far, our base packs come to approx. 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. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . Id actually recommend this option for an end-to-end, because it supports the communities that host you and it saves you from agonising over a nutrition plan before your hike. If youre not walking alone and have two cars at your disposal, a good strategy is to park a car at each end of the section. Should just bite the bullet and get one! These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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 . Many Different Landforms. 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. 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 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. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. 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 . My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). 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. I highly recommend it! 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. The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. 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. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. 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 most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Let's see how we go! While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. What my heart chose surprised even me. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Glad you found my post useful. 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? Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. 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 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. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. 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. 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 you can't find what you're after, please contact us. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Pembertons first settler was Edward Brockman, the son of Perths first mayor, who moved to the area in 1861 to breed horses. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. How many days of food could I carry at a time? You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . 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. Do you keep your phone on you? 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. They have very straight trunks that dont separate into branches until high up near the tops of the trees so they were in great demand for railway sleepers. Again, thank you and happy hiking! 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. Sharing the journey. . (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Thanks for your comment. 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. 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. A combination approach really worked well for me. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? 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. There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. If you are not sure then please contact us. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. The Archer family became trapped in their remote cabin when floodwaters rapidly rose last month After three days they hiked out, with three young children, including a baby, to their neighbour's place They are now rebuilding and say they look forward to moving back to their 'rainforest homestead' Besides a 5,000-litre rain water tank, each campsite has a sturdy three-sided timber hut with a tin roof, a bush toilet, tent sites, and a picnic table. Just read your article, brilliant! This would create the best variation and flexibility, encouraging me to explore the track towns and purchase local foods, while still predominately enjoying the same meals I would eat at home everyday!! We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. It was quite a process!! Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. Thanks Ben. Weve bought a Sawyer Squeeze Filter - apparently it gets rid of 99.9% of bacteria and only weighs 85 grams (I did say weight was now the only thing I think about!). I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! Its become an obsession. Track Angels are locals that support hikers on the track - whether they be end to enders like us, or just doing sections of it - with food drops, accommodation, advice and lifts. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. 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. The towns Tourist/Information centers and some petrol stations have stored supplies for her. 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. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. Walpole Denmark: Purchase all food in Walpole supermarket to reach Denmark, Denmark Albany: Purchase all food in Denmark shops/supermarket to reach Albany. We will be able to top up our food supplies (and replace our worn out shoes!) Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. 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). South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. 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. 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. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. How do you keep it charged, do you have a solar charger of some sort? It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. Right now Im hiking the Via Dinarica trail through the Balkans, beautiful!! Hello Andrew. 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. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. 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. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. 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. The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia's famous long distance bush walking trails. By Ben Dickinson. 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 . 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. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Hi Emma, 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. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. After some months now of planning and preparing the walk is almost upon me. 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. 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. Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. This creates a logistical nightmare. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. 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. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. 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. Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. 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. 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. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . 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!) 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. What pack did you use for this hike? Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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). It is named 'Bibbulmun' after a group of . Your email address will not be published. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. 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. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. 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. 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. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. Know that most who hike this track choose to hike hut to hut in almost double the time that I chose to do this track, and enjoy a relaxed experience of not having to hike full days. 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. 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. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the longest continuously marked trails in Australia, stretching 963 kilometres from Kalamunda, 20 kilometres east of Perth, to Albany on the southern coast of Western Australia.
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