You'll get a full day's workout taking on the Darling Range near Perth.
The first recorded sighting of the Darling Range by a European was by Charles Fraser, government botanist with Captain James Stirling aboard HMS Success, in March 1827. If he had set foot on the range, Fraser would have been impressed by the colourful wildflowers, abundant bird life and the expansive views from two of the range's highest peaks, mounts Vincent and Cuthbert.
Since then Perth has grown into a large city and the Darling Range has become a popular spot for day walkers. The 9.6km walk to Vincent and Cuthbert takes in a section of the famous Bibbulmun Track, a marked bushwalking trail running over 1000km from Perth to Albany. The fit and adventurous can extend the walk to 15.5km, having a break at a Bib Track shelter.
From the Sullivan Rock carpark, cross the highway with care and pick up the spur trail to the Bibbulmun Track. This trail leads to the large granite outcrop of Sullivan Rock where the first peak to be bagged, Mt Vincent, is seen. Follow the rock cairns northwest then north over Sullivan Rock and exit the rock at the large cairn. Continue on a narrow trail, the Bib Track, through the bush. The track is marked with small, yellow triangular signs.
The track climbs up Mt Vincent through a forest of sheoaks and grass trees. The track becomes steep towards the top but walkers are rewarded with great views over the surrounding bushlands. Mt Cuthbert, the next peak on the walk, can be seen from the summit. Both peaks are about 500m high.
The path to Cuthbert descends into a saddle between the peaks and climbs again to the summit.
Follow the cairns to the open rocky area on the northeast of the summit area of Mt Cuthbert and take in the view. This is the turn-around point for the 9.6km walk (return to the car via the same route) and is a great place for a break. These open, rocky areas of the peaks are the domain of the delightful ornate crevice dragon, lizards that are often seen sunning themselves on the granite.
To extend the walk to 15.5km, continue down the north side of Cuthbert. Follow the track for another 3km to the ‘Monadnocks’ Bibbulmun Track shelter. Look out for the shelter soon after crossing an old vehicle track. The three-sided shelter, with sleeping space, tent sites, water tanks and a bush loo, is one of 48 shelters for walkers to overnight in along the Bibbulmun Track. The shelter and picnic tables are an ideal place for lunch. After a break at the shelter, retrace your steps along the Bib Track and back over Cuthbert and Vincent to the car.
The best time to do the walk is in spring, when the colour, variety and sheer abundance of wildflowers can be relished. Winter is also an interesting time to walk although care must be taken on any wet rock as it is very slippery. Summer is generally too hot for this walk.
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Words and photos_Noelene Proud