Public access to a site called Taylors Rock at Declaration Crag in Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park has been temporarily suspended after Aboriginal cultural heritage, including rock art, was discovered at the site.
Parks Victoria announced the closure yesterday and said it would help protect rock art sites holding dozens of painted motifs, plus artefact scatters and quarry sites.
The sites have been added to the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.
Parks Victoria chief executive Matthew Jackson said both Parks Victoria and Barengi Gadjin Land Council, who co-manage the park, have a legislated responsibility to protect the area from visitor impacts.
“While longer-term protections are explored, we’re asking visitors to respectfully stay off Taylors Rock,” he said.
“We appreciate that Taylors Rock has previously been a popular spot for rock climbers and tour operators. It’s our hope that the rock-climbing community, Traditional Owners and land managers can all work together to protect, celebrate and communicate this rich Aboriginal history.”