Mount Warning Trail Could Reopen Sooner Than 2027 Amid Council Push
Advocates are hopeful that the long-awaited reopening of one of Australia's most scenic mountain trails might occur earlier than anticipated. Mount Warning, also known as Wollumbin, near Murwillumbah in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region, has been closed to the public for six years. What began as a temporary shutdown during the Covid pandemic in 2020 has since been extended multiple times to protect the site's Indigenous heritage, sparking concerns it could become permanent.
Government Announcement and Timeline
After careful consideration, the NSW government announced in December that this iconic tourist and hiking destination would reopen. However, the public will need to wait until mid-2027 to allow time for addressing safety requirements, cultural sensitivities, community consultation, and future management plans. This extended timeline has prompted calls for acceleration from local stakeholders.
Council Motion to Fast-Track Reopening
On Thursday, Tweed Shire councillors will debate a notice of motion calling for the state government to fast-track the reopening. Councillor Kimberly Hone, who proposed the motion, stated, "I believe with the council's proactive support, perhaps the track can be opened earlier." The motion aims to provide additional support to accelerate the reopening and improve engagement between the public and traditional owners by advocating for Indigenous rangers to manage the summit track.
Council managers have requested further clarification in case the notice of motion seeks involvement beyond advocacy, so staff can assess potential budget, resourcing, and delivery timeframes. This proactive approach highlights local efforts to expedite access to the trail.
Community and Advocacy Responses
Federal local MP Kevin Hogan recently described the state's commitment to reopen the track as "welcome news" for a community "locked out for too long." He noted that the closure has hurt local businesses and accommodation providers, and it has also prevented access for Aboriginal Elders.
Marc Hendrickx, spokesman for the Right to Climb advocacy group and president of Save Our Summit, welcomed the news but expressed reservations about potential conditions. He plans to lobby for Mount Warning to be reopened sooner, stating, "If it means people can walk up without paying as they used to then great, a small fee or the need to join a tour group, then not so good." Hendrickx added, "The timeframe for reopening remains ridiculous - the mountain could easily be reopened to tourists by Easter 2026."
Historical and Cultural Significance
Once visited by 120,000 visitors annually, Mount Warning is the highest peak at Australia's most easterly point and is the first part of the nation to receive sunlight. The national park leads to a breathtaking extinct volcano and attracts hikers from across the country and around the world.
The summit trail was shut down in 2020 after the Wollumbin Consultative Group successfully petitioned the then-Liberal state government to ban access to non-Aboriginal Australians. This group, composed of Indigenous families and community organisations, stated the trail holds cultural and spiritual significance to the Bundjalung men. They also claimed that allowing females, including those of Indigenous heritage, on the site would compromise its cultural significance.
As discussions continue, the potential for an earlier reopening hinges on balancing tourism revival with respectful management of Indigenous heritage, setting a precedent for similar sites across Australia.
