So, have you heard about the climbing bans over in Victoria? It’s been a bit of a mess. Parks Victoria decided to shut down access to popular spots like Mount Arapiles and the Grampians, all in the name of protecting cultural heritage. Now, don’t get me wrong; respecting and preserving cultural sites is incredibly important. But the way they went about it? That’s where things fell apart.

There was barely any consultation with the people it directly affected—climbers, local businesses, even environmental groups who actually help maintain these areas. It felt like a sudden, top-down decision, and as you might guess, it didn’t go over well. The backlash was so intense that it led to the resignation of Parks Victoria’s CEO, Matthew Jackson. Now the government’s scrambling to clean up the mess with reviews and stakeholder meetings they probably should’ve had in the first place.
Here’s where South Australia comes in. We’ve got our own stunning climbing spots and outdoor playgrounds, from the Flinders Ranges to the cliffs at Morialta. And while we haven’t faced the same drama… yet, it’s a good time to take notes. If we’re smart, we can avoid repeating Victoria’s mistakes by being proactive.
Think about companies like Sky Access Australia. They’re not just about adventure and climbing; they do critical work like maintaining infrastructure, supporting conservation projects, and even helping out with emergency responses in hard-to-reach places. I spoke to someone from Sky Access Australia who summed it up perfectly: “The Victorian situation shows how critical it is to involve industries like ours early in the conversation. We rely on access to these environments not just for recreation but for vital infrastructure and conservation work. Collaboration is key.”
And that’s really the heart of it: collaboration. It’s not a matter of choosing between preserving cultural heritage and keeping access open. We can, and should, do both. But that means bringing everyone to the table. Indigenous communities, government bodies, climbers, conservationists, and businesses. We need transparent conversations, evidence-based decisions, and a little common sense.
Victoria’s debacle didn’t have to happen. And here in South Australia, it doesn’t have to. Let’s learn from their missteps and get it right the first time.