Bibbulmun here we come
30. august, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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, KalamundaLæs mere
On the trail
1. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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 -Læs mere
Darling Scarp
3. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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 toLæs mere
Mt Dale
3. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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. LotsLæs mere
Burnt Off
5. september, Australien ⋅ 🌧 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 wasLæs mere
Mt Cooke & beyond
6. september, Australien ⋅ 🌬 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.
Ups & Downs
7. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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 fireLæs mere
And on to Dwellingup
8. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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,Læs mere
Back on the trail
10. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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 toLæs mere
Murray River
11. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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 reachedLæs mere
Rejsendeloving the updates Allen. It looks an amazing walk. Gosh you guys are doing some big km.
And on to Collie
14. september, Australien ⋅ 🌬 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 - niceLæs mere
To Yabberup
15. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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
Rejsende
Wow. Certainly looks a bit cold. Funny as I thought heat was going to be the issue. Did you go on the rope swing?
RejsendeNo, 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
Around Mumby pub
16. september, Australien ⋅ ⛅ 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 usLæs mere
RejsendeJust 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.
Preston National Park
17. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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,Læs mere
Balingup
18. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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 KirupLæs mere
Things starting to change
19. september, Australien ⋅ 🌙 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 beforeLæs mere
Donnelly River Village
20. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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 weLæs mere
Rejsende
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.
Rejsendethe trail is really well marked, hard to go wrong, but occasionally......
Along the river
21. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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 denseLæs mere
Halfway
22. september, Australien ⋅ 🌙 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 pointLæs mere
To Pemberton
23. september, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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 fewLæs mere
Pemberton
25. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 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 onLæs mere
Gloucester tree
26. september, Australien ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Warren River
27. september, Australien ⋅ 🌬 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
Swamp land
29. september, Australien ⋅ ⛅ 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! TheseLæs mere
Pingerup Plains
1. oktober, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 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.
Rejsende41km is impressive. Love the vegetation. So different from NZ. What sort of food carries are you doing? Good selection to resupply?
Rejsendeprobably 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
RejsendeGo well you guys. I look forward to following your journey. X
RejsendeAlways exciting to get started. Good luck-look forward to the updates.
RejsendeYay… you’re on your way!! Enjoy ☺️