If you are planning a walk over the School Holidays, in addition to the usual planning you should do for your walk, you will need to take into consideration the following:
Check which sections have any closures or diversions.
Check that there are no campfire bans at the campsite you wish to visit. Take and use your fuel stove.
Do this by checking the Track conditions on the section you are walking by visiting the relevant Section by Section Guide and clicking the Realignments/Diversion tab on our website.
Large groups will be using some campsites out on the Track. Check these by going to the Section By Section Guide and clicking on the section you would like to walk and then the Groups On Track tab. Avoid these campsites if possible.
Take a tent as space in the shelters cannot be guaranteed.
Only access the Track at permitted vehicle access points marked with a red or green car on the official maps. Click for more info and scroll down to Dieback and Bibbulmun Track access.
Take enough water. If you are only doing day-walks, carry enough for the day and leave the water in the tanks for the long distance walkers.
Kalamunda City Mayor Andrew Waddell will officially open the Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus Link this morning, Friday 1 September 2017 at 9:30am at the Northern Terminus of the Track.
The project was supported by Tourism Western Australia through the Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program. We are very pleased that the City of Kalamunda is keen to raise awareness of the Bibbulmun Track in the village of Kalamunda. The upgraded terminus and link trail is a fantastic improvement to the start or finish of the walk.
The new sculptures, called Bibbulmun Spirit Poles, at the entry to the Bibbulmun Track are a conceptual interpretation of the six language groups of the South West as created by Sharyn Egan. The leaf shaped panels refer to the Coolamon, an indigenous carrying vessel. The artwork was carved out of the panels by Gordon Mitchell.
The Bibbulmun Spirit Poles artwork was generously funded by Newmont Boddington Gold.
We are delighted to announce that the new bridge across the Murray River and the related Bibbulmun Track realignment are now open.
The bridge was completed at the beginning of July, just before the winter river water level rose, which would have made the Bibbulmun Track impassable at the diversion crossing point. It replaces the historic timber trestle Long Gully Bridge in Lane Poole Reserve which was destroyed in the 2015 Boddington bushfire.
Bily Djena Bidi opens just in time for winter
The new state-of-the-art bridge, built several kilometres downstream of the old bridge site, has been named the Bilya Djena Bidi (pronounced beel-ya jenabidi) by the Gnaala Karla Booja traditional owners. The name means a swinging river foot-bridge.
With an overall length of 92m and 82m between the towers, the design includes two 12m towers that hold the bridge deck six meters above the summer river level. This enables Bibbulmun Track hikers to safely cross the Murray River all year around, while providing a unique feature on the Track.
The design and the materials allow the bridge to blend into the surrounding environment. Weathering, a form of rusting steel, was used for the main part of the structure, including the towers and hangers. All materials offer a high degree of fire resistance and will require minimal maintenance.
Under construction
BTF volunteers installed the Track realignment and new signage. Some further work is still required to rehabilitate the site; unfortunately this is being hampered by bad weather.
The total cost of the project was close to $850,000 including around $125,000 of in-kind contributions from contractors, volunteers and Parks and Wildlife Service staff.
We are very grateful to the individuals and organisations that contributed. $100,000 was contributed by the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. These funds were raised by members and friends through donations and raffles—originally for the restoration of Long Gully Bridge and then, sadly, for its replacement.
The bridge spans 92 metres and is 500mm above the 100 year flood level.
Other funding came from the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme administered through the Peel Development Commission and Alcoa Australia with support from engineering company BG&E Pty Ltd who developed the concept design free of charge.
The new Guidebook 2 coming soon!
Guidebook 2 - Dwellingup has been out of stock since late last year.
We have been waiting for the construction of the new alignment of the Track and of course the new bridge across the Murray River south of Dwellingup. Read about the destruction of the Long Gully Bridge.
The new book includes Track notes of that new section, as well as updated notes of the Track between Albany Highway and Harvey-Quindanning Rd.
