Rock climbers are openly discussing flouting voluntary bans on routes near Mount Arapiles in Victoria, despite a plea from the state government to respect the area’s Indigenous heritage.
The area in the state’s west is regarded as among Australia’s premier rock climbing destinations and contains millennia-old rock art, among other significant Indigenous sites. According to a Parks Victoria management plan, it holds tens of thousands of artefacts, scarred trees, rock art dating back at least 3,000 years, and one of the largest Indigenous stone quarry complexes in Australia.
Parks Victoria has requested climbers not to access five areas in the Mount Arapiles-Tooan state park: Chicken Boulder, Pharos Boulders, Plaque Rock (which includes Tiger Wall), Taylors Rock and Castle Crag, citing “significant Aboriginal cultural values present.” There are more than 100 routes in these areas. The agency is developing an amendment to the Dyurrite cultural landscape management plan, which could lead to a permanent ban, but currently has no ability to enforce the voluntary restrictions.
Scores of comments on a climbing Facebook page for Victorians suggest many will not comply. One commentator said: “If they want to ban certain areas they better get training. What are they going to do … chase someone up a hard core 30?” Another wrote: “I like resisting all proposed climbing and bouldering restrictions anywhere in Australia, its my other sport.”
Consultation results, released after hearing from over 1,000 individuals (90% climbers), showed strong opposition. A summary report noted: “The overwhelming majority of participants expressed concern about the consultation process and felt a strong sense of loss for their much-loved rock-climbing activity.” The most common theme was the importance of climbing in the area. Participants felt the amendments “represent a significant loss and disregard for the climbing community and diminish Mount Arapiles as a premier climbing destination.”
A Victorian government spokesperson said “the great outdoors are to be experienced and admired, not locked away,” adding that work on the management plan has been paused while a community working group creates more inclusive opportunities to enjoy Dyurrite.
