Walking Together: A Tasmanian Couple’s End-to-End Bibbulmun Track Adventure
Paul and Sarah at the end of their journey
From wildflowers and towering karri forests to small-town hospitality and the rewards of long-distance hiking, Paul and Sarah discovered exactly why the Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia’s great thru-hiking experiences.
For many long-distance hikers, the next trail is always calling. For one Tasmanian walker, the journey to the Bibbulmun Track began years earlier when the Covid-19 pandemic unexpectedly changed the course of his life.
Having already completed iconic long-distance hikes including the Pacific Crest Trail, Te Araroa and the Tasmanian Trail, Paul had planned to tackle the Appalachian Trail in 2020. Instead, cancelled travel plans brought him home to Tasmania, where he and Sarah began a relationship that would eventually lead to marriage.
In October 2025, the couple set off together on a new adventure: a full end-to-end hike of Western Australia’s Bibbulmun Track.
Discovering the Magic of End-to-End Hiking
While the pair had shared plenty of day walks and overnight hikes around Tasmania, this would be Sarah’s first experience of a true long-distance hiking journey.
“Long-distance hiking has always been my favourite way to experience a landscape,” Paul says.
“You absorb everything, the smells, the sounds, the shifting weather, the terrain, and the people you meet along the way.”
The idea of walking the Bibbulmun Track first surfaced during an episode of Back Roads on ABC.
“One evening we were watching Back Roads on ABC when Sarah turned to me and said, ‘We should do that one day.’ The next morning, I was already planning a hike for October 2025.”
The timing felt perfect. It offered Paul an opportunity to share his passion for thru-hiking with Sarah while experiencing one of Australia’s premier long-distance walking trails together.
“It felt like the perfect opportunity to share something I love with my best mate, and to show her just how special end-to-end hiking can be, especially in Western Australia. Sarah had always wanted to see the wildflowers, so off we went to immerse ourselves in them.”
Walking the Full Bibbulmun Track
The couple were attracted by more than just the physical challenge of completing an end-to-end hike.
“We were drawn to the challenge of a true long-distance hike and the chance to experience the Australian bush together as it gradually transforms from region to region,” he explains. “We also loved the idea of meeting fellow hikers and spending time in the small towns along the way.”
Starting on 11 October, they spent weeks following the trail through the jarrah forests, karri country and coastal landscapes of Australia’s South West. They completed their journey on 24 November, incorporating eight well-earned rest days in towns along the route. Those town stops became an important part of the experience.
“It was time to wash clothes, recover, and get to know the locals over a cold beer or two.”
For many long-distance hikers, these moments of connection with local communities become just as memorable as the kilometres walked.
Favourite Sections: Walpole and Donnelly River
When asked about standout moments on the Bibbulmun Track, the section approaching Walpole quickly comes to mind.
“Hiking into Walpole was unforgettable. The biodiversity, the flora, the fauna, the snakes, the dramatic coastline, was extraordinary.”
The diversity of landscapes is one of the defining features of the Bibbulmun Track, and nowhere was that more evident than along the south coast.
Another highlight was the iconic forest country around Donnelly River.
“Donnelly River was another highlight, with its towering karri trees and the incredible birdlife echoing through the canopy.”
For walkers seeking an immersive Australian bushwalking experience, these ever-changing environments are a major reason the Track has become one of the country’s most celebrated long-distance trails.
The Challenges Along the Way 
Like every thru-hike, the journey wasn’t without its difficulties.
“The first major challenge was carrying eight days’ worth of food from the start to Dwellingup, nearly 200 kilometres. Beginning the track with such a long stretch was daunting.”
The pair also encountered some unexpected complications navigating trail diversions.
“Some of the diversions also caught us off guard, partly due to the unreliable app we were using at the time.”
Then there were the famous muddy sections near Walpole.
“The ponds a few days before Walpole were amusing at first, but they became more difficult, especially after Sarah received a nasty ant bite.”
The incident led to an unplanned detour and multiple crossings of a particularly memorable puddle.
“We had to backtrack for help and then return through the same section, meaning we ended up wading through the longest puddle, about 200 metres, three separate times, all while dodging snakes.”
Gear Tips for Future Thru-Hikers 
After thousands of kilometres of hiking experience, Paul has some simple advice for anyone preparing for a Bibbulmun Track end-to-end adventure.
“A good-quality but lightweight inflatable mattress makes a huge difference.”
Weight matters too.
“In general, go as lightweight as you can.”
While he’s a fan of Hyperlite packs, he acknowledges that comfort is highly personal.
“The real advice is to choose a pack that suits your body.”
He also recommends making use of the free gas canisters often found in hiker boxes at visitor centres along the Track.
And one item is non-negotiable.
“Oh yes, take hiking poles.”
Supporting Track Towns and Embracing the Full Journey
For future end-to-enders, his strongest advice has less to do with gear and more to do with embracing everything the Bibbulmun Track experience has to offer.
“You can resupply in every section, so support the local towns by doing so. Stop in at the pubs, cafés, and visitor centres. You’ll meet great people and learn so much about the region.”
The small communities along the Track play an important role in making an end-to-end journey possible, and spending time in those towns can enrich the experience in unexpected ways.
His final piece of advice reflects the philosophy that drew him to long-distance hiking in the first place.
“And hike the whole thing. Don’t skip sections. The full journey is what makes it special.”
For Sarah and Paul that full journey delivered everything they hoped for: wildflowers, wilderness, community, challenge and a shared adventure stretching the length of one of Australia’s greatest long-distance hiking trails.
This story is part of Voices from the Track, a series celebrating the people who make the Bibbulmun Track come alive. Each month, we share stories from walkers — from end-to-endersto section hikers — highlighting their challenges, triumphs, favourite spots, and top tips.
Have you recently completed your own end-to-end of the Bibbulmun Track? Register your walk with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to feature in our End-to-Enders Gallery — and share your story in Voices from the Track!
Help keep the Track alive
Stories like Sarah and Paul’s are made possible by the care, dedication and ongoing work that goes into maintaining the Bibbulmun Track. If this story has inspired you, consider making a small donation to help protect the Track for future walkers.
Every contribution supports track maintenance, conservation and the volunteer community that brings the Track to life — step by step.
