108 km
5 days
15-17 yrs
Grade 4
Donnelly River Teen Expedition
Donnelly River Village → Pemberton | Bibbulmun Track
Step Into Your Wild
The Donnelly River section is the wildest section of the entire trail. The terrain is demanding — steep climbs, river crossings, long forest days. The reward is solitude and wildness that very few people ever experience. And unlike any other section of the Bibbulmun Track, the route passes through private farming land — a sudden, unexpected contrast of open paddocks and grazing cattle that hikers never forget.
LifeTrail is recognised for offering hikers structured opportunities to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, and practically — including equipment readiness — before and during their journey.
LifeTrail celebrates inclusion and diversity. This expedition has been designed for all teens aged 15 to 17, including participants of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Adventurous Journey.
Past teen hikers reflect on the same things weeks later — stronger confidence, better focus at school, 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.
Highlights
- Donnelly River Village — the starting point
- The Donnelly River itself — followed for much of the hike
- Riverside campsites deep in the forest
- Private farming land — open green paddocks, cattle, and a sky that opens wide
- Chappels Bridge and One Tree Bridge
- Beedleup Falls
- Pemberton’s Big Brook Dam — finishing strong
Overview
Meet the LifeTrail team at the confirmed Pemberton meeting point at 3:00 pm on 4 July. The group will complete final gear checks and stay together in pre-hike accommodation before beginning the expedition from Donnelly River Village on 5 July. The final first-night location and group-transfer details will be supplied to accepted participants once confirmed.
Donnelly River Village to Pemberton is 108 kilometres, five days and is One of the most character-building sections of the Bibbulmun Track.
The Donnelly River Expedition follows the river valley through inland forest between Donnelly River Village and Pemberton. It is relentless, beautiful, and deeply rewarding — some of the toughest hills on the entire Bibbulmun Track, rivers to follow, ancient forests to move through.
And then the forest opens. The track passes through private farming land — wide green paddocks, cattle grazing quietly, a sky that suddenly feels enormous after days under a forest canopy. It is one of the most unexpected and memorable moments on this section, and one that hikers talk about long after they finish.
What Makes This Expedition
The Donnelly River section is different from a coastal walk. The terrain is demanding — steep climbs, river crossings, long forest days. The reward is solitude and wildness that very few people ever experience. And unlike any other section of the Bibbulmun Track, the route passes through private farming land — a sudden, unexpected contrast of open paddocks and grazing cattle that hikers never forget.
LifeTrail is recognised for offering hikers structured opportunities to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, and practically — including equipment readiness — before and during their journey.
LifeTrail celebrates inclusion and diversity. This expedition has been designed for all teens aged 15 to 17, including participants of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Adventurous Journey.
Itinerary
Arrival Day — Sunday 4 July: Meet in Pemberton at 3:00 pm for final gear checks and preparation. The group will stay together in pre-hike accommodation. The overnight location and timing of the transfer to Donnelly River Village will be confirmed with accepted participants.
Hiking Day 1 — Monday 5 July: Donnelly River Village to Tom Road Campsite — 16 km
Hiking Day 2 — Tom Road Campsite → Boarding House Campsite — 24 km
Hiking Day 3 — Boarding House Campsite → Beavis Campsite — 19.7 km
Hiking Day 4 — Beavis Campsite → Beedelup Campsite — 21 km
Hiking Day 5 — Beedelup Campsite → Pemberton — 24.2 km. Pick up 4pm in Pemberton.
Total hiking— 108 km
What Teens Take Home
Past participants reflect on the same things weeks later — stronger confidence, better focus at school, 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.LifeTrail’s Hikefulness® approach is woven naturally through the journey — learning to slow down, observe clearly, and respond thoughtfully. In a world of constant pressure, this is a structured pause that strengthens long-term performance rather than interrupting it.
Is This Hike Right For You?
This expedition suits teens who are ready to:
- Step outside their comfort zone and achieve something very few people will ever try
- Carry a full pack (approximately 17 kg) for up to 7 hours per day
- Participate safely and respectfully within a small guided group
- Manage their own gear and personal care on trail
- Attend two compulsory pre-hike video sessions before departure
LifeTrail is a welcoming and inclusive provider. Teens with disabilities or additional needs have participated in past expeditions. If you’re unsure whether this hike is suitable, contact Didier directly on 0410 756 065 — he welcomes calls from parents, teachers, NDIS providers, and psychologists.
Inclusions
- Two qualified & experienced Guides – 1:6 ratio
- Fully licensed Dept. Parks & Wildlife Commercial Operator
- Emergency communications equipment
- Small group – maximum 12 participants
- Individual goal planning
- Bus transport between Pemberton and Donnelly River Village
- Two extensive group video pre-hike information sessions
- Town accommodation before the hike
- Duke Of Edinburgh Award reports (if applicable)
Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Personal hiking gear and food (see our lists)
- LifeTrail supplies no food. Participants provide and carry all hiking food and snacks and purchase or bring any town meals.
- Accommodation in Pemberton, after hike
- Transport from and to Pemberton
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
Hike Reflections
It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, thanks Didier
Alex — 15
“I realised after this 5 day hike that I was so much more capable than I thought”
Belle – 16
This isn’t a school camp — this is a real, multiday outdoor adventure you’ll remember forever.”
Dion — 16
Duke Of Edinburgh Award
This hike meets all Duke Of Edinburgh Award Adventurous Journey requirements and is part of the LifeTrail Teen Multiday Hike program. Visit the LifeTrail Duke Of Edinburgh Award page for further information.
Q&A - Questions I am frequently asked
Donnelly River Expedition and 5 day hikes are designed for 15 to 17 years old. This hike leads you into one of the most beautiful and challenging forrest sections of the Bibbulmun Track. All LifeTrail teen hikes are created and planned for beginner hikers. Participants must be capable of carrying a full expedition pack weighing roughly 17 kg for up to 6 hours per day through challenging inland terrain, steep forest climbs, and river valleys.
The Donnelly River Expedition is a 5 day / 4 night teen hike for 15 to 17 yr olds which is designed to meet a combined Practice and Qualifying Silver Adventurous Journey, or a Practice or Qualifying Gold Journey.
Participants meet in Pemberton at 3:00 pm on 4 July for final gear checks and preparation. The group will stay together in pre-hike accommodation before hiking begins from Donnelly River Village on 5 July. The final first-night location and group-transfer details will be confirmed with accepted participants.
108 km
5 days
15-17 yrs
Grade 4
Meet: Pemberton, 3:00 pm, Sunday 4 July 2027
Collect: Pemberton, 4:00 pm, Friday 9 July 2027
$975.00 per person, including GST, fees
$200.00 (optional) deposit per person
Upcoming Hike
04-09 July 2027
This challenging expedition is booked on request. Didier will contact you 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.
- Funding assistance may be available through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Australia
Get In Touch
Private Groups: Let me know what you need, and let’s see what we can create together.
Before You Book: Conditions & Waiver
Please read the documents below before booking. They explain the booking conditions, participant responsibilities, important hiking risks, and the waiver you will be asked to acknowledge when completing your booking.