Unauthorised rock climbing fixtures removed in Queensland’s Lamington National Park

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has removed over 100 unauthorised rock-climbing bolts from a cliff face in Lamington National Park.

Last week, specialist contractors removed a total of 123 steel bolts and anchors from the protected site in the World Heritage area.

QPWS Assistant Principal Ranger Nat Smith said the bolts had been installed by climbers over several years, without the department’s permission, and rangers recently noticed an increase in the unlawful activity.

QPWS recognises that parks are valuable for rock climbing but needs to ensure the activity is ecologically sustainable into the future—to meet legislative obligations and to protect national parks for all stakeholders, First Nations partners and the people of Queensland.

Smith advised “the department supports rock climbing in Queensland’s protected areas and appreciates that our parks provide exhilarating and challenging routes for climbers.

“But drilling holes and gluing permanent steel fixtures into cliffs, without permission or consultation, is a serious offence under the Nature Conservation Act, because drilling holes and gluing permanent steel fixtures causes irreversible impacts to the rock.

“Some in the climbing community might think it’s okay to install permanent bolts in protected areas without permission, but installing any infrastructure, no matter how big or small, must only be done with approval and in a way that avoids impacting the natural and cultural values of our parks.

“All plants, animals and natural features, including the beautiful cliffs and rock formations in our national parks are protected, with some formations having significant cultural values for our First Nations partners.

“QPWS is working with the climbing community, including peak bodies, to better manage the use of fixtures in national parks across Southeast Queensland. However, we take a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorised bolting.”

Learn more about the rules around roped sports in Queensland national parks. 

Image. Some of the 123 rock climbing bolts that have been removed from Lamington National Park