25th Anniversary Celebrations

We are so excited to be celebrating the journey and invite you to join in! 

 

Background

On 13 September 1998 the new Bibbulmun Track was officially opened in Albany.  The Track had been significantly realigned, extended from Walpole to Albany and upgraded with the addition of timber shelters at the campsites.

An official function was held at the Bibbulmun Track Southern Terminus to open the Track and farewell a group of walkers, 11 of whom completed the first end-to-end.  Along the way they were accompanied by sectional walkers.  The event was called Bib Walk ‘98. 

In 2008, the 10th Anniversary was celebrated by an end-to-end walk starting in Albany.

 

25th Anniversary 2023 .... celebrating the journey.

The 25th Anniversary celebrations will also include several components and different ways in which you can get involved.

The celebrations will begin with a special ceremony in Kalamunda on Friday 14 July 2023.

From there, a small group of end-to-end walkers will begin their journey south, arriving at the Southern Terminus some eight weeks later.

At each town along the way we will have a community celebration and the End-to-Enders will be joined by a new group of walkers to walk the next section.

The 25th Anniversary celebrations culminate in an event in Albany after walkers arrive on Wednesday 13 September 2023.

We invite you to celebrate with us. Here’s how:

  • Apply to join the epic journey as an end-to-end walker (members only). 
  • Hike a section with us! 
  • Volunteer to assist with logistics and community events. See below.
  • Join in the send-off at the Northern Terminus in Kalamunda on Friday July 14, 2023 - all welcome.
  • Join in the community celebrations in the towns along the Track - all welcome.
  • Join in celebrations at Donnelly River Village on the weekend of 12 and 13 August 2023 - all welcome. 
  • Join in the celebrations at the end of the walk in Albany for the 25th Anniversary on September 13, 2023 – all welcome.
  • Get your school to join the school's challenge.
  • Walk with us for a day or afternoon as we reach each town. 
  • Join the Bibbulmun Track Virtual Hike Challenge.

Join the epic journey as an end-to-end walker

To be part of the small group of end-to-enders, walkers will be subject to a strict screening process.

Applications open June 2022 and close on August 31, 2022. Places are strictly limited.

Download the application form for information on fees, the application process, inclusions, exclusions and T&Cs.

The end-to-end group will be guided by BTF guides and will include plenty of support through pre-walk (online) briefings, training, selected gear and gear discounts, food drops, participation and invitation to special events and logistical support throughout the journey. See the application form for more information.

Hike a section of the official walk with us!

Registrations for sectional walkers will will be accepted on a first come first served basis, subject to the applicant’s experience and fitness.

There are 12 sections to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty, length of walk and nights spent on the Track. There are only limited spots available for each section and we expect that some sections will be filled quickly.

Find out more and book your place in history!

Walk with us as we reach each town

At every town, join the official group for the last few kilometres into each town. Choose how far you wish to walk. Some sections even have a free bus to get you out there thanks to the support of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. 

Check out the local day walks here - there are almost 30 of them!

Donnelly River Village, the half-way party. Join us!

Everyone is invited to join us for the half-way party at Donnelly River Village (see key dates below). Get your family and friends together and book a cottage for the weekend (Friday afternoon to Sunday).

If you have not reserved a cottage with us (as at 17/5/23), you will need to contact Donnelly River Village directly to make a booking. 

Enjoy woodfired pizzas for the Saturday night party at the Clubhouse. 

Thanks to the Shire Of Nannup for supporting the Village half-way party. 

 

 

Get involved – volunteer with us! 

Most volunteer roles have now been filled (amazing - thank you!), however if you wish to volunteer at some of the regional community celebrations (see dates below) please contact us.

Community events and key dates

As the official end-to-end walkers make their way from Kalamunda to the Southern Terminus in Albany, a community celebration will be held in each of the towns through which the Track passes. You are welcome to join us at the community event or as we approach each town (also see the local day walks above). 

DATE WHAT'S ON
August, 2022 End-to-End applications close
January, 2023   Sectional registrations open
June, 2023   Sectional registrations close
​July 14, 2023

The massive send-off!

Official send off ceremony at the Zig Zag Cultural Centre in Kalamunda at 10am. Then parade at 11am with band, locals, walkers and volunteers to the Northern Terminus.
ALL INVITED!!

July 25

Dwellingup Community Celebration

Meet the walkers (see local day walks) and walk the last few kilometres into town. The walkers will arrive in Dwellingup at 2.40pm on the outskirts of town (east) and parade along Wallace, McLarty and Newton Streets and arrive at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre at 3pm for the community event including refreshments and entertainment. 
SEE YOU THERE!

August 2

Collie Community Celebration

Join the walkers (see local day walks) at various points north of town or any point along the highway into town. This parade will generate a lot of excitement and atmosphere to welcome the walkers with plenty of noise and all sorts of hoo-hah! Or just meet us at the community event in town at 2.30pm.
CATCH YOU WHERE THE ACTION IS!

August 7

Balingup Community Celebration

Locals and school students can join the walkers from various points  out of town (see local day walks) or near the primary school at 2.30pm to parade down the street to the recreation centre.  In the true spirit of Balingup - some locals are even getting into colourful costume!
The large group of walkers, locals and students will make their way to the Sport and Recreation Centre at 3pm for refreshments, local music and a great deal of cheer!
YOU'RE INVITED!

August, 11 - 13

The halfway celebration! And it's going to be big!

Don't delay - book a cottage now at Donnelly River Village and join us.

Several are already booked up!

Meet the walkers as they walk in on Friday afternoon and stay for the party on Saturday night where there will be a band and woodfired pizza!

You can also walk a short section on Sunday morning as the official group leaves the village.
DON'T MISS OUT!

August 17

Pemberton Community Celebration

Join the walkers from a number of places north of town (see local day walks) or join us as the walkers parade into town toward the Pemberton Sports Club at 3.30pm. 
GET ON DOWN THERE!

August 21

Northcliffe Community Celebration

Locals and school students will join the walkers on the outskirts of town at the Acacia picnic area at 1.30pm as they parade into town. The parade will generate some excitement as we make our way to the Northcliffe Visitor information Centre at 1.45pm where local entertainment will be provided as well as a sausage sizzle and photo exhibition. Or you can join us much earlier and walk with us from various points (see local day walks)
SEE YOU THERE!

August 29

Walpole Community Celebration

Join us for a fabulous event as we parade into town at 3pm. Join the local day walks and keep an eye out here for more information soon!

September 6

Denmark Community Celebration

The walkers will arrive at the Rivermouth Trail Head at 2.30pm. Locals and school children are invited to join the walkers there (or earlier the same day) and walk with the official walkers along the riverside nature trail into town. The parade will finish at the Community Resource Centre at 2.45pm for the celebration and a BBQ.
ALL WELCOME!

September 13, 2023  

This is it - The big one!

This is the 25th Anniversary!

Join the walkers at several points on their last day of the epic journey. See local day walks and book a spot on the free bus or join us closer into town anywhere along the Bibbulmun Track.

Join us on an alternate route into town to parade up York St with locals, school children, walkers and volunteers finishing at the Southern Terminus next to the Albany Visitor's Information Centre at 12pm. The City of Albany is hosting this event at the Alison Hartman Gardens.
ALL INVITED!!

Join the Bibbulmun Track Virtual Hike Challenge

If you're eager to be a part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations but won't be able to get out on the Track, we have an exciting alternative for you. Introducing the Bibbulmun Track Virtual Hike Challenge! This virtual challenge allows you to participate in the adventure from anywhere, at your own pace. Join us in commemorating this milestone by embracing the spirit of the Bibbulmun Track without setting a foot on the Track. To learn more about the Virtual Hike Challenge and how you can get involved, simply click here.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be a part of our Anniversary celebrations and embark on a virtual hiking journey along the iconic Bibbulmun Track!

 

We hope that you can join us to celebrate this historic occasion.

  

Lotterywest is a major supporter of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations

 

 

   
We thank the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the City of Albany for their support.