From Bucket List to 1,000km: Fen’s Fenomenal End‑to‑End Journey on the Bibbulmun Track 

This is the story of one Fenomenal Fen finally ticking the 1,000km hike off the bucket list. 

Originally from the Netherlands, I moved to Australia and spent the years in between exploring some incredible trails around Australia, both solo and with mates. With a home in the Whitsundays and working on tourism vessels around the islands and Great Barrier Reef, life got busy and the bucket list slowly disappeared… 

I first discovered the Bibbulmun Track around 2021 and instantly fell in love with the idea of it; then bought the maps, guidebooks, spent hours researching… and neatly packed it all away into that ‘big bucket full of dreams’. 

Plans paused and persistence tested 

When I finally committed to do it in September 2025, giving myself plenty of time to prepare — mostly to mentally prepare my partner for my absence (he doesn’t walk much further than the car to the bottle-o, but fully supports my fierce trail obsession) — things didn’t quite go to plan. 

At the time, I was a dockhand at one of Australia’s largest tourism marinas, walking 15–20km a day around the docks. I figured it would be perfect training for the Bibb, even got to carry a backpack around for work. Unfortunately, all the bitumen walking caused multiple foot injuries, and I ended up pulling the pin on both the job and the hike, placing the Bibb back in the bucket.

A few months later, while walking the Cape to Cape with mates, I realised my feet weren’t hurting at all… So, instead of flying home, I resupplied, got dropped at the Northern Terminus in Kalamunda, and started walking south. 

Forty-two days, countless songs, hammock naps, campfire yarns and a couple of rest days (thanks to some absolute legendary trail angels) later, I reached Albany just after Christmas. I was flooded with emotions — pride, relief, excitement to go home, sadness that the simplicity of trail life was ending… I still don’t know which feeling stands out most. 

Finding joy in simplicity 

What I take away most into my day-to-day life from walking the Bibb is the simplicity of it all. After about a week on trail, life becomes beautifully small again: wake up, walk, eat, sleep, repeat. I was constantly reminded how incredible nature is — and how unbelievably good food tastes after a few weeks on trail. 

My favourite section? Hands down Walpole to Denmark. Honestly, I’d relocate to WA just to be closer to that stretch of coastline and forest. My standout day was Frankland River to Rame Head, including the jaw-dropping stroll through the Valley of the Giants. That was one of those days where I genuinely wished the trail would never end. 

Ironically, on my final “Fenomenal” day, I made my first big navigational mistake of the entire trail and started walking back toward Kalamunda instead of Albany — perhaps the track’s way of telling me that life was about to throw a whole lot more walking at me… 

When the track teaches you something new 

Not long after returning to the “real world” in Queensland, I somehow landed my dream role as a trip coordinator and guide for a few multi-day hikes in North Queensland. Turns out voluntarily walking 1,000km through heatwaves, blisters and frankly irresponsible amounts of snacks looks surprisingly good on a resume.  This is proof that doing what you love can quietly steer you toward where you’re meant to be.  

If I could give future end-to-enders one practical piece of advice: get to know your feet before you leave. Walk multiple days with weight, properly test your footwear, and don’t underestimate the value of seeing a podiatrist prior to departure — they are foot doctors after all! “Manage your feet or your feet will manage you” might be a cliché saying, but it’s absolutely true.  

Also,

If the Waugal’s testing you and your trailmood is descending,

open the hut’s red books full of stories from another day’s ending.

If the poetry seems chaotic and the wording’s slightly rough,

Fenomenal Fen was rhyming again — sometimes brilliant, sometimes just fluff.

Gratitude for the Track and community 

The Bibbulmun Track is such a special and unique opportunity, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved in managing and maintaining it. Because of their work, people like me get to fulfil lifelong dreams — one step at a time.  

Final words as the Fenomenal Fen? 

Living is now and not wondering when. 

Nature is running the show, we’re all in it as one. 

Treat her right, crack a smile, and make sure to have fun.  

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-endersto 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!