What about tracking navigation? Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. 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? You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Thanks Kelly! Most of the towns on the Bibbulmun Track are serviced by buses, but they are infrequent and may need to be booked in advance. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. 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. I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. Cheers! Thanks for the reply. Good luck choosing one! The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! The calculator works in both north and south directions. 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 distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. I am hiking only a section of the Bibbulmum (two nights) during July (not the best time, Im sure) but I was wondering if you think I really need a sleeping mat? The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. 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 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 track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. 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. Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. 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). This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. I also maintain a rigorous stretching routine when Im on multi-day hikes, to keep my legs from seizing up and to protect my knees. The Bibbulmun Track can be tough so, go on take a walk on the wild side! Im hooked on my fitbit for tracking my hikes but they run out of juice so quickly thanks man! If you are not sure then please contact us. Plus purchasing a small amount of meals from the supermarket did still switch up my diet. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. 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. 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!). Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Hey Ben! The Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia Ranging from inland planes to beaches, limestone ranges to damp gullies, the 965-kilometre Bibbulmun Track, spanning from Perth to Albany, is one of Australia's great walks. The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast. 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. Hello Andrew. 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. 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. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. 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. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. 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. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. 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. A range of tasty Back Country Cuisine meals are available in select stores along the Track. 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. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. 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. 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. It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! 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. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . It's designed to help decide which part of the 1000 km Track you'd like to walk and to give you all the planning information you need. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. Hi Ben, I did end to end over 10 years ago, agree with most of what you wrote but for your info, I passed a bloke wearing Dunlop volleys, an american wearing Teva sandals and socks and an Israeli carry a bag of rice. Mmm, difficult question! 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. May 27, 2020 thebanksiaburrow Over the last couple of weeks before I left for the Bibbulmun Track, I was up until midnight planning my itinerary, counting sections, cooking up curries, dehydrating meals, weighing portions & allocating food for each day. The rest includes a teeny, tiny cooker and gas canister, down jacket, one change of clothes, basic hygiene kit, first aid kit and basic electronics. The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia's famous long distance bush walking trails. 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!! How much food you need to take will depend on your metabolism, how long you are walking for, and which section of the track you are doing. It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. 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. The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. Right now Im hiking the Via Dinarica trail through the Balkans, beautiful!! 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. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. How many days of food could I carry at a time? Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. 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. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. Its become an obsession. Pembertons first settler was Edward Brockman, the son of Perths first mayor, who moved to the area in 1861 to breed horses. The Group page. 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. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. 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. Personally, I would take one. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! 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. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. 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 Sue, I got an injury before then. Your email address will not be published. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. 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. Most of the sections are somewhere between 20 and 25 kilometres long, or about a full days walk for the average hiker. 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. 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. Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. Glad you found my post useful. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. Full-day walks average about 16 km. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! 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. He was also a pretty good breeder himself, fathering nine children! 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 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. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. 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 would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! 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. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . 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. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. 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. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. 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. 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. 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. my partner and I are planning to do the Bibbulmun Track starting ~14th of September (we're arriving 10th of September in Perth from Europe) and we're looking for some advice. 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. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. Thanks Ben. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. 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. 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. On my last 16-day section hike from Northcliffe to Albany, I lost 5 kilos and that was with a calorie-rich diet, while stuffing my face in each of the towns I visited. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. 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' The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. 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!) This isnt a problem on the outward journey, but on the way back it may be difficult to predict what time (or even what day) youll reach a town on foot. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? Should just bite the bullet and get one! 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 These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. 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. 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. 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. Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. Bibbulmun Track Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! 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. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. 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). Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. I highly recommend it! Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2014. 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. 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. We wont be reaching anywhere near that kind of weight but does make sense to keep it down to the bare minimum with a combination of our existing kit and, where affordable or where it makes sense, new, super lightweight bits and pieces. 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. Thanks for your comment. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. 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. 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. Hi Emma, The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. 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.