Bibbulmun track hikes perfect for a forest ‘reset’, says tour operator

A Perth hiking operator is drawing people to the Bibbulmun Track in the South West in the hope more people will immerse themselves in the forests for a “reset”. Perth-based Off The Beaten Track WA founder Tracy Lindsey said growing up in Capel meant the South West had a place in her heart. Passionate about empowering others to enjoy the outdoors, she started her business eight years ago to help people get into nature on group hikes. “I’ve seen a whole bunch of hikers start off not even knowing anything about hiking and then go on to do a multi-day hike on the Cape to Cape, or the Bibbulmun Track, or all the mountains in the Stirling Range,” she said. “They’ve improved their lifestyle, their physical health and mental wellbeing through being outdoors in green space.” One of her favourite “passion pieces” is her “Hike-ability” program for people living with disabilities, which won the excellence in accessible tourism 2023 WA award. Ms Lindsey said not only did the hiking adventures improve confidence, walking outdoors helped people reset and “fill their cup”. With multi-day hikes on the Bibbulmun Track from Balingup to Donnelly River Village, and Pemberton to Northcliffe, she said On The Beaten Track brought groups from Perth to explore South West trails. “I love the southern forest particularly, so being able to take people down away from the busy Perth, crazy lives that we have nowadays so they can have an escape is really important,” Ms Lindsey said. She said the hikes also drove economic benefit for the smaller towns on the Bibbulmun Track. “It’s introducing them (hikers) to a new area of Western Australia that perhaps they’ve not been to before, or perhaps they have, and it reminded them of how much they do love it,” she said. “I’d love to get more locals out there experiencing what’s in their backyard — I think a lot of people don’t realise just how amazing it is. “Our groups generally come as strangers and leave as friends.” One of the hiking adventures offered is a 58km Bibbulmun Track section from Balingup to Donnelly River. Guests travel down from Perth in the OTBT eco-tour vehicle, and set off hiking venturing through the Golden Valley Tree Park, the Jarrah forests and out to farmland. The group settle in for the first night at the Blackwood hut after trekking 17km, before making their way through the forest to Gregory Brook for 18km on the second day and finishing off the third with a 22km walk from Gregory Brook to Donnelly River. “The guests get a good mix of the different types of forests down in the southern forests and valleys region,” Ms Lindsey said. The hikes are run between autumn and spring, with the earliest starting in April or early May. OTBT also has a Southern Forest Weekender — a three-day gourmet adventure with hiking and dining at the “best restaurants and wineries” in the region.