HomeCrag Care History

Crag Care Project History

The Morialta Crag Care project has improved access conditions for climbers as well as improving the habitat value of the project area for native species. We call that a win win!

The Climbing Club of South Australia with Friends of Black Hill and Morialta members hosted the first restoration event for this project on Mothers Day, 11th May 2014. The UniSA Rock Climbing Club joined the project in 2015 and many other groups and individuals have participated in improving the site since then.

tall bluebell
(Wahlenbergia stricta)

wallflower donkey-orchid
(Diuris orientis)

rock isotome
(Lithotoma petraea)

silky Guinea-flower
(Hibbertia crinita)

Park Entrance and Climbers Meeting Area

July 2014 commencement of woody weed removal from the Climbers Meeting area.
May 2015 commencement of woody weed removal from the park entrance gate.
2017 primary control of woody weeds including olive, broom, hawthorne and dog rose complete.
2018-2021 followup works of woody weeds continue.

Before image - July 2014 broom, Climbers Track at park entrance

After image - September 2017

Above Billiard Table

2019 commencement of dense olive removal below the park entrance and the climbing area fenceline.
2020-2021 FOBHM expansion works continue.

Before image - July 2015 olive removal

After image - September 2017

Base of Billiard Table

May 2014 climbers commenced works treating olives impeding access along the base of the cliffs.
2015-2016 & 2020 climber continue to treat olives at the base of the cliffs. Access is now markedly improved.

Before image - November 2020 olives at base of cliffs

After image - March 2022

Above Boulder Bridge

2015 primary removal of woody weeds commenced.
2016-2019 primary removal of weeds in high quality habitat completed and sweeps commenced.
2019 focus of works turned to main entrance track below the gate, primary removal of olives.
2020-2022 primary olive removal works continue.

Weedy Gully

2018 climbers commence woody weed removal in this area. Thick stands of blackberry, dog rose, broom, gorse and olive exist.
2019 primary removal of woody weeds completed with the last patch of blackberry removed November 2019.
2020-2022 periodic weed sweeps continue

Before image - January 2018, blackberry and olives

After image - August 2020

Above Throne Room

November 2014 climbers commenced work removing the few blackberry patches above the cliffs.
2015 all blackberry above the cliffs controlled, works expanded to include all woody weeds.
2016 primary control of all woody weeds above the cliffs completed, broom and olive front pushed through to the adjacent Weedy Gully.
2017-22 weed sweeps continue.

Before image - November 2014, blackberry

After image - September 2017

Below Throne Room

2020 climbers commence primary woody weed removal through this area.
2021-22 primary woody weed removal continues.

Above Far Crag

September 2014 climbers commenced work removing extensive Cape tulip patch.
2015 all blackberry above the cliffs controlled, works expanded to include all woody weeds, Cape tulip containment works continued.
2016 primary control of all woody weeds above the cliffs completed, broom and olive front pushed east towards Third Falls. Spray works by contractors significantly controlled the Cape tulip along Climbers Track.
2017-22 weed sweeps continue. Cape tulip containment a high priority.
2019-21 sweeps for the emerging weed muraltia taken on by climbers

Below Far Crag

January 2017 climbers commence works removing blackberry and other scattered woody weeds from the eastern descent route and along the base of the cliff line.
2018 significant patches of blackberry treated opening up climbing routes which had been difficult to access for many years. Contractors spray blackberry below the trail.
2019 climbers abseil down cliffs to remove the last areas of blackberry in the cliffs themselves and continue pushing the blackberry front downhill.
2020-22 followup weed sweeps continue.
2021 approximately 300 seedlings planted where blackberry removal is now complete supplementing natural regeneration.

Before image - January 2017, clearing base of cliffs

After image - July 2018, post blackberry spray and cutback

After image - March 2022 with 2021 plantings.

Ryan Freeman Memorial site - East of Far Crag

2016 willows removed from creek
2020 climbers commence primary woody weed removal through this area.
2021-22 primary woody weed removal continues.

Fourth Creek

2016 all willows in creekline removed.
2017 Contractors commenced watsonia removal using Dalapon.
2018 Trails volunteers perform blackberry control works.
2019-22 willow followup control and trails volunteers primary woody weed removal continues.

Thorn Buttress access

2021 climbers commence primary weed works on blackberry and rhamnus opening up the access route from the creek.

Access route - January 2021

margin-winged stick insect
Throne room, January 2020

juvenille Adelaide rosella (crimson rosella)
Fourth Creek, January 2021

tawny crevice dragon
Far Crag, February 2022