Intro:
Mount Arapiles (Djurite, is its  Aboriginal name - Jardwadjali language group) is a rugged scarp that screams up  surprisingly out of the dusty plains 350kms west of Melbourne in Victoria. It is  one of the finest climbing areas in the world and for any aspiring Australian climber it is an essential inclusion in their future plans.

From a distance, its finely detailed surface appears as if is made of millions of  orange, yellow and grey Lego blocks. Or perhaps a huge cowpat. Many climber on first sight has expressed grave doubts as to its quality. It is, admittedly, an  unlikely looking super cliff. But anyone put off by its original appearance soon  realises that this ungainly looking crag is absolutely wonderful to climb on, at all grades. The fact that good climbs, at ALL grades, exist here, makes Arapiles quite unique as cliffs go, most areas being good for easy rambling climbs or  short hard desperates, but very rarely both!

History:
The Djurite Balug clan of the Jardwadjali  language group lived at the mountain until violently dispossessed  by settlers.  The latter had followed Major Sir Thomas Mitchell ,who visited the mountain on 23 July 1836, and who had taken back glowing reports of fine settling areas in Victoria. There is still a lot of archaeological evidence of Djurite Balug  occupation at Arapiles, including extensive quarry sites.

Mitchell visited the summit on the 24th anniversary of a battle during the Peninsula War  near Salamanca in Spain. Arapiles is names after another Los Arapiles near Salamanca.

There are rumours that three people climbed at Arapiles in the 50s and the three involved were subsequently killed in NZ. More verifiable is the 1963 visit by father and son Bob and Steve Craddock who had seen a photo of the lesser Mitre Rock in a RACV pamplet and found the hulking scarp on the other side of the road. Their visit unleashed a torrent on the mountain and many of  Arapiles best climbed were done in the 60s.

Louise Shepherd's Guide to Arapiles  has a  very good history section written by local climber Keith 'Noddy' Lockwood. There  is a pamphlet available at the Mountain on The Aboriginal Heritage of Djurite (Mt Arapiles). There is also a small historical brochure available in Natimuk that outlines the history of that town.

Where  it is:
Mt Arapiles (Djurite) is 320km north west from Melbourne, 30km from the large town of Horsham on the main  Highway from Melbourne to Adelaide. It is 8km west of the small town (pop.500  approx) of Natimuk.

How to get there:
The road from Horsham  through Natimuk forks just out of the latter town, the left  road going to Edenhope and into South Australia and the other to Goroke and then also into South Australia. These roads pass either side of the Mountain and can both be  used to access the camping ground, which is signposted on both roads.

If you are coming by public transport the bus/train travels daily from Melbourne's  Spencer Street Station (link to Vic Rail) and arrives in Horsham.

The bus arrives at the new bus station in  Roberts street  From here you can take a small local bus to Natimuk an the  Mount. You can either catch it from the bus station of from a local bus stop  (some concrete chairs and tables on the corner of Roberts Street and Ward Street, opposite the Coles Supermarket. This bus leaves 2pm and the fare to  Natimuk is $4.60. From Horsham to Arapiles the fare is $5.50 (some concessions apply). It is also fairly easy to hitch from Horsham to Arapiles and from  Natimuk to Arapiles, with most locals trusting climbers.

Shopping:
Horsham has  three supermarkets and numerous other shops. Virtually anything you need can be bought here (except climbing gear). Natimuk has only two milkbars with limited supplies, the garage (petrol station), pharmacy, newsagent and hotel (pub) as  well as a Post Office, café's, a hairdresser and accommodation (see link).

There is a climbing shop in Natimuk for most your  climbing needs including chalk.

Organic vegetables are available from the O'Connors near the turnoff to the campsite from the Edenhope road. It is only a quick walk down from the campsite.

Facilities: camping  and other accommodation:
Natimuk and area have a  lot of accommodation options (list). There is also the Natimuk Caravan  Park at Natimuk Lake- take the road opposite the garage and follow this road for  5kms. This has good showers and is a good option if you have a vehicle. When the  lake is not dry (which it is currently) you can swim here.

There is camping available at the Mountain. It is in the State Park and therefore restrictions apply. No pets, firearms or fires except in fireplaces. There are toilets, water (not the most palatable- perhaps collect some in Natimuk), rubbish collection and fireplaces.
There is also a telephone.

There is a fee for this service although you may escape paying. It costs $6.00 a night but this allows up to 6 people per site. Firewood is pretty scarce around camp and should not be collected in the  Park anyway. As with all National Parks a stove is a good option. On total fire-ban days in summer no fires can be lit, this includes stoves. Listen to the radio and ask around. There are strict penalties for breaking this rule. The  ultimate penalty could be the destruction of all your fellow campers and the  cliff environment. In summer the area is extremely dry. Be extremely careful. This includes disposing of cigarettes and matches carefully. The Park is in the North-West Fire Ban District.

There are  three campsites at the mountain,  all adjacent; the 'Pines' (good for summer), the Gums (better for spring and  winter) and the new North Campground. the last has no fireplaces and can be  quieter than the others. One enterprising couple in the early 90s had there  address, for social security reasons, as  'The Gums', Alfred Wright Lockwood  Memorial Drive, Natimuk.