West Cape Howe Campsite (948.8 km) to Mutton Bird Campsite (977.7 km)

Mileage: 28.9 km/18.1 miles

There was a nice sunrise today at West Cape Howe visible from one of the two lookouts surrounding the campsite. We thought we would make the best of an early start and were on trail by 6 AM.

The first 8 km out of camp were through the coastal scrub towards a prominent bluff which then rounds across to the final stretch to Albany. There were some beautiful scenic coastal views in either direction as we hiked east.

After crossing the bluff which can be seen above, we got our first glance of the Albany windmills and, a little later, of Albany. The town was not actually fully visible as there were some hills in the way but the houses on the hills above Albany were in view.

We covered 17 km between West Cape Howe and Torbay campsite where we stopped for lunch at 10.45 AM. The scenery along the way was spectacular.

Torbay was a great little campsite with a slight view of the ocean through the trees. We met Greg there who caught us up at the campsite who we had spent the night with at West Cape Howe campsite. Greg had a stroke five years ago and was unable to walk. Gradually, he made progress little by little and is now about to finish off his end to end just one day behind us.

We left Greg behind and continued on down a gradual descent to a local tourist spot called Cosy Corner. From there, it was a 7 km beach walk past Torbay Inlet only marginally shorter than the walk along Mazoletti Beach of a few days ago. The inlet normally requires wading across but at this time of year is bridged by a sandbar so we could keep our feet dry. From the end of the beach, it was a short 3 km walk to our final campsite of the trail at Mutton Bird.

At the campsite, we noticed a blue tent there even though the shelter was empty.   Shortly thereafter, Joel and Jessica came along to introduce themselves. Joel (only mid-twenties) was a former professional cyclist from Yorkshire (my home as well) who lived in Belgium prior to moving to Australia. Jessica was a kiwi who had just accepted a job as a dentist in Albany.

Time to reflect a little. Tomorrow I will finally finish the Bibbumun Track which I’ve section hiked over the last five years with my friend Ben.

It will feel strange to complete the trail after all this time. On the one hand, it is the achievement of a long held goal – to hike a trail over 1,000 km long from one end to the other. However, as I write this from the last campsite for me on the trail, there is also the mixed feeling in that a goal has been achieved, I’ve seen all the trail has to offer and a part of my hiking experience has been closed off. I’ve enjoyed this trail and it has taught me a lot and I have grown a lot as a hiker in that time. I look forward to the finish in Albany tomorrow!