A walk on the Bibbulmun Track with track volunteers

On Saturday we had a fabulous day bushwalking and assisting Bibbulmun Track volunteers on their section of the Bibbulmun Track at Grimwade.

The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth hills, to Albany on the south coast, winding through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australia
Please click on the link here to read more - Bibbulmun Track

 It has been some time since we had been out on the track, and it was great to revisit it with like minded people who enjoy bushwalking. This time however we were not there to just bushwalk, we went along to find out what my friend Wendy does as a volunteer for the Bibbulmun Track. As you would expect for a track which is nearly 1000km long, volunteers are essential to help maintain the track and campsites to a high standard for those walking the track. 





 The section that Wendy and her friend Pat maintain covers about 9 kilometres either side of the Grimwade campsite.  Four of us joined Wendy and Pat on Saturday for the maintenance day. We split into two groups working either side of the campsite. It was enjoyable work and we had plenty of time to chat. Both Wendy and Pat agree that they get a lot of personal satisfaction and enjoyment from their association with the Bibbulmun Track.  Just being out on the Track is rejuvenating. "It's peaceful, and right back to nature. The peace and tranquility is the best medicine for the soul and recharging your batteries. I've had the most fabulous experiences with friends out walking."

Afterward the work was completed we sat together and had our lunch at the Grimwade campsite.  You can see it in the images below. The campsites are basically three sided wooded huts installed with sleeping platforms that can accommodate 8 to 12 people.  (12 people would be very cosy, but you could do it). Nearby there are tenting sites.  There is a water tank which collects rainwater (needs to be boiled to drink), and a long drop toilet.  

You can see the "loo with a view" below. If you missed my post about "Aussie loos with views" last week - you can read it by clicking here - Aussie loos with views
I'll have to add this one to my list! 

The Bibbulmun Track is marked at regular intervals by yellow triangular markers, image below, depicting the Rainbow Serpent, the Waugal, from the Aboriginal Dreamtime.  The markers indicate the direction to be walked, and are a comforting sight when you are walking the Track as there are many intersecting tracks. 

On their website, the Bibbulmun Track has been split into nine sections, with info on each section by clicking on the links. You can also purchase maps and guide books - essential if you are doing a longer walk. There is information on day walks, guided walks, and other events, track conditions, and how to prepare for a walk on the track. It is a really useful site. Several campsites and bridges were destroyed in the devastating summer fires early in 2015, so please check with the Bibbulmun Track website if you are planning a walk. Here is a link -  Trip Planner

My friend was devastated to see a huge section of bush had been destroyed by bushfires in March only 300-400 metres from the campsite. It looked like bulldozes had been brought in to clear a firebreak around the campsite, and thankfully the campsite was saved. It is heartening to see however that with recent rain the bush is already regenerating.

A clump of fungi

Solidified sap oozing from a tree (amazing colour), a dried flower head (possibly Semaphore Sedge), tiny pink Boronia, one of the Bunny Orchid family (Eriochilus dilatatus), and Hibbertia. I was thrilled to see my first orchid of the season.

(below LHS) Banksia and (RHS) Snottygobble (Persoonia longifolia (known as the Long-leaf Persoonia) Yes, you read correctly, Snottygobble - don't you just love that name!
Unfortunately I have never seen the flower or fruit. I should have looked around the base of these trees.

  The Snottygobble flower in summer and have fruit the size of blueberries which ripens in autumn. The fruit ripens and  falls in June to July.  The fruit is edible and very tasty and was used as bush tucker by the Noongar tribe.  
Info from - Roley Bush Care

There is a lot of work to be done repairing the track and campsites following the January bushfires. The Bibbulmun Track Foundation is fund-raising for these repairs. 

Below is some more info about volunteering and a link, here - Bibbulmun Track - to their page for more info. 

 The Bibbulmun Track is divided into 147 maintenance sections, varying in length from 5-10km. Some sections include a campsite. Volunteers adopt a section of the Track and are trained to look after it. Their role is essential in ensuring that the Track remains well-kept and well-loved. Each section is maintained by a team which may consist of one person working on their own, a group of friends, family or work mates.  Sometimes the responsibility for a section may be shared by more than one team.

Volunteers undertake a range of light maintenance tasks including pruning, clearing debris from the Track, replacing missing trail markers, installing water bars, removing litter and monitoring the campsite. All major maintenance tasks are carried out by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
You can find out more by clicking on the link here - Volunteering

Thank you Wendy for inviting us to go out on the track with you. Stay tuned for the magazine article. I'll let you know when it is published.

And thank you so much dear readers for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed this walk along the Bibbulmun Track. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday
Travel Photo Mondays
Our World Tuesday
Image-in-ing 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
 Agent Mystery Case
What's It Wednesday
Travel Photo Thursday

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It's time to be out on the Bibbulmun Track 
Photography on the Bibbulmun Track 
Bushwalking at Hoffmans Mill