55 days on the wallaby -- the Bibbulmun Track - Ian McAuley 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. 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. Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. 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. Northcliffe had a great food cooperative selling bulk and local food that I wanted to support. Bushwalking is a natural tonic, providing a balance between enjoyable, low impact physical activity and a wellbeing workout. Make a note of where youve buried the food in your journal because youll be desperate for it when you eventually get there! Home Trip Planner Distance Calculator. Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. 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. For gear reviews, I often rely on Outdoor Gear Lab. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. The towns Tourist/Information centers and some petrol stations have stored supplies for her. 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 am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. 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. At the end of the weekend we felt tired yet recharged by our brief break in the country. Which towns were I planning to have rest days? 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. 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. The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. 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. Bibbulmun Track - Albany to Denmark - Australian Walking Holidays Good luck choosing one! 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 . Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. Dont know why I packed them), and not enough dried fruit & nut snacks. During the workshop, Susan asked everyone to talk about what their dream trip would be. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. However, you don't need to finish it in one go, with 49 campsites along the track. There is also a natural outdoor pool, but it wasnt warm enough for that when we were there. Western Australia generally doesnt experience snow or extreme cold, although it can get a little chilly at nights and in the early mornings, so warm clothes and sleeping gear are a must. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. 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. Most of the sections are somewhere between 20 and 25 kilometres long, or about a full days walk for the average hiker. The Bibbulmun Track is a walking trail located in Western Australia running over 1000km between Kalamunda in the north and Albany in the south. Like anything, this can vary enormously in price and quality. Many people undertake this journey as a section hike, doing pieces of it over a period of months and even years. What about tracking navigation? I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! Glad to have stumbled upon your blog! Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. I want to walk the Bibbulmun Track, I said confidently when my turn came. Read More. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. 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. Nick. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Once we reach Albany, its a long six hour bus back to Perth and then onwards. Bibbulmun guide | Going Solo Since I started using this I havent had a blister. 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. Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. Good luck! Cate. Life on the Bibbulmun is pretty simple: You wake up each day, walk as far as you can, camp, and repeat. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. How to Set Up Your eBay Sales Spreadsheet | Inexpensive eBay Sales Tracking 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. Shakedown: Bibbulmun Track in September : r/Ultralight 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. Ive decided to walk the Bibbulmun Track! 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. 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. 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. I hope to do this one day soon. 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. Hello Andrew. 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. 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. 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. 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. How many days of food could I carry at a time? If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. As a traveller from eastern side of Australia doing this hike in pieces wasn't an option. 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. Over its (roughly) 1000-kilometer length, the Bibbulmun winds its way through dense native forests, passes through a handful of sleepy country towns, climbs up and down ranges with magnificent views, and traverses the white, sandy beaches of WAs powerful southern coast. Bibbulmun Track Trip Planner | Bibbulmun Track Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. Thanks for your comment. Bibbulmun Track (WA) ~ The Long Way's Better What pack did you use for this hike? Your email address will not be published. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. Summer is not recommended as Western Australia has extremely hot dry summers, making it a high-risk fire season. If youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. 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. BT Day 35: Mt Dale to Helena 918.6km (29.3km) June 21, 2021. It was originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. The following list is what I take on multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track. 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 creates a logistical nightmare. Bibbulmun Track - Facebook Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. 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. 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. Posted on July 8, 2018 I also occasionally use my phone. 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. 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. 10 kg each. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. I highly recommend it! 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. Information for bushwalkers from bushwalkers. Bibbulmun Track Full Route | Map, Guide - Western Australia, Australia Pemberton to Walpole The section from Pemberton to Walpole is exciting. Thankyou in advance! Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. My niece is currently on the track and has pre-planned food drops along the way. The Bibbulmun Track runs from Perth to Albany, 1000 km and takes about six weeks to thru hike. Leave No Trace is all about promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor travel and recreation through education, research and partnerships. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. Bibbulmun hikes: Harvey-Quindanning Road to Harris Dam, Dreaming of the Next Adventure Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Lifeone big adventure, Tent (for emergencies, and in case the shelter is full), Compass (some say optional, but I always take one in case I get lost), A personal locator beacon (PLB not optional for any responsible hiker), Dishwashing cloth (I can get by without detergent, but you may prefer it), Trowel (for digging holes for #2 between campsites), Water containers for at least three litres, Some method of water treatment (filter, UV lamp, chemical), Trekking poles (optional, I swear by them), Breakfasts (pre-made oat sachets are a good option here), Lunch (generally cold food that doesnt need too much preparation), Dinner (dehydrated meals are popular for dinner). 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. 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. But its still an awesome pack with a really strong hip strap. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. Doing the whole bib is a dream of mine, but for now day trips will have to suffice! Bibbulmun Planner then met with a track veteran, "Wrong Way Jim" (eeeeekkk) at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) to hone it further. Erika Lori sets a new record on the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. 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. The Bibbulmun is on my list of possibilities. 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. . It would have taken way to long and once I start something I'm driven to . Bibbulmun Track Planning - Spreadsheets and an obsession with - Blogger Its become an obsession. Many Different Landforms. Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013. If youre walking upwards of 20 kilometres a day for weeks at a time, its a battle to keep weight on. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. Thanks for the reply. More information can be found in an accommodation and services guide for walkers published by the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track. I will definitely have to crack down on what I bring in order of importance. Just read your article, brilliant! Then bury it. Im hooked on my fitbit for tracking my hikes but they run out of juice so quickly thanks man! Unfortunately, Ive been nursing a small injury in my hip so our grand plans for training has gone out of the window, but we are now walking to and from work whenever possible, as well as planning longer walks in the Peaks and near London as well as the Lakes in the coming weeks to build up our strength and endurance. was to work out what to take with me. But how basic are these village stores? Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. The local food shop in Balingup had closed down. The route is well mapped, way-marked and maintained. The Bibbulmun Track passes through many different environments; we saw an astonishing 85 different orchid species and hybrids. 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. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. You may be able to ship a resupply to the cafe, called the Three Ways Road House. Some hikers drink straight out of the tanks without treating the water, but I wouldnt take the risk. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. Should just bite the bullet and get one! 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. If you are not sure then please contact us. Glad you found my post useful. Proud of your achievement. 1000km. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! 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. Australia: Bibbulmun Track - Doing Miles Your email address will not be published. I have done many day walks, 2 overnight walks and one 4 day/3 night walk on the Bibb. It will come in very useful when I finally get to do my own E2E. You will know the right one when it comes along! 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 found these answers by completing some research on the Bibbulmun Track website, Facebook, Google maps, and asking people who had previously hiked the track. Your email address will not be published. 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. I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. 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. 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. It was quite a process! Ive only done Bibbulmun day hikes as of yet. It traverses the Darling Range and has inspired reflections about the state of the Western Australian environment by William J. It should be noted that access points shown with a green car on the official maps and guidebooks, are not included as they involve walking various distances along trails or forestry tracks to access the Bibbulmun Track. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. 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. For example: Kalamunda to Dwellingup was approximately 11 nights, which was too far to carry food the whole way. Bibbulmun Track | Overview - the-life-of-py The Duke of Edinburghs International Award, . 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 aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. 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. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. Hi! 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. Traditional camping equipment is rarely suitable for hikers, so youll need to buy equipment thats designed for hiking. As much as I tried I still arrived in Northcliffe on a Sunday, which is the one day the cooperative is closed! 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 Bibbulmun Track can be tough so, go on take a walk on the wild side! This saved me a lot of stress wondering whether I was on the right track in the absence of waugals. The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Winter conditions (June to August) are not for the faint hearted, particularly further south where temperatures are lower and rainfall higher. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. Bibbulmun track record smashed in gruelling 'run, crawl and scramble' As a rough guide, there should be five waugals per kilometre in forest areas, and two per kilometre in more open areas. Me most of all that article had obviously made a bigger impression on me than Id imagined. 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. Unfortunately, in the 1930s they found themselves out of work again when the Great Depression hit and many families had to leave their properties. But why? 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. 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. Walking the Bibbulmun takes some preparation, but its something that anyone of average fitness and mobility should be able to achieve. 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. Im quite an experienced hiker, and find your blog post very usefull. I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! ! It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! 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. 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. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Seems roughly 0 to 30 degrees C (32-86 degrees F), I'm not very sure though. Hi Sue, I got an injury before then. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Thanks for the feedback, really chuffed you liked it! Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. The Bibbulmun Trackis a 623mi/1,002km trail that runs near the Southwest coast of Australia from Kalamunda (near Perth) to Albany. Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. 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. Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, Take a walk on the wild side walking the Bibbulmun Track, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike, Follow Local Travel Tips on WordPress.com. Weve bought a Sawyer Squeeze Filter - apparently it gets rid of 99.9% of bacteria and only weighs 85 grams (I did say weight was now the only thing I think about!). Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. Required fields are marked *. One of my favourite places to escape to is a little town called Pemberton, 335 kilometres south of Perth. 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. Everybodys body is different, so do some training hikes to work out any physical issues you might have, and how to manage them. Thats literally just a petrol station with very basic, expensive options, although it does have an attached cafe so you can have at least one decent hot meal. Embrace it, and figure out what works for you. Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. Feel free to comment below for advice, or suggested additions to this guide. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. 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. 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. Cheers, Andrew. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. So many! This includes how to get there, highlights, interesting places, weather forecasts, Track conditions, the Track towns and photos. Here are the main points we are currently looking at: If left to my own devices I would happily stick with the full contingent of hiking kit I currently own - including a sleeping bag dating back well over 15 years and a hiking pack purchased for my Bronze D of E. In my mind, if its not broken, why replace it? North to South - South to North: We like to track how the item was listed at the time of the sale. 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. 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. More to come, I'm sure.