Day 1 | (Departing 6:30am) Drive Day & Balingup – Blackwood Campsite (17.4km)
After driving down to Balingup, we kick off our 3 days on the track by walking through the beautiful Golden Valley Tree Park as we leave the Balingup town center. You’ll continue walking through rolling hills, alongside farmlands and down country roads before heading across the old tram line where the trail transitions to forest. After a short ascent, we will reach a lookout point and stop to admire the beautiful vistas and take in the serenity. We will then pass the Mt Jones Dam (a remnant of the Vultan Mine) before hiking through some more jarrah forest until the landscape opens up into beautiful rolling farmland with quaint farmhouses, grazing cows and a juvenile pine plantation in the distance. One last short steep climb between the plantations to the rim of the Blackwood River Valley and you’ll reach the Blackwood Campsite. As we enjoy a hearty hot dinner, we’ll reminisce day one of our big adventure and watch the sun set at arguably one of the best locations along the Bibbulmun Track.
Day 2 | Blackwood Campsite – Gregory Brook Campsite (18.2 km)
Our second day on the track commences with a steep descent down ‘Cardiac Hill’ into the Blackwood River Valley. After passing the historic Southampton Homestead, we’ll enjoy a gentle stroll along the river banks to the Southampton Bridge. This is a beautiful spot to sit and reflect on the journey so far whilst you take a small break before the climbing starts. The climb will be well worth it as the views you’ll get from the top are breathtaking! The trail transitions with the introduction of old railway formations with thick lush undergrowth and a flatter gradient, making the rest of today’s journey quite gentle. Through the trees, you’ll spot Millstream Dam, which supplies water to the town of Bridgetown.
As you near Gregory Brook, the Jarrah/Marri forest becomes much more dense. Just south of Wetherly Road, you’ll encounter your first Karri trees—a beautiful majestic eucalypt—along this section of the Bibbulmun. The forest changes again with the typical southern Jarrah forest understory featuring tassel bush, water bush, soap bush and the very pretty tree hovea. Nestled deep in the forest is the Gregory Brook shelter, your home for the evening!
Day 3 | Gregory Brook Campsite – Donnelly River Village (22.5km)
Today you’ll be completely immersed in the majestic Karri forest from about 3km into your hike. The thick Karri, Marri, and Jarrah forest is absolutely superb and the thick understory with blooming wildflowers is just breathtaking! You will soon reach a spur trail that takes you to Karri Gully, a great spot to stop and take a break. Following the old Willow Bridge formation, the track enters a deep dark forest where you’ll cross many gullies on little wooden bridges, giving it a very enchanted feel.
As we reach Willow Springs (an old mill that is now a picnic site), the scenery gets better and better. You’ll feel like you are hiking through an endless maze of gullies, fallen moss covered trees, tall karri trees and colourful undergrowth throughout this section, so we’ll take is slow to appreciate it in all its glory! The final stretch into Donnelly River follows a series of 4×4 tracks that provide the perfect opportunity to admire the size of the Karri Forrest. Before you know it, you’ll be greeted by friendly emus and kangaroos – signifying you have completed Day 3 and your Balingup Multi-Day Hiking Experience along the Bibbulmun Track!
After a hot shower, we’ll enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal and celebrate our adventure together before sleeping in a comfortable bed at Donnelly River Village.
Day 4 | (Arrive back in Perth by 2pm)
Check out & drive back to Perth
After 3 days on the Bibbulmun Track and hiking an impressive 58 kms, you will be picked up and can relax as we drive you back to Perth. You will feel empowered and invigorated, with plenty of amazing memories and stories to tell!
