Wendy & John
- Start date: 29 April 2009
- Age When Completed: 62 & 71
- Direction Walked: Sectional
General Comments
What a great resource we have in the form of the Bibbulmun Track in WA, thanks to all the DEC & Volunteers who maintain the facility.The most exciting and most difficult was our first day; we’d had some maps for 5 years or longer and finally we were out on the track; unaware our four year journey was just starting.
Food/Supplies Comments
Probably we would have benefited from some of the sessions on food provided by BTF. We managed pretty well nutritionally but needed to trim back on weight and volume as we moved to longer walks.Dehydrated fruit and vegetables helped but would dehydrate whole meals in future.
Favourite Section
When we walked/paddled through from Woolbales campsite walking on a ridge when suddenly gave way to a view of the Southern Ocean, at Mandalay Beach. Then climbing out of Mandalay Beach entering the “Botanical Gardens” around the coast line to Long Point.
Highlights
Walking through a forest of Zamia Palms when they were exploding bright red seed pods metres away from the parent plant; sitting on a log having lunch watching and listening to a Golden Whistler bird entertain us; surviving the aftermath of a storm, still heavy rain and wind from Tom Road to One Tree Bridge where we looked to plan B - scary,tough, but exhilarating.
Personal Reactions
Many folks helped us when we arrived at One Tree Bridge, no mobile coverage, fortunately the lovely lady at the Chalets kindly allowed us to phone the Manjimup Taxi to pick us up, booked into a Motel in Manjimup - hot shower then off to the laundrymat to wash wet clothes. Good nights sleep then taxi back to the track.
Wildlife
Loved the black cockatoes, blue wrens. golden whistler, the odd emu, soaring eagles, pelicans, bob tailed goanna’s, kangaroo’s and black swans.Increasingly wary of snakes, pesky flies and hated the mosquitoes.
Your Best Equipment
Great sleeping bag and self inflating mattress.
Advice for Others
Obtain good footwear. Get out there and enjoy, start small, gain confidence. Study Trans WA coach timetable, great for getting to the towns of the SW to start/end a section of the track. Join the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and get their advice.