Thursday, September 20, 2018
Discover the Bibbulmun Track
You’d be forgiven for spending your days in the South-West relaxing by a log fire drinking a glass of red or indulging in a long lunch at one of the region’s award-winning wineries. But if you’re adventurous and an outdoors experience is more your holiday pace, then the world-renowned Bibbulmun Track should be on your itinerary.
Stretching 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany in the Great Southern, this historical walk covers some of WA’s most spectacular forests and coastline – giving you the chance to see the best of this magical landscape on foot.
Walking options
The entire 1000km walk end-to-end takes six to eight weeks but, luckily, the track is broken up into nine town-to-town sections (The Darling Range, Dwellingup, Collie, Balingup, Donnelly River, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Walpole, and Denmark/Albany), with a variety of walk options within each area differing in length and difficulty, including day walks and options for walking with kids.
The longer, more ambitious town-to-town walks range from 58km (Balingup to Donnelly River village) to 211km (Kalamunda to Dwellingup) and take several days, but day treks can be just a few kilometres, so you can spend a few hours amongst nature before retiring to the comfort of your luxury holiday home.
For more information on trails, guided walks and tips, visit The Bibbulmun Track Foundation.
5 day walks to try
With the track taking in some of WA’s most breathtaking scenery, it can be hard to narrow down the best sections to visit. But if you’re keen to tackle one of the day walks, here are five that we think are worth every step:
- Starting at the 58-metre-tall Gloucester Tree, just out of Pemberton, walk to the Cascades and back (11km)
- Take the Tree Top Walk in the Valley of the Giants, near Walpole, to the Giants campsite and back (3.2km)
- Travel 20 minutes from Walpole to whale watching haven Conspicuous Cliff, then trek to Rame Head campsite and back (8km)
- From Albany, drive to the crystal-clear waters of Cosy Corner, then walk to the Shelley Beach lookout via Torbay campsite and back (17km)
- Drive to Dwellingup, 35 minutes south-east of Mandurah, and buy a one-way ticket on the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway’s Forest Train to Etmilyn and walk back on the Bibbulmun Track (8km).
Yellow Guide Sign of the Bibbulmun Hiking Track showing a Snake (Wagyl), Beedelup National Park, Western Australia
What to bring
Once you’ve decided on which part of the track you want to visit, it’s important you’re prepared no matter how long you’re planning to walk. Bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen and insect repellent, a hat, and a basic first-aid and blister kit and wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
An official Bibbulmun Track map is also a must-have and features tips, information on vehicle access, and detailed track notes. For longer treks, it’s also advised to take warmer clothing and toilet paper as the 49 designated campsites along the track are spaced a day’s walk apart. When you’ve finished your walk, abide by the “Leave No Trace” rules of the track and take your rubbish home.
When to go
The Bibbulmun Track is best walked in the cooler months of autumn and winter, and in spring, when magnificent wildflowers are in full bloom. While it’s still possible to walk the track in the hot summer months between December and March, it’s better to keep walks to cooler days and to the Karri forest around Pemberton. It’s also worth noting that late spring and summer are peak times for flies and ticks, while snakes are commonly seen along the track year-round but especially in late winter and spring.
How to get there
Many of our Private Properties homes are located in towns along the track, so it’s just a short drive to the starting point of several of the day walks. With access taken care of, it’s just a matter of deciding whether to embark on a round trip or a straight walk using car pick-ups at either end. Once trekking, though, you’ll be able to stay on course with the help of distinct red and yellow trail markers depicting the Aboriginal Waugal (rainbow serpent) that are posted up to 500 metres apart.
Make the most of your Bibbulmun Track experience with a dream Private Properties home. Browse our list for your holiday inspiration.
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