🥾 Walk / Run Trails Bibbulmun Track

Bibbulmun Track

Southern Forests Section

📏
~1,000km total (day sections available) Distance
⏱️
Multi-day (day walks available) Duration
Moderate to Hard Difficulty
🔄
One-way / Sections Trail Type
⛰️
Varied Elevation

About This Walk

The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's great long-distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. The Southern Forests section is arguably the most spectacular, passing through towering karri forests, misty valleys, and offering connections to charming trail towns like Balingup, Greenbushes, Pemberton, and Walpole.

The track is marked with distinctive yellow triangular markers featuring the Waugal, the rainbow serpent of the Aboriginal Dreaming. Around 50 free campsites are spaced a day's walk apart, each with a three-sided shelter, rainwater tank, pit toilet, and picnic tables. In the Southern Forests region, the track transitions from jarrah and marri forests in the north to magnificent karri and tingle forests further south.

You don't have to walk the whole thing — many visitors enjoy day walks or weekend sections. The Greenbushes to Balingup section (approximately 22km) is particularly popular, passing through the beautiful Blackwood farming valley with sweeping views. Spring brings spectacular orchid and wildflower displays.

Trail Highlights

Towering karri forests up to 90m tall
Free three-sided shelters at campsites
Greenbushes to Balingup day walk section
Spring wildflower and orchid displays
Transition from jarrah to karri forests
Spectacular coastal cliffs near Walpole

Practical Information

🌿 Best Season

Spring (Sep–Nov) for wildflowers; Autumn (Mar–May) for mild conditions

🐕 Dogs

No — dogs are not permitted on the Bibbulmun Track

♿ Accessibility

Grade 4 (Hard) overall; some sections are Grade 2–3 for day walks

📍 Trailhead

Multiple access points through the Southern Forests region. Popular starts include Greenbushes Discovery Centre, Balingup town, and Pemberton.

🥾 Walking Tips

  • Register your walk at bibbulmuntrack.org.au for safety
  • Carry at least 2 litres of water per person
  • Spring (Sep–Nov) is ideal for wildflowers
  • Check campsite water tank levels before departing
  • Watch for log trucks when crossing forestry roads