This website was created to document information, articles and stories related to some of the harshest restrictions on Rock-climbing the world has ever seen.
Climbers all over the world are in shock and disbelief, as some of the most iconic climbs in the Grampians (Gariwerd) and Arapiles (Dyurrite) have been closed or are slated for closure.
Please read the pages and latest posts to gain an understanding of situation. If you are looking for a call to action we have plenty of suggestions on this page – from email addresses of the people in power, petitions to sign, groups to join and articles to read for the backstory behind the bans. This will be updated on a regular basis.
The losses are substantial. Approximately 54% of Arapiles routes will be closed (PV state 48% of Areas, but we ran the math), including the Iconic “Punks in the Gym, 32”, Yesterday (26), India (28) and so-on.
It’s statistically worse in the Grampians, with losses approaching 80%. Even though the majority are obscure crags, there are many iconic areas closed, Including Summerday Valley, half of Taipan Wall, Dreamtime Wall and the majority of the Victoria Range including Weirs Creek, Eureka, Lost World, Red Rocks, Muline, The Tower, Gallery and many more.
In 2022, the Greater Gariwerd Landscape Management Plan was released. and it wasn’t good news. Submissions were made, but the question many climbers keep asking is “why?”. This website contains many articles and posts that attempt to shine a light on they “why” and often the “how” these bans came to be.
Banning access to widescale areas without cause is unreasonable, excessive, and unenforceable. The Grampians climbing ban has been brought in without any serious consultation, and without hearing genuine solutions offered by the climbing community.
Climbers are extremely respectful of Cultural Heritage sites, and they do tread lightly on the environment, and as such feel grossly mistreated by Parks Victoria.
There are complex issues at play, and this site will hopefully shed some light on the complexities from both sides, and what climbers can do in response.
Please check these posts for the latest updates:
- The big announcement? It’s actually only 4.6% of Grampians routes being “reopened” to climbers.
- Park Victoria’s Arapiles decolonisation plan revealed
- We need to talk about quarrying
- Protecting Cultural Heritage whilst also protecting public access – a case study
- De facto Treaty? Victoria’s Reparation Racket
Alex Honnold, possibly the most influential climber in the world:
“The Grampians might have the best rock on Earth (a claim that I’ve heard in many places around the world, but is probably true in the Grampians)”
Save Grampians Climbing 