The truth about hiking Bluff Knoll: what you need to know
01 May 2022
You might have heard about the Bluff Knoll hike, or perhaps you’ve seen some awesome photos of it. If you’re wondering how to climb it yourself, and want to plan your visit, look no further.
Charlie wanted to do the Bluff Knoll hike and see the sunrise from the summit. I (Michael) love hiking (we both do #commoninterests), but I also very much dislike waking up earlier than 6am.
Hiking Bluff Knoll for sunrise means waking up at around 3.30am, as it takes 1.5 hours to hike to the top, after you’ve driven there.
I didn’t know this at first, so here’s how our conversation went:
Charlie: Do you want to hike Bluff Knoll?
Michael: Yes. Obviously.
Charlie: Are you sure?
Michael: Of course!
Charlie: Bluff Knoll is best at sunrise, and it takes 1.5 hours to walk up, and we have to drive there…
Michael: Oh….
Charlie: So, we’d have to leave at like, 3am to get there on time to hike it and see the sunrise.
Michael: *long pause* If it’s your life-long dream to hike it at sunrise, then I am happy to do it.
Charlie: It is.
Michael: … Damn you.
And that is the reason we woke up at 3.30am to hike Bluff Knoll.
Read on for our top tips for hiking Bluff Knoll, including how to get there and how to prepare for the climb.
Where is Bluff Knoll?
Bluff Knoll is a mountain in the Stirling Ranges National Park, Western Australia. It’s situated between Perth, the state capital, and Albany, a cute town on the southwestern coast.
How far is the Bluff Knoll hike from Albany?
The Bluff Knoll walk is about 100 kilometres north of Albany, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. Albany is also friggin spectacular and is SO worth the visit. The drive itself through the Stirling Ranges National Park is super beautiful.
How far is the Bluff Knoll hike from Perth?
Located 400 kilometres southeast of Perth, Bluff Knoll is about a 5-hour drive from Perth, one way.
How high is Bluff Knoll?
Bluff Knoll is 1,099 metres high. Prepare for a grade 4 hike – this means it’s recommended for people with a pretty reasonable level of fitness. It can be hard for some to climb Bluff Knoll, especially in the dark if you’re getting to the top in time for sunrise.
While you’re walking, you won’t really be able to see how high or far you’ve hiked either. You just gotta take your time, trust the process and enjoy the workout!
We saw a few people turning around when they got half-way too. One of them was a teenager that was forced to hike it with his father. I guess the teenager won in the end!
How long does it take to hike Bluff Knoll?
What is the best time to hike Bluff Knoll?
The best time for climbing Bluff Knoll is before dawn, as that way you’ll be at the top in time to see the most incredible sunrise in Western Australia.
The clouds will start forming nearby and start rolling over Bluff Knoll, with the sun beaming above them. Oh man, it was one of our favourite hikes in Western Australia!
You’ll want to climb it on a day that has clear weather conditions too. We saw Instagram posts and stories from people who’d hiked the mountain only to have super cloudy, rainy, unclear conditions at the top after making it all the way up. They weren’t be able to see anything.
So we made sure to go on a day that was predicted to have clear conditions, sunny with no rain. Otherwise, to be honest, it’s not even worth it. Luckily Charlie planned for a day that had super good conditions, and it was perfect!
Where do I stay near Bluff Knoll?
Can I camp on Bluff Knoll?
No, you can’t camp on Bluff Knoll. The closest campsite is the Stirling Ranges Retreat.
What should I bring to climb Bluff Knoll?
Take warm clothes. The weather will be much cooler up at the top of Bluff Knoll, and is VERY likely to be quite windy. It was 5 degrees Celsius up the top when we got there – so we’re glad we overpacked with layers because we wore them all!
If you’re hiking it for sunrise (which we recommend), take a headtorch if you have one. We actually just used our iPhones as flashlights which was fine for us, and you don’t need any hardcore gear.
We also took breakfast and snacks too. You can never be too prepared! Charlie made overnight oats (his favourite vanlife breakfast), and we took some peanuts up too. Breakfast with a view, yo!
In terms of water, we’d recommend taking 2 litres each. That’ll be plenty to get you through the hike.
How did Bluff Knoll get its name?
The Nyoongar people of the area called Bluff Knoll “Bular Mail” (“many eyes”), as they believed the rocks on the bluff were shaped like the eyes of an ancestral spirit. Pretty neat!
Other things to do in Western Australia
Bluff Knoll was one of our favourite hikes in Western Australia – make sure you add it to your Australia wish list!
For other things to do while in WA, check out our guide to the best beaches in Perth, or read all about Rottnest Island (pictured above), our favourite island in WA.
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