MAY’19 - AUG’19 ISSUE#80 RRP $6.00 m u n e w s l e t t e r f o n d i b b u l T r a c k N r t h e f r i e s o f t h e B ULTRA RUNNERS TAKE THE BIBBULMUN TRACK IN THEIR STRIDE In late February, Australia’s first to the event and staying in Albany over the Additionally $100 from each entry was 200 Miler ultra-marathon event, final weekend. donated to the Foundation for Track maintenance. For more information visit the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200 Miler, Media attention was good and the events’ http://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ was held on the south coast. Facebook page gained 35,000 hits from The actual course was 350 kilometres people all over the world. Several highly between Northcliffe and Albany along the ranked international runners are already Bibbulmun Track. signing up for next year and a film crew will follow the entire event from start to The gruelling race attracted 35 runners finish to promote it, and our stunning from six countries and 14 from interstate. coastline, to the world stage. Many of the 170 volunteers and support crew also travelled from outside of WA, The event organisers ensured that impact booking out all the accommodation in to the Track was minimal with all aid Northcliffe and much of Pemberton prior stations located off the Track and a zero- waste policy. GOOGLE TREKKER UPDATE Thanks to the Foundation’s The start of the scorching summer Volunteers are wanted to carry the Trekker, volunteers, stunning 360-degree temperatures required the project to affectionately named Wilson, in the coming panoramic views of the Bibbulmun be put on hold in early December. Now months. that cooler weather is on the horizon, Track will be visible online from Please register your interest with Helen at planning has commenced to capture anywhere in the world, with [email protected]. the use of Google’s Street View the remaining 600 kilometres. Trekker. The Google Street View Trekker, a wearable backpack with a camera system on top, has been on loan to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions since February 2018, capturing some of Western Australia’s unique, and sometimes remote, attractions. In late 2018 volunteers from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation carried the Google Street View Trekker to capture the highlights of the Bibbulmun Track, covering over 400 kilometres. Six teams of three to four people did multi-day trips between Perth and Albany, resulting in 25 total capture days. 1 Adventure Raffle $10 a ticket Fantastic holiday packages to be won! Get your The Adventure Raffle is the Bibbulmun Track Foundation’s major fundraiser for the year and we need your support today. tickets today Fantastic prizes include exciting holidays and your choice of outdoor and travel gear. from our Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. website Help support the Bibbulmun Track 100% of funds from the raffle will be used to stabilise the Track on the south coast. This will include the installation of steps in badly eroded dune areas and a simple lookout at Conspicuous Cliffs. Due to the remote locations, just getting the materials on site by helicopter will cost $20K. All work will be carried out by our volunteers. Please note – We will NOT be posting tickets to members – they can only be purchased from our website – so get online and buy your tickets today! Over $8,000 worth of prizes to be won… 1st Prize BIBBULMUN TRACK GUIDED TOURS Dreamt of walking a whole section of the Bibbulmun Track but don’t want to carry a backpack or sleep in the shelters? Inspiration Outdoors offers six town-to-town tours on the Bibbulmun Track with no roughing it. Enjoy all of the sights, sounds and smells of these wonderful walks yet return to accommodation each night for a proper bed and a delicious meal. It really is a most enjoyable way to experience the Bibbulmun Track. Choose which section to explore! Up to the value of $4,750 2nd Prize RIVER VALLEY HOLIDAY for four. A week’s accommodation at the old mill town of Donnelly River Village gives you plenty of time to explore this delightful region. Prize includes a Track transfer from Time Travel Tours, entry into the Nannup Clocktower, lunch at The Cidery in Bridgetown and a cruise on the Donnelly River. Total Value $1620 3rd Prize PEMBERTON DISCOVERY BREAK for four. Relax for a night at the RAC Karri Valley Resort and two nights at Pemberton Lodge in the heart of this lovely timber town. Discover the Yeagarup Dunes on an eco-tour with Pemberton Discovery Tours and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Holy Smoke Café. Total Value $1200 4th Prize $500 SEA TO SUMMIT GIFT VOUCHER. Imagine the latest high quality, high-tech and lightweight gear you could get… 2 Thank you FROM MY THANK YOU thank you Desk A SINCERE THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING WALKERS WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY MADE DONATIONS TO THE FOUNDATION. Welcome to the autumn edition of Bibbulmun News. This time last year we were reeling from the loss of our Amanda Bovis Jana Seifer Robyn McWillams sponsor, Mountain Designs, and having to relocate after Cathy Herbert Kellie Whitfield Stephen Barrie 20 years. A year later we are well adjusted to our new Chris Lee Laurence Till Stuart Youngson offices at the Perth YHA and have heard a whisper that Gabrielle Caratti Margaret Katz MDs is re-launching …so life goes on! Valerie Jordan Hedley Amos Peter Edwards Vivien Mather Also rising from the ashes is Helena Campsite and we Helen Jurat Robert Loermans Y.A.H.O.O. Over 55 hope that the new rammed earth design will be well Bushwalking Club received by walkers. Plans are also well underway for the rebuild of the shelter at Sandpatch near Albany and Donations are tax deductible! it is hoped both campsites will be open by the end of Through the National Trust, donations to the Foundation are deposited in June. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page a special account and assigned specifically to projects that enhance the for updates. Bibbulmun Track’s environmental sustainability. The National Trust provides this service for free so you can be sure that 100% of your donation will go to After many years of planning there is some good news Track projects. for trail development in WA, with Dwellingup receiving Tax deductible donations can be made online, in person by cash or credit card, major funding for trails, bridges and other infrastructure or by cheque which can be made out to the Bibbulmun Track Foundation with around the town, which is positioning itself to be a your name and address. We will then provide you with a receipt from the mountain biking destination. Another Track town, National Trust receipt book which indicates the donation is specifically for Collie, recently opened a new 20km walk trail along the the Bibbulmun Track. Wellington Dam and also has big plans for mountain All donations, regardless of the amount, are gratefully received and all help to biking. Whilst most of the current funding is for mtb preserve our beautiful Bibbulmun Track. trails, the improvements in infrastructure and services in these towns will benefit all trail users including those walking the Bibbulmun Track. A bushwalking and trail running strategy for WA is being developed and this will highlight that walking is still NEW self-guided the most popular outdoor activity and demand for improved bushwalking opportunities is increasing. For Bibbulmun Walking those of you reading this magazine, it is a no-brainer Break itineraries that investment into the maintenance of existing trails and development of more bushwalking opportunities A new range of itineraries has been designed for is an excellent investment in the physical and mental people interested in experiencing day walks on health of West Australians. the Track whilst holidaying in the south west. The self-guided Bibbulmun Walking Break In the meantime please support the maintenance of the itineraries range from two to six days, and Bibbulmun Track and buy some tickets in our Adventure combine suggested walks Raffle! There are some great prizes thanks to our with interesting sights and sponsors and Walker Friendly Businesses, with 100% of attractions to visit, in and funds being used to improve badly eroded sections on around the Track Towns. the south coast. Visitors can select one Enjoy the upcoming walker season and keep sending us itinerary or join several together to create their your stories. We love to hear from you. own customised holiday. Four family friendly Join us on itineraries with shorter Linda Daniels walks and attractions Executive Director suitable for kids are also available and can be downloaded from our website. 3 Your LETTERS Hi All, Another big thank you to the Bibbulmun Track Support Rap from the Register Vollies maintenance team that conducted a third major (Please read like a 1980s Rap) maintenance visit to the River Road Bridge. We continued with deck and pile cleaning, deck and pile preservation treatment Spent a lot of time eating junk and crap and replacement bolting operations to the old structure. Got real unhealthy drunk and fat Once again, not only did we get a lot of work done but had Had about enough coz dying is wack a lot of fun along the way. Of course without the crew Phil, So I took a little trip on the Bibbulmun Track Ron, Don, Alex, Gordon, Tony, Bill, Lari, Hedley, Charlie and Sold my X-box, said goodbye to my wife Ross these operations wouldn’t achieve the success that “I’ll be back soon going to better my life” they have.