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. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. On my first attempt at hiking the Bibbulmun Track end to end, I was thwarted by very nasty blisters, caused by my boots being slightly too loose and rubbing on my heels. The Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton and we did two walks, totalling 7 hours. 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 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. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? If you are not sure then please contact us. 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. 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). What about tracking navigation? 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. 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 Group page. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. 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. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. 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. Everyone looked stunned. I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. Proud of your achievement. 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. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. 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!! You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. 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. 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. What a contradiction! The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. 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. 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. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. I also occasionally use my phone. But why? If youre an experienced long-distance hiker, you could aim to finish in as little as a month. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! 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. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. 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). Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Good luck choosing one! 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. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. Thankyou in advance! As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. 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. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. Let's see how we go! A combination approach really worked well for me. 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!) Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to walk the track, but winter is my favourite because I love seeing all the creeks and rivers in full flow. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Nick. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. In Pemberton purchase two days worth of food to reach Northcliffe. Again, thank you and happy hiking! Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. 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. 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. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. Just read your article, brilliant! I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. What pack did you use for this hike? The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. 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. 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. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! 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 most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. 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. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? Your email address will not be published. Thanks Andrew for such detailed notes. Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. 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. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. 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. Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. 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. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. 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. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. 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. 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 . Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. 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. Get insights together with secure sharing in real-time and from any device. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. There was a cooperative in Pemberton I didnt know about! 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). 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. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. I found these answers by completing some research on the Bibbulmun Track website, Facebook, Google maps, and asking people who had previously hiked the track. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. But how basic are these village stores? I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. 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. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . 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!). Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. It was quite a process!! Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. 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. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Good luck! In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. I highly recommend it! This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. Im hooked on my fitbit for tracking my hikes but they run out of juice so quickly thanks man! While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. 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. 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. Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. I really wouldnt change much. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. 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 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. North to South - South to North: If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. 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. 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. We have been planning in earnest for a few weeks now and we have been using a huge excel spreadsheet to help us battle the logistics one step at a time. A checklist is great way to start. The towns Tourist/Information centers and some petrol stations have stored supplies for her. The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. WA Parks Foundation Chair the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO with Board Director Eva Skira AM hiking on the Bibbulmun Track. After some months now of planning and preparing the walk is almost upon me. Of course this is all a bit subjective but if there is a lot of unstable rocky ground or long, steep walks uphill then I might be in trouble, Thanks for your quick reply, Andrew. The track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. 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. 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. 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. 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. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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 . You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. The Bibbulmun's Wagyl or Rainbow Serpent blaze. 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 is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. 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. Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. Western Australia generally doesnt experience snow or extreme cold, although it can get a little chilly at nights and in the early mornings, so warm clothes and sleeping gear are a must. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. Hey Ben! Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. 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. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. Walpole Denmark: Purchase all food in Walpole supermarket to reach Denmark, Denmark Albany: Purchase all food in Denmark shops/supermarket to reach Albany. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. The $270,000 structure was designed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in consultation with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and has been constructed using fire resistant products such as rammed earth and steel. By Ben Dickinson. Follow the bright yellow waugyl through towering forests, over creeks and rivers, along wild beaches and up and over some impressive granite features. There are plenty of great online resources with more info on long-distance hiking. One thru-hike at a time. You will know the right one when it comes along! Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. 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. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. Im all about lists & planning for a hike. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. 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. 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. Although well be walking in Australias winter and rain is a distinct possibility, weve opted for lightweight trail shoes which will offer the tread we need without the weight and (hopefully) the blisters and pressure points on the feet. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. Your email address will not be published. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. 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. As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! It was a useful meeting in that he gave some good key advice on certain sections and we spoke at length about the inlet crossings to be factored in. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. I have opted for. Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. as we pass through the eight track towns along the route, but other than that will be camping out in the specially designated campsites for Thru-hikers with only the snakes for company. Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. Required fields are marked *. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. Pingerup Plains, the swamps comprising days . How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Most of the towns on the Bibbulmun Track are serviced by buses, but they are infrequent and may need to be booked in advance. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. 4WD campers have the luxury of an engine with a few hundred horsepower to lug all their gear around, while hikers only have their own two legs. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. 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. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. It was quite a process! 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. Required fields are marked *. The track is one of the world's longest walking trails stretching from Perth to Albany. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. Hi Anna, I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. Awesome write up thank you! 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. 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. 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. Right now Im hiking the Via Dinarica trail through the Balkans, beautiful!! 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. 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. Then bury it. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. They generally only have one brand of everything though, and fresh items are often very limited. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. 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.
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