The long-awaited reopening of one of Australia’s most scenic mountain trails could happen sooner than expected, advocates say.
For the past six years, Mount Warning – also known as Wollumbin – near Murwillumbah in the NSW Northern Rivers has been closed to the public after what began as a ‘temporary’ shutdown during the Covid pandemic in 2020.
The closure has since been extended multiple times to protect the site’s Indigenous heritage, prompting fears it would become permanent.
After what it described as ‘careful’ consideration, the NSW government announced in December that the iconic tourist and hiking destination would reopen.
However, the public will need to wait until mid‑2027 to allow time to address safety requirements, cultural sensitivities, community consultation and future management plans.
On Thursday, Tweed Shire councillors will debate a notice of motion calling for the state government to fast‑track the reopening.
‘I believe with the council’s proactive support, perhaps the track can be opened earlier,’ Cr Kimberly Hone’s notice of motion states.
The motion proposes providing 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.
Mount Warning is set to reopen to the public by the NSW government in the next 18 months
Tweed Shire Council will consider a proposal to fast-track the reopening of Mount Warning
Managers requested further clarification in case the notice of motion sought council involvement beyond advocacy, so staff could assess potential budget, resourcing and delivery timeframes.
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’.
‘The closure has hurt local businesses and accommodation providers, and it has also prevented access for Aboriginal Elders,’ he said.
Right to Climb advocacy group spokesman and Save Our Summit president Marc Hendrickx welcomed the news but had reservations about potential conditions.
He will also lobby for Mount Warning to be reopened sooner.
‘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,’ Mr Hendrickx wrote.
‘The timeframe for reopening remains ridiculous – the mountain could easily be reopened to tourists by Easter 2026.’
Once visited by 120,000 visitors every year, Mount Warning is the highest peak at Australia’s most easterly point and is the first part of the nation to get sunlight.
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’
Save Our Summit advocates believes that Mount Warning should be reopened by Easter
The national park leads to a breathtaking extinct volcano and welcomes 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.
The group, made up of Indigenous families and community organisations, stated the trail has cultural and spiritual significance to the Bundjalung men.
The group also claimed allowing females – including those of indigenous heritage – on the site would ruin its cultural significance.
