It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. 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. She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. 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!). 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. 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. 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. Innovative lightweight backpacking and travel gear for your next adventure. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Thanks Andrew for such detailed notes. was to work out what to take with me. 10 kg each. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Short and sweet, to the point, just what I needed. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. This creates a logistical nightmare. 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. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. I think the more packs i try the more i go crazy. You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. 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. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! 1000km. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). If that makes your eyes water, its possible to put together a reasonably lightweight backpacking kit with gear from Paddy Pallin, Wild Earth and a few other retailers for less than 2000AUD. 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. We have been planning in earnest for a few weeks now and we have been using a huge excel spreadsheet to help us battle the logistics one step at a time. It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. BT Day 33: Nerang to Monadnocks 855.9km (25km) June 19, 2021. How do you keep it charged, do you have a solar charger of some sort? 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. Hey Ben! Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. 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). So far, our base packs come to approx. You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . 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 Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. 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. Hi we are considering heading over to WA from SA in September to experience a section of the Bibbulmun Track, imagining that the border will be open by then. 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. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 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. 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. 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. 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. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. Im hooked on my fitbit for tracking my hikes but they run out of juice so quickly thanks man! Proud of your achievement. Thanks for the reply. Notes for Potential Hikers of the Bibbulmun Track Introduction. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. It is named 'Bibbulmun' after a group of . Premier Partner of the Foundation and the Bibbulmun Track maintenance volunteer program. The current incarnation of the Bibbulmun Track was opened to the public in September 1998. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. Trekking The Bibbulmun Track End to End - Planning. 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. Posted on July 8, 2018 Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. 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. I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. I waited for my turn, not knowing which of the places on my bucket list to choose. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. 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. 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. 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. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. The Group page. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. What my heart chose surprised even me. Everyone looked stunned. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . 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). There are plenty of great online resources with more info on long-distance hiking. After all, hiking is only walking for a long time. Im passionate about the Bibb, and am forever encouraging others to give it a go. If you are not sure then please contact us. The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia's famous long distance bush walking trails. This isnt a problem on the outward journey, but on the way back it may be difficult to predict what time (or even what day) youll reach a town on foot. It was quite a process! More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. 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. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. 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. 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. Most of the sections are somewhere between 20 and 25 kilometres long, or about a full days walk for the average hiker. This is intended as a guide for the absolute beginner. These notes will help to make your Bibbulmun Track experience safer and more enjoyable. 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. We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. Personally, I would take one. 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. 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. If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. 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. 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. Everybodys body is different, so do some training hikes to work out any physical issues you might have, and how to manage them. 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. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Your email address will not be published. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! 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. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! The Bibbulmun Track takes hikers through the Karri trees of the southern forests | credit: Bibbulmun Track Foundation. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Keep up to date on our projects, our supporters, opportunities for involvement and more. 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. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. 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? Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. Therefore, we will put "30 day fixed", "7 day auction", etc in this column. Your email address will not be published. Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. 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!). Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. Anyone with an average level of fitness should be able to complete an end-to-end, so long as they actively manage their body and dont injure themselves. 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. Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. 4WD campers have the luxury of an engine with a few hundred horsepower to lug all their gear around, while hikers only have their own two legs. 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). 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. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! 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!! 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. Many other hikers swear by this method, but feet are very personal things! Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. . The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. The Track is popular with locals, interstate and overseas visitors alike. 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. 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. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. 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. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. If you ever come this way let me know so I can return the favour If you have a car, you can drive to an accessible place on the Track, walk to a certain point then retrace your steps back to the car. Sharing the journey. 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. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. It won't be gourmet dining, but it will do the job. You need to be a special type of person to live in them and I admire people who thrive in these conditions I know I couldnt. 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. 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.