General News
28 July, 2026
Climbing plan winds back bans: revised Mt Arapiles climbing proposal lands
PARKS Victoria last week unveiled a revised management plan for Mount Arapiles/Dyurrite, claiming a move away from broad rock climbing prohibitions in favour of targeted oversight.
This will replace the controversial and now-obsolete November 2024 draft amendment as an addendum to the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park Management Plan 1991.
The draft has been opened for public feedback, closing in about three weeks.
According to Climbing Victoria, under the new addendum approximately 70 climbs and 72 boulder problems were slated for closure – this represented roughly 4.4 per cent of the total 3300 climbs and boulder problems at Arapiles.
A further 47 climbs (1.4 per cent) will require minor modifications, such as rerouting or altered descents, rather than full closure.
Unlike previous proposals, major crags and climbing areas will remain open with climb-by-climb restrictions.
These will include: Declaration Crag, The Plaque, Fang Buttress, Bard Buttress, Tiger Wall, New Image Wall, Yesterday Gully, The Pinnacle Faces, and Mitre Rock.
The addendum featured no exclusive ‘Licensed Tour Operator only’ zones, and off-track walking will continue to be permitted.
In the meantime, the five current voluntary closures will remain in place until the addendum is formally finalised, at which point those areas will dissolve into the new framework.
The new amendment was a direct result of the collaboration within the stakeholders in the Dyurrite Community Working Group, but has received a mixed response from climbers, some celebrating a considerable reversal from the original amendment, but others claiming any remaining restrictions were unenforceable and based on flawed principles.
The plan applied a structured ‘Guidance Framework’ rooted in the Victorian Government Risk Management Framework and the Burra Charter, assessing tangible risks of harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage on a case-by-case basis.
While climbing will generally be allowed to continue, the new amendment has included permanent closures on certain routes and boulders (such as the Islamabad Bouldering Area, Brain Death Boulder, and parts of Declaration Crag and the Pharos Boulders).
There will also be mandatory ‘lower-off only’ requirements or re-routed starts for many other classic lines.
In a social media post, CV counted the plan as a positive, calling it “vastly improved”, with some qualifications.
“Nothing is perfect, and we believe several improvements can be made,” the post read.
“We have not yet finalised a list of these and will be looking for feedback from the climbing community to help identify issues and concerns.”
One of their concerns was that the original 1991 plan included the closure of Centennial Park (The Pines) for camping – “we have been assured that this will not be happening but think that needs to be stated in the addendum”.
They also noted the 1991 plan referred to “a consultative body called the Arapiles Advisory Committee” which had been inactive and was effectively replaced by the DCWG.
“Our view is that one or other needs to continue beyond the finalisation of the addendum to be consulted on whenever changes or issues arise for Arapiles -Dyurrite,” the statement said.
Horsham Rural City Council mayor Brian Klowss also believed the outcome was a positive.
“As a member of the Dyurrite Community Working Group over the past 18 months, I've seen firsthand the positive and collaborative approach taken by all parties involved,” he said.
“The draft management plan addendum reflects significant progress from what was initially presented.
“The working group has brought together Parks Victoria, Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Climbing Victoria, Arapiles District Community Group, local licensed tour operators, Department of Premier and Cabinet and Horsham Rural City Council to work through complex issues constructively.”
Mr Klowss encouraged community members “to review the draft plan and take the opportunity to provide feedback through Parks Victoria's consultation process”.
Australian Climbing Association Victoria president Mike Tomkins was less approving of the new amendment.
However, he “welcomed the fact that they've wound back their original plans to something much more modest” but felt “what they’re doing is still wrong” – his concerns also directed towards the current bans still in place at the Grampians.
“The principle of trying to protect rock chips from bad climbers is wrong,” he said.
“You can't harm rock chips, and they occur all over the world, and nowhere else do we do this.”
Parks Victoria chief executive Lee Miezis said the new amendment was an important opportunity to help secure the future of Dyurrite.
“This is about shaping the future of Dyurrite by better protecting the significant cultural heritage values and creating more opportunities for people to connect with and enjoy this remarkable landscape,” he said.
Beyond access rules, the public consultation is also seeking local input on how to spend a $1.7 million Victorian Government investment earmarked for upgrading visitor facilities, infrastructure, and tracks around the park.
Two sessions have been planned:
Natimuk Community Centre, 62 Main Street, Natimuk – Saturday, August 8, 11am - 2:30pm.
Horsham College Community Sports Pavilion, Dimboola Road – Saturday, August 15, 11am – 2:30pm.
Submissions can also be made on the Engage Victoria platform, closing on August 19.
Parks Victoria hoped to have the final access arrangements and plan amendments locked in by September or October 2026.
Go online to https://engage.vic.gov.au/dyurrite.
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