Days 37 and 38: Tom Road to Boarding House
We acknowledge the Nyoongar People as the traditional custodians of the land and waters along the Bibbulmun Track
Tom Road to Boarding House would have been long if done in one day, but this is the second section we had decided to split when rejigging our itinerary in Balingup. Greens Island is around halfway between Tom Road and Boarding House, so a perfect location. It’s a drive-in campground with a toilet, but only one campervan is there when we stay. This makes for two comfortable days and now my body is noticeably healing: fantastic because it means small tweaks as needed will ensure we can complete the hike.
An alternative is accommodation near One Tree Bridge at Graphite Road. There are at least three places in close proximity: One Tree Bridge Chalets, Karri Glade Chalets, and Blue Moon Forest Lodge. Our friends Patrick and Helen did this and treated themselves themselves to a little luxury. You most likely will need to book in advance and check for any minimum two or more night stay requirements. Or you could get a prearranged taxi into Manjimup (which is about 15 minutes drive away - there is no phone reception at One Tree Bridge).
The reason for not tallying distances is because, for me, this detracts from my enjoyment of each day. Hiking ten kilometres when you have a thousand to do is such a small proportion that it would be too easy to get discouraged. It would be too easy to focus on the end rather than the journey, and make it more difficult to appreciate each day. But still: the rain has stopped, the sun has briefly emerged, and I am thrilled. Geoff, who has of course been recording every step, has stayed schtum, knowing what works for me!