Michelle is Sydney born, Perth raised. Her childhood was spent exploring the Kalamunda bushlands in the Darling Range east of Perth, where her love of nature started. Michelle has had many jobs: hospitality, modelling, artist, art teacher and on a prawn trawler. Michelle is a travel writer and a seriously addicted hiker. She is married to fellow hiker addict Mark, and has three adult children. Michelle and Mark explore the world by walking in places like Norway, Alaska and Italy, to name a few. As she loves the peace and harmony of nature and having the feeling of freedom, Michelle prefers wilderness tracks. She has done quite a few solo: it grounds her.
Paris and Jade exploring the Bibbulmun with their mum Michelle and me (Michelle)
Michelle's walk aka Fundraiser for the Bibbulmun Track FoundationIt was a wet, cold Western Australian winter in 2016, so I was told; I missed most of it as I was hiking through Norway and Scotland, where summers are usually cooler and wetter than our winters, but not this time. On my return, I saw that the wildflowers were loving it! WA had a fantastic season for them. As soon as I arrived home I was back out on my favourite track, the Bibbulmun Track, enjoying the wildflowers.
The Bibbulmun Track, or the Bibb as I call it, always feels like home. Having grown up in Kalamunda where the track starts, I spent my childhood running around the bush. Over the years I have walked a far bit of the Bibb, mainly to train for long treks in other countries. This day looking at the wildflowers enjoying the Red-Tail Cockatoos flying and squawking overhead, it occurred to me, why have I never walked it end to end in one trip?
That was it, decision made, By the time I got home and told my husband I had already planned the whole trip, from when I was leaving, how long it will take, which direction I would go, everything! Now I’m on countdown till I leave!
The plan is 53 days starting in April 2017 in Albany and making my way north to Kalamunda, finishing on 28 May. I want to celebrate this day not only because it is my last day on the track but I want to give back to the track and the wonderful volunteers that make it possible to have it here to enjoy. The Bibbulmun fundraiser seeks donations. You can join me on this day. Check my website to find out more.
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