LOCATION

Our Bibbulmun Track 6-Day "Walpole Wilderness Experience" is a tailor-made, guided itinerary based at Walpole on Western Australia's pristine south coast - a 4.5-hour drive south of Perth. This 6-day, 5-night adventure is set in a vast and wild landscape with tranquil forests, imposing granite peaks, peaceful rivers, wetlands and breathtaking beaches. It is also home to 400-year-old majestic tingle forests, which occur nowhere else in the world! Your adventure includes stunning and wild landscape, physical challenge, new friendships, great accommodation and delicious catering.

John Rate Lookout to Coalmine Beach 10.5km

Coalmine Beach to Giant Tingle 10-12km

Valley of the Giants to Conspicuous Cliffs 15km

Conspicuous Cliffs to Peaceful Bay 15km

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY AND GROUP BARBECUE

Make your own way to the Walpole region, 410km south of Perth, and check in at Coalmine Beach Holiday Park. Relax and unwind for the afternoon. We recommend becoming familiar with the surrounds and completing the 5km Knoll Drive self-guided walk (or various optional easy self-guided walks accessed from the holiday park) through beautiful karri forest on the banks of the Nornalup Inlet. Just ask the friendly staff at Coalmine Beach Holiday Park or check the map on your printed itinerary for more details. Then, meet at the camp kitchen area at 6pm (near the luxury tents) at 6pm where your guides will introduce themselves, discuss the adventures ahead, and give you the opportunity to introduce yourself to the group while getting to know your fellow walkers. Your guides will cook a delicious barbecue dinner with fresh salads and dessert. And you will receive a hamper packed with all your breakfast and track snack needs for the duration of your experience.

DAY 2: Coalmine Beach-Walpole loop plus river cruise 10.5km

Prepare your breakfast from your supplied hamper and hop on our bus for a transfer to John Rate Lookout. Named after a district forester who discovered a new species on tingle tree, the lookout offers great views over Walpole and the coastline you will be hiking. Set out on your first taste of Bibbulmun Track with a 6.5km downhill walk into Walpole township, finishing at the beautiful Nornalup Inlet. Here, we join local legend Gary Muir for a 2-hour WOW Wilderness Ecocruise (you’ll even see your accommodation from the water during the trip). Tuck into a tasty picnic lunch waiting for you on the banks of the inlet after the cruise. In the afternoon, hike on the Bibbulmun Track for 4km along the shores of the inlet, walking into your accommodation. Enjoy dinner at family-run Nornabar, a beautiful restaurant right on the Franklin River whose Sri Lankan chefs do a mean curry as well as a fabulous selection of Mediterranean and western cuisine.

DAY 3: Tingle forest experience with Tree Top Walk 10-12km

Enjoy breakfast from your supply hamper and get ready to experience the magic of the tingle forest! We walk out of our accommodation on the Bibbulmun Track for an exhilarating 7km – it’s mostly uphill but the spectacular views are worth every step. Stop at several look-outs for plenty of Instagram moments. Plunge into the forest, stopping at the Giant Tingle Tree. It’s a towering red tingle tree hollowed out by fire with the widest base of any known eucalyptus tree in the world! Enjoy another delicious lunch under the forest canopy. Then, it’s on to the Valley Of The Giants Tree Top Walk. This world-renowned attraction is a 600m walkway soaring 40m into the tree tops, with more excellent walking trails on the ground meandering among the tingles. Enjoy a hearty dinner prepared at your accommodation.

DAY 4: VALLEY OF THE GIANTS TO CONSPICUOUS CLIFFS 15KM

After breakfast at Coalmine Beach and a short bus ride back to the Valley Of The Giants, we’re back on the Bibbulmun Track where we left off yesterday. Today’s hike is 15km, walking out of the magical tingle forest (mostly downhill!) to Conspicious Cliff, home to unspoiled beach, limestone cliffs and granite headlands. Enjoy lunch on the Track while taking in the epic coastal scenery, with the option for a swim to cap off the day. Before departing Conspicuous Cliff, enjoy a beach-side wine tasting of local wine and cheese board. Relax back at the accommodation and sit down to a tasty dinner prepared for you.

DAY 5: CONSPICUOUS CLIFFS TO PEACEFUL BAY 15KM

Breakfast and morning transfer back to Conspicious Cliff, where we hike by the seaside on the Bibbulmun Track through a series of gorgeous bays and over stunning granite headlands. Hugging the coast for a total of 15km, we finish at the aptly-named Peaceful Bay. Enjoy lunch on the Track and then tuck into a sunset seafood dinner at the fabulous Peaceful Bay Fish n Chips restaurant.

DAY 6: DEPARTURE DAY

Wake up, enjoy breakfast and check out of your accommodation. Head home or continue your exploration of the south coast. We highly recommend exploring these additional ‘self-guided walks’ on your way home: the Sawbrick Art Loop (500m interactive art loop); the newly installed Mt Frankland viewing platform (1.2km return); Fernhook Falls (1km boardwalk loop along river and waterfalls). Please refer to your printed itinerary for maps and further details. Note: these stops are on the way back to Perth, so if you're heading in that direction the three locations are on your way!

PACKAGE INCLUDES

  • 4 x days fully-guided walking, with full emergency support: trained guides carry first aid and communications equipment.
  • All vehicle transfers between the Track, local attractions and your accommodation each day.
  • 5 x nights accommodation in either a cabin with ensuite or glamping tent with ensuite.
  • Catering with a focus on fresh and healthy food, using local produce and exploring the foodie delights of the region.
  • 1 x supply box with a great variety of items for fresh and tasty daily breakfasts. Items depend on availability and seasonality, but include our in-house muesli blend; eggs and breakfast items such as mushrooms, spinach and cherry tomatoes; yoghurt, fresh fruit and locally-sourced bread; tea and coffee.
  • 4 x lunches, including freshly prepared nutritious rolls or wraps, and track snacks including morning tea each day (lunch on arrival and departure days is not included).
  • 5 x evening meals, some at local restaurants and others prepared by our in-house catering company.
  • Beach-side wine tasting of local wine and cheese board.
  • Entry into the Valley Of The Giants Tree Top Walk and your ticket on the WOW Walpole Ecocruise
  • Photos taken throughout the week by your guides will be transferred via Dropbox with a link to the trip photos.
  • Bibbulmun Track completion certificate.
  • All planning, logistical, administrative and on-ground support, including intimate knowledge of weather patterns and Track conditions.

TRAINING & PREPARATION

We recommend three key elements to your preparation:

1. Regular training

We strongly recommend training regularly before commencement of the tour. We recommend getting off footpaths and bitumen for as much as possible. Some sand walking and hill walking will really help to build the fitness need on the track.

2. Well worn-in boots

The main issue to interrupt a walk of this nature is not the fitness of the participants, but problems with feet, socks and/or shoes. We strongly recommend that all participants have very well-worn-in boots that they have trained in prior to the walk. This training should also trial any new socks etc. that may be worn during the walk. Training on a range of surfaces and topography will best test gear, shoes-and your body, prior to tackling the diversity of the Track. Having some back up footwear available including runners or hiking sandals often comes in handy on sand stretches or if blisters occur with your main pair of shoes/boots.

3. Foot care

It will be your responsibility to manage your personal foot care during the course of the tour and address any minor rubbing or ‘hotspots’ straight away so as to avoid these becoming significant obstacles to completing the walk. You should carry a range of dressings and equipment to assist you to manage minor issues before they become serious. CCET guides carry a kit for feet treatment in the case of an emergency.

GEAR PACKING LIST

  • Solid, reliable walking boots (well worn-in and very comfortable, waterproof a big advantage)
  • Alternative walking shoes, also well worn-in, in case of rubbing. For example, runners or comfortable sandals
  • Woollen socks (suggest three pairs of quality walking socks, worn-in)
  • Gators, if you choose
  • Walking poles (if you feel your knees need them!)
  • Lightweight clothing for walking–long pants and long-sleeved shirt recommended for sun protection
  • Sunhat
  • Beanie
  • Fleece jacket
  • Waterproof hiking jacket and pants
  • Swim gear
  • Small towel (microfiber)
  • Personal toiletries
  • Water bottles / bladder (we suggest carrying 3L/day)
  • Blister protection (recommend at least one pack of Compeed per person)
  • Medications (include sunscreen, insect repellent, analgesics and any personal medication) Please advise CCET staff of the location of any medication you may require urgently
  • Daypack: comfortable daypack to carry your water, lunch pack and personal items while walking (camera, swim gear, sunscreen etc). Prior to the tour, try to take at least a few walks wearing this pack to prepare your body.

ACCOMMODATION

You’ll stay in comfortable 4-star accommodation at Coalmine Beach Holiday Park on the calm banks of the Nornalup Inlet, surrounded by five national parks. Sleep in your choice of either an ensuite studio cabin or a luxury glamping tent with queen bed and private ensuite. Please note, when booking your tour, choose from either a cabin or glamping tent under the "Extras" page. You’ll return to the same amazing accommodation each night without the need to pack up and move each day.