A landmark proposal is set to redefine the future of rock climbing at the globally renowned Mount Arapiles Dyurrite, aiming to meticulously balance recreational access with the paramount protection of Indigenous cultural heritage. The anticipated plan, spearheaded by Parks Victoria, signals a significant shift from previous, more restrictive approaches, promising to open most climbing routes while safeguarding sacred Wotjobaluk sites.

Mount Arapiles, known by its Traditional Owner name Dyurrite, near Horsham in western Victoria, stands as one of Australia's most iconic rock climbing destinations, attracting enthusiasts from across the globe. However, its profound cultural significance to the Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners has increasingly brought climbing activities into sharp focus, leading to concerns about potential blanket bans that could severely impact the vibrant climbing community and the local economy, particularly the nearby township of Natimuk.

A New Era of Collaboration and Access

Climbing Victoria, the peak body representing rock climbers in the state, has thrown its full support behind the forthcoming Parks Victoria proposal. According to the organisation, the yet-to-be-released amendment to the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park Management Plan will effectively scrap blanket climbing bans. Instead, it proposes a nuanced approach: allowing access to the vast majority of the park's routes, rerouting climbs near culturally significant areas, and only closing routes where no practical mitigation methods exist.

A spokesperson for Climbing Victoria highlighted that the amendment would “result in vastly greater access to climbing and other activities” compared to earlier drafts. The organisation anticipates that only a “small percentage” of the approximately 3,300 established climbs at Dyurrite might be affected by potential closures. This contrasts sharply with a draft amendment published in 2024, which had proposed closing more than half of the park's climbing areas to protect sensitive Indigenous cultural sites.

Protecting Ancient Heritage

The Mount Arapiles Dyurrite area is steeped in millennia of Wotjobaluk history and culture. It is home to numerous invaluable culturally significant sites, including ancient rock art, scar trees, quarries, and a wealth of artefacts that bear testament to the Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners' deep and enduring connection to the landscape, spanning tens of thousands of years. The Barengi Gadjin Land Council, which represents the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk peoples, has been closely involved in the consultative process, though they declined to provide direct comment on the specifics of the new proposal.

Parks Victoria is understood to be in the final stages of preparing its amendment, having received formal advice from the Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners. The new draft document is expected to reverse several proposed closures from last year, including those at prominent spots like Mitre Rock. Crucially, it will not introduce new environmental restrictions beyond existing seasonal protections, such as those implemented during falcon nesting periods, ensuring a predictable framework for climbers.

Community Embraces Trust and Responsibility

Mike Rockell, chair of Climbing Victoria, expressed optimism about the proposed changes. “Overall, we see it as a new and much better way of accommodating climbing while still ensuring the protection of cultural heritage,” Mr. Rockell stated. He emphasized the hope for improved and more positive relationships with the Traditional Owners moving forward.

The current proposal is understood to be the culmination of recent productive meetings with the Dyurrite Community Working Group (DCWG), drawing on recommendations from a dedicated sub-working group of experts with direct input from Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners. This collaborative effort signals a new era of trust, especially given past instances where some climbers had publicly disregarded requests to avoid culturally sensitive routes.

Climbing Victoria has acknowledged the “courage and trust of the Wotjobaluk people in joining the DCWG, hearing community concerns and responding to them in such a meaningful way.” The organisation is now actively encouraging climbers to “repay that trust by supporting the cultural heritage protection measures at Dyurrite, caring for the landscape and building a healthy community.”

While acknowledging that some climbers might find any closures 'unacceptable', Mr. Rockell concluded that the proposal ultimately “gives security to the future of climbing at Arapiles and indeed to the future of the Natimuk township,” providing a clear and respectful path forward for both recreation and preservation. A four-week public engagement process is anticipated once the draft is officially released, inviting broader community input on this significant development.