Aernout Nieuwkerk (BIRDMAN!)
Completed: 24 October, 2019
BIRDMAN!
- Start date: 9 September, 2019
- Age When Completed: 51
- Direction Walked: Southbound
Track Towns and Supplies
- Did you have any issues finding food/supplies? Yes
- I didn’t send any food packages and resupplied entirely in shops along the trail. They had everything I needed. Per the advice from northbound hikers I didn’t rely on the small shops in Donnelly River and Peaceful Bay but carried extra supplies from Balingup and Walpole instead.
Your Story or Advice for Others
General CommentsBeautiful track with fantastic flora and fauna! Really enjoyed it!
Your Best Equipment
My old Osprey Aether 70 backpack (great to carry weight), NeoAir Xlite mattress (super comfortable), my Cumulus Panyam 600 sleepingbag that kept me toasty warm every night and my good old Tarptent Double Rainbow tent where I spent all my nights.
Your Worst Equipment
None , the whole system is well tuned
Advice for Others
Shelters are not far apart, so no need to rush. Take your time to enjoy all the fantastic flora and fauna!
Trip Details
How you completed the Bibbulmun Track:- All at once
- Who did you complete the Track with? Solo (primarily)
- Was undertaking your hike the PRIMARY/MAIN purpose of your TRAVEL from where you currently live? No
- What first prompted you to walk the Bibbulmun Track? Other
Your Experience
I really loved the entire trail but the granite hills in the Darling Range and the beach walks and dunes in the south stand out. I Also loved the forests that have a great variety of birds, especially in the north. So not really one favourite section :)
Highlight of your trip
* The abundant birdlife all day. * Being woken up by Laughing Kookaburras. * The orchids and tons of other wildflowers. * The SMELLS of the trees and flowers. * Flushing emus and kangaroos on the trail. * Getting chased by a Gould’s goanna (yes, really!) * The ornate crevice lizards running in all directions when walking on granite in the Darlington Range. * Seeing several tiger snakes every day in the south and not getting bitten. * The sound of owls on many nights. * Finally reaching the sea and the stunning beaches * Lonely beachwalks where the only footsteps you see are your own. ...and much more!