Tales from the Track

We are always looking for stories for both our website and the member's magazine 'Bibbulmun News'. Why not email your story of adventure? Photos are more than welcome!

Click on the headings to read stories from walkers. They are not listed in any particular order.

  • When life gives you lemons

    • From: Sun-Mi Clyburn, WA

    In 1915, Elbert Green Hubbard, an American writer, publisher, artist and philosopher coined the phrase "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." There have been many other versions of this saying over the years since then. Sun-Mi Clyburn, also an American writer and artist, based in WA, has her own version - "When life gives you lemons, sometimes you just need to go for a walk". And go for a walk she did. A very long walk. In her memoir she describes the pleasures of walking the Bibbulmun Track and its benefits for peace of mind.

    • 6 December 2016
  • Track Magic!

    • From: Su Becket, Perth, WA

    This is a story of a very special person, Su Becket, walker extraordinaire, and her two daughters.

    • 23 November 2016
  • Hike—Hope—Heal

    • From: Stuart Parks, Perth, WA

    BTF member Stuart Parks walked the Track end-to-end earlier this year, driven by strong personal reasons, as explained in this story of his trek.

    • 22 November 2016
  • The Bibbulmun Track - its history, its beauty and its walkers

    • From: Jim Baker, WA

    In 2010, after completing a third end-to-end walk, BTF volunteer Jim Baker decided to write a book that would encapsulate the history of the Track, describe its beauty and examine the motives of those who chose to walk in the bush.

    • 22 September 2016
  • The Question “Why”?

    • From: Brigita Ferencak, WA

    ​The Bibbulmun Track has been described by many as A Way of Life, in both the literal and figurative meanings of the phrase. Walkers undertake the challenge of completing a trek of 1000km through the bush, from one end of the Track to the other, for a myriad of different reasons. Some see it as a physical challenge, pitting their bodies against the environment, others as a way to escape from stresses of everyday life. There are those who seek solitude, those who enjoy the camaraderie of fellow walkers and many who simply wish to spend time in a simple, peaceful and largely unspoilt natural environment. Ask anyone “Why?” and each individual will have his or her own particular reasons.

    • 24 September 2015
  • Steve’s Bibbulmun Blob

    • From: Stephen Van Mierlo, Attadale, Perth

    Stephen walked from Walpole to Albany in 2013. It's not often we have stories from people from shorter sections. Stephen begins his story with a short preamble in which he says: "What was I thinking? Hiking from Walpole to Albany, 210km! Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. We tend to be our own worst critics. However, wallowing in the raw honesty of my own reflective thought it's pretty obvious (and I suggest not just to me),I am an idiot!"

    • 26 August 2014
  • End-to-End plus a bit extra!

    • From: Michael and Veronika Schulze, Germany

    Michael and Veronika Schulze from Germany completed an end-to-end walk of the Track in autumn 2013—plus a bit extra! Read Veronika’s account of their walk, plus some of their other experiences and dreams.

    • 16 April 2014
  • A Floral Dance

    • From: Barbara Steiner, WA

    Last year landscape gardener Barbara Steiner took part in the 8-day Highlights of the Bibbulmun Track walk. Her account of the experience clearly demonstrates her passion for the bush and its myriad of floral delights

    • 26 June 2013
  • There and Back Again

    • From: Dave Hartley, WA

    Friends Dave Hartley and Stan Barclay (aka the 49ers) completed an end-to-end walk together between October 1st and November 25th 2012. This was Dave’s fourth end-to-end and Stan’s second. Dave is a very experienced walker; these are some of his reminiscences of the Bibbulmun Track and treks in other parts of the world.

    • 25 June 2013
  • Reflections from the South African Chooks!

    • From: Penny Allen and Hilke Kruger (the SA Chooks), South Africa

    South Africans Penny Allen and Hilke Kruger journeyed all the way from Johannesburg to walk the Track, after learning about it from a mutual friend, Sue Desmond, who had made an earlier end-to-end trek. Both ladies are experienced walkers, having trekked the 800km Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Grand Traverse, a 14 day very tough route right across the Drakensberg Range of Mountains in their home country. Here is what Penny (aka the Gallivanting Granny) had to say about their experience:

    • 15 June 2013
  • Finding my way on the Bibbulmun Track

    • From: Emily Pinkus, WA

    Two years ago, Emily Pinkus and Simon decided to take on the end-to-end challenge of the Track. Emily describes what the experience did for her:

    • 6 March 2012
  • What a difference a walk makes

    • From: Wayne, WA

    Walkers undertake an end-to-end for many and varied reasons. Wayne’s motivation began with a desire to introduce his son to the bush, and developed into a personal passion. After many difficult years he has finally achieved his dream.

    • 24 January 2012
  • Uluru and Lief - Albany to Pemberton

    • From: Jacqui and Lief, USA

    Uluru and Lief, aka Jacqui and Lief, travelled from the USA to spend three weeks walking on the Track between June 1st and June 20th 2006. Their journey took them from Albany to Pemberton. The website also contains the journal of Michael and Megan from New Zealand, who walked the whole trail north to south between August 17th and September 25th 2005. Both couples had many fascinating encounters along the way, human and non-human, and they all thoroughly enjoyed their time on the Track.

    • 24 January 2012
  • A walk along the south-coast

    • From: John Cannon, Tasmania

    John Cannon and his five companions undertook a walk of about 120 kms from Mandalay Beach to the Parry Beach Inlet. In this article, John describes the beautiful scenery of the South Coast and gives his impressions of the Track.

    • 24 January 2012
  • The way of the Waugal

    • From: Graham and Ella Reeks, No fixed abode

    Graham and Ella Reeks are standing, staring, walking, driving their way around Australia. Steve Sertis from the Foundation was lucky enough to share a campsite with them on a recent walk on the Cape to Cape Track. Naturally Steve told them all about the Bibbulmun Track. With a little advice from the Foundation, they set off to walk from Northcliffe to Walpole.

    • 24 January 2012