Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Required fields are marked *. 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. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. was to work out what to take with me. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. A combination approach really worked well for me. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. In my humble opinion, the Australian outdoor gear industry is still stuck in the 1980s, when heavy packs were a source of pride and durability was the biggest concern. 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. Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! But why? It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. Thanks Kelly! For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. 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. 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. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. Photos featured on this site are courtesy of Tourism WA, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Doug Coughran, Colin Ingram, Peter Nicholas, L-A Shibish and Nature Play WA. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. 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. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. 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. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. There are a number of things to consider before setting out on the Track. 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. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike. ! 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. Each campsite has a three-sided shelter, a water tank, a drop toilet and picnic tables. 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. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. I highly recommend it! Do you keep your phone on you? Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. 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. 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. If some of the forums are anything to go by, people have hiked the APT and PCT - much longer trails than we are planning for - with as little as 5 kg base-packs (the weight of your bag before any food or drink is added). Your email address will not be published. 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. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. Cheers! 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 Bibbs campsites are far better than those on the famous Appalachian Trail, but not quite as lavish as those in Tasmania or New Zealand. Bibbulmun Track Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. 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. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. 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. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. 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. Sugars and fats might be your enemy in the real world, but theyre your friend on the trail. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Follow the bright yellow waugyl through towering forests, over creeks and rivers, along wild beaches and up and over some impressive granite features. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Sharing the journey. I currently have a fracture of my fifth metatarsal which will heal by then but I am wondering about the steepness of the terrain, especially near the Gloucester tree, and also the unevenness of the ground. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. How many days of food could I carry at a time? Your email address will not be published. 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. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. Most of the sections are somewhere between 20 and 25 kilometres long, or about a full days walk for the average hiker. She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! I have opted for. 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. I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. 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. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Just read your article, brilliant! There's a chance of no water, with many days the temperatures up in the high 30's, and some days reaching 40C and beyond. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. It is a great community of enthusiastic Bibb Track hikers, supporters and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 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 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). 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. 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. 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). Many Different Landforms. An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! 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. Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . 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. 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? Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! So far, our base packs come to approx. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. But once my heart had spoken, I felt I had to follow through. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. It will probably be very uncomfortable sleeping on the ground but you might be able to cope for two nights. 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. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. Cheers, Andrew. 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. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. 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. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. Tank water is often yellowish from the tannins in the leaves that get stuck in the shelter gutters, but is still perfectly safe to drink once treated. What my heart chose surprised even me. 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. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. 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 stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. What pack did you use for this hike? Estimated length: 1000 kilometres / 621 miles. Your email address will not be published. Proud of your achievement. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. Hi! Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. 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. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. 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. Id actually recommend this option for an end-to-end, because it supports the communities that host you and it saves you from agonising over a nutrition plan before your hike. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. The website also carries excellent suggestions for itineraries ranging from two to six days, with each itinerary including suggestions for day-walks on the Track, as well as sights and attractions to visit. The majority of this comes from the big four: pack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and tent - most of which we already had and are heavier than we might like. On an excel spreadsheet I mapped out my entire walk highlighting where I was planning to stay each night, how many days I would be on the track, how many nights I would be in each town to provide an overall understanding of where I would be for each day and for each meal. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. 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. Matt. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. The route is well mapped, way-marked and maintained. 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 charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. This creates a logistical nightmare. 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. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? Spring and autumn are the most popular times to walk the track, but winter is my favourite because I love seeing all the creeks and rivers in full flow. 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. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! 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. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. We have included all campsites, towns, recreation sites and legal vehicle access points as shown by the red car on the Bibbulmun Track maps and guidebooks. The local food shop in Balingup had closed down. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! Collie was a bigger town with a large supermarket. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. 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. At the end of the month, we'll be able to track which format and duration were most effective for us. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. 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. Pingback: Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Your email address will not be published. Karri trees grow in the high rainfall areas 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. 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. More to come, I'm sure. However, we went there last weekend to hike on the Bibbulmun Track a 963km walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda in the eastern suburbs of Perth to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. They generally only have one brand of everything though, and fresh items are often very limited. 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. Well be weighing out all our food and making decisions on menus based on the weight/calorie ratio ( and cost will have a small impact on decision-making), to ensure were carrying the most calorie efficient food. I was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. 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. Thank you so much for the quick reply! These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. 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. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. These pages are bursting with information to help you have a safe and pleasant journey. 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. If youve got a decent budget, Id recommend looking at equipment made by speciality manufacturers in the US like Zpacks, Enlightened Equipment, ULA and others (detailed gear reviews coming soon!). Well be talking & typing all things #tinyhouse #hiking #permaculture #gardening #bushwalking #simpleliving #organic #wastefree #reading. 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. Thanks for your comment. Answering these questions helped me map out how manybreakfast, lunches, dinners & snacks I would need across the hike, & where they would potentially come from along the way. The Bibbulmun Track is a long-distance walk trail in Western Australia.. Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. Trekking The Bibbulmun Track End to End - Planning. I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. One thru-hike at a time. Awesome write up thank you! Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. 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. 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 towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. The facilities are world class compared to most long-distance trails around the world. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on.

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