The Walpole Wilderness features a vast, natural and wild landscape which embraces old, majestic jarrah, tingle and karri forest and imposing granite peaks. Within this area we walk for three days most of the hours under the shade of the overhanging giants. We start in the Valley of the Giants at the Tree Top Walk and walk through to the Frankland River hut with its position overlooking the river and the surrounding karri trees. We walk through the forest looking down on the Frankland River valley to arrive at the biggest Tingle Trees where we learn a little about this unique area. Next stop is overlooking the Nornalup Inlet then down to Coalmine Caravan Park (showers & flushing toilets) and our final day is along the inlet to ascend to Mt Clare and steeply down to the swing bridge over Deep River.
This trek meets the requirements of:
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Adventurous journey Bronze – Practice & Qualifying, Silver – Practice
Walpole Wilderness has many attractions Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk Nornalup Inlet Half Day Informative Boat Tour Walpole and Nornalup Inlets
Mt Frankland Lookout Walpole Visitors Centre
Tour length: 3 days
Night prior to the trek: Arrive at Peaceful Bay by 6pm. Tour cost is inclusive of camp fee at Peaceful Bay the night prior.
If you’re staying with family close by ie other caravan park or chalet, then please be at Peaceful Bay Caravan Park cafe by 6.30am.
Day 1: Peaceful Bay to Rame Head 10.5km
Our trek departs 7am from the caravan park onto the beach at Peaceful Bay, meanders along many bays and then climbs gently up to the headland with panoramic views over the Southern Ocean. We leave the coast and walk inland to climb up to Rame Head hut. Enjoy the sunset and sunrise from the hut.
Day 2: Rame Head to Giants 15.5km
7am We start early so that we experience the wonderful early morning light along Conspicuous cliffs and the wildlife. We descend onto Conspicuous beach with a small beach walk then up onto the headland to begin our walk inland along the coastal heath and ascend to view back over the Southern Ocean. We cross the South Coast Highway and enter into the shade of the Valley of the Giants, all green, with its fabulous big Karri and Tingle trees. There is a challenge on this day as there is a long ascent up out of the valley to reach Giants Hut.
Day 3: Giants to Frankland River 14km
8.30am It is a short walk from the Giants campsite to the Tree Top Walk
Your journey experience includes:
Ultralight adjustable backpack, waterproof bag for your sleeping gear and clothes, sleeping cocoon & tarp camping combo, gaiters, trek pole, thermal food pouch.
3 x days of guided hiking
Camp site fee at Coalmine Caravan Park
Tree Top Walk Fee
CHECKLIST FOR TREK EQUIPMENT & CLOTHES
Supplied by Simply Trekking:
- Backpack – 65L Osprey ultralight adjustable backpack
- Backpack waterproof liner
- Tent or Sleeping Cocoon & Tarp combo
- Gaiters supplied in spring, autumn and summer
To be supplied by participant:
- 4 medium waterproof zip lock plastic bags to separate clothes, toiletries, food in pack
- 1 large waterproof zip lock plastic bag – for your sleeping bag and mat
- Sleeping bag (must be rated at or below 0°). A liner will also add warmth.
- Sleeping mat (foam or inflatable)
- Cup, or mug, bowl and spoon pocketknife if needed
- Head torch
- 2 x 1 litre water bottles (plain, no straws )
- Personal rubbish bag (for food, wrappers)
- Personal first aid kit (with required medication, we recommend fixomul for blisters.
- Personal toiletries, toothbrush, lip balm, deodorant, moisturiser (buy travel size)
Items that could be shared in Group
- Stove, matches and fuel – preferably gas
- Water purification tablets (puritabs/ aquatabs, micropure)
- Pots lightweight – 900 or 550 ml
- Toiletries – toilet paper, insect repellent, sunscreen
- Hydrolyte Electrolytes – one sachet/tablet per day is required (available from chemist).
Daytime/Walking Clothing
- Boots or sturdy shoes – worn in and comfortable (at least 2 weeks wear)
- Socks – pair for each day & to keep the insects off your feet at night
- Knickers/jocks – pair for each day
- Long trousers – loose and lightweight
- Long-sleeved top, cotton/synthetic, or collared shirt
- Lightweight jumper (winter and summer)
- Sun hat (not a baseball cap as it doesn’t protect your neck & ears)
- Lightweight rain jacket or plastic poncho (to use if it rains heavily)
Night change clothes
- Warm jacket, thermal or polar fleece (winter and summer)
- Long loose-fitting pants for camp and sleeping
- Long sleeved loose top or t-shirt
- Beanie, head sox or scarf, gloves if you feel the cold
- Camp shoes e.g. lightweight sandals/crocs/thongs
Backpack with trek gear, food & water is to weigh only 20% of the participant’s body weight (please ensure that you weigh yourself then put the full backpack on and weigh again. Calculate the difference between and if it is higher than 20% your body weight, then it is essential that items are removed until you reach only 20%)
To reach 20%, ultralight trek gear (eg sleeping bag, mattress) is available for hire
Teen Hike Preparation & Guidelines
This trek belongs to the participants: The guides are there to facilitate and ensure that everyone is safe. We encourage decision making by the teen group, we create opportunities for the teens to develop new skills, get physically active and experience adventure.
Hiking procedure: Each day we walk three to four hours at a leisurely pace with a stop every hour to snack, have fun and explore. At least one day will be a challenge requiring 5 hours. We keep our participating group small so that our two guides can provide support and encouragement to each individual participant as our aim is for each to enjoy the experience as well as achieve their goals.
Hiking training: Hiking requires a reasonable level of fitness. We suggest that you use an app on your phone and ensure that you can walk on a cycle way or other smooth surface at least 5km per hour. We recommend training once a week prior to the trek by walking for approximately two hours. Both the Bibbulmun and the Cape to Cape Track are undulating and have an uneven surface plus you will be carrying a backpack that weighs 20% of your body weight. If you are able to walk at 5km per hour on a flat or smooth surface, then you should be able to hike with confidence, keep up with the group and complete the kms per day required within the 3-5 hours required.
Keeping in contact: Each family or a nominated group coordinator will receive a text each afternoon/night confirming that the group has “arrived at the campsite and all is good”. We recommend that the teen participants keep their phones on flight mode whilst away and not be in contact with the outside world. Teens staying offline enables greater teen group interaction and cohesion.
On arrival at trek start point
the trek guides will check
That your backpack weighs only 20% of your body weight
That you carry at minimum 2 litres of water
That you have a wide brimmed sun hat (spring, summer & autumn)
That you carry a waterproof jacket or poncho
That your phones are on flight mode and no one is wearing ear headphones
That you have an extra 600ml water bottle in the car to drink prior so you are not starting already dehydrated
Hut / Campsite procedure
Gas stoves must be lit on tables only
Wash dishes at tank, no soap at streams
Carry out any cooked food not eaten
No rubbish or tampons or pads in toilet
Carry all rubbish
