Over the past year, seven of the older style campsites along the Bibbulmun Track have received much needed upgrades with funding provided by the WA Recovery Plan, the Forest Enhancement Fund and the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
Just over $750,000 was spent on increasing the capacity of some of the smaller campsites including verandah extensions and larger toilets as the popularity of the Bibbulmun Track continues to grow.
The new Group campsite, name ‘Alyi-wa Miya’ means ‘look out camp’ .
Group Campsite Project
An additional $250,000 was spent on the construction of a new Group campsite approximately 450m east of the existing Monadnocks campsite. These Group campsites are built for use by schools, scouts and other community groups on sections of the track that are already regularly used by groups, to relieve pressure on the standard campsite and the impact on the individual walker experience.
The new Group campsite, named ‘Alyi-wa Miya’ by the traditional owners, meaning ‘look out camp’ is a large, open, roofed structure with just one back wall and picnic tables under the roof where classes can be held. Two water tanks are fed from the colour-bond roof and there is a large, two cubicle toilet close by. Twenty tent pads and a firepit with log seats complete the amenities and allow for the group to be close, but still spread out, around the shelter.
When combined with the existing Group campsite further south at Mt Cook, groups can now do a 2-night 3-day walk, carrying all their supplies in packs on their backs and benefiting from being out in nature and sleeping in the West Australian bush.
If you want to use these campsites with a group don’t forget to fill in a Notice of Intent form (NOI) so you don’t clash with other groups.
The Campsite Upgrades Project
Working to a tight budget as construction costs began to escalate, the DBCA Project Team, led by Trails Coordinator, Stephen King, and Project Manager, Paul Chauvel, prioritised the tasks to be done into a significant package of upgrade works across several of the aging campsites.
Shelter extensions and upgrades were completed at seven sites:
Gringer Creek,
White Horse Hills,
Yourdamung,
Yabberup,
Grimwade
Gregory Brook and
Boarding House campsites.
This involved verandah extensions, new roofing, and new water tanks and plumbing with picnic tables placed under the verandah extensions.
Toilets were replaced at four sites:
White Horse Hills,
Grimwade,
Boarding House and
Gregory Brook.
Tent sites and paths were upgraded at:
White Horse Hills and
Grimwade campsites, increasing the number of tent sites available.
Further funding was received through a Forest Enhancement Fund grant to complete upgrades at Yourdamung campsite. Tent site and path works were completed in November 2022, and replacement of the toilet is scheduled this summer.
The Harris Dam campsite works were put on hold due to the limited budget, but the planning has been done and can be actioned when funds become available.
There is still a problem with 4-wheel drive and other off-road vehicles accessing the campsites to set up their own camp and encroaching on the enjoyment of walkers and diminishing the experience. Gates are to be installed at each end of Herold Rd, excluding unauthorised access to both existing Monadnocks campsite and group campsite. Walkers are requested to take photos of any offending vehicles and send them to the Recreation and Trails Unit at DBCA for possible further action.
The department (DBCA) and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation (BTF) continue to work closely together on maintenance issues;
to identify sections of the Track that need attention,
do the planning and the prioritisation,
apply for funding,
ascertain whether the work needs to be done by a private contractor or whether the BTF’s Support Volunteer team can do it, or whether it might be a combination of both.
The District teams are engaged and informed, and they coordinate and supervise the work to ensure the Bibbulmun Track’s high standards are consistent.
Out of the 470 Bibbulmun Track registered Volunteers more than 350 are Track maintenance volunteers who head out several times a year inspecting, reporting and doing the smaller jobs that need to be done to keep the Track in a tip-top condition.
The never-ending task of maintaining the Track needs to be coordinated and consistent, you can help by joining the Foundation as a member, volunteering or making a donation.
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
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.
When choosing your gear and equipment for an end-to-end hike, you will need to consider the weight, bulk, and longevity of the items (eg torch batteries).
Start with our printable equipment list for overnight walks. We’ve divided this checklist into three categories: essential items, clothing, and other small items (not all of which may be needed).
The gear you take on your end-to-end won't differ too much from that which you take on an overnight walk.
Lightening your load
Good-quality lightweight gear can be expensive, but lightening your load is as much about mindful decision-making as it is about opening your wallet. Read this article for a few cheap or no-cost ways you can lighten your load and do your back and knees a favour in the process. (link to Ben’s article).
You can also keep an eye out for quality second-hand gear on our notice board! (link)
Testing your gear before the big day
The best suggestion we can give beginners is to do some overnight walks first and get used to your gear. Learn what works for you and what doesn't, what is appropriate and what isn't.
If you do not have all the major items, the Foundation has a hire service available for:
Backpacks (children's sizes 30 litres to 50 litres, adult sizes 50 litres to 80 litres).
Sleeping bags with liners, synthetic, rated to -1° C (-7° C lower limit), cotton liners.
Sleeping mats (closed cell foam).
Two person tents (approx. 2.3kg).
Stoves - Trangia type 1-2 person (0.9kg) or 2-3 person (1.2kg) (fuel not supplied).
Stoves - Jetboil Zip, 500ml. Gas not included.
Personal Locating Beacons (PLBs)
Food dehydrators (available to members only - maximum two-week hire).
Did you know you can hire gear from the Foundation? All hire periods are for a minimum of one week. Click here for a full price list.
Please note that we do not hire satellite phones. However you can contact Rent-a-sat-phone.
To tent or not to tent
There are 49 campsites along the Track which are spaced a day's walk apart. There is no booking system for the campsites or shelters. Therefore, all walkers wishing to stay on the Track overnight should seriously consider taking a tent in case the shelter is full on arrival. Designated tent sites, located at the campsites, should be used and no camping is permitted between campsites within drinking water catchment areas - i.e. most of the Track between Kalamunda and Collie and south of the Blackwood River.
Furthermore, when a campsite is closed and a diversion in place, a temporary campsite will be located on the diversion. Temporary campsites only have a water tank and toilet but no shelter, so tents are essential.
Tents provide privacy, are far warmer than the shelters and they keep the mosquitos from biting during the night.
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!
