๐Ÿฅพ

Preparing your adventure...

Loading trail maps & packing lists

Trails Map Packing List Plan Trip
Karri Forest
๐Ÿƒ
๐ŸŒฟ
๐ŸŒฒ

Your family adventure begins here

Discover the Bibbulmun Track

1,000km of ancient forests, stunning coastlines, and unforgettable memories waiting for your family

1000km

Total Track

49

Campsites

9

Trail Towns

Scroll to explore

Why families love it

Perfect for Your First Overnight Adventure

๐Ÿ•๏ธ

Amazing Shelters

Free three-sided timber shelters with sleeping platforms, picnic tables, and toilets. First-come, first-served magic!

๐ŸŒฒ

Ancient Forests

Walk among towering karri trees โ€“ the second tallest flowering trees on Earth. Your 8-year-old will feel like a hobbit!

๐Ÿฆ˜

Wildlife Encounters

Kangaroos, emus, bandicoots, and countless birds. Donnelly River Village has the tamest wildlife you'll ever meet!

Choose your adventure

Family-Friendly Trail Options

Hand-picked sections perfect for an 8-year-old, sorted by the wow-factor for your family

โญ TOP PICK
Karri Forest
8km Moderate 1 night

One Tree Bridge โ†’ Boarding House

Towering karri forest, historic bridges, and the famous Bibbulmun halfway marker. Pure magic!

Explore this trail
Harris Dam
6.4km return Easy 1 night

Harris Dam Loop

Easiest option! Beautiful dam views, wildflowers in spring, perfect beginner overnight.

Explore this trail
Murray River
13km Moderate 1 night

Dwellingup โ†’ Murray River

Follow the scenic Murray River, closest to Perth, great intro to Bibbulmun magic.

Explore this trail

Quick Comparison: Which Trail is Right for You?

Feature โญ One Tree Bridge Harris Dam Murray River
Distance 8km one-way 6.4km return 13km one-way
Drive from Mandurah 3.5 hours 2 hours 1 hour โœจ
Difficulty for 8yo โญโญโญ Moderate โญโญ Easy โœจ โญโญโญ Moderate
Scenery Rating โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… Best! โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜† โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Car Shuffle Needed? Yes (or out-back) No โœจ Yes (or out-back)
Best For Wow-factor, karri giants, unforgettable photos First-timers, nervous parents, wildflowers Quick getaway, riverside camping

๐Ÿ’ก Our Recommendation: If this is your first overnight hike, start with Harris Dam to build confidence. For the ultimate experience, One Tree Bridge will blow your minds!

Plan your route

Interactive Trail Map

Click on markers to see trail details, photos, and driving directions from Mandurah

Recommended Trail
Trail Options
Home (Mandurah)
โš ๏ธ

Important Safety Information

  • โ€ข Mobile coverage is unreliable โ€“ don't rely on your phone for emergencies
  • โ€ข Fill in campsite logbooks โ€“ this helps search & rescue find you if needed
  • โ€ข Leave trip details with someone at home (start/end points, dates)
  • โ€ข Consider hiring a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation

๐Ÿ†˜ Emergency Card (Screenshot This!)

Emergency: 000

Bibbulmun Track Foundation: (08) 9481 0551

DBCA (Parks & Wildlife): (08) 9219 9000

Donnelly River Village: (08) 9772 1244

Collie Hospital: (08) 9734 1222

Track Conditions: bibbulmuntrack.org.au

๐ŸŽ’ Don't Have All the Gear?

The Bibbulmun Track Foundation hires backpacks, sleeping bags, mats, stoves, tents & PLBs!

Hire Gear

Don't forget anything

Family Packing Checklist

Interactive checklist for each family member. Your progress is saved automatically!

Overall Progress

0%

Timing is everything

When Should You Go?

BEST
๐Ÿ‚

Late April - May

Perfect autumn weather, 12-20ยฐC, minimal rain, stunning colours

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
๐ŸŒธ

September - October

Wildflower season! Longer days, warming temps 10-18ยฐC

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
๐ŸŒง๏ธ

June - August

Cooler, wetter, but atmospheric. Karri forest canopy protects you!

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
๐Ÿ”ฅ

December - March

Too hot! High bushfire risk, campfire bans. Not recommended.

AVOID

๐ŸŽ’ Pro Tip

April school holidays align perfectly with the best hiking conditions!

๐Ÿ“… Set Your Trip Date

Pick your adventure date and watch the countdown!

Day by day

What to Expect on Your Trip

D1

๐ŸŒ… Day 1: The Adventure Begins

Morning: Leave Mandurah early (aim for 7am departure)

Mid-morning: Arrive at trailhead, car shuffle if needed, final pack check

11am-4pm: Hike to campsite (allow 4-5 hours with an 8-year-old, including breaks)

Evening: Set up camp, explore shelter, cook dinner, stargaze! ๐ŸŒŸ

D2

๐Ÿก Day 2: Heading Home

6-7am: Wake with the birds! Morning coffee/tea, breakfast

8-9am: Pack up camp (leave no trace!), fill in logbook

Morning: Hike out to car - take your time, enjoy final views

Afternoon: Celebratory lunch in nearby town, drive home as heroes! ๐Ÿ†

From fellow adventurers

What Families Say

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

"We didn't rate our chances of completing it as very high, but we figured we would enjoy any part that we did complete... and we completed the whole thing!"

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ

Family End-to-Ender

Kids aged 6 & 9 โ€ข Bibbulmun Track Foundation

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

"This is exactly what I came here for - loving just meandering along at a gentle pace. The towering Karri trees were in full view... the forest lit up in bright shades of green."

๐Ÿ“ธ

The Life of Py

Tom Road to Boarding House Section

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

"The Bibbulmun offers a good thru hiking experience without the headaches... shelters approximately every 20km, few navigational issues, simple resupply, and relatively mild terrain."

๐Ÿ†

The Adventure Gene

Tom & Maddie โ€ข 40,000km+ hiking experience

TL;DR

Quick Start Summary

Your Family Bibbulmun Adventure at a Glance

โญ

Best Trail: One Tree Bridge โ†’ Boarding House

8km through stunning karri forest, perfect for your 8-year-old

๐Ÿ“…

Best Time: Late April or September-October

Cool but not cold, minimal rain, perfect hiking weather

๐Ÿš—

Drive: 3.5 hours from Mandurah

Via Bunbury, Donnybrook, Bridgetown to Graphite Road

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Estimated Costs

โ€ข Fuel (return): ~$120-150 โ€ข Food: ~$50-80 โ€ข Gear hire (if needed): ~$50-100 โ€ข Map: ~$15

Total estimate: $200-350 for a priceless family memory!

Share this plan with your family:

Ready to Create Memories?

Your family adventure on the Bibbulmun Track awaits. Start planning today!

Official Track Website