Toolbrunup Peak - Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia

Y T.

Wow it feels like only yesterday when I summitted Mt Toolbrunup on the New Year's Day on 1st Jan 2023. And look where we are now!!! Just a few more days and we'll be in 2024!!! 😱 How scary time flies! 😱 Anyway, the almighty Mt Toolbrunup was my 5th mountain in my favourite national park. A mountain with a reputation 😁 I was so happy and elated when I reached the top on new year's day. I thought - WOW what a way to start a new year! The moment I was up there, I was just so overwhelmed and emotional. I cried happy tears and I prayed! Yes you read it right, I prayed and say thanks and made wishes 🙏 l was so in awe of the VIEWS. Out of all the peaks, Mt Toolbrunup is the MOST BEAUTIFUL! JUST BEAUTIFUL! The wildflowers...OMG THE WILDFLOWERS! 🌺🌸⚘️🌸💐🌻🌼🌹🌾🍀☘️⚘️🏵💮 Who would have thought! It looked just like a garden in wilderness that I had to stop a thousand times to take pictures 😁 I've done most peaks in Stirling NP and I'm glad I saved the best for the last.

I won't talk about all the details of the climb. I'm a firm believer in experiencing something by actually doing it. So you just gotta climb it to see and feel it all. It's a grade 5 hike that fits the bill so it's certainly not a walk in the park. As long as you're fit and have some hiking experience, you should be fine. The hardest part is also the most beautiful part that requires steady legs and strength (esp when coming back down 😵‍💫). Just remember to look up every once in a while and enjoy the views and also look back to see how far you climb up. Is Toolbrunup safe to hike alone Absolutely! Obviously most ppl hike with a friend as a recommended practice. However, I did it all solo and I was fine and had a fantastic time. So it all comes down to the individual and their own assessment of ability and experience.

Mt Toolbrunup also taught me a lesson - DON'T LIVE YOUR LIFE IN FEAR. You see, before I tackled it, I have heard and read all sorts of things about this mountain 😬 I always travel and hike alone and never had any issue. But Mt Toolbrunup felt very different to me. It looked intimidating and confronting. I remember when I summitted Mt Hassell that looked straight ahead to Mt Toolbrunup, I thought to myself - 'Errr idk if I could climb Mt Toolbrunup by myself 😵‍💫'. This was why I purposely left it to later becos I thought I better slowly built up my hikes from the easiest, which was Mt Trio, then up to the next one Mt Hassell, then Mt Talyuberlup and at last Mt Toolbrunup (I've already done Bluff Knoll a few times). And I think this strategy helped me in managing my fear and doubt as I slowly built my courage and confidence. I also happened to meet a girl from Sydney visiting Perth who climbed Toolbrunup solo!!! I was amazed when she said that. So I told myself 'Well if she could do it, then I can do it!' And that I did!!! Woohoo! 💪

The day I climbed Toolbrunup, the weather was just absolutely perfect. In fact I think it was the bestest weather I've ever had from all my countless visits to this beautiful national park. Although it's in Jan, it wasn't hot at all and there's no wind whatsoever either when I got to the top, which was such a rarity cos every peak I had been, it's always windy. There were a few other climbers, but due to my slower pace, I was very lucky to end up having the summit all to myself for a while 😁 so I had some time to just soak it all in and enjoy the humbling silence before I was joined by a couple of hikers. There were proper signages but do be aware: it's still very easy to get lost. That's what happened to those 2 hikers coming down, but thankfully they found their way back albeit through the bushes 😆 I believe that's what happened too in the incident in Jan 22 where sadly someone died.

So there you go. I'm sure I'll come back one day and hike Toolbrunup again. This is definitely my most favourite peak out of all. Happy adventuring! Get out there and see what we have in our own backyard. Be safe and be responsible. And remember to smell the roses along the way 🥰 (PS: Don't wear white shorts 😆)

Kayla P.

A very challenging but rewarding hike! My 3 recommendations for those hoping to face it:

1) make sure the weather is clear/low wind and not raining. The terrain is very steep and mostly piles of rock. Any rain could make it extremely difficult/dangerous for hikers both going up and down the peak. This also includes hiking in the dark. A sunrise hike is always nice however visibility is essential so I'd recommend visiting during daylight hours when you can clearly see.

2) there isn't a clear 'path' however there is signage, so ensure you are confident enough to guide your way around the trail. If this is your first ever hike then it may be a big challenge.

3) ensure you're fit and have good knees. We saw a lady trying to hike up with poles and these just became a hassle for her as they were getting stuck between rocks and pulling her off balance. If you've got knee or ankle issues, the steep incline/decline might not be for you. This also includes small children - it's not a family friendly hike and I wouldn't recommend bringing your dogs, children or infants.

Overall a 9/10 hike. The bushland is regrowing after the fires so this would be the cherry on top. The trail is well maintained too and we actually saw some people carving out stairs in the rock - thank you!

Paul J.

This walk is a relentless, neverending climb that continuously gets steeper and more technical as you go. And just when you think it can't be much further or get more difficult, it does, several times.

After the easy first 20 minutes, the path consists of loose rocks and stones that require more exertion to walk on than you'd think. Another 15 minutes of this and you'll have to scramble up a boulder field, followed by a steep sheltered rocky track and another boulder field.

You might well be close to the top this point, but it's about get more difficult and steeper. And if haven't been using your hands yet you will now.

The final climb to the summit is just that, a climb. We're past scrambling at this point. Remember you're going to have to come down the same way, so be sure you're comfortable with that before continuing.

As you reach the summit, you're greeted with a breathtaking 360° view of the Sterling Range that makes the grueling two hour accent absolutely worth it. Take the time to enjoy the view and rest before heading back down; which isn't easy and will take almost as long.

Heed the sign at the start when it says this is only for the fit and agile. It is a difficult climb; one I'm glad we did, but didn't really understand what we were getting into.

Jimmy M.

Great hike! Might pack some shoes next time as it seems someone sharpened the rocks since I last visited.

Emily K.

This is a fun, hands on hike on small and big rocks. Requires climbing and scrambling but the view is worth it. I really enjoyed the changing landscape on the way up. Going up very cruisily, got up in under 2 hours.

Azarelle N.

Hands down the most exciting, nerve wrecking and enjoyable hike I've ever done. The scrambling was so much fun! Not for the faint of heart. A lot of mind over matter steeps but hey, that's what makes it amazing.

gasgasLex

Hardest climb of the Stirling Range & probably the most dangerous but also rewarding, especially a pre dawn climb for sunrise. Almost the entire path consists of loose shale like rock that slips away underfoot easily. I had 6 slips coming back down but thankfully my walking sticks helped prevent some falls. Small tricky summit was made easier to find due to the bush fires we had a year ago that cleared some of the trees & bush near the top. Unlike the open acres on top of nearby Bluff Knoll Toolbrunup has a tiny area on the summit so it will get crowed easily. This is not an easy hill as compared to Bluff Knoll and any hiker should assess their fitness before attempting the hike. GasgasLex~ Photos

carl G.

Great hike up to top. Amazing scenery. A must do. Will need to use hands to climb in places.