Bibbulmun & Beyond October 2012
9 Days: Saturday 13th to Sunday 21st October 20122 Nights : Pemberton Best Western Motel
3 Nights : The Cove Denmark
1 Night : Augusta Sheoak Cottages
2 Nights : Margaret River Apartments
The south western corner of WA is home to some of Australia’s most magnificent forests, pristine beaches and rust stained granite headlands. And it has two of this country’s best walking trails in the Bibbulmun Track and the Cape to Cape track. Park Trek has put together a nine day journey that captures the best of these iconic trails and takes in some of the loveliest locations in this famous region. The trip includes the expertise of Simon Mendelawitz, a local walking guide who knows the area intimately along with Bjorn from Park Trek. Delightful accommodation in Pemberton, Denmark, Augusta and Margaret River along with comfortable coach transport, excellent catering and the colour and smell of the natural world during Spring makes this a terrific travel experience.DAY 1Your journey through the South West of WA begins in central Perth with an 8.30am departure. We take you south to where, mid morning, we start our wander along the Bibbulmun Track with a one hour wander to the town of Ballingup where a delightful local cafe serves us lunch. You can leave your daypack in the coach as your afternoons walk is for another hour before you meet the coach that takes us on to Pemberton. We’ll arrive into Pemberton late afternoon, settle into our place of stay and with some time to go for your own wander. Dinner will be in the local restaurant this evening. About our accommodation in Pemberton.....Our two nights here is in the Pemberton Hotel. Choose a room with either a king size bed or 2 single beds. The rooms offer modern accommodation with balconies overlooking karri and jarrah trees. They have ensuite, tea/coffee making facilities, a small fridge, reverse cycle air-conditioning and overhead fans. Plus it only a very short walk into town and easy access to our walks. DAY 2Morning breakfast, make our lunches and then get the day underway for a full days walking. This morning we pick up the Bibbulmun Track from just outside of Pemberton. The track continues on through the magnificent Karri Forest in the area. You have the option of really stretching your legs for a full 22 kilometres days walking. Otherwise we have a more leisurely 13 kilometre option. If you take the shorter option you may like to spend time around Pemberton. Dinner will be in the local restaurant this evening. DAY 3A short drive from our accommodation is the iconic Gloucester Tree, a giant of a tree that towers over its surrounds. Our journey south to Denmark gets underway and a few hours later we first visit Greens Pool, one of the area’s natural wonders. We’ll stop for lunch at Monkey Rock and then you have a few walking options to consider. If you want one of the best views on the Bibbulmun Track you’ll be able to walk over Mt Hallowell, a challenging but worthwhile six kilometre walk. You can then either jump back on the coach or continue on to our place of stay a further four kilometres along the Bibbulmun Track. About our accommodation in Denmark...For three nights we based at the Cove in the most stunning location on Wilsons Inlet. Twenty four hectares of native karri, tingle and jarrah forest on the edge of Wilson Inlet, only minutes from Denmark town and the beach. Creative use of timber and glass features in the Cove’s choice of 5 craftsman-built, self-contained chalets. Glass-fronted log fires make for a cosy experience. Park Trek is able to offer superb meals, fresh local wines and just a lovely accommodation experience. Day 4This morning it is a short 45 minute drive to the town of Albany, the terminus of the Bibbulmun Track. Our day begins with a truly unforgettable experience exploring the dramatic coastline near the Albany Wind farm. Then our days’ walking gets underway as the Bibbulmun Track winds through wildflower filled coastal heath and along the top of some of the highest sea cliffs in WA. For those happy to finish after 13 kilometres we’ll have the coach waiting and those wanting to go a further six kilometres our coach will pick you up at Cosy Corner. We finish with a photographic wander around West Cape Howe. By late afternoon we’ll be settling back into our accommodation at The Cove. DAY 5A little to the north of Denmark is another iconic section of the Bibbulmun Track as we walk from Peaceful Bay to Conspicuous Cliffs. It’s a superb walk of 16 kilometres that finishes mid afternoon and allows us time to relax in our surrounds back at The Cove. DAY 6Today sees us shifting from the coastal environment and deep into the Karri and Tingle forests that surround the town of Walpole. We get things underway with the Tree Top Walk nestled in amongst some of the largest trees found in Australia. We have a morning to explore some of the trails around Walpole before our journey shifts from the Bibbulmun Track to the Cape to Cape Walk. By midafternoon we’ll be having a cuppa in the small hamlet of Augusta. Our day finishes with a sunset at Cape Leeuwin, the beginning point for the Cape to Cape Walk. Then it’s back to our accommodation at the Sheoak Cottages. About accommodation at the Sheoak Cottages...Situated just five kilometres from Augusta the Sheoak Cottages are situated high on a hill with superb panoramic coastal views. We are right next door to the towering Karri trees protected by the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park. Our lodgings here are beautifully timbered two or three bedroom chalets. It is a superb base to launch into the Cape to Cape Trail. DAY 7Today you have the option of either an eight or 14 kilometre section of the Cape to Cape Walk. We start close to Cape Leeuwin, encountering a few steep sections along the way that takes along dramatic cliff lines. There are also deserted beaches, lovely limestone formations and a finale at the areas famous Cosy Corner, where you’ll be able to witness the most stunning collection of blowholes. By midafternoon we are on our way to Margaret River for accommodation at the Grange on Farrelly. Tonight we will dine in the motels restaurant. About our accommodation in Margaret River...Bridgefield is a uniquely style bed and breakfast, with spacious rooms surrounded by native gardens. It boasts a myriad of nearby walking trails and offers a timeless experience. DAY 8A visit to the beautiful South West of WA would not be complete without taking time to observe the amazing diversity of wildflowers that proliferate at this time of the year. Jane Scott is a local botanist who joins us today for a section of the Cape to Cape, broadening our understanding of the rich floral tapestry of the area. Our distance today will be between 12 to 14 kilometres. Jane will determine where we can observe the best wildflowers while also being able to enjoy the best of the Cape to Cape Trail. Our final night’s dinner sees us eating out at a local winery, enjoying each other’s company for one final meal. Tonight’s meal is at guests own expense. DAY 9
A truly unforgettable walk today gets underway from the coastal town of Yallingup. We journey north finishing at Cape Naturaliste, a 12 kilometre ramble and a very fitting end to our odyssey through this highly revered and beautiful region. By lunchtime we’ll be picnicking at the lighthouse that marks the terminus of the Cape to Cape. It’s then time to head back into Perth where we are expecting to drop you off early evening. |
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