See what publications are available that relate to flora and fauna on the Bibbulmun Track and in our south-west.
For additional images check out the Photo Library.
For information about the towns that the Bibbulmun Track passes through, see Track Towns.
Track flora by Annie Keating
Plants, flowers, trees, vegetation - call them what you like - these are what make the Bibbulmun Track so special. Cut a narrow, new trail through an area of natural bushland, forest or heathland and not only do you open up a new natural garden for plant lovers to wander through, you present a whole new range of possibilities about how plants interact and adapt to the landscape.
In very simple terms the northern half of the Track passes through jarrah forest. This forest though, possesses a vast array of subtle and distinct different types of vegetation and their accompanying distinct varieties of flowering plants.
Frequently along the Track you will come across granite outcrops ranging in size from a few square metres to several square kilometres as in the case of the magnificent Mount Cooke, 35 km south of Armadale. In Spring these outcrops come alive with several different types of feather flower (Verticordia sp) which form solid masses of bright yellow, rust or pink at the fringes of the rock. At any time of the year, the subtle papery Andersonia, a bright red, one sided bottlebrush - so attractive to honeyeater birds - and dainty little pale pink trigger plants will be in flower.
In the forest proper some species of wattle is likely to be in flower at any time of year but the most glorious time is early Spring when, in places, prickly moses (Acacia pulchella) seems to carpet the whole forest floor in gold. Also jostling for space on the forest floor will be masses of the sweetly perfumed cream or pink honey bush (Hakea lissocarpha). The pea flowers of the vivid scarlet and cerise coral vine (Kennedya coccinea), the native wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana) and the delicate white flowers of Clematis (Clematis pubescens) vie for space in the upper storeys.
Swamps and wetlands are dominated by white flowered paper barks and tea tree shrubs. The water courses along gullies within the forest where soils are deep and rich, are often lined with the magnificent blackbutt or Yarri tree which becomes more common as the Track heads into higher rainfall areas further south. In the Murray, Collie and Blackwood river valleys the forest floor becomes dense and moist - almost like rainforest in places - with ferns, mosses and large soft leafed shrubs such as the highly perfumed and dense flowering, gold water bush (Bossiaea aquifolia).
Beneath the trees a profusion of shrubs grow, and where the soil over the rock is thin, heath land develops. While there is something in flower all year round, Spring blossoms are the most prolific and beautiful. The first to bloom are the acacias and wattles. Prickly Moses (Acacia pulchella) and Drummond's wattle (Acacia drummondii) burst forth with their bright yellow hairy-puff blossom. The twinkling droplets on the sticky leaves of various insectivorous Drosera sundews may be seen, hiding at ground level. The pink rainbow (Drosera menziezii) is found in the wet areas, and has erect leafy stems supporting delicate pink flowers, about 2cm across.
Further south, near the Brockman Highway, walkers on the Bibbulmun Track encounter their first karri forest. These magnificent trees will dominate the scene for the next 250 kilometres or so. High in the canopy, the shrieking of purple crowned lorikeets dominates the air, when these trees are in flower. At eye-level abundant tree hovea (Hovea trisperma) creates a mist of purple in October, maidenhair fern carpets the sheltered damp ground along the banks of rivers and crowea sprinkles the deep green backdrop with starry sprays of white blossom. Extra splashes of colour are provided by the reds of chorizema pea flowers, the golds and yellows of the native buttercups, the wattles and the pink of karri boronia.
Hibertias, or buttercups, add to the dominance of early Spring yellow while the vivid red tongues of Wilson's grevilliea (Grevillea wilsonii) protrude from the many-stemmed shrubs. Adding to the spectrum is the deep purple of devils pins (Hovea pungens), the gold and brown of bacon and eggs (Oxylobium capitatum), and the occasional clump of stunning blue Leschenaultia (Leschenaultia biloba).
In the wetlands your nose might lead you to a patch of brown boronia with its intoxicating perfume and your eye will be drawn to the graceful trunks and feathery grey-green canopy of the Warren River Cedar. Further south still you will come to the lowlands, swamps and occasional lakes of the vast plains which lie between Northcliffe and Walpole. These contain their own amazing assemblage of plant species which present a riot of colour in late Spring. After a fire they are especially interesting when literally dozens of species of orchids are found in abundance. These plains are interspersed with rivers often lined with Warren River Cedar and the higher ground contains karri and jarrah forest which are often associated with large granite outcrops.
Finally walkers reach the coast after passing through woodlands of Yate and Bullich. Here the vegetation can be incredibly thick and impenetrable but is dwarfed by the incessant barrage of salt spray laden winds. In Spring the flowering clematis and native wisteria, also found in the forests, sprawl across the top of the low-lying scrub. This itself is speckled with a myriad of colours -the pinks of pimeleas, blues of fanflowers and yellows of guinea flowers. In more sheltered spots clumps of peppermint or low growing mallee thickets cluster and tiny birds dart from one to another.
Track fauna by John Hunter
Walk on the wildside
The reptiles of our bush are fascinating animals. However, if hikers are made aware that such creatures may be in the bush close to the Track, the result is often consternation and fear.
This comes about because people have very little to do with reptiles, and the image in the mind of the hiker is often an unfortunate one of slippery, scaly, poisonous beasts that bite. Because of this, what should be a relaxing walk becomes one of tension; a tiptoeing of terror, one which could result in a confrontation between a walker and a startled reptile.
The experience of discovery is sometimes testy for the heart, but equally can often be rewarding. Summer is the high season for reptiles, and if you are passing through the marri/jarrah forest on the Bibbulmun Track east of Perth, a few common species may wish to share the same sunny spot as you. Don't worry, if you walk normally they will feel and hear you coming, and move away.
On granite outcrops, the ornate crevice dragon (Ctenophorus ornatus) is often observed, with its head bobbing and its limbs waving —common behaviour for the species. Also found either on limestone or granite, the large, stoutly built and well-developed king's skink (Egernia kingii) will surprise you with its inquisitiveness. If you're caught napping on a patch of warm rock, you make wake to find this animal nonchalantly staring you in the eye.
The common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) may well be encountered on sandy patches in the dominant woodland habitat of eucalypts, banksias and various other shrubs. Dugites (Pseudonaja affinis) are a more common sight in the bush as they wait to pounce on small mammals, lizards or birds. Also here, the best-known lizard of all, the shingleback or bobtail skink (Tiliqua rugosa) may be seen as it waddles from clump to clump of undergrowth, looking to eat anything from flower petals to slugs.
Down in the valleys where streams flow through the undergrowth, many species of frogs are found, along with small lizards, rodents and waterfowl. This is the realm of the tiger snake (Notechis scutatus), which preys on all these creatures. As already stated, walk normally, and be vigilant. Then it is possible to observe safely. Remember, we are walking through the reptile's living room!
East of Perth, the Bibbulmun Track heads out from Kalamunda town site into Kalamunda National Park, through small farms and orchards into the jarrah/marri forest, which surrounds the Helena River Reservoir. The area is known as the 'Hills Forest' and is home to many species of plants and animals.
In the area east of Kalamunda, mainly in the evenings or at dawn, the brush-tail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) may be seen, as it scampers to the safety of a tree, or stares down from a leafy branch. Also common in this area is the quenda, or southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus - pictured above). The main predator of these two native mammals is the introduced fox (Vulpes vulpes), often seen trotting along in search of a quick meal.
Further away from human settlement, to the east and south of the Helena Reservoir, the thickets of the forest understorey are home to both the chuditch or western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii), a medium sized carnivorous marsupial, and the woylie, or brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata), a small, rare rat-kangaroo. Closer to the Brookton highway, around Mt Dale, a small number of numbats (Myrmecobius fasciatus) have been released and are thought to be surviving quite well.
Overhead in the Hills Forest, Carnaby's cockatoo or white-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) and the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) can be seen wheeling overhead, or busily stripping tree bark looking for grubs, or chewing on gum nuts, while scarlet robins (Petroica multicolor) and various species of honeyeaters search for food in the flower-laden bushes.
The sun's warmth on granite outcrops attracts all sorts of reptiles. Many small dragons and skinks will bask during the day, while in the undergrowth and wetter parts western tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) search for small lizards and frogs. As ever, if they are not harassed, they will do no harm.
Enjoy all that the Track has to offer.