Hidden Valley

2000

The Hidden Valley campsite of the Bibbulmun Track is about 420 kilometers from Perth and 20 kilometers from Albany if you are travelling by car. The walk was helped by Collyn who a day earlier cleared the cob webs from across the track. A beautiful day, fresh air, peace and tranquility, the hills - not too steep, and a gentle breeze.

These are priviledged times. The track is new and you may go for a week without seeing anybody. The campsites are new, clean and unvandalised. The usage is free. The bush in many places is unspoilt. The track is clean. There are plenty of wild animals to be seen. There is a plethora of unusual plants and animals and natural structures in easy view. Many areas are pristine. Will it stay this good forever? I can't help thinking that now are the good times, I'm walking the track now, now when it is good.

The trip on the Bibbulmun Track from the Princess Road car park to the Hidden Valley campsite was very refreshing.

Generally the vegetation was low except for a few thickets where the bushes were up to three meters high.

Mobs of kangaroos stood and watched as I briskly walked by.

As I was returning, I met a fellow walker coming the other way, Lindsay From Perth.

The track, although sandy was firm underneath. The place of the mysterious sand turds.

Above. The track winds away in the distance. A thin white band of sandy track cuts through the heather.

Above. Part of the Bibbulmun Track looking north-easterly towards Albany in the distance from this small rise.

Below. Part of the track and views of the Southern Ocean.

Below Part of the track and views of the Southern Ocean

Left. There are no trees along this part of the Bibbulmun track. This low post will do the job nicely.

Left. In amongst the haze of the sea-shore is an isolated beach with silvery sea and sand.

Right. Some sort of animal or bird trap was in this man-made sluiceway down the hill-side.

Above. A flock of magpies seemed to own the site.

Right. The Hidden Valley campsite. No fires allowed here.

Left. View from the look-out just above the campsite, the roof of which you can just see. Torbay hedland is in the distance across the bay

Left. Lindsay from Manning in Perth. Just doing the walk from Albany to Walpole. The Southern Ocean is in the background where you can see whales spuming and ships a-sail. You can just see Eclipse island on the horizon.

Above. An area carved out of the thicket near the campsite for erection of a tent. Well sheltered.