4 Stray Katz: Reaching the peak - climbing Bluff Knoll, the 4th highest mountain in the Stirling Ranges

Porongurup National Park and the Stirling Ranges

Friday 20^th – Sunday 22^nd January

After so much time at the beach we were all looking forward to some hiking in the mountains. We’d planned to do 3 hikes, which included the 2 highest peaks in the South West. Unfortunately Jackson’s ankle and knee were still hurting so he stayed in the caravan while Emilia, Daniel and I did the first walk (4.4 km return) to Castle Rock, where, after climbing between some huge boulders and up a ladder, we marvelled at the view from the popular Granite Skywalk. We managed to video call him from the top so at least he got to see some of the vista (although he was still very disappointed to have missed out). Next up was Toolbrunup Peak, the second highest mountain in the Stirling Ranges (1052m). We did this walk last time we were in WA, and the kids managed it even though they were only 3 and 4 ½. We wanted to take them on it again so they could see what they achieved at such a young age. It is a Class 5 (very difficult) walk, with a rocky, unmarked track that requires a lot of agility and rock climbing. There was no way Jackson was going to make it up with his sore knee and ankle, so I stayed with him in the carpark whilst Emilia and Daniel did the climb. It was a tough 4 hour trek but they arrived back regaling us with tales of the rugged beauty and impressive wildflowers they encountered on the way (we were both very jealous). That night we just stayed in the carpark, so we were close to Bluff Knoll for the next hike.

After resting all day the previous day, Jackson decided he wanted to try to get to the top of Bluff Knoll so we bandaged him up and headed to the start of the track. Bluff Knoll (1095m) is the highest peak in south WA, and the hike up is one of Australia’s top 25 hikes. We didn’t get to do it last trip as the weather was terrible so we were so pleased that the sun was out and the forecast was for a fine day. It was a really picturesque hike, but gosh I found it hard in some places. Most of the track was widely spaced stairs, so you pretty much hiked uphill for about 1.5hours. It definitely got our heart rates up!! There were some lovely wildflowers near the top, and some incredible views, which were a great excuse to stop and take a breather. We finally made it to the top and were rewarded with incredible views in every direction. It was super windy up the top so we didn’t stay long (our sweaty clothes turned cold quickly) before beginning the knee torturing way down! Jackson found the way down particularly hard so we took it quite slowly. We ended up completing the whole walk in about 3.5 hours, just in time for lunch. We spent the afternoon at the nearby Stirling Ranges Retreat where the cold swimming pool provided some welcome relief to our tired muscles.

We’d had such a great few days and we had timed it just right as the next morning the clouds rolled in and it started to rain- you would not want to be up the top of Bluff Knoll in bad weather! We left mid-morning, headed back to the coast.

It was a lovely bush walk up to Castle Rock

Then we clambered over some rather large boulders...

....and up a ladder....

until we reached the 'Skywalk'.

Daniel left us up the top and went back down to Jackson while Emilia and I took some more photos.

Climbing back down.

Some of the massive boulders look like they are in such precarious positions - this one looked like it was about to start rolling.

The balancing rock is incredible- I wonder how many hundreds/millions of years it will be before it topples?

The next group of photos are from Daniel and Emilia's hike up Mt Toolbrunup- the 5th highest mountain in Western Australia.

Same spot on the walk up Mt Toolbrunup - 2016 and 2023

They had a very hard climb up the rocks.

But were rewarded with masses of wildflowers....

...and incredible views.

Emilia at the summit.

Another photo recreation - Daniel and Emilia tried to get the same photo together but it was too hard, so he just got Emilia to pose!

Climbing down Mt Toolbrunup

We ended up staying the night in the carpark at the base of Mt Toolbrunup

After getting hot and sweaty Emilia wanted a shower - not a bad view!

Bluff Knoll at dusk from our carpark campsite.

The next set of photos are from our climb up to the top of Bluff Knoll

Once we got near the top the views were amazing and there were lots of lovely wildflowers.

We stopped here for a short break and some lollies before the final climb to the top.

Jackson did an incredible job making it to the top with a sore ankle and knee.

Snack time up the top.

Summit selfie.

My hair in these two photos gives an indication of how windy it was up on top of Bluff Knoll!! We didn't stay up there too long as we were all getting cold.