If youre an experienced hiker you probably wont find much here for you, but hey you dont know what you dont know! a long weekend) its best to take a tent with you. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. Restocking food has been one of the biggest dilemmas for my hikes. In the 1920s, free land was offered to group settlers to establish a dairy industry. 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. 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. For advice specific to the Bibbulmun, the Bibbulmun Track Hikers Facebook group is a useful resource. 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). 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. I want to buy food as I go like you suggested, support the communities along the way, always choose that option. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! Copyright 2023 Bibbulmun Track Foundation. The Bibbulmun Track, south Western Australia. 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. The Bibbulmun Track passes through some remote areas of Western Australia, so once youre on the Track you need to know how to stay on it. Your email address will not be published. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires out dehydrators to Western Australian locals for a fortnight. The other participants spoke of travelling to exotic places or going on extravagant cruises. The next most important consideration for a long distance hike is your pack. Food can add considerably to the weight of one's backpack, significantly affecting the level of enjoyment experienced on the walk. I decided to see what my heart picked for me when the time came. Let's see how we go! Suggest you make a post on one of the Bib track sites on facebook as lots of experts there. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. Solar chargers arent up to the job, especially on the Bibb where theres so much tree cover. 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. As I mentioned in the last blog, there are 48 campsites on the Bibbulmun Track. 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!). Which towns were I planning to have rest days? Megan, I find this very good sharing, especially on the resupply considerations that included supporting local businesses. It was quite a process!! The Bibb connects the outskirts of Perth on the west coast with the town of Albany on the south coast. There are about 50 open sided shelters along the track, most a very easy day's walk . Ill call them and ask and add something to the blog about that section, it probably warrants a mention. You get to experience the famous (or infamous!) Blisters are a big problem for many hikers, so its worth experimenting with different shoe and sock combinations to see what works for you. What a contradiction! There certainly are! The towns on the Bibbulmun Track are pretty spread out, with the greatest distance between two towns being 202 kilometres. Water is available from tanks at each of the 48 campsites along the. 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. Pictured here is an impressive Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). 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. Unless something goes wrong, all your water will come from the tanks at campsites or taps in towns. Hi! 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. Many Different Landforms. Food planning & resupplying on the Bibbulmun Track! 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. Some things Im curious about: if you dont mind answering: What do you bring to take photos? 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. Use Google Sheets to create and edit online spreadsheets. BT Day 36: Helena to Kalamunda 947.3km (28.7km) June 22, 2021. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. Nick. 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. There are buses from all the main track towns to Perth or Albany in case we get injured and need to bail. 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. They cost nearly $700 and dont look like much, but theyre probably the best money Ive ever spent on hiking gear. How many days of food could I carry at a time? More to come, I'm sure. Its a good idea to split your food into two parcels and bury them in different places to reduce the chances of losing everything. 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. As were planning on doing the entire 1,000 km in 45 days, well need to skip some of the huts and plan carefully so we can resupply and rest where possible. Near Perth, the campsites are closer together, allowing most hikers to walk two sections in a day known as double hutting. Wildlife abounds on the Bibbulmun Track. The most important item on any hike is a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots. 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. Reflections from the reality & how it all worked out. 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. 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. Northcliffe Walpole: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Northcliffe Visitors Centre to reach Walpole. Visitors can go four-wheel driving or mountain biking or fish for trout and marron. ! A checklist is great way to start. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Therefore, if my boots fit well at the heels, my second toes end up getting battered on hikes and eventually, the nails turn black and drop off. Ever since I got them, my arch pain has been a non-issue. 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. This Bibbulmun Track FB Group page was started by David Baird in mid 2009. Mmm, difficult question! 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. We are flying to Perth from London on Qantas new direct flights. BT Day 34: Monadnocks to Mt Dale 889.5km (33.3km) June 21, 2021. 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. Youll want to make sure you get plenty of calories about 4000-6000 a day is recommended for long-distance hikers. To help you get started on overnight walks the Foundation also has a range of items for hire. You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! Bibbulmun Track Video December 29, 2021. Tank water should be treated, either with a filter, a UV lamp or some chemical treatment method. How much water youll need to take will depend upon the time of year. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). But how basic are these village stores? 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. South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfaBZT Q&index=15, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc sp=sharing. Nowadays, I use an ultraviolet wand which doesnt affect the taste of the water. It is roughly 1000 kilometers in length. Lines in his book A long walk in the Australian bush.. What about tracking navigation? Cate. Two of the original fire lookout trees can still be climbed by daring visitors. Thank you so much for the quick reply! 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. 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. A fully-stocked ultralight backpack using mainly gear from decent overseas manufacturers will cost somewhere between 2000-3500AUD. 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. Country towns in Western Australia are spread out throughout this massive state; small pockets of civilisation with miles of bush in between them. You can get some pretty light self-inflating mats so Id explore that option if you plan on hiking regularly. It was at a travel writing workshop with Susan Storm in early 1998. I took water purification tablets on my first hike, but the treated water tasted so foul I couldnt drink it! The track was first proposed in 1972 by Geoff Schafer, a member of the Perth Bushwalking Club. Today there is still a timber mill in Pemberton, surrounded by old mill cottages, but tourism is also important for the towns survival. I also occasionally use my phone. 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. 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. Good luck choosing one! SA, WA & NT specific bushwalking discussion. Is there anything else less essential you can leave out of your pack? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Travel from Perth Airport to Fremantle for $4.50, What to take on a multi-day Bibbulmun Track hike. 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. Still buying from towns did provide some good flexibility. 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. Cheers, Andrew. 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. The stores arent that basic, you should be able to get all those items you mentioned. I aimed to start my hike in late September and to walk north to south. 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. 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. I am planning a walk from Pemberton to Northcliffe in September. It doesnt do much to help the toe nail situation though! Charting my travels around the world, one adventure at a time. Read More. The track is officially measured as 1003 kilometres long, divided into 58 sections, each ending in either a town or a campsite. Thanks for your comment. But for the purposes of a non-picky hiker, theyre perfectly adequate. Full-day walks average about 16 km. Everyone looked stunned. Many of these groupies were British ex-servicemen who had returned from WWI to find there were no jobs for them. This creates a logistical nightmare. Its become an obsession. 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 track is one of the world's longest walking trails stretching from Perth to Albany. How big were the towns and what were their supermarkets/food stores/cooperatives like for resupplying? The Bibbulmun Track stretches 1,000 km from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany in the south-west. Autumn (March to May) is another good time weather-wise, though water supplies will be low if you set off early in the season before the rain. I just googled the Via Dinarica and it looks amazing! So far, our base packs come to approx. 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. 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. 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!). Get insights together with secure sharing in real-time and from any device. Luckily, the huts along the way collect rainwater, so well always have a supply of drinking water once we have purified it. Notes for Potential Hikers of the Bibbulmun Track Introduction. It is named 'Bibbulmun' after a group of . 10 kg each. Where were the best opportunities to send parcels, such as to my accomodation spots or visitors centres? This was just so I could purchase my muesli there in bulk & support their local business. As with all long distance hiking, the lighter your pack the better your journey will be. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. 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. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! I highly recommend it! You can add to this if you like, but remember you will have to carry whatever you take! Then bury it. I love that people do that just for the love of helping. 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 originally envisaged by keen bushwalker Geoff Schafer, in 1972. 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. Fast forward Finishing the Front Corrugated Iron. Follow the bright yellow waugyl through towering forests, over creeks and rivers, along wild beaches and up and over some impressive granite features. 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. Personally, I would take one. This creates a logistical nightmare. My basic gear, not including food and water, weighed about 13 kilograms (see the list at the end of this blog). For me, that meant getting a pair of custom orthotics from my podiatrist after experiencing some serious arch pain on multi-day hikes in the Darling Range. I ate out in town more than I had originally planned, and so a few of my homemade meals were repacked for the next section. Everybodys body is different, so do some training hikes to work out any physical issues you might have, and how to manage them. WA Parks Foundation Chair the Hon Kerry Sanderson AC CVO with Board Director Eva Skira AM hiking on the Bibbulmun Track. The health food shop in Denmark had great supplies. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. In 1913 timber mills were established in Pemberton to supply half a million sleepers for the Trans-Australian Railway line. It is managed by government agencies, and has a foundation. Next time I would dehydrate even more of my own food, specifically dinners if time allowed (they just worked out so well! These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. While on the contrary I bought packets of sugary lollies straight from the huge supermarket at home and packed them in my food parcels. The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people, Indigenous Australians . Best time to hike the Bibbulmun track is between April and October. There was a cooperative in Pemberton I didnt know about! In the past, Ive hiked with a mix of homemade meals and supplies bought in towns. I have a question about the resupply in towns.. if you dont mind. 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. Celebrate our 25th year with an adventure! Shane Johnstone, who set out to break a record of WA's Bibbulmun Track, has finished the gruelling run well ahead of schedule.. Donnelly River Village only had a simple general store. 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. 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. The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia's famous long distance bush walking trails. Collie Donnelly River Village: Purchase all of my food from the Collie supermarkets & Balingup shops to reach Donnelly River Village. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Banksia Burrow is a place to build and grow together. 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. 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. One of many shelters with covered tables and water tanks. Trekking The Bibbulmun Track End to End - Planning. Youll need more if you walk when the water supply is less reliable. 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. The distance calculator is designed to help you plan your walk. 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 Bibbulmun Track can be tough so, go on take a walk on the wild side! I really wouldnt change much. Im just worried about how rocky the sleeping areas are etc. 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. With a couple of exceptions (like the excellent Tier Gear, Wild Earth and Paddy Pallin), the Australian industry seems to have decided its simply not going to even try and keep up with technological advancements that are making it into the mainstream of the global hiking community. This is useful for working out how much food you will need for each section and for arranging to meet other people. If an access point is not shown here, then it is likely that it is not a permitted vehicle access point. Since I started using this I havent had a blister. 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. Western Australia, AU Distance 992.8 km Vertical Gain 17,500 m The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, to Albany on the south coast, winding through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australia. This well blazed trail travels through many national parks and state forests with various terrain that ranges from dense forest to beautiful coastland. Therefore, if my boots fit well at the heels, my second toes end up getting battered on hikes and eventually, the nails turn black and drop off. One thru-hike at a time. cooking at home with bulk foods & predominately organic or local vegetables that were purchased from independent stores but would then travel to Western Australia, buying food in these small towns from local businesses that sell ethical products to support their local food economy, understanding I would be shopping from supermarkets and purchasing standard food, sold in packaging both here at home & in Western Australia. 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. If youre inspired to try, heres (some of) the info youll need to make it happen. In August of 2018 after 2.5 years of planning I started my thru-hike of the 1005km Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. The best word to describe it is pleasant. I take a Sony A6000 camera, which I have attached to my backpack with a Peak Designs capture clip. Spring (September to November) is the best time to walk the Bibbulmun Track. However, even if you walk regularly, its surprising how much difference carrying a heavy backpack makes. The tank water is potable but if you get water from natural sources along the way its a good idea to treat it. 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. Pingerup Plains, the swamps comprising days . 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. 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 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. If you are not sure then please contact us. Despite and abnormally rainy experience, it was quite the relaxing hike. In this section you will find a brief description of the towns that lie on, or adjacent to, the Track. With tips on how to create your ideal. However, although I couldnt live in a country town full time, I enjoy getting out of the city and spending time in the country. A practice walk of three or more days should give a good indication of how much food you need, otherwise allow about one kilogram of food per day. Thanks for the reply. 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. North to South - South to North: Spring is really recommended to see all the blooming flowers. Due to its size, the Track is divided into nine sections. Sending packages to yourself does make a bit of guess work. The solitude and peace on this trail is incredibly unique for one so near civilization. Pick one itinerary or join several together to customise your Bibbulmun Track holiday adventure. Slower Hiking 12/9/22 Slower Hiking 12/9/22. These pages provide youth group leaders with the necessary tools to plan, lead and complete a successful expedition on the Bibbulmun Track. 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. Download the app on Wi-Fi and then open the Bibbulmun Track and make sure you have downloaded the maps for offline use. It may be a restricted road or a closed quarantined road within a Disease Risk Area where vehicles are not permitted. Thats it. ), while still leaving opportunities to add to my lunch & snack supplies. Today, Pemberton has a population of just over a thousand people. I am so glad I dehydrated a lot of my own food. Walking through the massive karri trees as they stretch high above you like a natural cathedral is awe inspiring, and we were lucky enough to see emus and kangaroos, the two native animals on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. 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. 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. Dwellingup Collie: Pack everything (except breakfast), dehydrating my own food & post to Dwellingup accomodation to reach Collie. 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 youre only walking a section of the Track, planning a walk can be trickier as vehicular access points and public transport are limited. Revitalisation of John Forrest National Park. In my defence, I find it difficult to get well-fitting boots because my second toes are longer than my big toes. My resupply plan was developed with the the goals of eating delicious, plant-based, package free, local and organic foods as much as possible. If you take this option, be warned you WILL get sick of the food you make yourself, so be prepared to improvise. Once youve bought or borrowed everything necessary to hike the Bibbulmun Track, the next thing is to plan your walk.
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