If you can't find what you're after, please contact us. Thanks for the reply. 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. I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! Should just bite the bullet and get one! Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Doing it sandals should surely count for more than a regular end-to-end. 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. 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. Proud of your achievement. While I had mapped out many of the places to shop along the way, where I planned to buy certain items, sometimes that didnt work out. 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 rest includes a teeny, tiny cooker and gas canister, down jacket, one change of clothes, basic hygiene kit, first aid kit and basic electronics. Whether you love plants, animals, nature or just walking in beautiful landscapes, the Bibbulmun Track has something for you. I charge both from a portable battery pack, which usually lasts me between towns. 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. 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 . (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! An Australian owned one-stop-shop for outdoor and adventure equipment! However, walking with too heavy a pack will also be uncomfortable. 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. This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. Its become an obsession. Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. Everybodys body is different, so do some training hikes to work out any physical issues you might have, and how to manage them. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. 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. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Food planning & resupplying on the 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. 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 may not have the most spectacular scenery for most of it, but it somehow wins the heart of everyone that hikes it for the pleasant experience. 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. The best word to describe it is pleasant. Cheers, Andrew. 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. The track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. 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. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. The Group page. The only place you might need to plan ahead is the Kalamunda to Dwellingup section, where the only resupply point is the North Bannister Road House. Im trying to cut down on as much weight as possible. 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. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Karri sleepers from Pemberton were also used in the early development of the London Underground and other railway lines in the UK. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. 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. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. 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. I was really happy to be a trail angel for one of your re-supply days. Thanks for your comment. 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. 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. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. Again, thank you and happy hiking! 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. On my last 16-day section hike from Northcliffe to Albany, I lost 5 kilos and that was with a calorie-rich diet, while stuffing my face in each of the towns I visited. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. What about tracking navigation? 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. Hey Ben! Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. 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 stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. Karri trees grow in the high rainfall areas of south west Australia. Nick. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a website or blog at WordPress.com, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Then bury it. Everyone looked stunned. I packed too many teabags and sugary lollies (things I never would normally eat! I was happy to eat different mueslis, snacks and lunch meals by the end of the hike. I speak from experience many times Ive wearily had to retrace my steps to look for a waugal. 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. It can get extremely hot in WA between December and February, and the risk of bush fire is too great. 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. 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. There was a cooperative in Pemberton I didnt know about! There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. There are great opportunities for fit walkers to challenge themselves, on at least two of the days we walk around 25 km. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. He was also a pretty good breeder himself, fathering nine children! 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. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). Your email address will not be published. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. I also occasionally use my phone. 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. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . 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. Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. Innovative lightweight backpacking and travel gear for your next adventure. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. 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. From Perth, there are a couple of public buses that will take us straight to the Northern Terminus of the Bibbulmun Track in Kalamunda. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. 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. I used a pyramid tarp which gave me good all round protection although next time I would choose something with a smaller footprint. I created a spreadsheet which recorded, for each date, the starting and finishing points and the number of kilometres between them. 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. ! Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. 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. Looking at starting mid September, I hope thats a good time. The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. 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. What a contradiction! 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. Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. 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. Many Different Landforms. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Your email address will not be published. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. 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. The first thing I needed to decide about was when to start the journey. But be warned, this is not a stroll in the park. Oct 10, 2021 28 Dislike Share Dori's Hiking Adventures 2.03K subscribers This video is for everyone that is planning to hike the Bibbulmun Track. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Hello Andrew. Just read your article, brilliant! Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. 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. If you ever got foot pain while walking, its worth going to a podiatrist to get your feet assessed. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. 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. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. One of many shelters with covered tables and water tanks. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. 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. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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. It was another early settler who arrived a year later, Pemberton Walcott, who gave the town its name. 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. Those that walk every step of the way can be registered as end-to-enders. Glad you found my post useful. Many campsites also have a fireplace, but between October and May fires are banned or restricted. The Track was radically realigned (retaining less than 10% of the old route) and extended to Albany. 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. . Either plan to supplement your meals with town-bought supplies, or make sure you cook up a decent range of dishes. 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. Trekking The Bibbulmun Track End to End - Planning. 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! Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. Im okay with sleeping on a hard surface (we are sleeping in a tent) but would you definitely recommend bringing one? Sharing the journey. She made a road trip the week before she left and dropped off her own supplies. It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. Required fields are marked *. 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. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. You should have a separate inventory spreadsheet where you record how much the item cost you to . This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. If youre an experienced long-distance hiker, you could aim to finish in as little as a month. 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. 1000km. In Pemberton purchase two days worth of food to reach Northcliffe. 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. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. This series will show you what it's like to thru-hike the 1002 km (623 mile) Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, including the terrain, life in camp, the b. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! At the end of the weekend we felt tired yet recharged by our brief break in the country. This creates a logistical nightmare. Each of the towns on the Bibbulmun has at least a mini supermarket, but the range is often limited and the prices are high. 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. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. Hi! 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. 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. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. was to work out what to take with me. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. 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. Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. I really wouldnt change much. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. Not a fussy eater at all, just after the basic hiker foods. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. Ridiculously crazy and amazing adventures for trail runners. 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. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It is important to keep an eye out for these waugals, as you can easily stray off track if youre daydreaming. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. 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. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. Overall my resupply plan worked out better than I could have imagined along the track. And if youre tired enough youll fall sleep! Today there is still a timber mill in Pemberton, surrounded by old mill cottages, but tourism is also important for the towns survival. 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 local food shop in Balingup had closed down. To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. How many days of food could I carry at a time? Your email address will not be published. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. North to South - South to North: 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. Ive got a Wilderness Equipment Discovery 1 (medium), but I bought it in 1998 so things will have moved on since then! 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. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! 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. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. 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. 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? Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. If you want to experience the geological features, biodiversity and scenic beauty of this long-distance walking trail, the Section-by-Section guide on the excellent Bibbulmun Track Foundation website is a great place to start. There are also taxi services and tour operators who can help you to co-ordinate your walk, and some B&Bs near the Track offer drop-off and pick-up services. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. Im in the market to buy a new one but there is so much out there! Maps, other guides and information on diversions can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. 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.