In the Australian summer of 2004, Mal Hill returned to our house in Albany for a two week visit, having driven from Brisbane with his wife Merle. Among other things, we tasted and quaffed a variety of the local wines, but also decided to complete the southern coastal sections of the Bibbulmun Track that we'd missed the previous year.

In 2003 we'd hiked from the Green's Pool area of the William Bay National Park, east along the coast to Albany, a distance of 50 miles. A further section of 40 miles runs west along the coast to Conspicuous Cliffs before swinging inland toward the Valley of the Giants, a heavily forested area of huge Tingle and Karri trees. This 40 mile section was our goal for 2004. We elected to cover the distance by day hiking, the use of two cars and nights spent in established campgrounds ... close to food and wine!

Our first foray was from the Peaceful Bay campground. Leaving a car and tent there, we drove the second vehicle to Conspicuous Cliffs and hiked east along the beaches and bluffs to Peaceful Bay. The next day wasn't so straightforward, or easy, with the plan to hike west from Boat Harbour to Peaceful Bay. For starters, we bogged one car in sand on the four-wheel drive road to Boat Harbour, resulting in an additional 4 mile hike to intercept the Bibbulmun Track. Then, having elected to walk the beach and cross Irwin Inlet near the surf, our rather desperate crossing was made chin deep in a strong tidal flow and with packs on head.

The remaining section from Boat Harbour east to William Bay was day hiked from Parry Head, out and back in both directions. In 2005, Lucy and I intend to walk the complete southern coastal section from the Valley of the Giants to Albany ... using the shelters on the way.

Peter Tremayne, Vancouver WA, March 2005