Alan Steele was one of two lucky members to win a $300 Anaconda voucher for joining as a Life Member in January.
Join the Foundation before 30 April and go into the draw to win one of 6 prize packs!
1 x one week’s free PLB hire* (valued at $50) + 1 x $50 Anaconda voucher.
Dates for PLB hire depending on availability at time of booking. Completed booking form required; 1x week PLB hire free; Bond of AUD 300 for hire applies. Additional weeks of PLB hire can be added at additional cost – subject to availability. Valid to the end of 2024
If you are considering walking over between December and March (the Birak and Bunuru seasons), please restrict your walks to day walks (duration of one day). We advise that you check the weather and fire forecasts. If the fire danger is extreme or catastrophic 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, the 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 extreme or catastrophic it is 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 (Birak and Bunuru).
Check the Fire Danger Rating and do not go on the trails if the forecast is extreme or catastrophic.
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. This means you should not rely on rescue services, family or friends to come to your aid.
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 extreme or catastrophic.
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 will be 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 liquid fuel stove.
Campfire bans will begin from December 1. Once in place, they may continue to April 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 may not be 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 were pleased to welcome 40 members to the Foundation’s 25th AGM which was held on 27 October at the Universal Bar in Northbridge.
In addition to providing an opportunity to update members on our activities for the year (you can read the Annual Report here), an election was held to fill the four vacant positions.
Nominations were received from Kath Broderick, Tristy Fairfield, Charlie Soord, Tim Larkin, Tim Macknay and Helen Studham and a vote was held by secret ballot.
Three positions were filled by returning Board members: Kath, Charlie and Tristy, and we were pleased to welcome newly elected member Tim Larkin.
Chair, Kath Broderick thanked retiring member, Patrick Tremlett, for his 17 years of service on the Board. As a retired drafter of legislation, Patrick contributed greatly to policy and governance matters and his wisdom and pragmatic approach will be missed.
Fortunately, we are not losing him altogether and Patrick is continuing to volunteer with the Foundation as a Guide and maintenance volunteer. Thank you Patrick for your continued support of the Bibbulmun Track.
On Thursday the 22 September, over 80 BTF members and guests came along to Leederville Sports Club to hear two passionate members share their experiences and photographs of two overseas trails.
Our first speaker was Ben Dickinson, who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2650-mile footpath from the US / Mexico border to Canada, in 2019. His journey took him through deserts, high alpine regions, forests, and three hospitals. Ben talked about his journey, the gear that he carried, and the mishaps he experienced along the way.
Our second presenter, Mike Wood, is a Board Member and volunteer guide. Mike led a group of West Australian over 19 days along the 315km Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk in the UK. The walk passes through the rugged hills and remote, beautiful lakes of the Lake District, wends its way through farming valleys of the Yorkshire Dales and on to the wind-swept beaches on either side of the country.
Thanks to both Ben and Mike for sharing their adventures and photographs with us. We received lots of positive feedback from the audience and we look forward to having more Tales from other Trails next year.
It was great to have three of our sponsors, Anaconda, Small Things Wine, and Paddy Pallin at this presentation. Lots of people had a sample of the yummy wine range and got to try out various hiking equipment. A big thank you to the sponsors for the wonderful door prizes and lucky answer prize give-aways.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Tales from other Trails night!
We are delighted to welcome Small Things Wine as a Sponsor. Hailing from Margaret River in Western Australia, Small Things Wine produce handcrafted vegan-friendly premium wines packaged in aluminium cans. Perfect for that overnight hike!
The sustainable 250ml cans play a significant role in reducing energy and transportation costs with a significantly higher recyclability potential. Cans are infinitely recyclable, use less energy to manufacture, chill and transport.
Small Things Wines produces premium wines from the prestigious Margaret River region that are grown in sustainably accredited vineyards and made using sustainable winery practices in their sustainable accredited winery.
Founder and chief winemaker, Ian Batt, said it was his experience travelling the world, filming a documentary about the revolution of Australian wine, Chateau Chunder, when he first pondered wine and cans.
“I started wondering why you never saw high quality wine in cans. The more I researched it, the more reasons I found to do it. It’s much more environmental than glass; it’s easier to recycle, and significantly reduces carbon emissions.”
Their wave logo acts as a gentle reminder to consumers of what they are protecting when they make sustainable choices.
“I made sure we considered the ocean as part of our brand. It reminds me of our place; where we’ve come from and how we need to make sure to look after it,” Ian says.
With cans often associated with low quality wine, Ian has had his work cut out for him. The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with environmentally conscious markets like Sweden drinking it by the pallet.
“Our philosophy is to under promise and over deliver. We have a responsibility to carry the mantle for alternative sustainable packaging in wine, so when someone decides to have a can of our wine it must be good.”
To achieve this, Ian works closely with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certified growers to source his fruit.
These grapes lower the brand's environmental impact, with the additional benefit of producing wines that are exceptionally expressive of the natural landscape. Ian even admits he doesn't have to work very hard to get it right in the winery.
For Ian it’s all about giving back. Where each can of his wine captures a piece of the region, it also preserves its longevity.
“While it’s still immaculate, I feel we had the best of Margs when we were kids. It’s taught me that if we don’t think about the future, we will jeopardise it for the next generation.”
