Heidi
- Start date: 30 March 2020
- Age When Completed: 14
- Direction Walked: Sectional
- Others in Group:
Papskie
General Comments
Walking the Bibbulmun Track was an amazing experience I shared with my Dad. I definitely know a lot more about south-west WA now and it was so nice to get away from the bustle and stress from school and life in the city.
Food/Supplies Comments
We sent parcels to most track towns. Definitely recommend because not all towns have good supplies plus you don’t have to stress about your food, everything you need is in the parcel and you have more time to explore and relax! Dehydrated vegetables work wonders for 2-minute noodles, and corn chips are great to snack on.
Favourite Section
Walpole to Albany. It had a nice variety of a bit of forest around Walpole and Denmark, but you also have amazing views for most of the journey, and even get to climb a mountain like in the Darling Ranges.
Highlights
Seeing the ocean for the first time at Mandalay, stunning views both in the Darling ranges and in the dunes, and the fire-watching tower on Mt Dale was cool too! Also swimming in all the dams/lakes/rivers/oceans we came across was great, especially on hot days.
Personal Reactions
We started our walk during the pandemic and spent weeks completely alone in the bush. It’s quite the experience knowing that you’re alone and there aren’t people behind you just in case. While it was definitely amazing that we had other hikers in the huts in the coastal section (where the soles of my boots fell off), it’s something different to just sit and listen to nature.
Wildlife
We didn’t see any snakes until Pemberton, but then we saw loads in the dune sections down south, up to 4 a day. The Showgrounds (just south of Peaceful Bay) were full of kangaroos and emus, and never underestimate the flies, march flies and mozzies! It’s worth it to carry a tent or net for the huts, otherwise you’ll never stop slapping yourself!
Your Best Equipment
Umbrellas for sun and light rain were worth the weight, especially in exposed areas like beaches and plains. ALDI hiking shoes and socks were also great, cheap but did the trick.
Your Worst Equipment
Scarpa hiking shoes, my 1cm thick sleeping mat that was very hard (but very light), cheap clear packing tape (not sticky enough and wears through quickly)
Advice for Others
Always take boots for a test hike (more than 1 or 2 hours) before you go! Doesn’t matter if they’re new or second-hand, you never know if the sole might fall off!