If you are not sure then please contact us. To walk the whole track is an adventure in contrasts, where the reward for your hard work is to see the world change before you at the speed of a human being. 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 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. 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. Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. The Bibbulmun's Wagyl or Rainbow Serpent blaze. Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. 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. It was quite a process!! Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. 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. 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. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. 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. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. Walkers should always check the current Track conditions before embarking on a walk. The calculator works in both north and south directions. What pack did you use for this hike? How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. He was also a pretty good breeder himself, fathering nine children! Your email address will not be published. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. 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. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. 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. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. was to work out what to take with me. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. Let's see how we go! Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. 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. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. Then bury it. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. 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. Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. We will be able to top up our food supplies (and replace our worn out shoes!) 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 really wouldnt change much. Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. A combination approach really worked well for me. Im all about lists & planning for a hike. I tried to allow at least one rest day in each town to stock up on supplies, do my washing, shower, eat and, most importantly, rest. 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). 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. Good luck choosing one! 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. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Then bury it. This creates a logistical nightmare. I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. 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). This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. Should just bite the bullet and get one! Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. Somewhere in the world: I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. 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. Cooking for two, I prepared and dehydrated batches of 8-12 serves (4-6 days) of 11 different dishes, once or twice a week during our preparation time rather than all at once at the end, so the task wasn't too overwhelming. 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. During the summer months (December to February) very hot weather, low water supplies, and abundant flies can make long walks very uncomfortable and even dangerous. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. 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!! Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. 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. 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. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. 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. 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. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? Hello Andrew. Again, thank you and happy hiking! Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. 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. ! 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! 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. Its designed to help decide which part of the 1000 km Track youd like to walk and to give you all the planning information you need. I was thinking I could toughen up for two nights, but would love to hear from someone who has already walked it as I dont want to regret not bringing a mat when I cant get to sleep. North to South - South to North: The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. 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. Just read your article, brilliant! Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. Its become an obsession. Thanks for the reply. 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 towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Read More. This is intended as a guide for the absolute beginner. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. After all, hiking is only walking for a long time. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. There are a number of things to consider before setting out on the Track. 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. 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. Nick. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. Most of the towns on the Bibbulmun Track are serviced by buses, but they are infrequent and may need to be booked in advance. I highly recommend it! 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 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. 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. 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. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! The Bibbs campsites are far better than those on the famous Appalachian Trail, but not quite as lavish as those in Tasmania or New Zealand. Posted on July 8, 2018 The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. Thanks Ben. 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. 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. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. 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. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. Thanks for all the information about the Bibbulman Track. 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. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. Most of the sections are somewhere between 20 and 25 kilometres long, or about a full days walk for the average hiker. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. What my heart chose surprised even me. Hey Ben! Karri trees grow in the high rainfall areas of south west Australia. 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!) The Group page. BT Day 33: Nerang to Monadnocks 855.9km (25km) June 19, 2021. 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. Answering these questions helped me map out how manybreakfast, lunches, dinners & snacks I would need across the hike, & where they would potentially come from along the way. The Bibbulmun Track is 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 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. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. It may not have the most spectacular scenery for most of it, but it somehow wins the heart of everyone that hikes it for the pleasant experience. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Cheers, Andrew. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. 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 It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. 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. Thanks Kelly! Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. A range of tasty Back Country Cuisine meals are available in select stores along the Track. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. At the end of the weekend we felt tired yet recharged by our brief break in the country. 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 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. Many Different Landforms. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. Everyone looked stunned. Proud of your achievement. If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! 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. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. The Perth ultra-endurance runner crossed the finish line at Kalamunda this afternoon, completing the 1000km journey in 11 days, seven hours and eight minutes. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies.

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