Forest Plains Coast Teen Expedition

Hike Information

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Starts: 30 Sep 2026
Ends: 06 Oct 2026

• Location: South Coast, Western Australia
• Route: Northcliffe → Walpole
• Trail: Bibbulmun Track (Inland and Coastal Section)
• Accommodation during hike: Bibbulmun Track campsites
• Group Size: Small, maximum 12, supported teen group
• Eligibility: Suitable for all 16-17 yr old teens & Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey
• Difficulty: Grade 4

Independent Teens: The following information has been designed as a hike only program. If you are a group live in Perth or other parts of Australia and wish to travel to the hike start independently, LifeTrail has before provided groups from the eastern states a Hike Trip Package, including adult supervision, travel accommodation, coach transport, airport pickup.

A Seven-Day Adventurous Journey

This seven-day expedition follows the Bibbulmun Track between Northcliffe and Walpole — a remote and varied section of the Great Southern coastline. Teens carry full packs, manage food and equipment, navigate terrain, and contribute to daily planning and camp responsibilities.

The duration is intentional. Seven days allows for real adaptation — physically, mentally and socially. Early discomfort gives way to rhythm. Uncertainty becomes confidence. The group moves from polite coordination to genuine teamwork.

Each participant attends structured pre-hike preparation sessions to develop planning skills, risk awareness and expedition responsibility. On trail, leadership is calm, consistent and present, with clear safety systems and space for independence within a contained environment.

At the core of the journey is Hikefulness™ — learning to slow down, observe clearly, and respond thoughtfully under pressure. In a world of constant academic demand, this structured pause strengthens long-term performance rather than interrupting it.

Highlights

• Lake Maringup - is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the southwest and Didier's favourite campsite on the Bibbulmun Track.
• Pingerup Plains
• Mandalay Beach
• Tingle forest
• Windy Harbour
• The Gardner, Shannon, Deep and Walpole Rivers
• Shannon, D'Entrecasteaux, and Walpole-Nornalup National Parks

This life-changing, genuine backpacking adventure occurs on a 139 km section of Western Australia's world-famous long-distance Bibbulmun Track. The Pingerup Plains has some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and stunningly located campsites like Lake Maringup.

Walk amongst Giant Karri trees and one of the most profound experiences for a south Bibbulmun Track end-to-ender, the first view of the south coast.

LifeTrail celebrates inclusion and diversity; our teen hikes have been designed directly for all teens and Participants of the Duke Of Ed Gold Adventurous Journey. For more information, look here at the Duke Of Edinburgh International Award.

What Teens Gain on This Expedition

By the end of Day 1, your legs will ache and your pack will feel heavy. During your final day, something will have shifted.

Past participants consistently reflect on the same things weeks later: stronger confidence, better focus at school, new friendships that lasted, and a clearer sense of what they're capable of. Not because anyone told them to feel that way — because they earned it, kilometre by kilometre.

On trail, teens develop real skills: calm decision-making in unfamiliar situations, leadership within a small team, and the quiet satisfaction of doing something genuinely hard. LifeTrail's Hikefulness® approach weaves mindful awareness naturally into the journey.

The LifeTrail Teen Hike Standard

 LifeTrail teen hikes are intentionally small with a 1:6 ratio, maximum 12, carefully planned expeditions personally guided by Didier Monot, founder of LifeTrail since 2017, long-distance Bibbulmun Track end-to-end hiker and 15 + years mentoring for youth experience.

Each journey involves extensive preparation, including two recognised extensive group hike plan video call sessions  — route design, campsite logistics, transport, permits, food planning, and risk management — allowing teens to experience real independence while still being supported by an experienced guide. Rather than large tour-style groups, LifeTrail hikes focus on creating a meaningful outdoor experience where teens build confidence, resilience, and teamwork through the challenge of a multi-day hike.

LifeTrail pricing reflects the level of preparation, professional responsibility, and personalised guidance required to deliver these safe and memorable wilderness journeys. Many teens arrive thinking it’s simply a hike. By the end, they realise it was an expedition that challenged them, strengthened them, and showed them what they are capable of.

Hiking Itinerary

Day 2: Gardner Campsite - Lake Maringup Campsite - Total: 17 km
Day 3: Lake Maringup Campsite - Dog Pool Campsite - Total: 25 km
Day 4: Dog Pool Campsite - Mt Chance Campsite - Total: 19 km
Day 5: Mt Chance Campsite - Woolbales Campsite - Total: 22 km
Day 6: Woolbales Campsite - Long Point Campsite - Total: 18 km
Day 7: Long Point Campsite - Walpole - Total: 23 km

Total: 139 km

Who Is This Hike For?

This hike suits teens who:

• want to step out of their comfort zone, and achieve something less than 3% of the population will attempt
• have some good level of fitness, through personal sport or physical activity
• are willing to walk with a full backpack, approx. 18 kg for upto 6 hours per day
• participate safely within a guided group setting
• manage their personal care and equipment,
• follow instructions and make reasonable decisions with guidance,
• engage respectfully with the group, the environment, the campsites and other hikers
• Duke Of Edinburgh Award Participants seeking a Gold Adventurous Journey
• will attend two compulsory group video sessions before the hike

Inclusive and More Support

LifeTrail is recognised as a welcoming and inclusive hiking provider. Teens with barriers and disabilities have specifically participated for this reason. Teen Multiday Hikes are designed as a guided outdoor experience, we are unable to provider individual support work with two Guides. If you may require more support to complete the daily tasks of a hike, or are unsure contact Didier on 0410 756 065 to discuss and assess your needs. Didier welcomes contact from parents, teachers, NDIS providers, Psychologists. You may also want to look at the LifeTrail NDIS Mentored Hiking page.

Location

• Hike begins in Northcliffe WA
• Hike ends in Walpole WA
• Walpole and Northcliffe have a visitor centres
• These are small towns with minimal food outlets, groceries and accommodation
• TransWA coaches service both towns

Food and Water (What Do I Eat)

Campsites are equipped with rainwater tanks for daily bottle refills.

Participants are required to carry:

• • Two 1-litre water bottles for regular use
  • One additional empty bottle or water bladder as a backup in case of extra thirst, loss or damage bottle.

Scroll down to Preparation

Hiking Gear (What To Bring?)

• Participants must provide their own hiking gear.
• Everything will be carried by the participant in a backpack.
• Essential hiking gear can be hired from Perth based HikeHire
• Gear must be ready and packed 5 days before the hike.

Scroll down to Preparation

Included

• Qualified & experienced Guide
• Fully licensed Dept. Parks & Wildlife Commercial Operator
• Small group 1:6 ratio — max 12 teens
• Individual goal planning
• Two extensive group video pre-hike information sessions
• Duke Of Edinburgh Award reports (if applicable)

Preparation

LifeTrail provides two compulsory extensive group Microsoft Teams video sessions before the hike.

Read first ? – Teen Multiday Hikes
Read first ? – Gear list
Read first ? – How to prepare for a multi-day teen hike
Read first ? – Hiking food