Find out the latest news about the Track and the Foundation before you set off for your next walk.
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Walking over the School Holidays?
28 March 2024
If you are planning a walk over the holidays, in addition to your usual planning, take five to read ten things you need to know:
- Check which sections have any closures or diversions. Prescribed burning may impact some sections of the Track.
- Check where campfire bans are current (campfires are currently not permitted anywhere on the Track) or total fire bans (declared on a daily basis) in the area you plan to walk. Some campsites have campfire bans all year round. Take and use your fuel stove. Fuel stoves cannot be used on days declared as a total fire ban. Check Emergency WA.
- Do all of the above 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 may 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 and many campsites/tent sites will also be very busy. Particularly those close to Perth.
- Carry a Bibbulmun Track map (as well as a guidebook). Don't rely soley on electronic maps or apps.
- Only access the Track at permitted vehicle access points marked with a red 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.
- Refer to our FAQs and the Trip Planner pages for more information or contact us.
- Remember vehicles of any kind (i.e. anything with wheels) are not permitted along the Track or at any Bibbulmun Track campsite. If you see one, take a photo which includes the registration plate so the authorities can follow it up.
Rainbow in the valley. Should I check out the pot of gold? -
Become a member, and win!
28 March 2024
Join the Foundation by 31 May 2024, and enter the draw to win one of six prize packs.
It's our way of welcoming you to the family and saying thanks for supporting our mission.
Prizes You Could Win:
- 1 x First Prize: One week's free PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) hire + a $100 Anaconda voucher.
- 2 x Second Prizes: Each with a week's free PLB hire + a $50 Anaconda voucher.
- 3 x Additional Prizes: Each with a week's free PLB hire.
How to Join
Simply click here to sign up. It’s quick, and not only do you get a shot at these great prizes, but you also join our fabulous Bibbulmun Track community.
Membership offers numerous benefits - from discounts on maps and events to free one-on-one trip-planning. Importantly, your membership helps to support the Track.
Help make a difference. Sign up by the end of May and let's embark on this journey together!
Important Details:
- PLB hire is subject to availability, with a $300 bond.
- You can extend your PLB hire for longer adventures (additional costs apply).
- Offers are valid until the end of 2024, so there’s plenty of time to explore!
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Zara White: Youngest recorded Solo End-to-Ender of the Bibbulmun Track
27 March 2024
Last Wednesday, on March 27, 2024, Zara White was presented with her end-to-end certificate and badge for completing her journey at Presbyterian Ladies' College.
Zara, a seventeen-year-old student from Peppermint Grove School, has made history as the youngest person recorded to ever complete WA’s challenging Bibbulmun Track solo.
The Year 11 student took just 54 days to complete the 1000-kilometer walk from Kalamunda to Albany – leaving on October 2 and arriving in Albany on November 24.You can find more details about Zara's journey here.
During her adventure, Zara also seized the opportunity to raise funds to support the Bibbulmun Track Foundation during its 25th Anniversary year. As of now, her efforts have resulted in raising more than $15,000. The fundraising page will remain open for a few more weeks, so if you'd like to contribute, there's still time:
Once again, we congratulate Zara White for achieving this significant milestone and thank for her efforts in fundraising for the Bibbulmun Track.
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Ultra Runner Shane Johnstone’s 1000km Bibbulmun Track 10-Day Run for Wildlife Conservation
25 March 2024
On Good Friday 29th of March, 2024, at 5:50 am, starting in Albany, Shane Johnstone, an ultra-runner, will embark on an awe-inspiring quest to tackle the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia with the ambitious goal of completing it in under 10 days, aiming to establish a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) record. This endeavor will see Shane running an average of over 100 kilometres per day on undulating technical trail, showcasing the epitome of human determination and perseverance.
The Bibbulmun Track, spanning over 1,000 kilometres of rugged terrain, is a revered trail that challenges even the most seasoned adventurers. Shane's mission to conquer it in record time is not just about personal achievement, it's a passionate endeavor to raise awareness and funds for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), an organization dedicated to protecting Australia's precious wildlife and habitats.
"Running the Bibbulmun Track in under 10 days is an immense challenge, but the cause is worth every step," says Shane Johnstone. "Australia's unique biodiversity is facing unprecedented threats, and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy plays a crucial role in safeguarding our natural heritage. I'm honored to use my passion for trail running to support their vital conservation efforts."
To support Shane's endeavor and contribute to wildlife conservation, individuals can donate to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy through the dedicated Transcend Trails x AWC fundraising page. Every donation will directly fund AWC's initiatives to protect endangered species and restore ecosystems across Australia.
Throughout Shane's epic journey, supporters can track his progress in real-time through the Transcend Trails Instagram and Facebook pages. A live tracker will provide updates on his location and progress along the Bibbulmun Track, allowing followers to witness his remarkable FKT attempt unfold.
Shane extends an open invitation to all outdoor enthusiasts to join him on the trail for a jog, no matter the distance. Whether for a few kilometers or a few hours, everyone is encouraged to participate and show their support for wildlife conservation. Shane's journey is not just about breaking records; it's about bringing communities together for a shared cause.
Shane's attempt is made possible through the generous support of his sponsors: Valetudo Fitness and Physio, Corrie Johnstone Endurance Coaching, Transcend Trails, Tarkine Athletics, Tribe & Trail, and Tailwind Nutrition. Their expertise, resources, and unwavering support have been instrumental in preparing Shane for this monumental challenge. Shane would also like the thank the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and all their volunteers who have established an amazing resource showcasing the beauty of Western Australia. To have over 1000km of well-maintained trail spanning from Albany to Kalamunda featuring regular refuge huts and water tanks is a true asset.
For media inquiries, interviews, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
shane@fitnessandphysio.com 0428 122 378 (pre and post run)
corrie@fitnessandphysio.com 0415 834 223 (during run) -
Loading Up For Lake William Steps Campaign
8 March 2024
A group of Support Volunteers (Sue and Charlie Soord, Mark Davidson, and Ross Simpson) joined Andrew Chiswell, our Maintenance Manager, in Albany during February, to prepare the helicopter loads for the Lake William NRM campaigns later this year. Thanks to Mike and Joy for making Blue Poles Little Grove available as a base for the team during the week. Thanks also to Support Volunteers Ian Rae and Wes Fokkema, who joined us during the week to assist our efforts.
Ross double checking load quantities Day 1 - The team descended on Albany’s Torndirrup yard to prepare helicopter loads comprising of sleepers and star pickets, fixings, track-pads, coir matting and pins, and tools. These loads will be distributed in 5 locations along the Track west of Lake William Road ready for two campaigns later in the year. Andrew performed the lion’s share of the work by cutting 80+ three meter sleepers in half, but the team must also be praised for then carrying the 1.5m lengths over to the bagging area!
Charlie enjoying his job Day 2 – While today we planned to head out to West Cape Howe to mark both the staging and stockpile locations, a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban resulted in a rapid rethink. The team headed to Denmark to inspect the new trail constructed through the Nullaki Peninsular in May 2023. It was pleasing to see the trail was clearly visible and the box step sections (that Charlie and Andrew constructed) were holding up well. The sandbar across the inlet was also almost closed and passable, which will be good news for walkers as we head towards the cooler months.
We also took the opportunity to inspect the Cosy Corner Steps, the site originally planned for an Albany Field Day in March. It was agreed by those present the scope proposed was beyond the scale of a field day and an alternative site was required as a priority.
Bagging equipment for Stockpile 5 Day 3 – An early start in much cooler weather, a relief from the 43C experienced the day before! The day started with a hurdle – the key we picked up from the District didn’t open the gate on Lake William Rd! However, after a short delay, the District gave us a workaround that got us onto Lake William Rd.
The day comprised walking along the section targeted for the May and June campaigns and placing survey stakes at the start of each area of work which corresponded with the construction notes Ross had prepared. These would then assist volunteers working on the campaigns. We also visually marked the Stockpile Locations which will receive the helicopter deliveries of materials and equipment, which we bagged on Monday.
Typical section of track requiring work Day 4 – The team headed out early to the section of the BT between the Water Corporation yard on Bay View Terrace and Sandpatch Campsite, to re-lay a series of steps and water bars which were poorly laid.
Working in two teams, the majority of steps were dug up and relaid, approximately 50 logs in total, which will drastically improve their effectiveness and make walking the section much easier. The remaining sections of water bars needing remediation along the South Coast will be targeted in future campaigns.
Sue enjoying the walk in light drizzle Day 5 – the team left in separate directions…some returning to Perth, while Charlie and Sue headed to Walpole to complete a maintenance visit on their section. We are lucky to have such dedicated individuals, who not only commit to maintaining small sections of the Track like our other Sectional Volunteers but devote many weeks each year to remedial maintenance along the Track.
A brief stop to enjoy morning tea A beautiful summer’s day in West Cape Howe NP This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.
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