The CCA spends considerable behind-the-scenes time and effort managing access for the climbing community, to the ACT climbing areas. The CCA’s access work includes:
- attending community consultations with government agencies and – where appropriate – preparing submissions to maintain access to climbing areas in the ACT,
- meeting with ACT Rangers to provide input into such issues as cliff access and cliff care, and
- disseminating ACT Government notices that are relevant to the climbing community within the ACT.
For example, the CCA is an active participant in the ACT Government’s Recreation Users Stakeholder Group, which provides a regular forum to discuss matters related to active recreation participation and the management of recreation on public land and water in the ACT.
On this page…
Reopening of Booroomba Rocks Road
Orroral Ridge link Road access
Assessment of fire damage to Booroomba Rocks
Peregrine Falcon nesting; seasonal ban on climbing
Climbing access to Ginninderra Falls
Submissions prepared by the CCA
Reopening of Booroomba Rocks Road from Monday 18 October 2021
The culvert / bridge on the Booroomba Road has been repaired. As you can see from the photo, it is quite a substantial upgrade from the original culvert.
The ACT lock down and inclement weather have delayed work somewhat, consequently the contractor is still tidying up a few outstanding things, and the road is yet to be graded. It is planned for the road to be open from Monday 18 October. The gate on this road will remain closed to all but emergency and management vehicles until that date.
Visitors will need to be mindful of the current 4 hour outdoor exercise limit, but at least you will be able to go for a walk and stretch your legs.
Orroral Ridge link Road, as at October 2021
ACT Parks have advised that the Orroral Ridge link road is still too wet for repair works to be done so that road remains closed to vehicle access. They’ll get onto it as soon as it dries out sufficiently.
Assessment of fire damage to Booroomba Rocks, as at April 2021
The CCA has undertaken a detailed assessment of fire damage to Booroomba Rocks (as communicated to all Club members via email).
We would ask that anyone who climbs in the fire-affected areas of Namadgi National Park (including Booroomba Rocks, Orroral Ridge and Honeysuckle Crag) please keep the CCA informed of any significant rock damage, hazards and route changes. We will keep a record of these and ensure updates are provided to climbers through the CCA website, emails, the CCA Facebook page and theCrag.com
A detailed report of Booroomba Rocks after the fires was compiled by CCA members in April 2021.
More photos of Booroomba Rocks post 2020 bushfires are available on our Facebook page: 19 June Booroomba Rocks survey by CCA.
Peregrine Falcon nesting; seasonal ban on climbing
There is an annual seasonal ban on climbing and abseiling at the Red Rocks Gorge crag, August 1 – December 31, due to the nesting of Peregrine Falcons.
After consulting with ACT Government ecologists and an independent raptor expert, the ACT Parks and Conservation Service Chief Ranger for the Murrumbidgee River Corridor is happy to advise CCA that, as of August 2019, climbing and abseiling at Kambah Rocks is permitted year round until further notice.
Previously, circa 1980-90s when the first research was occurring, a seasonal climbing ban also applied to Kambah Rocks. The ACT Parks and Conservation Service has since been less concerned about this area in general, with regard to Peregrine Falcon nesting.
The ACT Parks and Conservation Service continue to monitor Peregrine Falcon nesting in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor. The Red Rocks cliff is one of just seven locations in the ACT where Peregrine Falcons breed. ACT Parks will advise CCA if any changes to the closure period and/or geographical extent of the closure need to be implemented in the future.
Climbing access to Ginninderra Falls
Ginninderra Falls were ‘The ACT’s answer to Hanging Rock’ – near the city, with a long history of climbing and hordes of tourists. Climbing began at Ginninderra Falls in 1967, with members of the ANU Climbing Club showing interest in the area. Technically in New South Wales, this area was enjoyed by many Canberra climbers, particularly northsiders who have few other crags nearby.
The area was closed to the public in the mid-2000s. Since then, members of the Ginninderra Falls Association have put together a proposal for an area which includes Ginninderra Falls to be made a national park. The CCA will be watching the progress of this proposal with interest.
Details of the proposal can be found at the Murrumbidgee – Ginninderra Gorges National Park website.
Submissions
Submissions prepared by the CCA include the following:
2021
CCA submission to the Draft Greater Gariwerd Landscape Management Plan 2021 (PDF 2.7MB)
2019
2010
Namadgi National Park Plan of Management 2010 (PDF 4.04MB)
Rock climbing and abseiling (extract from Plan of Management) (PDF 176KB)
2009
CCA LHI Balls Pyramid Submission covering Letter, 26 June 2009 (PDF 203KB)
CCA LHI Balls Pyramid Submission, 26 June 2009 (PDF 117.4KB)
2008
CCA Scabby Range Nature Reserve Submission, 8 October 2008 (PDF 165KB)
2005
CCA Namadgi Submission, 28 November 2005 (PDF 51.2KB)
