Days
4 Days
Tour Type
Walking
From
$2,099 Twin Share
- Start
-
Perth
- Finish
-
Perth
- Physical Rating
- 3.0 Moderate
- Tour Distance
- 58 km
- Group size
- Min 4, Max 12
- Code
- BTDONBAL
Overview
This 58 km section of the Bibbulmun Track, from Donnelly River Village to Balingup is perfect for forest lovers! It passes though some of the most beautiful stands of karri trees in the south west of Western Australia as well as taking in Blackwood Valley and the Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup.
It's a moderate and sometimes challenging section, with a number of hills and many uneven (although mostly firm) surfaces. Each afternoon we'll take you back to comfortable accommodation, with beautiful surrounds, to relax with your fellow walkers. Enjoy all of the sights, sounds and smells of the track without compromising on comfort.
Highlights of this walk
- Escape to the southwest forests, in the heart of Karri, Marri and Jarrah country.
- Explore the charming towns of Donnelly River and Balingup, known for their historical significance and tranquil ambiance. Donnelly River has many emu and kangaroo residents that are very friendly!
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Itinerary
Today starts with a morning pick up in Perth. We then travel South to Donnelly River where we will start the days walk.
After a picnic lunch in the beautiful surrounds of this old logging town, we will head North along the track through majestic Karri forest. Keep an eye out for the old railway sleeper bridges that were used to cross some creeks.
We finish todays walk at Willow Springs, another mill site with the remains of the old arboretum.
After a short drive, we will reach our accomodation in Bridgetown for the evening.
Accommodation: Bridgetown Valley Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
From Willow Springs we'll continue heading north. We will journey out of the heart of Karri forest, passing Gregory Brook shelter. The old rail formations which feature heavily through this section provide gentle grades and comfortable walking.
Keep an eye out for wildflowers in the regenerating vegetation.
Accommodation: Bridgetown Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll start todays walk along the banks of the Blackwood river, before hitting our big challenge for the morning, the aptly named Cardiac Hill.
You will be rewarded for your effort at the top with stunning views of the Blackwood valley, a real highlight of this section of the track!
There are a few ups and downs to test your legs and then some easy walking on the Greenbushes loop before our pickup location for the day.
Accommodation: Bridgetown Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Todays walk is only short but finishes at the spectacular Golden Valley Tree Park. Housing over 1,000 different species of trees from Australia and all over the world, it's a unique and interesting place to spend some time wandering around.
We will stop for lunch on the way back to Perth, arriving into the city at around 4pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
Meals
-
3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
-
All transport via air-conditioned bus, departing from and returning to Perth; as well as to and from the track each day
Accommodation
-
We stay at Bridgetown Valley Lodge, where we will stay in motel style rooms and enjoy breakfast and dinners at the lodge’s restaurant.
Included activities
-
Professional guiding and support each day
-
Emergency support: guides carry satellite phones and a full first aid kit
-
Excellent itinerary and planning drawn from 19 yrs experience
Dates & Availability
Important Notes
- Single Supplement: A single supplement is available, subject to availability at the time of booking. We won’t always be able to guarantee your own bathroom and king/queen beds with a single supplement due to the types of accommodation we use for group bookings. Often we stay at 2 or 3 bedroom chalets so that we can cook and have a common area for the group to relax and mingle at the end of your days walk. If having your own bathroom is important, give us a ring and we will see if it is possible.
- First Day Info: Once we pick you up from either Perth or Fremantle it is a 3.5-4hr drive to the start of the track. After a picnic lunch at Donnelly River you will be walking 12.7km to the end point for the first day, so please come dressed in your walking attire with your day pack and water bottle ready to go. Your luggage will be stowed in a trailer and waiting for you at the accommodation when you return from your first days walk.
- Meals: All meals are included, with the exception of lunch on the last day.
- In the event of unforeseeable circumstances that require a modification to the itinerary or accommodation, we will make every effort to provide a suitable alternative.
FAQs
About Walking Tours In General
How hard are the walks?
The difficulty of the walks ranges from tour to tour, from easy to challenging. We design all of our walking tours to be achievable for those with a moderate level of fitness. We do recommend doing some training before most tours, because physical activity is always more enjoyable if you are physically prepared. We will send you information about how to train when you book.
When on tour we find that a positive mental attitude is most important and that if you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, and not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. You can always have a day or sometimes an afternoon off to relax if you feel like it. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete a walk, give us a call or send us an email and we can talk you through it.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Do I have to twin-share accommodation? Can I have my own room?
Our tour prices are based on rooms being twin share (two single beds in one room) or double (one double/queen bed in a room, shared by a couple). If you are travelling alone, we will place you in a room with someone of the same gender. If you have opted for a single supplement, this means you will have your own room but we won’t always be able to guarantee your own bathroom and king/queen bed due to the types of accommodation we use for group bookings. Often we stay at 2 or 3 bedroom chalets so that we can cook and have a common area for the group to relax and mingle at the end of your days walk. If having your own bathroom is important, give us a ring and we will see if it is possible.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Will I hold up the group if I’m a slow walker?
We find a lot of people who haven’t been on a walking tour before worry about this, but it’s rarely an issue. We keep a comfortable steady pace with plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the scenery along the way. Usually the group will spread out over a couple of hundred metres as we walk.
Normal walking pace on a formed surface like a road or footpath is around 4.5 – 6 km per hour and we tend to average just over 3 km per hour on bush tracks. It’s not a stroll but it’s not a brisk walk either. If you feel you may be slower than this, try some longer training walks to increase your walking fitness.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What is the average age of Inspiration Outdoors’ guests?
About 80% of our walkers are aged between 45 – 75, but we welcome all adults on our tours. We get a roughly 60/40 female to male split.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
What’s the food like? Can you cater for my dietary needs?
We serve simple, nutritious and delicious food on tour prepared by our guides, using fresh and local ingredients as much as possible. Sometimes we also eat out at restaurants. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles and a two course evening meal are all included. We are happy to adapt our menu to suit many dietary needs including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets – please ask when you book.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Are your walking tours just for “bushwalkers”?
Our walks are for anyone who enjoys walking and nature – bushwalkers or not. Our walks are conducted in safe, supportive and fun environments and you don’t need specialised equipment or experience to undertake them. We give you information about what you will need to bring and how you should prepare for each tour and we’re always here to answer any questions or concerns.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
Do I have to walk every day on tour?
Of course not – it’s your holiday and you should do what you feel! Relax at the accommodation, come for a drive, get dropped off in town or go for a stroll of your own. On some days there is also the opportunity to walk for part of the day. This last option depends on whether there is vehicle access to the track.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What do I have to carry when I walk?
Very little. A water bladder or bottles, lunch/snacks/fruit for the day. a rain jacket, some personal first aid supplies and, on some days, lunch. You will probably want a camera as well. We return to accommodation each evening so there is no need to carry a large backpack.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Not sure if this is the right tour for you?
At Inspiration Outdoors, we understand that choosing the right tour can be a difficult decision. That’s why we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible. If you still have questions, give us a call or drop us a line. Whether it’s a question about the tour itinerary or your fitness level, our customer care team is ready to answer it. We have product specialists for every tour who are eager to share their knowledge and help you plan your next adventure.
What our customers say
Our Booking Process
What happens after I book?
After you have filled in a registration form, we will send you all extra information you may need, including a list of what to bring and how best to prepare for the tour.
Payment in full is required at least six weeks prior to the tour (bookings can still be made within six weeks of tour start date if there are places available). We will email or call you to remind you when this is due.
Finally, we will contact you prior to your tour to confirm pick-up times and locations. If you have any questions or concerns at all before or after you have booked, please don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can go through them with you.
What are my payment options?
Payment can be made by:
- Direct deposit
- Cheque
- Credit card
Can I cancel my booking?
If you need to cancel your tour;
(a) 84 days or more prior to departure, we will refund your deposit minus $50 administration fee;(b) 30 and 84 days prior to departure, loss of deposit
(c) between 24 and 29 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 25% of the total booking cost;
(d) between 15 and 23 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the total booking cost;
(e) 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost.
If you have any concerns about cancelling, please take out travel insurance covering this contingency. This policy will be adhered to despite the most compelling and compassionate circumstances.
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