Have booked to complete it later this year. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Walpole Denmark: Purchase all food in Walpole supermarket to reach Denmark, Denmark Albany: Purchase all food in Denmark shops/supermarket to reach Albany. 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. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. A great option to have when the rain hits. 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). If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru 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. 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. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. The Bibbulmun Track - Part One - Kalamunda to Gringer Creek I hope to do this one day soon. 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. Bibbulmun Track Planning - Spreadsheets and an obsession with - Blogger Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. 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. Do you keep your phone on you? They generally only have one brand of everything though, and fresh items are often very limited. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! 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. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. After all, hiking is only walking for a long time. Again, thank you and happy hiking! 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. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. 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. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. You will know the right one when it comes along! . Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. 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. 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 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. Personally, I would take one. Required fields are marked *. With tips on how to create your ideal. This creates a logistical nightmare. 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. Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). 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. 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. 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. 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. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. 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. 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. In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. Notes for Potential Hikers of the Bibbulmun Track Introduction. This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. Posted on July 8, 2018 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. 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. Walking the Bibbulmun Track Maps and Guidebooks The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. 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. Hi Anna, BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. The karri tree is one of the tallest species in the world, reaching heights of ninety metres, and some of the tallest karri trees in the area were used as fire lookouts from the 1930s to the 1960s. Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. Bibbulmun Track (WA) ~ The Long Way's Better Cheers, Andrew. Your email address will not be published. Should just bite the bullet and get one! The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . How to Set Up Your eBay Sales Spreadsheet | Inexpensive eBay Sales Tracking The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. The Bibbulmun Track walk would technically take more than two months to finish at an average walking pace. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . Bibbulmun Track - Slower Hiking As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. They have very straight trunks that dont separate into branches until high up near the tops of the trees so they were in great demand for railway sleepers. If youre not walking alone and have two cars at your disposal, a good strategy is to park a car at each end of the section. Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. 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. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. Bibbulmun Track | Local Travel Tips 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. Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. The Bibbulmun Track passes through Pemberton and we did two walks, totalling 7 hours. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. 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. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. 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. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. Mmm, difficult question! Im all about lists & planning for a hike. I highly recommend it! 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! Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. 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. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). 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. Deciding what equipment you need for a Bibbulmun Track walk doesn't have to be a daunting process. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. 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. 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. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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' Flood traps family of five who hike to safety after days isolated at I ate out in town more than I had originally planned, and so a few of my homemade meals were repacked for the next section. Most hikers take several months to cover WA's famous 1,000km Bibbulmun Track, but Perth school teacher Jono Ride managed to do it in just over two weeks, despite not setting out to break records. Then bury it. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. 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. 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. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! 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. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia's famous long distance bush walking trails. Although walking is a relatively safe pastime, there are hazards associated with the bush. 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. Thanks Kelly! 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. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. Glad you found my post useful. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. Food for Thru-hiking the Bibbulmun Track There are three-sided shelters with picnic tables, rainwater tanks, as well as dunnies with toilet bowls and sometimes even toilet paper. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. 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. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. Choose a section of the Track for a day of amazing scenery or challenging walks or, if you're game, tackle the whole Track. But why? Thanks Ben. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. 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. So many! I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. Your email address will not be published. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. This creates a logistical nightmare. 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. Just read your article, brilliant! I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. It would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Bibbulmun Track - Group Guided Day Walks How do you keep it charged, do you have a solar charger of some sort? From Perth, there are a couple of public buses that will take us straight to the Northern Terminus of the Bibbulmun Track in Kalamunda. 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 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. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. 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. A combination approach really worked well for me. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. 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. Read More. 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 was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. 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. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. 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. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. 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. Thats it. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. 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. Bibbulmun Track - Albany to Denmark - Australian Walking Holidays Track Angels are locals that support hikers on the track - whether they be end to enders like us, or just doing sections of it - with food drops, accommodation, advice and lifts. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Your email address will not be published. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. 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. Bibbulmun Track (WA, Australia) | Fastest Known Time My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Walkers should always check the current Track conditions before embarking on a walk. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. Distance Calculator | Bibbulmun Track 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 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. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. ! You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. Ive decided to walk the Bibbulmun Track! 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? You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! The towns Tourist/Information centers and some petrol stations have stored supplies for her. 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. 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. Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. Bibbulmun Track Trip Planner | Bibbulmun Track Thanks for all the information about the Bibbulman Track. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. Cheers! There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. Bibbulmun Track | 9 Section Bibbulmun Track Itinerary, WA 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. 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. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2014. Australian Hiker | Bibbulmun Track WA (1005 km) The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. Sharing the journey. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! 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.