subject: Exploring the popular rock climbing destination of Mt Arapiles [print this page] Exploring the popular rock climbing destination of Mt Arapiles
Horsham Victoria, population roughly 14,500, is the regional center and largest town in Victoria's Wimmera region. The town was initially settled as the main transport center for the produce and grains that grow in the Wimmera Plains. While Horsham is an important regional center, it is better known as the closest town to two world renowned rockclimbing meccas - Grampians National Park and Mt. Arapiles.
Mt. Arapiles is an unmissable sight from the Wimmera Hwy. . It juts proudly from the surrounding landscape almost as dramatically as Australia's most famous "rock" - Uluru. You could easily go through the small town of Natimuk, the closest town to Arapiles, though. Aside from a few businesses for locals, Natimuk is dedicated to servicing the needs of the tens of thousands of rock climbers who make the pilgrimage to this world famous mountain climbing Mecca each year.
A big campground sits at the base of Mount Arapiles. The campground has all the basic amenities like toilets and showers, but its main attraction is the mix of campers who stay there. You hear French, German, Japanese and other foreign languages being spoken all around you. Fortunately, most of the visiting rock climbers also speak English, so at night, everyone gathers into groups around their campfires to talk about their day's adventures on the cliffs and swap notes about climbing routes and gear.
It is a bit of a shame that Arapiles is known just for rock climbing, because the area around the cliffs is wonderful to explore on foot or on a mountain bike. Particularly during wildflower season, it can be spectacularly beautiful and as much of a bird watcher's heaven as it is a rock climber's nirvana.
Horsham is just 16 miles (26 km) from Arapiles and so is the spot where rock climbers go to stock up on food. Once they discover Horsham, they often opt to stay in a more comfortable accommodation there or make it an overnight stopover before they proceed on the next leg of their rock climbing adventure.
Horsham is only 46 miles (75 km) from the spectacular Grampians National Park. There are several comfortable camping areas in the Grampians, but many rockclimbers choose to do it the hard way. The bolder and more experienced climbers hike into difficult to access areas and take on steep, long "multi-pitch" climbs on awe-inspiring red sandstone ciffs. Sometimes, they are forced or decide to spend the night in tiny caves high on the cliff face. While tying yourself against a cliff face may not be the best way to get a good rest, it's a great way to impress other climber's when you return to Mount Stapylton's more comfortable surrounds.
While Horsham has in the past often been overlooked as a holiday area, more and more visitors are discovering its charms. For one thing, it has a big arts and crafts community who showcase their creations in the town. For another, all the produce that grows in the Wimmera finds its way first to Horsham and is featured in the freshly cooked and hearty meals served in the many restaurants and cafes in town. Finally, your Horsham accommodation is going to be much more luxurious than your Grampians or Arapiles campground. Next time you're in the area, treat yourself to a break from the road or the rocks and stay in Horsham.
