QPWS and ACAQ. Crag care, track upgrades and the future
10th August 2026
By ACAQ
ACAQ has had multiple meetings and discussions and worked collaboratively with QPWS this year - both with Rangers on the ground and with the Visitor Management team. You will have seen a number of individual updates if you follow us on social media.
This includes some ‘behind the scenes’ planning with staff in Brisbane regarding volunteering opportunities and processes, and discussing potential areas to work together in key climbing National Parks.
On Easter Sunday, we met with the acting Ranger in Charge of Brooyar State Forest. While not a climber himself it was clear that he has a positive view of the climbing community and wanted to know how QPWS could assist Rockclimbers. The Rangers regularly monitor numbers at Glastonbury camping and cars at the crags, and you may have noticed the counter at Black Stump Buttress. Data on higher usage helps support requests for funding and for future upgrades.
Possible improvements identified include some track work particular on the access trail to Black Stump, but also erosion control and both Point Pure and Eagles Nest. Improved parking at Black Stump is a priority, and in the longer term a toilet up near the crags may be considered.
Rangers have confirmed that climbers are often their eyes and ears on the ground and our presence can help them manage areas given out demonstrated care for the crags we visit.
In May we met with Rangers from Glasshouse Mountain National Park and the stone masons doing upgrades to the summit trial,and did a site visit to Andromeda crag. While there was general appreciation of the good condition of the crag given its usage level, we highlighted opportunities that we saw to reduce future erosion risks and work that could be done to protect trees at the base. We had the opportunity to explain how climber used the crag with gear and belay positions. As a result in early June, the stone masons undertook significant improvements to the crag base and final entry to Andormeda. ‘Natural’ looking steps and belay points have been constructed, and subtle edging is in place to better define the base boundary.
We have also made some initial suggestions as to where other ‘ simpler’ improvements can be made to climbing access crags in the National Park, including at Mt Tibrogargan.
ACAQ wishes to acknowledge and thank publicly QPWS for this work and for consulting with us as representatives of the rockclimbing community, and for providing upgrades for rockclimbers.