The Bibbulmun Track suffered severe damage in the bushfires at the beginning of this year, with approximately 70 kilometres of the track itself burned out, four campsites destroyed and a great deal of infrastructure badly damaged, including the destruction of the Long Gully Bridge across the Murray River and the bridge that spanned the Shannon River at Dog Pool Campsite.
Most of the damaged sections of the Track have remained closed since the time of the fires. The campsites that were destroyed were Brookton, Possum Springs, Gardner and Dog Pool.
However, since the 19th of June, it has been possible to walk a continuous end-to-end along the track, using the diversions and temporary campsites that have been put in place. This state of affairs will only last as long as the water level in the Murray River remains low enough for walkers using the diversion to cross.
Full details of the current Track conditions, including downloadable maps of the diversions, can be found on the Bibbulmun Track Foundation website. Go to the home page, click on ‘Bushfire Update’, and follow the links.
In the meantime, much work has been performed to restore the track and its infrastructure. Sections of the burned out track that are now safe to walk have been remarked with Waugal markers. A new location for the Shannon River Bridge has been confirmed and steel bridge components are being prefabricated, ready for installation in late spring. Plans to replace the shelters with a more fire resistant design have been completed and reconstruction will also commence in spring.
One piece of good news is that the section of track south of Balingup, closed for some time due to the destruction of Southampton Bridge, is now open and the Blackwood Campsite has been fully restored.
The Bibbulmun Track Foundation has received many generous donations from walkers who are anxious to see the track fully restored; it will take time and a lot of hard work, but the spirit and determination that saw the track completed in 1998 will prevail to ensure that it will return to its state of former glory.