Victoria government approves access to 98% of routes in Arapiles—Tooan — ABC News

In the Australian state of Victoria, the government has approved a new climbing access plan for Mount Arapiles—Tooan State Park near the city of Horsham. It provides for maintaining access to 98% of more than 3,300 climbing routes in the park, ABC News reports.

Closures and route changes

The new rules took effect immediately. Around 80 routes were closed to climbers, while another 46 were modified. The main areas where restrictions were introduced include Islamabad, Pharos and Brain Dead Boulder.

The plan preserves climber access to all but three of the park's more than 150 climbing areas. It replaced draft rules released in November 2024, which provided for closing more than 60% of climbing routes.

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Protection of cultural heritage

The park contains culturally significant sites: trees bearing traces of traditional use, ancient rock art, quarries and artefacts. They are of great importance to the traditional owners of the land, the Wotjobaluk people, whose connection to this area spans tens of thousands of years.

Climbing Victoria chair Mike Rockell welcomed the decision. He said it makes it possible to protect important Aboriginal cultural heritage in Dyurrite by closing only a small proportion of routes. He also noted Parks Victoria's consultations involving the climbing community, local residents and traditional landowners.

Public consultations on the draft ran from July 23 to August 19, 2026, and authorities received more than 400 survey responses and submissions. Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes said the changes substantially expand climbers' access to one of Australia's leading destinations for the sport.