Heidi Gstaettner (Heidi)

Completed: 6 January, 2023

Heidi Gstaettner thumbnail — **Heidi Gstaettner**
Heidi

Start date: 30 March, 2020
Age When Completed: 14
Direction Walked: Both

Track Towns and Supplies

Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
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.

Your Story or Advice for Others

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.

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!

Trip Details

How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:

In sections

Who did you complete the Track with? Other - Papskie
Was undertaking your hike the PRIMARY/MAIN purpose of your TRAVEL from where you currently live? No

Your Experience

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.

Highlight of your trip
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.