Day 1 | (Departing 10am)
Kalamunda – Hewitt’s Hill Campsite 12.1 kms
Kicking off at the Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus (Kalamunda), we will travel through the former golf course that is now known as Jorgensen Park and into Kalamunda National Park. Following the creek line of Piesse Brook downwards we will admire spectacular valley views before we start heading up hill past granite outcrops and boulders and through lush mixed Jarrah forest. Shortly after we pass the Camel Farm the track levels out and it is only a short 2.5km until we reach ‘home’ for the night at Hewitt’s Hill Campsite.
Day 2 |
Hewitt’s Hill Campsite – Helena Campsite 21.5 kms
After a tasty trail breakfast we’ll pack up camp and begin day two, which is a long day compared to day one, though the first half is relatively easy and flat. Passing numerous granite outcrops on our way to South Ledge, you will begin to understand the beauty of the Darling Ranges. As you approach the Mundaring Weir and Lake CY O’Connor you will marvel in its beauty and after reading the interpretive signage have an appreciation of the work that went into building this impressive structure regarded as one of the world’s great engineering projects. After crossing the weir, we’ll head past the Mundaring Weir Hotel and onto the Perth Hills Discovery Centre. From here it is a gentle descent to Ball Creek Campsite for a well deserved break and tasty trail lunch.
Once recharged, you’ll pop the pack back on and hit the trail for part two of your day. Your afternoon hiking session starts off quite gentle as the first couple of kms follows a nice flat forestry management track out of Ball Creek. As you begin to descend into the forest the trail becomes very lush with an abundance of bracken ferns, large trees and thick undergrowth that will lead you to a series of granite platforms nearby a creek – the perfect place to stop for some quiet contemplation. As you follow Mann’s Gully the forest transitions into beautiful Wandoo woodlands which leads you to the start of the big ascent for the day up to Helena Campsite. Take a break from your ascent at the lookout and admire views over the Helena River Valley and Lake CY O’Connor before you head back into the forest from some more Wandoo before the steep descent down to Helena Campsite to set up camp and enjoy those epic sunset views! Congratulations – you just completed the biggest and toughest day on your Darling Ranges Multi-Day Hike!
Day 3 |
Helena Campsite – Beraking Campsite 18.3 kms
Today you’ll enjoy your delicious trail breakfast whilst surrounded by picturesque Helena River Valley views – what a way to start the day! Although today is your shortest it won’t disappoint with some great heart pumping climbs and views to enjoy! As you know what goes down, must come up, so expect a steep ascent out of Helena to start your third day of hiking. The following few kms are relatively flat/slightly downhill which allow for comfortable hiking as you enjoy the views down to Chinaman’s Gully from one of the many granite platforms along the trail. Nearing the Helena River crossing the fresh scent of Karri Hazel greets you and the trail morphs from Wandoo to Jarrah and then back again to Wandoo in the blink of an eye. This is such a special section of the Bib! Arriving at Waalegh Campsite, we’ll stop to have some lunch and a break and take in the beautiful valley views that surround us!
After lunch we’ll hit the track for a fairly relaxed afternoon of hiking to Beraking Campsite. Following the ridge above the Darkin Valley, the scenery throughout this section is primarily Wandoo forest lined with Karri Hazel and the occasional Acacia Wattle broken up with moss covered granite outcrop.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner as we soak in the views from the campsite and reminisce about our journey so far!
Day 4 |
Beraking Campsite – Mt Dale Campsite 13.3 kms
After we’ve enjoyed breakfast and packed up camp, we almost immediately head uphill along side a lush pine plantation before heading back into Eucalyptus/Wandoo forest dotted with Winter blooms. Throughout this section you will climb almost 400m over 7kms! This section is notorious for amazing wildflowers so be sure to have the camera ready! After we pass Dale Road the track is relatively easy but quite sandy as we pass through sheoak and open jarrah forest. We’ll arrive at camp and pitch out tents amongst the Kingia Balgas for our final night on the track.
Day 5 | (Arrive back to Kalamunda by 2pm)
Mt Dale Campsite – Brookton Hwy 10.3 kms
The final stretch! Today we’ll continue on along the Bibbulmun for our final 10kms of forest therapy!
The landscape and forest continues to be filled with sheoak, banksias, grass trees and jarrah with plenty of wildflowers to be spotted along the forest floor. We’ll stop at the new rammed earth style shelter at Brookton Campsite for morning tea before our final few kilometers to our rendezvous point at Brookton Hwy by lunch time. Congratulations you have just hiked 73kms through the Darling Range!
After 5 days on the Bibbulmun Track and hiking an impressive 73 kms, you will be picked up and can relax as we drive you back to Kalamunda. You will feel empowered and invigorated, with plenty of amazing memories and stories to tell!
