The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. 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. 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. 55 days on the wallaby -- the Bibbulmun Track - Ian McAuley To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. Bibbulmun Track attack sees hikers allegedly run down, set upon by If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour 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. Required fields are marked *. Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. The Group page. Many people undertake this journey as a section hike, doing pieces of it over a period of months and even years. Bibbulmun Track in Denmark WA - Denmark, Western Australia There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. 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 . Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. One thru-hike at a time. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. 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!) a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. Perth hiker sets out on the 1,000km Bibbulmun track and accidentally Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? Bibbulmun Track, Kalamunda to Albany - Trails WA 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. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. I vividly remember the day I committed to walk the Bibbulmun Track. 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. 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. 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 Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! 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. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. People also record their experiences in these registers so, as well as being a safety precaution, they are a useful source of Track intelligence about such things as: missing markers; the condition of the Track; the state of the water supply at the next campsite; big hills en route; flora and fauna to look out for; or the school party that took over the campsite the day before. The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. Revitalisation of John Forrest National 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. 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!! The Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia | Odyssey Traveller 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. 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. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. 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. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. For gear reviews, I often rely on Outdoor Gear Lab. 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. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. View topic - Bibbulmun Track Questions/Answers - Bushwalk You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! 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. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 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. 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. Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. Bibbulmun Track - Facebook It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! Mmm, difficult question! 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. 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. Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . 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. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. 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 includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. 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. Right now Im hiking the Via Dinarica trail through the Balkans, beautiful!! I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Should just bite the bullet and get one! It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Walkers should always check the current Track conditions before embarking on a walk. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. This is intended as a guide for the absolute beginner. What a contradiction! The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. Well be sending a second pair of each ahead to one of the Track towns in case they are so worn we need to replace them (gulp!). Bibbulmun Track Trip Planner | Bibbulmun Track Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! 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. Good luck! I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. 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. Although I had grown up in the hiking mecca of Derbyshire in the UK, Id never done a multi-day hike and didnt even own a pair of hiking boots. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. 10 kg each. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. Bibbulmun Track Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! What my heart chose surprised even me. 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' 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. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. 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. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . 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.