Bibbulmun

A 47-day adventure by Allen Read more

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Trip start
August 30, 2025
Bibbulmun Traveler
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Bibbulmun here we come
August 30 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C
After catching up with kids in Akl, triple birthday celebrations, exciting news from Ben & Dani, & a Warriors game, Hilary & I flew to Perth to take on the Bibbulmun Track.
The first stage, Kalamunda to Dwellingup, is 10 days long, so posts might be sporadic at firstRead more
TravelerGo well you guys. I look forward to following your journey. X
9/3/25Reply
Have a great trip guys. Hopefully that long leg to start isn’t too tough. Look forward to updates. Very envious [PHILIP]
9/3/25Reply
TravelerAlways exciting to get started. Good luck-look forward to the updates.
9/3/25Reply
TravelerYay… you’re on your way!! Enjoy ☺️
9/3/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
On the trail
September 1 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Our trail angel, Lari, got us to the trailhead around 9am & Hilary & I were underway. Blue skies & a solid 21km first day from Kalamunda through to Ball Creek campsite. Very different bush to home - we were quite taken with the black trunked, grass trees called Balga (or 'blackboys' as the Aussies subtly refer to them). The campsites have a 3 sided shelter with platform bunks (byo mattress), water tank, camping spots & a fire pit - everything you need. Good to finally be on the trailRead more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Darling Scarp
September 3 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
19km day 2 continued in the Darling Range & the Helena River valley, continuous hilly terrain, numerous rock formations, wandoo woodlands & lots of 'blackboys'. Wild flowers are starting to bloom.
Tented at Waalegh campsiteRead more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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Mt Dale
September 3 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Days 3 & 4. Waalegh to Mt Dale 23km, & Mt Dale to Canning campsite 19km, probably the most picturesque areas so far . A mix of Jarrah, karri & she-oak forests & open area filled with grass trees. Lots of colourful, raucous birds - our favourites are red tailed cockatoos. Evening chats around the fire pit are a highlightRead more
Traveler Haha
9/6/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Burnt Off
September 5 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
Controlled burns to prevent dieback & reduce the fireload are a regular practice in the Aussie bush.
Our walk today from Canning to Mt Cooke was reduced from 28km to 21km as a section of track was closed. Thanks to our trail angels, Lari & Hedley, for getting a group of us around this section. Ironically, it was our first rain day.Read more
This looks like another amazing adventure Al. Looking forward to living vicariously through you and Hilary! X [Michelle Q]
9/6/25Reply
TravelerIt's been great, very different to NZ bush. Hope Sydney is treating you well x
9/7/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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Mt Cooke & beyond
September 6 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 13 °C
Up & over Mt Cooke, the highest point in the Darling Range at a whopping 582m.
Giant boulders & granite outcrops made for some interesting walking. Our first 30km day.
TravelerAll looks spectacular, Allen. So different from NZ. Are there many people on the trail?
9/6/25Reply
TravelerA steady trickle. Has always been a few others at campsites each night. When are you off to India?
9/7/25Reply
Traveler29 September 😊
9/9/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Ups & Downs
September 7 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
some decent climbs today, traversing granite dominated ridgelines with more granite outcrops & boulders. Then beautiful jarrah forest with wild flowers.
Camped tonight on Mt Wells next to the fire lookout tower. Not much chance of fires at the moment - been a fair bit of rain & 0 degrees overnight.
Planning to get to Dwellingup tomorrow, our first trail town, for a well deserved rest.Read more
TravelerAwesome cuz ,neat pics,not to hot which is good,dont sit on a ant nest lol
9/7/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
And on to Dwellingup
September 8 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
A freezing night (-3 with chill factor) & the sound of Boddington gold mind in the distance (Australia's largest ). Yesterday we walked the 34.7 km to Dwellingup, fortunately was fairly easy terrain, meaning we've walked the 202km first section in 8 days. Generally feeling OK, though tired, feeling pleased with ourselves & will enjoy a rest day today.
Saw Kangaroos the past 2 days but very hard to catch on camera - enlarge the little video below.
Part of today's walk was along an old railway line, mostly through Jarrah forest that was a bit wetter & a bit lusher - very pretty.
Dwellingup up is a lovely little one pub town - fortunately we only need one 😊 - with general store, so we'll re-stock, relax & hit the trail again tomorrowRead more
TravelerThe Dwellingup Pub looks very welcoming!! Enjoy your well deserved beers and pub food. Am sure it will taste so good!!
9/10/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Back on the trail
September 10 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Enjoyed the rest day in Dwellingup, but good to be back on the trail in great weather. A hilly hiking experience today through beautiful jarrah forest, with some decent climbs, before descending to Murray campsite on the Murray River. Early start & late finish, but plan to have a few shorter days now & enjoy some lazy afternoons.Read more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Murray River
September 11 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
On the map it looked like we'd be walking alongside the Murray River for a couple of days, but we were actually higher up walking through scrubby bush & only got the occasional view until we reached the 92m long Bilya Djena Bidi suspension bridge.
An unusual sight, & sound, in a conservation park was an alumina conveyor that transports bauxite 51km from the Boddington mine to the alumina refinery.
Shortly after the bush improved & we were walking through beautiful jarrah forest to our campsite. Seeing Kangaroos & raucous birds, etcmost days but bloody hard to photograph.
We've shared a campsite with the same few people the last few nights, which has been nice. Yahtzee can be quite competitiveRead more
TravelerLooks so cool!!!!!!
9/12/25Reply
TravelerYou guys are zooming 😎
9/12/25Reply
Travelerloving the updates Allen. It looks an amazing walk. Gosh you guys are doing some big km.
9/12/25Reply
Travelerterrain is pretty good, though the body still feels it
9/14/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
And on to Collie
September 14 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 13 °C
Big day yesterday (33km) from Possum Springs to Harris Dam. But good terrain, lovely bush & dodged most of the rain. Very crowded camp shelter &, with the rain set in, no one wanted to tent - nice surprise this morning, when the wife of one if the guys we've been sharing campsites with for a few nights, walked in (in the rain) from a road end with bacon, eggs, pastries, fresh bread & coffee (legend).
21km today into the next trail town, Collie. Very wet, so happy to overnight at Black Diamond Lodge & get back on the trail tomorrow in better weather.Read more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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To Yabberup
September 15 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
A leisurely morning checking out Collie, buying supplies & the best 'big breakfast ' I've had in a while. Back on the trail along Collie river, & into some nice bush, for 19km to Yabberup campsite
Traveler Wow. Certainly looks a bit cold. Funny as I thought heat was going to be the issue. Did you go on the rope swing?
9/16/25Reply
TravelerNo, we hadn't been walking long so wasn't really feeling it. Yeah south western Australia can be quite cold in Spring. About to change though - we've got a run of good weather ahead of us & forecasting 29° next Tuesday
9/16/25Reply
TravelerBeautiful old buildings x
9/17/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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Around Mumby pub
September 16 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Morning dip in the lake created by the Mervyn dam, & on to
Mumballup pub (unfortunately was closed).
Hilary's friend, Graham, picked us up & took us back to his farm for a bbq lunch, then dropped us back at the pub. From there, the trail was through farmland via an old railway line, then into the beautiful forest of Preston National Park & on to Noggerup campsite. A leisurely day but still clocked up 20kmRead more
TravelerJust been looking at the map. I assumed you would be near the coast but you are well inland. Still a fair way before you hit the sea.
9/17/25Reply
Travelerearly Oct at best till we get down there
9/18/25Reply
Travelerlove the scenery. certainly on my bucket list if my leg comes right.
9/17/25Reply
TravelerI think it would be a really good one for you guys to do
9/18/25Reply
Traveler 😂
9/17/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Preston National Park
September 17 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
rain overnight but cleared by morning for us to walk through the beautiful Preston National Park, highlighted by an old-growth jarrah forest of giant trees. Weather for the next week is looking good, but will get hot - 29° forecast for TuesdayRead more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Balingup
September 18 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Not the most scenic day on the trail but pleasant enough walking that got us to the next trail town, Balingup. Stayed at Rails & Bails, the home of a hard case, old Aussie couple. Dinner was at Kirup pub with friends of Hilary. Recharged ready for a 35km day tomorrowRead more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Things starting to change
September 19 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
Big 35km day today - we need to do one every now & then to complete the walk in the time we have.
Started the day walking through farmland & jarrah forest, then following the Blackwood river before the bush began to change, getting wetter & more dense, with huge bullich trees .... & a bush called a snottygobbleRead more
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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Donnelly River Village
September 20 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
camped last night by Gregory Brook & today walked to Donnelly River Village, where we've grabbed a bunk in the old school house. Saw the first giant Karri trees today, they get more numerous as we head south. The old timber town is an interesting place with emus & Kangaroos wandering around.
This afternoon's plan is to kick back & watch the AFL & NRL preliminary finals that are on today.Read more
Traveler Is the trail well marked. Most photos make it look straightforward, but this one looks more overgrown. Looking out for snakes will be interesting. enjoy the finals. Hopefully you will find a pub next weekend to watch the AB's.
9/20/25Reply
Travelerthe trail is really well marked, hard to go wrong, but occasionally......
9/24/25Reply
Traveler Great photo Al x
9/21/25Reply
Traveler Cute! 🥰
9/21/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Along the river
September 21 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
leisurely morning, waiting for the general store at Donnelly River to open so we could buy supplies & breakfast, then head off.
The track followed the Donnelly River through karri forest with dense undergrowth to tonight's campsite beside the river.
Beautiful day with good swimming.Read more
TravelerNo problem getting photos of kangaroos today!
9/24/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Halfway
September 22 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Beautiful day, though the afternoons are getting hot, as the trail followed the Donnelly River through dense undergrowth & towering karri trees.
A big milestone also, as we crossed the halfway point of the Bibbulmun trackRead more
TravelerWell done. Powering along. Obviously safe to swim.
9/23/25Reply
TravelerNice work guys! Nearly there ☺️
9/24/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
To Pemberton
September 23 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Big day tackling one of the more difficult sections of the trail, with lots of ascents/descents, a couple of diversions (ignored one of them) & a very hot afternoon. The dawn chorus the last few mornings has been fantastic. Tonight we're free camping between a couple of official campsites.
Should arrive in Pemberton trail town tomorrowRead more
TravelerHi Allen, I am following your adventure because I will do an E2E south up from the beginning of november.
9/25/25Reply
TravelerSo free camping is no problem on the trail?
9/25/25Reply
TravelerHi, what's your name?
9/25/25Reply
TravelerYou're actually not supposed to camp anywhere but the official Bibbulmun campsites, but people do it from time to time when needed
9/25/25Reply
TravelerSorry forgot to answer: I am Anne
9/28/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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Pemberton
September 25 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Left the Donnelly River behind, walked past Beedleup falls & swam in
Big Brook dam &
Pemberton pool (a karri- lined
freshwater pool). We also saw our first snakes, which really gets you focused on where you step!
Rest day today in Pemberton. A lovely little town, of old wooden cottages & an historic pub - another ex-mill town (at one stage the largest milling complex in Australia) that has had to reinvent itselfRead more
TravelerMaking good progress, Allen. I’ve been wondering when snakes would be mentioned!
9/25/25Reply
Traveler is that on the caravan park?
9/28/25Reply
TravelerHi Anne, yes it's at the caravan park
10/1/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
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Gloucester tree
September 26 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Traveler Did you climb up😬
9/26/25Reply
TravelerNo, was closed for maintenance - I doubt they'll reopen it for general use
9/27/25Reply
Travelerwhat a pity😚
9/28/25Reply
Traveler Great photo Al
9/28/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Warren River
September 27 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Fairly relaxed day, largely following the Warren River to a beautiful lakeside campsite & compulsory swim - turned out to be our busiest campsite so far, being a long weekend
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Swamp land
September 29 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Had a few days that weren't that inspiring - burnt swamp land really & flooded tracks - but most trails have some days like that. So we focused on the little things - in this case, orchids! These ancient plants have evolved over millions of years & are very cool.Read more
TravelerGreat photos Allen. Those flooded tracks must be a pain.
10/1/25Reply
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Bibbulmun Traveler
Pingerup Plains
October 1 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Great day today on the Pingerup Plains - & a long day, clocked up 41km.
Still pretty swampy but lots of variety & probably the most remote part of the trail.
Traveler41km is impressive. Love the vegetation. So different from NZ. What sort of food carries are you doing? Good selection to resupply?
10/1/25Reply
Travelerprobably about 5 days food on average. The longest section is the first one, being 10 days, so arranged a food drop halfway through. Trail towns are fine for resupply
10/2/25Reply
TravelerGreat photos! Thought that was a croc for a minute 😳
10/2/25Reply
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