As you can see this is a track with quite a variety of scenery to explore and it can be experienced in a variety of ways with the choice of doing day walks, multi-day walks or even walk the whole 1000 kilometres from one end to the other. There are guided tours available for either day walks or multi-day walks and for those who are happy to navigate on their own you can purchase maps and track books. There are campsites on the track, and companies that pick up and drop off on the track so one can sleep in the comfort of a hotel or motel.

A very brief history The Bibbulmun Track came into being in the early 1970s. It was named in recognition of the local Aboriginal tribe, the Bibbulmun people, who would walk long distances through the bush for their ceremonial gatherings. The sign format is based on the Waugal serpent, which to the Aboriginal people means soul, spirit or breath. The Waugal is represented in black on a fluorescent yellow triangle sign that can be found along the track nailed to the trees for easy viewing. In 1979 the Bibbulmun only went as far as Northcliffe, and as part of the sesquicentennial celebrations of the founding of Western Australia the track was officially opened.

In 1994 the track was upgraded with huts and toilet facilities, initially made in the

workshops by minimal security prisoners. The inspiration for the upgrade of the track came from the world-famous Appalachian Trail, and the track was also then extended to Albany, making it the 1000 kilometres it is today.

Michelle's walk aka Fundraiser for the Bibbulmun Track FoundationIt was a wet, cold Western Australian winter in 2016, so I was told; I missed most of it as I was hiking through Norway and Scotland, where summers are usually cooler and wetter than our winters, but not this time. On my return, I saw that the wildflowers were loving it! WA had a fantastic season for them. As soon as I arrived home I was back out on my favourite track, the Bibbulmun Track, enjoying the wildflowers.

The Bibbulmun Track, or the Bibb as I call it, always feels like home. Having grown up in Kalamunda where the track starts, I spent my childhood running around the bush. Over the years I have walked a far bit of the Bibb, mainly to train for long treks in other countries. This day looking at the wildflowers enjoying the Red-Tail Cockatoos flying and squawking overhead, it occurred to me, why have I never walked it end to end in one trip?

That was it, decision made, By the time I got home and told my husband I had already planned the whole trip, from when I was leaving, how long it will take, which direction I would go, everything! Now I’m on countdown till I leave!