Climbing Bluff Knoll, the very best peak in Western Australia’s South West area, has lengthy been on my bucket record. On an impromptu weekend getaway to Denmark, my husband and I lastly conquered this difficult hike!
Learn on beneath for my information to mountain climbing Bluff Knoll and all you’ll want to know earlier than you go.
This weblog was initially posted in November 2019, and final up to date in October 2023.
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When to Climb Bluff Knoll
One of the best time to hike Bluff Knoll is in spring or autumn. Principally, when the solar is shining nevertheless it isn’t too sizzling.
I hiked the Bluff Knoll path mid-October, on a sunny day and temperatures of mid-high 20 levels. I wouldn’t wish to hike in a lot hotter temperatures than that – it’s a regular uphill hike and it will be powerful (and probably harmful) within the warmth of summer time.
If mountain climbing on a heat day, begin the climb early, be sure to have solar safety and loads of water.
The indicators on the backside say to be ready for fast climate modifications. It could actually get very windy up the highest and is noticeably cooler.
In winter, typically you possibly can even see snow on the prime of the height.
Greatest Time to Climb Bluff Knoll
One of the best time to hike Bluff Knoll is late Autumn (April-Might) or Spring (Oct-Nov).
A peaceful winters day is perhaps appropriate, however be ready for situation modifications. Personally, I wouldn’t do that steep hike within the peak of summer time.
Keep away from going within the peak warmth of the day. Begin the Bluff Knoll climb within the morning, or later afternoon.
Ensure to not depart it too near sundown – it will be difficult to climb down the steep path in the dead of night.
How you can Get to Bluff Knoll
From Perth to Bluff Knoll is about 4 and half hour drive. I like to recommend driving down from Perth the day earlier than and spending the evening in a close-by city or campground.
You may drive to the bottom of Bluff Knoll and park on the automotive park there. You’ll discover Bluff Knoll automotive park in Google Maps.
The place to Keep Close to Bluff Knoll
Bluff Knoll lodging choices are restricted within the neighborhood of Bluff Knoll.
The best choice to get lodging close to Bluff Knoll is to remain in Albany or Denmark the evening earlier than. Alternatively, you possibly can camp or keep in primary chalets at Stirling Vary Retreat.
Denmark
Denmark to Bluff Knoll is a 1.5 hour drive.
Denmark is a good place to remain for issues to do round your Bluff Knoll hike. There are many cute cafes and plenty of wineries within the space, together with gorgeous seashores like Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks.
- Pelicans at Denmark: Cosy chalet nestled within the forest with inlet views.
- William Bay Cottages: A variety of cottages with full kitchen. Near Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks too!
- Chimes Spa Retreat: an adults solely retreat with fashionable suites. Deal with your self to a spa tub after finishing the difficult Bluff Knoll hike!
- Karri Aura: Clear and cosy items with kitchenettes and scenic views.
Test availability of all lodging in Denmark right here
Albany
Albany to Bluff Knoll is simply over a one hour drive. Albany affords a lot of eating, leisure and lodging choices.
Test availability of all lodging in Albany right here
Bluff Knoll Tenting
When you don’t thoughts tenting, there are two caravan parks and campgrounds inside the neighborhood of Bluff Knoll. These are the Stirling Vary Retreat and Mt Trio Bush Camp.
I’ve camped at Stirling Vary Retreat earlier than trying to hike Bluff Knoll at dawn.
Stirling Vary Retreat is the closest campground to Bluff Knoll, a 10-minute drive away. It has some primary cabins, powered camp websites, non-powered camp websites and caravan websites.
The services embody a big camp kitchen and bathe blocks. Non-powered campsites begin from $18 per evening, per individual (2023).
Mt Trio Bush Camp & Caravan Park is slightly additional away, a 25-minute drive from Bluff Knoll, however has more room. These selecting unpowered camp websites can choose a spot among the many bush block, with no particular websites permitting for slightly more room and probably privateness in comparison with Stirling Vary Retreat.
Unpowered camp websites from $20 per individual, per evening (2023).
Tenting within the Nationwide Park can also be an possibility for these on multi-day in a single day hikes. Extra data on tenting inside the Stirling Ranges might be discovered right here.
What to Take When Climbing Bluff Knoll
- Water
- Solar safety
- Digital camera
- Climbing Poles (optionally available, however good for people who would possibly wrestle with the numerous steps)
Ensure you take a lot of water! There wasn’t wherever to replenish on the carpark. We had introduced two drink bottles that have been completed by the tip of the hike.
Ensure you put on acceptable clothes and footwear, take into account taking sunscreen and naturally don’t overlook your digital camera. You’re going to need it on the prime!
Try my South West Highway Journey itinerary for the last word one-week journey round South West WA.
Bluff Knoll Entry Price
As Bluff Knoll is a part of the Stirling Vary Nationwide Park, there may be an entry price payable of $15 per automotive (2023).
As you flip onto Bluff Knoll Rd, the pay station might be clearly seen. Use the automated machines to pay on card (be sure to put your printed ticket onto your dashboard).
With the doorway price, when you maintain your ticket you possibly can re-use it to enter one other nationwide park on the identical day. This got here in helpful for us when visiting The Hole and Pure Bridge in Albany later that day, and saved us from buying one other ticket.
Alternatively, you should purchase a parks go which permits limitless entry into most Nationwide Parks in WA for a sure time interval.
What to Count on When Climbing Bluff Knoll
We pulled into the Bluff Knoll automotive park simply earlier than 8am, with a fast go to to the toilet positioned right here (there are not any different services in your means up).
It’s now time to start your Bluff Knoll stroll.
How Lengthy Does It Take to Climb Bluff Knoll
How lengthy does it take to hike Bluff Knoll? Signage on the backside signifies the Bluff Knoll hike time is a 3-4 hour return journey. To get an concept of how steep the mountain is, Bluff Knoll hike size is barely 3km to the summit… and but it takes 3-4 hours to succeed in the Bluff Knoll summit!
In actuality, it took us 2.5 hours return to hike Bluff Knoll. This included a while spent on the prime, however we did it at fairly a quick tempo. So, how lengthy does Bluff Knoll take? Wherever from 2-4 hours on common, relying in your tempo and degree of health.
We started our journey to the summit. 5 minutes in, the terrain rapidly modified from a stony path to non cease, rocky steps that wound their means up and across the knoll.
I used to be breathless and needing common stops to regain my breath, regardless of contemplating myself pretty match.
It didn’t assist that Dane and his lengthy legs have been charging on forward and I used to be struggling to maintain up! The floor was very uneven and steep, and I personally couldn’t think about doing it with small children.
Though on our means down, we noticed many individuals with young children making their means up! I assume its potential climbing Bluff Knoll with children when you take your time.
One other wonderful hike within the South West is the enduring Cape to Cape observe. Learn all you’ll want to find out about it right here
Reaching the Summit
I felt like an eternity had handed, however we have been lastly nearing the height of the bluff.
We noticed solely a few individuals making their means again down on our means up, however once we bought there have been a handful of individuals up there admiring the views.
After sitting on a rock and recovering for a couple of minutes, I might lastly take within the insane 360 diploma views round us. At 1098m above sea degree, we felt like we have been standing within the clouds.
It was an unbelievable sight. We have been surrounded by the rolling hills of different close by ridges, earlier than fading into the countryside additional out.
Additionally it was SO WINDY on the prime. Watch out and pay warning that you simply don’t stand too near the sting.
We spent about half an hour up the highest, earlier than commencing the hike again down.
Bluff Knoll Dawn
Climbing Bluff Knoll and reaching the summit for dawn is a well-liked exercise.
We tried our luck in early April 2022. Sadly climate was not on our facet, and Bluff Knoll was surrounded in thick cloud which didn’t carry for dawn.
It was additionally insanely windy on the summit. We tried checking the climate the evening beforehand as finest we might, nevertheless it was not on our facet this time.
We spent the evening earlier than our dawn hike tenting at Stirling Vary Retreat as it’s the closest choice to the bottom of Bluff Knoll.
We set off at 4.30am, beginning the hike at 4.45am with dawn meant to be at 6.30am. Sadly we couldn’t see a single factor greater than 30cm in entrance of us on the summit, not to mention the dawn!
Try my behind the scenes video I shared on Instagram of our dawn hike FAIL!
Seems like we’ll have to return and provides it one other try at some point quickly…
Remaining Ideas
On our first hike (with good circumstances one sunny Sunday morning). 2 and half hours after we had set off, we made it again to the automotive park.
Drained, burning legs, sweaty faces and flies beginning to follow our backs, however insanely awed from the unbelievable expertise we had simply had.
From there, we determined to drive from Bluff Knoll to Albany for some lunch and spend a number of hours exploring. The Porongorups (together with the Granite Skywalk at Fortress Rock) are positioned 45-minutes from Bluff Knoll on the way in which to Albany when you really feel up for an additional journey.
When you determine to wrap up your South West journey there, Bluff Knoll again to Perth is 4.5-hour drive.
It’s value noting there are a selection of scenic drives across the Stirling Vary Nationwide Park. Sadly we ran out of time, however would positively have liked to take a look at these drives and their scenic lookouts one other time.
For these , extra data on these trails might be discovered on the Discover Parks WA website.
That wraps up my information on all the pieces you’ll want to know earlier than Bluff Knoll mountain climbing!
Let me know within the feedback beneath you probably have any questions on this good hike in Australia’s South West.
Abstract FAQ
How lengthy does it take to stroll up Bluff Knoll?
Plan for the Bluff Knoll hike to take 3 – 4 hours return. It took me 2.5 hours return, at a quick tempo.
What’s the Bluff Knoll hike distance?
The hike to the summit of Bluff Knoll is simply over 3 kilometres, with a return journey complete distance of 6.8 kilometres.
How far is Bluff Knoll from Perth?
Bluff Knoll is 400 kilometres from Perth, with the drive taking round 4.5 hours.
When is one of the best time to hike Bluff Knoll?
One of the best time to hike Bluff Knoll is in spring (September – November) or autumn (March – Might).