WA Bushcraft Survival Skills Challenge
Fitness Level 3
Unforgettable Adventure
Local Expert Guide
Hike WA's Wilderness on Our 10 Day Bushcraft Adventure
Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
Have you ever wondered whether you’d be able to survive in the bush? Do you want to redefine your limits and your connection with nature? If forging unbreakable bonds with other women, visiting pristine beaches and honing your rugged skills is your jam, pack your energy and hiking boots!
We’ve partnered with Outward Bound Australia to create this 10-day survival and hiking bonanza that’ll take you all the way off the beaten path into the wilderness of Western Australia. On this journey, you’ll tackle a chunk of the legendary Bibbulmun Track armed with the survival toolkit you’ll learn along the way – weather reading, fire forging, shelter crafting… you name it!
But hey, it’s not all grit and grind – we’re Camino Women, after all! That’s why we just couldn’t resist adding stops at a few of Australia’s most out-of-this-world locations to the journey. Tall-timber forests, empty beaches and mighty rivers are all waiting to be discovered.
There’s only one thing more immense than the scenery you’ll encounter on this trip, and that’s the camaraderie of fierce women who’ll be with you every step of the way and pushing those boundaries with you!
Are you ready?
Why Choose Our Australian Wilderness Adventure?
Hike the best coastal parts of the Bibbulmun Track.
Raft the Nornalup Inlet Marine Park.
Navigate the bush and conquer survival skills.
Stargaze on a remote Southern Ocean bluff.
Build lifetime bonds from around the campfire.
Swim in pristine rivers and from quiet Inlet beaches.
Grow your confidence like never before.
Uncover more info by clicking the tabs below!
Trip Details
Price
$4,961 AUD (per person twin share)
- $1,500 AUD deposit.
- 2-week cooling off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a campshare buddy if you’re travelling solo.
- No private supplements available.
- Please refer to our payment terms in our FAQs.
Trip length
10 days, 9 nights
Meeting point
Perth, Australia
Departure point
Perth, Australia
Availability
4 March to 13 March 2024
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
- You’re open-minded and open-hearted.
- You try to embrace the little things.
- You don’t mind bush camping and washing in a river.
- You love adventure and the surprises that come with it.
- You are gracious to others and a team player.
Fitness
Level 3 – Moderate Plus
A fair amount of endurance and more than moderate level of fitness is needed for our Level 3 rated, Bush Survival Program. Expect to walk between four and seven hours on most days – that’s somewhere between 10 and 15 kilometres, carrying your personal belongings in a 65-litre backpack. Keep in mind that you’ll need to cover that distance at a fairly moderate pace through undulating terrain and sometimes trekking through sand. There is no option to tap out on a particular day, except for in an emergency.
You’ll learn bush crafts and wild camp in tents for 6 nights, with no toilet or shower facilities. Some days are solely devoted to trekking through isolated beach and bush wilderness, and on two days there’ll be rafting on rivers and a sheltered seawater inlet, as well as a high ropes course, and two days of off-track, bush navigation.
Included
- 2 top-rated survival-specialist female Trek Leaders.
- Meals: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners.
- Group bus transfers – Perth to Walpole, and return.
- 6 nights wild camping, 3 nights camping with limited facilities.
- 65-litre backpack, twin share tents and a sleeping mat provided.
- Daily food and water drops at camp locations.
- Bushcraft and rafting equipment.
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Any pre and post trip hotel nights & late checkouts.
- Day 1 and 10 lunches.
Get To Know Your Australian Wilderness Itinerary
What You'll See & Do
Day 1 – Walpole
Your Western Australia escapade starts in style on day one at 10am, Perth time. After meeting your new group of adventurous comrades, you’ll hop aboard the van to make the journey to Walpole. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know one another before the challenge truly begins! You’ll break up the journey with a stop for lunch, and, by the time you pull up to Walpole at 4pm, you’ll feel like you’ve been a tight group of friends since, well… forever!
On arrival the first person you’ll spy will be your expert wilderness guide. She and the team will get you all kitted out. No pack? No worries – you’re welcome to borrow one of our 65 litre ones. The next mission is creating shelter, setting up tents together to form your very own cosy camp.
Western Australia’s star-studded sky is your roof tonight. Sleep tight, because tomorrow is when the real adventure kicks in.
Accommodation: Crystal Spring campsite
Included: Dinner
Day 2 – Bibbulmun Track to Long Point
Get those hiking boots ready, Camino Women, ’cause today kicks off your Bibbulmun Track adventure. There’s no easing you in, because you’ll start with a 15-kilometre stretch of the trail that’ll lead straight to the mind-blowing Long Point. Where else can you gaze out on an unspoilt view of the Southern Ocean stretching out as far as the eye can see? You’ll swear you’re at the edge of the world!
This afternoon is your first taste of survival training, and you’re kicking things off with learning how to read the weather. By the time the session is over you’ll be a fully-fledged master of the elements.
A simple, shared dinner around the campfire will do the trick to refuel your energy after a long day. Then, there’s only one thing for it – sit back, gaze up at the seemingly endless expanse of stars in the sky, and stargaze until you just can’t help but crawl into your tent and doze off. Sleep well!
Accommodation: Long Point campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Bibbulmun Track to Pines
Get ready for another whirlwind day on the Bibbulmun Track, ladies, because today you’ll be hiking another 12 kilometres of it. Along the way, you’ll get to explore the mesmerising Karri Forest, where you’ll find sky-high Karri trees, many towering as tall as 60 metres! Wandering through the forest, sunlight flickers across the smooth tree trunks, while if you’re lucky, the forest floor flaunts a carpet of wildflowers. With the scent of eucalypt wafting through the air, and the chirps and tweets of native birds, you’d be mistaken for thinking you’d stumbled upon paradise!
This afternoon, the post-hike action’s on. Using flint and steel, you’ll learn how to master nature’s resources and different types of wood to create a fire. You’ll be lighting fires with the ease of magic in no time!
Accommodation: Pines campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Challenges at Height
A new day, a new challenge – and this one takes place 12 metres in the air! That’s because it’s time to take on Outward Bound Australia’s ‘Challenges at Height’ course. Swinging like Tarzan across ropes and vines, you’ll feel like the Queen of the Jungle!
Are you up for the ultimate challenge – the Leap of Faith?
With the skies conquered, you’ll come back down to earth with a shelter-building masterclass. You probably never imagined yourself as a wilderness shelter architect, but now is your time to shine.
As the day winds down, you’ll get some time for solo serenity in your self-made sanctuary. What’s that you hear…? Nothing. Absolute peace. You’ve learnt so much about survival, and yourself, already, and you’re only at the halfway point!
Tonight, gather around the campfire for a mid-trip celebration, toasting your achievements under the starlit sky.
Accommodation: Pines campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Nornalup Inlet
Get ready for a watery workout today as you swap your hiking boots for a paddle, rafting your way down Deep River. You probably haven’t worked out these muscles in a long time, so you’ll feel the burn!
As the river carries you, you’ll laugh, splash and paddle your way through its winding course. Before you know it, you’ll have reached the one-of-a-kind Nornalup Inlet. The waters in this heaven of biodiversity are sometimes only around one metre deep, offering the perfect glimpse of the plants and creatures that live under the water’s surface.
Back on dry land, it’s a two-kilometre hike to your home for the night – a remote beach. With no neighbours and no light pollution, it’s just you, the sand and the sound of the waves. It doesn’t get better than this!
Accommodation: Beach campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Bellanger Beach
Welcome back to the water! Today’s paddle is shorter, a mere three kilometres, but the thrill remains just as high as you glide from the inlet, diving right into the wide-open arms of the Frankland’s River mouth.
Next, it’s time to unleash your inner navigator. Today’s five-kilometre hike might sound like a breeze, but hold up – it’s time for your crash course on off-track navigation. Equipped with a map and compass, you’ll conquer the coastal hills, carving your own paths to emerge victorious at the rugged Bellanger Beach. You did it!
Accommodation: Expedition
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Off-Track Hiking
Today, you’re dialling up the adventure. Remember those navigation skills you picked up yesterday? It’s time to put them to the test. We’re going off-track, baby! With 10 kilometres of off-track hiking planned for today, you’ll feel like a master of nature by the time you’re done.
Why stray from the path, though? Aside from the obvious opportunity to build your navigation and wilderness skills, there’s of course the… What’s that? It sounds like another Brush Wallaby!
Pausing and listening to the forest as you walk, you’ll hear all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures going about their lives. Going off-track is like venturing into a secret animal kingdom that only you get to witness.
Accommodation: Conspicuous Cliffs campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Critical Thinking Challenge
Are you calm under pressure? Fancy yourself a whizz at critical thinking? Don’t worry – even if your calmness vanishes and your critical thinking goes for a walk at times, these skills are now light-years better than they were eight days ago. This morning, we’ve got a surprise to test these newly-built skills and give you the chance to show off a bit. Challenge accepted!
As the sun climbs, you’re back on the Bibbulmun Track, conquering 10 kilometres of crazy-beautiful trails. Everyday life might make it easy to downplay Australia’s awesomeness, but out here, surrounded by untouched wilderness, you’ll swear it’s the most gorgeous place on earth.
By now, there’s something soothing about the simple aromas and routine of bush cooking, and you’ll love another evening spent eating around the campfire with your new pals. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that are the best!
Accommodation: Peaceful Bay campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Bibbulmun Track to Boat Harbour
It’s your final day on the trail, something your achy legs will be grateful for! As you tackle today’s last stretch of your 15-kilometre hike, you’ll feel the home comforts of civilisation calling your name.
Sure, you might feel a sad twinge as you start to hear the distant chatter of hikers who aren’t a part of your tight-knit group, but the disappointment is short-lived when you realise the luxuries in store for you tonight. Who’ll be first to the toilet block for a hot shower?!
Fresh as daisies (seriously, you all look brand new!), gather round for the ultimate debrief, reflecting on the out-of-this-world experience you’ve had together and the physical and mental challenges you’ve overcome. Then, you’ll huddle round the campfire for your final group feast. As you listen to the crackling of the campfire and smell the fresh night air, you’ll know that you’re going to miss nights like these!
Accommodation: Boat Harbour campsite
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Farewell Friends
It’s the final day of the adventure, but you’re not done quite yet. Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a hot bath are just a few hours away, but first there’ll be long and teary hugs as the group says goodbye to your fearless leader and guide. Then you have the journey back to Perth to enjoy with the rest of your new Camino family. Squeeze every last ounce of fun from the drive, belly-laughing at the crazy adventures you’ve had and the ridiculous predicaments you overcame as a group. Goodbyes are too painful, so let’s just think of it as a “see you later” for now!
Included: Breakfast
FAQs
Level 3 – Moderate Plus
A fair amount of endurance and more than moderate level of fitness is needed for our Level 3 rated, Bush Survival Program. Expect to walk between four and seven hours on most days – that’s somewhere between 10 and 15 kilometres, carrying your personal belongings in a 65 litre backpack. Keep in mind that you’ll need to cover that distance at a fairly moderate pace through undulating terrain and sometimes trekking through sand. There is no option to tap-out on a particular day, except for in an emergency.
You’ll learn bush crafts and wild camp in tents for 6 nights, with no toilet or shower facilities. Some days are solely devoted to trekking through isolated beach and bush wilderness, and on two day’s there’ll be rafting on rivers and a sheltered seawater outlet, as well as a high ropes course, and two days of off-track, bush navigation.
Camino Women has joined forces with Outward Bound – experts in Australian outdoor education since 1956, and in our opinion, the best at what they do. Together we’ve spent months developing a program suited to adult women, especially for our women Caminos. It’s an experience that will push you to discover your own potential, with just the right balance of challenge and growth. Get ready for a better, bolder and more resilient version of you!
Lunches are simple lunch boxes and evening meals are hearty camp meals (single choice). We can cater for different dietary needs. As a group, you’ll be sharing in the daily camp duties under the guidance of your trek leader.
Our on-ground team will provide daily food and water drops at each overnight camp on your trip.
You’re welcome to bring your own pack, but if you’d prefer not to, we will provide you with a 65 litre pack and a safe place to leave your luggage while you’re on the trek. Also included are 2-person, twin share tents and sleeping mats.
Please BYO your sleeping bag, or be in touch with plenty of notice to hire one. We’ll share a full packing list real soon!
