- Start date: 3 April 2021
- Age When Completed: 57
- Direction Walked: South to North
General Comments
The Bibbulmun Track is one of WA’s greatest Tourism Assets. The infrastructure world class and the trail essentially run on volunteers and other stakeholders contributions and Government support. Many track towns are onto it. Numbers on the track are clearly going up on the northern section (on weekends and holidays) and loop and spur trails (replicating Bib Track huts etc are needed now and in the future. There is also the opportunity to link up to the Cape to Cape, which would bring return and new walkers in the future. The Foundation is to be commended on its work.
Food/Supplies Comments
There is a bit of discussion on social media about all this. I estimate I spent between $400 and $500 (and in some cases more) in each track town. That’s food there and provisioning, accommodation. Track town businesses in the main are very tuned in to the opportunity to meet walkers needs. I spent quite a deal of time (because I’m interested) in how each track town was going and how they engaged with walkers.
Favourite Section
I have walked many sections of the Bib Track in the past 20 years, a lot with the Family Bushwalkers Club of WA - with kids of all ages being introduced to the bush etc. My favourite section was the parts of the WA coastal section I had never visited before - Like Long Point and the Pingarup Plains area.
Highlights
60 days in the open air, walking alone and meeting up with other walkers on the track or at the huts in the evenings. Watching the crazy situation of a Parry Beach storm surge, salmon chasing herring to beach themselves and blokes catching Salmon with the hands in 2 feet of water and heaving them through the air onto the beach where young boys ran to pull them up the beach. Dogs chasing the Salmon and the Salmon chasing dogs. it was mayhem and a scene never to be forgotten.
Personal Reactions
Its a journey from end to end. I’d say I am not the same person now as the person who took a first step at the Albany trail head.
Wildlife
Saw my first Wallabies in the bush. Watched Ants prepare for weather coming in. Have come to the conclusion plants, trees, bushes and fungi are the real wildlife of the Bush - and perhaps have a greater appreciation of what a Biodiversity Hot Spot really looks like.
Your Best Equipment
Camera ( I have a lot of photos to ‘publish’), My Spot device and First Aid / Blister kit.
Your Worst Equipment
Nil - I used everything I took and shedded stuff along the way also.
Advice for Others
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare and then just do it. There are a lot of people who will support you along the way. Walk your way, if your a person who wants to do it in 15 days - do it. If you want to do it in 100 - just do it. and if you want to live your life on the track - do it. Its the diversity and approach to it by each person which adds another dimension to the experience.