Hiking Kalamunda to Hewitts Hill

Hitting the Bibbulmun with our daughter

There was lots of preparation, planning and packing and dehydrating and excitement! Starting our E2E (End to End) the first stretch would be Kalamunda to Hewitts Hill, on the Bibbulmun Track.

Not her first through hike, our daughter was 12 and she handled it like a pro.

We would have no hesitation, in taking her again.

What is the Bibbulmun Track

The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails. The track stretches a mere (?) 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia.

Being avid hikers it has been on our radar for quite some time. Completing the Cape to Cape track the previous year really fueled the excitement.

When did we go

13 March 2020, it has taken me that long to get over (stop pouting like a toddler) and write this post!

The fact we were removed from the track due to COVID was so upsetting. But, it is time to write about the amazing time we did have in the 14 days we got, before being told we had to leave the track.

Also, how proud we were of our daughter, who was 12 at the time and crushed it.

Of course, we understand the seriousness of the situation. But, to be told we had to leave on day 14, 280km into our E2E attempt, track and pack fit, after planning so long for it, to say we were devastated was an understatement.

Hydration and Temperatures

It was a hot time of year, which we were warned by many other hikers that it is not recommended due to high temperatures (we did see a few days temps over mid 30’s degrees).

This was when we had the time to do the six week trek, so off we went.

Hydration is very important and especially when you have children with you.

Miss B drinks like a fish, so we were very careful with hydration. Each of us carried multiple 600ml water bottles and our Lifestraw drink bottle which came in VERY handy when some of the tanks had ‘extra bits’ we did not want to consume!

Kalamunda to Hewitts Hill

Why only to Hewitts Hill? We had left later in the day than we planned, due to the location of the track and Uber drivers not liking to make the trek up there! We eventually got one who accepted the request in error and then decided to honour it after hearing of our plans to hike the Bibbulmun Track. Thank goodness, we did not want to add any kilometres to our hike just to get to the starting point.

The Uber driver later witnessed a contract for the sale of a property we own and I camscanner the signed contract back to the other party by email from the Northern Terminus. Never a dull moment with us!

New hiking shoes – say what!?

We had hiked to Hewitts Hut before and knew what to expect, although with a little more weight this time. It’s a beautiful trek lots of cover from the bush canopy.

Miss B had recently got new, matching with Dad’s, steel blue steel caps. Dad wears his EVERYWHERE (even the beach one day!?) I think he has clocked up over 20 countries and various hikes in his steel blues and yes she is in men’s sizes, a very big foot.

She desperately wanted to do the hike with them. I hear you all now, aarrghh not new hiking shoes. We had had this conversation and she had taken them on smaller hikes to wear them in, but we were a little concerned. By starting with this short hike Kalamunda to Hewitts Hill was a good tester and see how she goes while still not too far, from our rig if a problem.

Needless to say, she got a blister, we retired for the night at Hewitts hutt with mixed emotions. So very excited to finally be on the track and thinking it may be over before it has begun.

We slept in the hut, another couple joined us and after a bit of chin wagging (Aussie for long chat) we went to sleep and they went to set up their tent.