In July 1972 Geoff Schafer walked into the office of the then Minister for Forests, H.D. Evans, with an idea designed to prompt urban people to ‘go bush’. The Minister listened, liked what he heard, and sent Geoff and his idea to the Forests Department with a green light to go ahead – and thus the Bibbulmun Track was born.
Geoff, then an active member of the Perth Bushwalking Club, was a former Victorian, and used that State’s ‘Alpine Way’ as inspiration for his proposed Perth-to-Albany walking track. His idea was cause for some consternation in the Forests Department, which at the time had only a very small recreation budget and little to no knowledge of long-distance trails. Fortunately, several officers within the Department seized the opportunity and set about the considerable challenges it posed. Among these were Peter Hewett and Ross Gobby, who played significant parts in transforming the idea into reality, a process which took almost two years.
By September of 1972 the enthusiastic planning team had designed on paper a Lancelin-to-Albany walk, via the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge. The group realised in ensuing months this was unrealistic, and the proposition was abandoned in favour of a shorter Kalamunda to Northcliffe proposal. With this change of route, the early name ‘Perth to Albany Track’ was abandoned, and the search for a new name began.
Many options were considered until a suggestion was made by Kirup forester Len Talbot, that the Track be named to recognise the pre-European inhabitants of the area, the Bibbulmun. This suggestion was adopted as both unique and appropriate, even though the Track did not follow Aboriginal travel routes – rather it recognised the Bibbulmun peoples’ practice of walking long distances for ceremonial gatherings.
Early planning was plagued by concerns over public access to domestic water catchment areas, and the possible impact of bauxite mining, which was at the time going through a rapid expansion. Nonetheless, the first alignment of the Track was marked on the ground in March 1974. For the next four years this route was subject to a range of modifications as various parties sought to ensure that their interests were preserved.
Parking for access to the Bubbulmun Track is at Sullivan Rock carpark on Albany Highway. Caution should be taken when crossing the Highway to get onto the spur trail that leads to the Bibbulmun Track.
Anyone walking on the Bibbulmun Track is encouraged to purchase a map from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation, or to thoroughly research the track on their website.
The Bibbulmun Track trail marker is the yellow arrow with a black Waugal design (snake).
Dogs and wheeled vehicles are not permitted on the Bibbulmun Track, it is a walking track only.
People are discouraged from walking in extreme weather conditions. Days of extreme fire danger ratings are best avoided. Plenty of water should be taken when heading out onto the Bibbulmun Track.
It is encouraged for all hikers to check alerts on the Parks and Wildlife Service – Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – Park Alerts System should be checked prior to walking to see any closures due to fires, or if during spring or autumn, there may be diversions due to prescribed burning.
