Protesters Scale Mount Warning Despite Ban by Authorities as Tensions Rise on Australia Day

Residents of New South Wales celebrated their Australia Day on top of Mount Warning, in defiance of the ban placed by the NSW Department of National Parks. For the second time in two years, a group of people made their way up the trail to witness the sunrise from the majestic top of Wollumbin.

Authorities shut access to the mountain and denied walking on the trail during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 and in 2022, decided to hand over management of the site on the Tweed Coast to the small Wollumbin Conservative Group. They argue that the site holds cultural significance to the Indigenous Australians and the group to support the ban on tourists.

Mount Warning turns into sight of protest

The group of people made up of indigenous families and members of the community, all went to the top to shoot a video of defiance. Another claim made by the group restricting movement was that the presence of females would diminish the cultural significance. ‘The Re-Open Mt Warning’ group, made up of 4700 members online, started their act of protest as the entire country basked in celebrations of Australia Day.

Mount Warning is famous for being the highest peak at the country’s easternmost point. People here can witness the first rays of sunlight in the day and start their day. It attracted over 127,000 visitors every year until 2020, when the majestic trail was shut for use.

A co-founder of the group energetic ‘The Re-Open Mt Warning’, Marc Hendrix too told the media that they were here to get a glimpse of the beautiful sunrise.

“‘We’re here to catch the first sunrise on Australia Day 2024,” Mr. Hendrix said.

A tough battle in store

Just last year in October, both the Wollumbin Conservative Group and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service formulated a management plan that would render it shut permanently. The group did not take the decision well and, with the blessing of other indigenous elders, used their right to protest it.

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“We’re here on his permission to be up here to enjoy this wonderful day together and that’s what Australia Day should be about – to work together to make this country a great place.” Mr. Hendrix said.

For the beautiful Mount Warning to be knee deep in such brutal controversy is quite the problem. At both ends of the argument are two sets of people with firm beliefs and even firmer minds. They will continue to stand by their stances and fight for what they believe is true. How it all unfurls, and whether they go ahead with their plan to shut it down, is something to be seen.

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