Bibbulmun Track
If you are into hiking then you can't look past the amazing Bibbulmun Track which stretches around 1000km's or so through some of WA's most stunning and pristine natural environment. Rare orchids, gigantic karri forests and un touched beaches are some of the many things you are likely to see along the 50-60 day trek as well as many other sights.
When is the best time to hike the Bibbulmun Track?
As a general rule, hikers tend to prefer to hike south from Perth around September/November arriving in Albany around November/December. As the upper part of the track is at a higher latitude, it tends to be warmer and therefore hikers would like to do these parts closer to winter (June July August) and leave the cool coastal part down south for the potentially hot weather during December/January/February.
Of course if you are coming the other direction, you may want to start in ALbany around February/March and end up in Perth at the hot end of the track when it is cooler around May/April. Of course you can do the track at any time, however these times and directions seem to be favoured by many campers.
Where do I sleep on the Bibbulmun Track?
The track has been set up with beautiful wooden shelters which can accommodate about 8 - 15 people at a time. If you are travelling in a large group (say 5 or more) it is a good idea to bring tents, especially in the busier seasons. I walked the lower third of the track with a friend and we carted a tent the whole way and I almost wish we never used it, so it is something I guess you could do without. If you however get lost in the bush by taking a wrong turn, break a leg and can't walk or have some other serious injury you may suddenly find you need to camp the night between huts, and therefore as a safety precaution bringing a tent is a good idea, especially if travelling alone. You can buy cheap light ones for about $30 and up at Army Surplus stores and other budget camping suppliers in Western Australia.
What Should I bring?
If you are only doing a few days on the track you might get away with a little less preparation, however I feel that putting some thought into what you might need will greatly improve your experience during your hike.
Cooking
A camping stove is a necessity for the track as open fires cannot be depended upon for cooking. A small methylated spirit burner will often suffice however they will need to be protected from wind. The gas cookers are usually more powerful and are more tolerant to strong winds.
A Trangia is a set of light weight eating implements including a bowl, an aluminium handle to hold the bowl and a meths stove which all folds away neatly. You can also get a plastic spoon and fork on the same handle, or a spork - when you are walking 25k's a day, every bit of weight counts, so make sure you leave behind as much as possible!
Bring some small jars with oil, washing up liquid, sugar and anything else you might need for cooking/cleaning.
Sleeping Gear
A light therm-a-rest is advisable. They can be purchased for about $70 and vary in price due to their weight, size and comfort. The blue foam roll up mats can also be used, however you will find they end up being strapped to the outside of the pack and catch on overhead branches during the trek. The blue foam mats are also very uncomfortable compared to your thermarest option.
Mosquito net. You may think this is a luxury, however the mozzies can get quite ferocious around swamps and wetlands, and mozzie repellent just doesn't seem to cut the mustard. They are nice and light and I would highly recommend bringing one.
Bring a blow up pillow! Some just use their jumper if they don't have anything, although a thin blow up pillow is light and easy to set up.
Sleeping bag - a small light one with down feathers will keep you warm on those freezing nights in the karri forest and they are light and easy to pack away. If you are going to do the whole trek, I would invest first in a good thermarest and sleeping bag.
What about food?
Firstly you will need to look at how many days you will be travelling between towns. I think the longest section is about 10 days, so you will have to carry food for that entire time. Clearly this greatly limits your choices. Things like packet pasta, cous cous, rice, dried peas, powdered custard, powdered milk etc are light and filling when water is added. It is also good to throw in some fruit and veg if you can manage the weight so you keep some variety in your meals. Often there will be the odd thing left behind at the huts from someone who is leaving the track the next day and wishes to donate their food, so if you get really stuck, you may be in luck.
Pita rolls make a good substitute for bread as they won't get squashed, take up less room and will last a lot longer before going stale.
Other Stuff
- Solid worn in hiking boots. Don't buy them the day you leave or you WILL get blisters!
- Medical Kit inc band aids and plaster
- hat, sunscreen, sunnies
- Toilet Paper, for when the supplied stuff runs out.
- Water bottles - you should carry enough water for the next 24hrs
- Plastic Bags - protect camera, dry gear and anything else when it rains
- Compass, maps and maybe a whistle if you are on your own
Optional items can be fun but will generally chew up your space. Some things you may want to consider are:
- Radio/MP3 player
- Camera
- Hammock - the really light ones hang nicely in the huts
Bibbulmun Track Resources
The main site you will want to check out is Bibbulmun Track Foundation which gives you info on the latest hikes, where to stay along the track and plenty of photos of the track.
For more general tips on hiking, bike tracks and other trails in Western Australia, please visit the Western Australian Top Trails Website.
