Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. Mmm, difficult question! 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. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. 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. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. Sharing the journey. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. North to South - South to North: I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. 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. 1000km. Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. 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. 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. As were planning on doing the entire 1,000 km in 45 days, well need to skip some of the huts and plan carefully so we can resupply and rest where possible. 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. Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! 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. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Ive decided to walk the Bibbulmun Track! Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? It would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? A fully-stocked ultralight backpack using mainly gear from decent overseas manufacturers will cost somewhere between 2000-3500AUD. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. So many! 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. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. 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. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. Posted on July 8, 2018 Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. 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. Proud of your achievement. Required fields are marked *. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. 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. At the end of the weekend we felt tired yet recharged by our brief break in the country. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. 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. 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. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Just read your article, brilliant! The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. Somewhere in the world: Walpole Denmark: Purchase all food in Walpole supermarket to reach Denmark, Denmark Albany: Purchase all food in Denmark shops/supermarket to reach Albany. One of many shelters with covered tables and water tanks. 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. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). With a couple of exceptions (like the excellent Tier Gear, Wild Earth and Paddy Pallin), the Australian industry seems to have decided its simply not going to even try and keep up with technological advancements that are making it into the mainstream of the global hiking community. 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. The WA Parks Foundation is running two prize draws online throughout March to encourage membership to help support the Foundations, Dark Sky Festival celebrates total solar eclipse, The Dark Sky Festival from 19 to 21 April will take place in the Shires of Ashburton, Carnarvon and Exmouth, Signing up to protect endangered black cockatoos, Murdoch University is working closely with Main Roads Western Australia on projects to minimise the impact of motorists and road. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. Whether you want to walk for a couple of hours or a couple of months, the Bibbulmun Track provides the means to get away from it all and to experience the peace and beauty of south-west Australia. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. 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!) Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. Your email address will not be published. Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. 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. By Ben Dickinson. Your email address will not be published. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. 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. ! Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) 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. 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. 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. This creates a logistical nightmare. Trekking The Bibbulmun Track End to End - Planning. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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. I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. 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. There are also taxi services and tour operators who can help you to co-ordinate your walk, and some B&Bs near the Track offer drop-off and pick-up services. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! Hi Anna, 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. 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. But why? As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. How many days of food could I carry at a time? 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. 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. 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 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. 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. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. 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. 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. The route is well mapped, way-marked and maintained. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Hello Andrew. The best word to describe it is pleasant. Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. The Bibbulmun Track passes through some remote areas of Western Australia, so once youre on the Track you need to know how to stay on it. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. 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. 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. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! 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. Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. 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. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. 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? The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. 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. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! 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). The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. Bibbulmun hikes: Harvey-Quindanning Road to Harris Dam, Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Tent (for emergencies, and in case the shelter is full), Compass (some say optional, but I always take one in case I get lost), A personal locator beacon (PLB not optional for any responsible hiker), Dishwashing cloth (I can get by without detergent, but you may prefer it), Trowel (for digging holes for #2 between campsites), Water containers for at least three litres, Some method of water treatment (filter, UV lamp, chemical), Trekking poles (optional, I swear by them), Breakfasts (pre-made oat sachets are a good option here), Lunch (generally cold food that doesnt need too much preparation), Dinner (dehydrated meals are popular for dinner). My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. With that decided, training should have been next on the list, but I was pretty fit so figured I didnt need to do much of that. 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. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. If you are not sure then please contact us. It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. 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. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. Thats it. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. 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. A checklist is great way to start. 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. There are a number of things to consider before setting out on the Track. 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. Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. 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. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. There are plenty of great online resources with more info on long-distance hiking. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. Pembertons first settler was Edward Brockman, the son of Perths first mayor, who moved to the area in 1861 to breed horses. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. 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!! Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. 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. 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. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. 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. 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). 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. I vividly remember the day I committed to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. A great option to have when the rain hits. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. 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. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. 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. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. 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. 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. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. These pages are bursting with information to help you have a safe and pleasant journey. Again, thank you and happy hiking! SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. 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. 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. 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 . 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 on a tight budget, its still possible to put together a kit with gear from AliExpress and sale items watch this space for gear reviews on how to make that happen! Collie was a bigger town with a large supermarket. 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. How big were the towns and what were their supermarkets/food stores/cooperatives like for resupplying? Every piece of kit I own has been weighed and weighed up for its usefulness vs. weight. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. 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. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry.