Forest Plains Coast Teen Expedition

Seven Days Through WA’s Wild South

LifeTrail’s Forest Plains Coast Teen Expedition is a seven-day, 139 km full-pack journey along Western Australia’s Bibbulmun Track from Northcliffe to Walpole.

Designed for teens aged 16–17, the route crosses remote plains, rivers, ancient karri and tingle forests, and three national parks before reaching the Southern Ocean. Along the way, hikers experience Lake Maringup, the biodiversity of the Pingerup Plains, Mandalay Beach, Windy Harbour and the Gardner, Shannon, Deep and Walpole rivers.

This is a Grade 4 wilderness expedition—not a camp or casual hike. Participants carry approximately 18 kg full packs and walk for up to seven hours each day. Seven days gives the group time to move beyond the initial discomfort, find a steady trail rhythm and discover what they can manage together.

Dates and Trip Structure

Meet the LifeTrail team in Northcliffe at 3:00 pm on Thursday 30 September 2027 for introductions, final gear checks and preparation. The included pre-hike group accommodation is in Northcliffe. Each participant purchases or brings their own dinner and breakfast; LifeTrail supplies no food.

The seven hiking days run from 1–7 October. The expedition finishes in Walpole for collection at 4:00 pm on Thursday 7 October 2027.

The complete customer commitment is eight calendar days and seven nights, including seven hiking days and six nights on the Track.

Hiking Itinerary

• Day 1 — Northcliffe to Gardner Campsite — 15 km
• Day 2 — Gardner Campsite to Lake Maringup — 17 km
• Day 3 — Lake Maringup to Dog Pool — 25 km
• Day 4 — Dog Pool to Mount Chance — 19 km
• Day 5 — Mount Chance to Woolbales — 22 km
• Day 6 — Woolbales to Long Point — 18 km
• Day 7 — Long Point to Walpole — 23 km

Total hiking distance: 139 km.

The route and daily itinerary may change in response to official Track closures, diversions, weather or safety conditions.

Suitability and Preparation

This expedition suits teens who are ready to:

• carry an approximately 18 kg full pack for up to seven hours per day;
• participate safely and respectfully within a small guided group;
• manage their own gear and personal care on the Track;
• follow instructions and make reasonable decisions with guidance; and
• attend two compulsory pre-hike video preparation sessions.

This challenging expedition is booked on request. After a request is submitted, Didier will contact the family to discuss the young person’s readiness and suitability. A place is confirmed only after this review.

The expedition requires at least 10 accepted participants to proceed and is limited to 12.

Guides and Remote Safety

Two experienced adult guides accompany the expedition, with a maximum guide-to-participant ratio of 1:6. The guides carry remote emergency and communications equipment, including a satellite phone and Personal Locator Beacon, and maintain an emergency contact process throughout the expedition.

Included

• Two qualified and experienced guides
• Maximum 1:6 guide-to-participant ratio
• Emergency and satellite communications equipment
• Licensed commercial hiking operator
• Northcliffe group accommodation on 30 September
• Two compulsory group video preparation sessions
• Individual goal planning
• Applicable Duke of Edinburgh Award reports
• GST and booking fees

Not Included

• Personal hiking gear
• Hiking food, snacks or town meals
• Travel insurance
• Transport to Northcliffe and home from Walpole
• Post-hike accommodation and supervision in Walpole

LifeTrail supplies no food. Each participant purchases their own town meals and supplies and carries all food and snacks required for the expedition.

If post-hike accommodation or supervision in Walpole is required, it must be arranged with Didier when booking and incurs an additional cost.

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

This seven-day expedition is designed to support Gold Adventurous Journey requirements. Depending on the participant’s circumstances, it may be used as a Practice Journey, Qualifying Journey or—where specifically approved—a combined journey.

Participants must obtain approval from their Duke of Ed Award Leader before requesting a place. LifeTrail provides the expedition preparation, supervision and applicable post-journey reporting.

Price and Requesting a Place

Price: $1,740 per participant, including GST and booking fees.

An optional $300 deposit is available. Submitting a request does not automatically confirm participation; Didier will contact the family to complete the suitability review and confirm the next steps.