A Walk That Changed the Plan: Eliza on the Bibbulmun Track
Eliza Fry crossing the Irwin Inlet
When Eliza Fry set off from Kalamunda, she wasn’t chasing a record or ticking off a lifelong dream. She was following a feeling.
Originally from New York, Eliza had been travelling around Western Australia for a year when she first heard about the Bibbulmun Track. A chance conversation, early in her trip, changed everything.
“I’d just finished the Cape to Cape Track and met a woman who had walked the full Bibbulmun,” she says. “After talking to her, I knew it was something I wanted to make time for.”
Stepping into the unknown
Taking on the Track end-to-end wasn’t something Eliza had always planned. In many ways, it was an experiment.
“I wanted to see if I actually liked long-distance hiking,” she says. “And whether I might want to do even longer walks in the future.”
Forty-five days later, she had her answer. Eliza completed the full Track on 3 November, carrying with her not just the physical miles, but a deeper sense of what she’s capable of.
The rhythm of the Track
Some sections stay with you long after the walk is over. For Eliza, the Pingerup Plains left a lasting impression.
“It was unlike anywhere I’d hiked before,” she says. “The Plains also seemed so untouched. It was cool to see such a natural environment.”
Days out on the plains brought a quieter kind of beauty, matched by memorable nights at places like Lake Maringup Campsite and the climb up Mount Chance.
Starting heavy
Like many thru-hikers Eliza’s biggest challenges came early. The stretch from Kalamunda to Dwellingup tested both body and mindset.
“I started with nine days of food, so my pack was at its heaviest,” she says. “That was tough.”
Blisters made things even harder. Her hiking boots didn’t hold up, and by the time she reached Collie, she made the switch to trail runners — a decision she didn’t regret.
It’s a simple lesson, but one many walkers will recognise: sometimes the best gear is what works for you, not what you think you’re supposed to wear.
Eliza at the half-way mark along the Bibbulmun Track
Keeping it simple
Eliza’s approach to gear was refreshingly grounded. No ultralight spreadsheets or top-end kit lists — just practical choices that got the job done.
“My gear was nothing fancy and not super lightweight. I basically just bought the cheapest stuff at Anaconda,” she says. “It gave me no issues.”
A reliable water filter proved invaluable, along with small adjustments like toe socks to help prevent blisters. It’s the kind of lived knowledge that only comes from being out on the Track, day after day.
The people along the way
While the landscapes left an impression, it was the people along the Track that shaped the experience
Even walking solo, she was never truly alone. Nights at the shelters brought a steady rhythm of shared meals, stories and advice.
“I met people from all over the world, but also learnt so much about Australia,” she says.
It’s a familiar thread for many who walk the Bibbulmun Track — that quiet sense of community that forms between strangers moving along the same path.
A simple piece of advice
For those considering their own end-to-end, Eliza keeps it simple.
“Take the time to get to know people at the huts,” she says. “That was one of the best parts.”
And when it comes to planning?
“Don’t underestimate how much food you’ll eat.”
It’s practical, honest advice — the kind that comes from lived experience rather than theory.
Eliza set out to see whether long-distance hiking was for her. Somewhere between the forests, the plains and the conversations shared along the way, she found her answer.
Ocean views along the Bibbulmun Track
This story is part of Voices from the Track, a series celebrating the people who make the Bibbulmun Track come alive. Each month, we share stories from walkers — from end-to-enders to section hikers — highlighting their challenges, triumphs, favourite spots, and top tips.
Have you recently completed your own end-to-end of the Bibbulmun Track?
Register your walk with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to feature in our End-to-Enders Gallery — and share your story in Voices from the Track!
