Latest News

Find out the latest news about the Track and the Foundation before you set off for your next walk.

  • Bibbulmun Track volunteers recognised by DBCA

    6 December 2023

    Staff and volunteers accept the organisation’s award from Darren West MLC
    Staff and volunteers accept the organisation’s award from Darren West MLC

    The Foundation was well represented among the latest recipients of the DBCA ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Awards, during a ceremony held yesterday morning at the Department’s Kensington office.

    Along with volunteers for a wide variety of Departmental projects – such as landcare and rehabilitation, wildlife rescue and care, campground hosts and herbarium technicians – the work of our volunteers in supporting the Track and walkers was prominently recognised.

    The awards were announced by Peter Sharp, Director of Parks and Visitor Services, DBCA; and presented by the Hon. Darren West MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA.

    The Foundation was one of two organisations who were awarded ‘Outstanding Service by a Community Group’. The other was the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track, indicating the current strength of volunteer contribution within the trails industry in WA.

    Ross and Mark in the field
    Ross and Mark in the field

    In a wonderful surprise, our own Ross Simpson was named the 2023 DBCA Volunteer of the Year. Fellow leading Support Volunteer Mark Davidson was recognised with an ‘Outstanding Service’ award.

    The nominations for both Ross and Mark, as well as the citation for the Foundation’s group award, follow.

    We congratulate Ross and Mark, and are very proud of all that our volunteers achieve to support the Track and walkers!

    Ross Simpson – Volunteer of the Year

    • Ross has been a dedicated volunteer since 2010, supporting DBCA in managing the Bibbulmun Track, where he takes on two vital roles. 
    • Ross is involved in primary track maintenance by consistently caring for a section of the Track east of Dwellingup, and he is also a founding member of the Bibbulmun Track Support Volunteers, focusing on specialist maintenance and upgrade projects since 2014. 
    • Over the last 13 years, Ross has contributed approximately 4,500 volunteer hours.
    • Leveraging his background as a Senior Engineer, Ross brings a wealth of professional project management, and organisational skills to the realm of track maintenance, where he plays key roles in trail stabilisation, including coastal environments in the Frankland District and preservation measures for historical timber structures. 
    • Ross's recent contributions are particularly noteworthy.  Ross was instrumental in the planning, technical design, and completion of a major project. He was responsible for the detailed design of more than 50 discrete sections of track stabilisation and, after monitoring trails, was instrumental in determining and sourcing the best type of materials to use. He then prepared a materials take-off comprising 10 tonnes of track pad, timber, coir mesh and ancillary items. Ross calculated how many nuts, bolts, washers, star pickets, risers, logs, track pads, coir mesh, tools, staples, etc. were required.  
    • Ross also designed and led the installation of the Track rehabilitation, working in collaboration with Parks and Wildlife District staff and the Binalup indigenous rangers. Ross's skill, planning, coordination, project management and commitment to the stabilisation work were essential to its successful completion. 
    • Ross is a true asset to DBCA and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 

    Mark Davidson – Outstanding Service

    • Mark, a dedicated volunteer for the Bibbulmun Track Foundation since 2009, plays a vital role in leading the Bibbulmun Track Support Volunteers, a team specialising in maintenance, remediation, and track upgrades since 2014. 
    • Under Mark's leadership, the Support Volunteer Team has been exceptionally active, implementing significant projects and accelerating track improvements, including realignments, new trail sections, and erosion control campaigns, showcasing his strategic planning and logistical skills. 
    • Mark's dedication to the ongoing maintenance and conditioning of the Bibbulmun Track, his commitment to volunteer safety, willingness to learn and share knowledge about DBCA systems and processes, and his effective coordination with DBCA staff and volunteers make him an invaluable asset to DBCA and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. 

    Bibbulmun Track Foundation volunteers – Outstanding Service (Community Group)

    Thank you to all our volunteers and congratulations again to our winners!

  • Do you have a passion or expertise to share?

    1 December 2023

    Do you have the skills and experience to become a Bibbulmun Track Guide?

    The Foundation is looking for volunteers who have:

    • enthusiasm and an outgoing personality
    • good knowledge of the Bibbulmun Track and the Foundation
    • strong organizational skills
    • computer skills
    • own transport
    • current first aid qualification
    • be hiking fit and healthy
    • weekends available to progress through the training program and then guiding events
    • availability to lead at least three day-walks (or two day-walks plus one overnight walk) a year once qualified
    • above all – the desire to share their love of bushwalking and the Track with others!

    If you think you fit this description and you are available to assist with events please contact Steve for application details and information on training on events@bibbulmuntrack.org.au.

    Do you have a passion or expertise to share?

    We're expanding our event offerings and are eager to find volunteers to share their expertise and passion with others. Whether you're skilled in natural sciences, nutrition, fitness, photography or playing a musical instrument – we’d love to hear from you!

    Our events range from scenic hikes to off-Track seminars and workshops and are usually held after hours or on weekends depending on the topic and age range of the participants.  From young children to seniors, newbies to experienced hikers our events are designed to appeal to a wide audience.  BTF volunteer guides and/or staff will lead the event.

    Interested? Email Steve at events@bibbulmuntrack.org.au to find out more and become part of our exciting events program for 2024.

  • Celebrating our volunteers!

    1 December 2023

    Volunteers gathered in Albany
    Volunteers gathered in Albany

    Following the morning tea in Perth on Nov 12th, our annual volunteer recognition events continued in the regional areas through the rest of the month.

    Casual morning or afternoon teas were held in Capel (for volunteers based in the south-west), Albany (for the Great Southern) and Peaceful Bay (for those who live or look after the Track in the Frankland district).

    They were a great chance to catch up, and give everyone a pat on the back for all their hard work during the year!

    Reward recipients in Peaceful Bay
    Reward recipients in Peaceful Bay

    For this year’s events, we recognised special Long Serving Volunteers – including the first-ever presentation of the 25 Year Long Service Awards. These were presented to Bruce Manning, Steve Sertis, Gwen Plunkett, Chris Plunkett, and Mike Wood. Recipients of 20-year LSAs were Linda Daniels, John Murphy and Peter Sweetman. Paul Harris, Diane Tinker, and Leigh Wallace were recognised for 15 Years of volunteer contribution. Eleven volunteers received a 10-year LSA, and 23 volunteers were thanked for 5 years of service.

    Volunteer rewards were also presented. These are based on the time contributed as a volunteer during the financial year. A total of 87 volunteers received rewards this year, including 11 who contributed more than 500 hours – a significant effort. Many other volunteers make a substantial contribution of their time and effort without meeting the thresholds for rewards – we truly appreciate their work too!

    The presentation of some Honorary Life Memberships was a special addition to the volunteer events this year, along with coverage of the 25th Anniversary celebrations. You can read more about both these, on the website or in this month’s edition of ‘Bibbulmun News’ magazine.

    Track maintenance; walker, member and volunteer support; guiding; data entry; promotion; and governance is currently supported by 439 wonderful volunteers – many of whom work in multiple roles! We’re blessed to have so many dedicated and passionate individuals involved in our work supporting walkers and keeping the Track as a world-class asset.

  • Hiking Participation: AusPlay results to June 2023

    1 December 2023

    Hiking Participation: AusPlay results to June 2023. 

    HikeWest’s review of the latest AusPlay data, released by the Australian Sports Commission, reveals that approximately 211,000 adults participated in bushwalking in Western Australia during 2022–23, a significant 41.6% increase from the previous year, when 149,000 adults went bushwalking in the state.  

    Over the past 8 years, adult participation in bushwalking nationally has more than doubled, rising from 4% to 10%. Female participation in Western Australia continues to grow more rapidly than male participation, with 67.3% female to 32.7% male participation, more than the national ratio of 59.1% female to 40.8% male participation 

    Bibbulmun Track Hikers 

    • It is hard to know how many walks are taken on the Track each year.  Our last official survey in 2015 estimated just over 300,000 visit days per annum.  This could be anything from a 1-hour stroll to a full day.  One person doing an end-to-end would spend 40 to 50 full days on the Track.  
    • 7 out of 10 people enjoy day walks – from a short stroll to a full day.  
    • One source of data is entries in the logbook at each of the 49 campsites.  However, many day walks don’t involve visiting a campsite, and we know from previous surveys that the majority of day walkers don’t sign the log books.  Therefore, these charts are more indicative of the growth in the number of people who are undertaking longer walks and staying overnight on the Bibbulmun Track.   
    • A very conservative estimate is that, since 2015, use of the Bibbulmun Track has tripled. 

    Note: Gaps/major anomalies in data are due to campsite log books being lost due to bushfire or vandalism. 

  • Introduction to Guiding Workshop - Bushwalking

    1 December 2023

    The Bibbulmun Track Foundation is pleased to be offering an introductory workshop for aspiring leaders who have no prior experience or training in leading bushwalks. 

    This 1½ day workshop provides a mix of theory and practical sessions and participants will receive an understanding of practices and procedures to become a bushwalking guide, as well as a good insight into operating as a group leader within the Australian Adventure Activity Standards (AAAS) framework.

    Thanks to the support of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) the workshop is free. 

    Participants will receive:

    Reference material including checklists and cue cards

    1.5-day contact time with theory and practical components including:

    • Preparation and planning for walks
    • Risk management plans
    • Emergency planning and response protocols
    • Equipment for day and overnight walks
    • Appropriate food for multi-day treks
    • Group ratios, health and safety
    • Judging the fitness and ability of groups appropriate to the walk
    • Group leadership skills and communication
    • Conflict resolution
    • Leave No Trace and minimal impact
    • Record keeping
    • Working within the guidelines of the AAAS and GPGs

    Tips and insights from over 20 years of training volunteer guides

    The training requires some pre-reading to maximise the time available during the workshop for conducting practical exercises.


    This workshop is for people who have had no training or experience leading bushwalking groups before. Please note that this is a basic introductory and unaccredited workshop. 

    Workshop dates:

    • Albany - Sat 9 & Sun 10 March
    • Dwellingup - Sat 16th & Sun 17th March
    • Mundaring - Sat 13th & Sun 14th April
    • Wongan Hills - Mon 10th & Tues 11th June
    • Carnarvon - Thurs 27th & Fri 28th June

    To register your interest please complete this EOI.

    This training is supported through a Hiking Participation Grant from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).