If you are considering walking over this summer, please restrict your walks to day walks (duration of one day). We advise that you to check the weather and fire forecasts. If the fire danger is Very High or above we recommend walkers don’t go out on the Track, or leave if they are already out. If in doubt, and the weather forecast is for hot (and windy) conditions, our recommendation is not to go walking.
It is usually too hot to walk in the peak of summer.
It is strongly recommended that you do not carry out any extended walk between December and the start of March anywhere on the Track.
If you do go out, you must be able to self-evacuate in the event of a bushfire as a rescue may not be possible.
The Track gets very hot and the bushfire risk is extreme. Temperatures can range from low 30s to mid-40s. In recent years the Track has been severely impacted by bushfires with the destruction of campsites and other structures which fire fighters were not able to save due to the ferocity of the fires. Much of the Track is difficult to access quickly in an emergency and more so during a bushfire.
Please plan to walk outside of these months and avoid putting your life at risk and the lives of those that may need to rescue you.
Day walks in the karri forest can be comfortable on cooler days (temperatures less than 27 degrees). We advise people planning a day walk to check the weather and fire forecasts. Again, if the fire danger is ‘very high’ or above we strongly recommend people don’t go out on the Track. The south coast, although may be cooler, offers little protection from the sun due to the lack of a forest canopy and fire spreads more quickly in open bush and grassland. Even when walking in winter, always cover up and wear a hat and sunscreen.
Some key points to remember:
Plan your visits for cooler periods of the year, avoiding the hot summer months.
Check the Fire Danger Rating and do not go on the trails if the forecast is Very High or above.
Do not do extended multi-day trips as it is not possible to keep up with changing conditions (extremely limited mobile phone coverage) and it is difficult to self-evacuate from the trail at short notice. You must be able to self-evacuate in the event of a bushfire.
Avoid remoter sections of the trail where there is limited vehicle access.
Abide by all trail closure signage, and any instructions from Parks and Wildlife and other emergency staff.
Trails and parks may be closed on days when the Fire Danger Rating is Very High or above.
More info about total fire bans and permanent fire bans at specific Bibbulmun Track campsites.
Campfire in a fire ring at a campsite
Campfire bans are in place at many campsites on the Bibbulmun Track.
Walkers are not permitted to light any campfires or wood operated stoves where campfire bans are in place. Please carry and use a fuel stove.
Campfire bans will begin from December 1. Once in place, they will continue to April 2019 depending on weather conditions. Please check the Section By Section guide (under Trip Planner) for any changes.
Check the Section by Section Guide relevant to the section you are walking for other impacts. There are likely to be some sections of the Track that will be impacted by bushfires this summer.
The Track is indistinguishable alongside this creek bed after the fire.
On certain days, a total fire ban will be in force where walkers are not permitted to light a fuel stove either. For information about locations of current total fire bans call 1800 709 355 or visit the www.emergency.wa.gov.au/.
No fires are permitted at any time of year at two campsites in the northern section (Yourdamung and Blackwood) and between the Mt Chance campsite (south of Northcliffe) through to Albany.
We strongly encourage walkers to always use fuel stoves to cook on whenever they are walking the Bibbulmun Track. Campfires are great to sit around, but they can have an adverse effect on the environment.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members, volunteers and sponsors for their support during the year and wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Bibbulmun Track Foundation will be closed from 4pm on Friday 14th December, 2018 to 9am Monday 21st January, 2019. Emails and online orders will continue to be processed during this time, though there may be some delays with merchandise orders.
Last merchandise orders should be placed by 2pm Thursday 13th December for local delivery in time for Christmas.
The Foundation will also be closed on the afternoon of 11th December from noon.
Voting is now open for the latest round of Helping &nds.
As a P&N member, you can have your say on the community groups we support each quarter. We donate $2,000 each to the top five groups who receive the most votes, and $1,000 each to the remaining groups.
Get creative and enter our writing competition that will be judged by childrens book author Cristy Burne.
Submit a short story of your adventure on the Bibbulmun Track for a chance to win 1 of 2 personalised signed copies of Cristy Burne’s fantastic new book Off the Track!
Closes: 30th November 2018 Word Limit: 500 words Theme: Your Bibbulmun Track adventure Ages: under 16 Prize: 2 major prize winners each will receive a personalised signed book, runners up will receive a special activity sheet, book mark and more. All entries will be published on The Bibbulmun Track Foundation website.
The Parks and Wildlife Service are currently undertaking a number of prescribed burns.
Prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads.
Make sure you stay up to date with closures and diversions along the Track.
Where prescribed burning operations impact on the Track, temporary diversions will be put in place. Where the Track is diverted, walkers should follow the Waugal trail markers on yellow metal posts. Walkers should always adhere to instructions on signs posted on the Track for their own safety.
Prescribed burning operations are dependent on appropriate weather conditions and as such, dates for operations are often not available until the day of the burn.
As soon as we know a burn is about to take place, we will post the information on the Realignments/Diversions section of the relevant Section by Section guide.
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