Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? I might end up with a couple of 40km+ days I think but the majority should be around 30km. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the longest continuously marked trails in Australia, stretching 963 kilometres from Kalamunda, 20 kilometres east of Perth, to Albany on the southern coast of Western Australia. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Required fields are marked *. 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? This creates a logistical nightmare. 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. Its become an obsession. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. The towns Tourist/Information centers and some petrol stations have stored supplies for her. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! 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. The Bibbulmun Track often has temporary diversions and permanent realignments for various reasons, which can extend the distance to be walked on any day. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. It was the perfect opportunity for me to wind down from the more rugged and draining hikes of the previous few months. Im just getting the blog off the ground so its good to hear somebody is finding it useful. SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. The Bibbulmun Track is a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. Posted on July 8, 2018 I hope to do this one day soon. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. I highly recommend it! 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. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. 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. I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. Open the map and click on a hut and then there is a button to download photos - so do that on Wi-Fi too. 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. Scroll down for a Map of the Bibbulmun Track through Denmark WA. 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. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. The calculator works in both north and south directions. 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. 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. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. Testing out the Sawyer Filter in a murky Peak District stream. The current incarnation of the Bibbulmun Track was opened to the public in September 1998. Do you keep your phone on you? One of many shelters with covered tables and water tanks. 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. Everybodys body is different, so do some training hikes to work out any physical issues you might have, and how to manage them. 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. The track goes through every resupply town, which is also rare to find. was to work out what to take with me. I have opted for. 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. Not a fussy eater at all, just after the basic hiker foods. Definitely not perfect but I was trying! Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! 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. Walkers should always check the current Track conditions before embarking on a walk. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. This is a very rewarding and quite remote expeditionary hike. Very jealous, Ill add it to my ever-growing bucket list. The only bad time to walk the Bibbulmun is summer. On long walks, maps are essential and a compass comes in handy. Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. It was quite a process! Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. It allowed me to work out how many meals to dehydrate, pack and post, or alternatively buy in town.. What my heart chose surprised even me. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. If youre picky about what you eat or you have specific dietary requirements, you can make dried meals with a dehydrator and vacuum sealer, and ship them to yourself along the way. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. Im hooked on my fitbit for tracking my hikes but they run out of juice so quickly thanks man! 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. If you are not sure then please contact us. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Hi Emma, I really wouldnt change much. Thanks Ben. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. 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. Theres all kinds out there, Best thing I have ever done. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. Thanks for your comment. 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. The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. 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. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. 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. 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. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! 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. Proud of your achievement. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. 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. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. 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. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Nick. Of course, equally valid pursuits enjoyed by many visitors are eating, drinking and relaxing in nature! However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. Able to buy peanut butter, tortilla flatbread and instant pasta meals like those kind of things? To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! The Group page. A combination approach really worked well for me. Im all about lists & planning for a hike. 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. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. How many days of food could I carry at a time? What pack did you use for this hike? Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. I was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. Donnelly River Village Northcliffe: Pack everything dehydrating my own food & post to DRV accomodation to reach Pemberton. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. 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 think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. 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. 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. 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. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. 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. a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. 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. 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. So far, our base packs come to approx. The Bibbulmun Track can be tough so, go on take a walk on the wild side! For gear reviews, I often rely on Outdoor Gear Lab. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. 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 track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. 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. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. With tips on how to create your ideal. 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. Read More. 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). Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. I was thinking I could toughen up for two nights, but would love to hear from someone who has already walked it as I dont want to regret not bringing a mat when I cant get to sleep. Then bury it. 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. 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. It also helped me to better understand my bodys abilities, and made me realise how much more I could be doing with my life! What a contradiction! Thank you so much for the quick reply! You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . 1000km. I also occasionally use my phone. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers, by Empacitator Wed 22 Jan, 2014 12:20 am, by Empacitator Fri 24 Jan, 2014 10:58 am, by InspirationOutdoors Mon 27 Jan, 2014 1:33 pm, Return to South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. Each hut can accommodate between eight and 15 people (depending on the design) sleeping on wooden boards. If youre walking alone, make sure someone knows your itinerary and sign the registers found in each hut. 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. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. Good luck choosing one! One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. Hey Ben! 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. It is situated in a valley surrounded by karri forests, so its history is inextricably linked to forestry and logging. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! 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. Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. Top-line results of the planning so far: 8 resupply towns + two possible food drops, Having been brought up hiking in the bogs of Dartmoor, the Peak Districts moorlands and the soggy Scottish Highlands, Ive always owned hardcore walking boots, with hard soles and waterproof casings. Required fields are marked *. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. Cheers, Andrew. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? Your email address will not be published. I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. 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. 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. You will know the right one when it comes along! In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! The Bibbulmun Track is generally well graded and relatively easy to negotiate. 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). What about tracking navigation? Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. 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. Some of this trusty kit does however weigh a hell of a lot more than some of the ultralight stuff on the market. was to work out what to take with me. 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. Thanks for the reply. 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. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. 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, And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! Over 1000km, the walk traverses red ironstone gravel in the Darling Range, elevated granite domes with vast views, coastal cliffs of jagged limestone, peaty swamp plains, gorges with cascading . 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. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. 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. 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 Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . 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. 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. He was also a pretty good breeder himself, fathering nine children! If you want to get the most out of your Bibbulmun Track walk, use it as an opportunity to explore the South Coast of Western Australia . You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Although well be walking in Australias winter and rain is a distinct possibility, weve opted for lightweight trail shoes which will offer the tread we need without the weight and (hopefully) the blisters and pressure points on the feet. 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 traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. 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. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! 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 . It would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . 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). Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. If youre more tech-savvy than me, a GPS could also be invaluable, though youll need to take a solar charger too as there are no power points between towns. Good luck! 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. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. Walking the Bibbulmun has been one of the best things Ive ever done not only because it whipped me into shape after years of being overweight, but because it gave me an appreciation for adventure and the natural world. Our current plan involves only restocking at the towns, although we are also exploring the option of calling upon the Tracks Trail Angels to drop off food on some of the longer, 7+ day stints to reduce our pack weights. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog).