Bibbulmun Track – 9 Days

Start in Walpole any time after 2 pm. This is about 420km south of Perth. Coach services operate daily. The Bibbulmun track is named after the earliest indigenous inhabitants of Australia’s southwest. The track is Australia’s longest walking trail at a distance of over 1000 kilometres.

Walking: Easy / optional 10km / 3 hrs

Accommodation: Tree Tops Motel Walpole

Begin walking the Bibbulmun Track from your accommodation in Walpole and head along the edge of Coalmine Beach at Nornalup Inlet. Groves of peppermint trees give way to the first of the magnificent karri forests as you climb to Hill Top Lookout. From here there are expansive views back over the inlet at the mouth of the Frankland River. The next highlight is the Giant Tingle Tree, a massive buttressed Eucalyptus tree with a hollowed-out base. This is one of the unique plants found in this area. Did you know that 75% of the southwest’s 7000 species of flowering plants are found nowhere else on earth except here? It’s easy walking as the Bibbulmun slowly descends to the banks of the Frankland River. Transfer back to Walpole for the night.

Walking: Moderate / 21.3km / 5–6 hrs / can be shortened to 10km / 2-2.5 hrs / mostly easy walking with one short, well-graded hill and some rough track for the last 2km

Accommodation: Tree Tops Motel Walpole

Back at the Frankland River, continue walking through Jarrah and Marri forest to the Tree Tops Walk, a 600m loop walk along a raised boardwalk, reaching a height of 40m above the ground. The optional Tree Tops Walk near the Frankland River affords an additional opportunity for a birds-eye view of the forest via a raised canopy boardwalk at tree level. Walk amongst Tingle trees at the Ancient Empire Walk that is large enough to park a car in. The Bibbulmun continues downhill through the even more beautiful karri forest to your accommodation.

Walking: Easy to moderate/ 20.7 km / 5–7 hrs / can be shortened to 10.3km

Meals: Two-course dinner

Accommodation: Remote chalets on the river

After a short transfer to Ficifolia Road, wander through a forest of rare red flowering gums before the gentle descent to the coast at picturesque Conspicuous Cliffs. The track picks its way along the spectacular cliff tops, passing many superb whale-watching lookouts. Today’s destination is the laid-back beach settlement of Peaceful Bay, home to about sixty lucky locals and a whole lot of tourists during the holiday season. Transfer back to your accommodation.

Walking: Moderate / 19.1 – 23.1 km / 5–7 hrs / can be shortened to 15.9km

Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two-course dinner

Accommodation: Remote chalets on the river

After a short transfer to William Bay, continue along the spectacular cliff-top track passing huge granite tors. There’s time for a swim at Lake Williams before continuing to Lights Beach, one of our all-time favourites. The Bibbulmun heads inland for a long stretch, climbing to a high vantage point at Monkey Rock. From here you have expansive views over Wilson Inlet at Denmark. Then it’s onwards and upwards to the highest point on this holiday – the summit of Mt Hallowell with more karri forests and a jumble of granite tors. Descend down the other side into Denmark.

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 15.3 km / approx. 5–6 hrs / can be shortened by about 6.5km

Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and a three-course dinner

Accommodation: B&B in Denmark

After a short transfer to the other side of the inlet at Denmark, the Bibbulmun continues across the Nullaki Peninsula where you’ll be able to see the Porongurups and on a clear day, the Stirling Ranges to the north-east. There’s more fabulously scenic cliff-top walking before descending to Lowlands Beach, a favourite with the locals who erect a shade shelter here during the summer months. On a calm day, it’s a great place for a swim before the final short walk to your accommodation for the next two nights.

Walking: Moderate / 14.3km / 4–5 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two-course dinner

Accommodation: Remote cottages near Cape Howe

After a short transfer to Cosy Corner, walk back to your accommodation near Cape Howe. This is one of the most scenic coastal sections with the black dolerite cliffs of Cape Howe contrasting with the azure blue seas and pure white sands of these seldom-visited beaches. Sections of walking across granite slabs add a different feel to the track.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23.9km / 6–7 hrs / can be shortened to 18.3km

Meals: Breakfast, Walkers Lunch and two-course dinner

Accommodation: Remote cottages near Cape Howe

Another short transfer to Mutton Point before arriving at your accommodation in Albany and the end of the Bibbulmun Track. Today features more cliff top tracks with the added element of getting up close to a large wind farm. Here, they’re laid-back enough to allow walkers to get close enough to touch a turbine. This wind farm also happens to be at one of the most scenic sections of track, causing some to object, but remember that it provides clean renewable energy for the town. The route continues through a section of the Torndirrup National Park before descending to Frenchman Bay and Princess Royal Harbour in Albany, the foundation site of European settlement in WA.  Walking the Bibbulmun Track is a real achievement and there is no better place to celebrate than in the remote iconic town of  Albany.

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 20.3 km / 7–8.5 hrs / options for shortening distance

Meals: Breakfast and Walkers Lunch

Accommodation: B&B in Albany

This holiday finishes in Albany after breakfast. Your accommodation hosts will be happy to drive you to the coach stop for public transport connections.

Meals: Breakfast