Mt Arapiles

Mt Arapiles has had many colourful descriptions to it. From a distance the best likeness that I have heard is that it looks like a giant dog turd on the wimmera plains. It may be an unfortunate description but the similarities only go as far as its outline. Up close it's another story. The eastern side of the mountain is lined with cliffs and this is a mecca for climbers all over the world. Even the boulders scattered around its base can provide some challenging climbs.

A road goes up to the top where there are a number of lookouts and nature walks. The Tooan State Forest extends to the northwest and it is one of the few remnants of forest on the vast Wimmera wheat plains. The camping ground has grown over the years and fees have been introduced to cover maintenance costs. It is occupied for most of the year round by climbers but it is not that often that it is completely full. Being only half an hour's drive from Horsham it is also a popular spot with locals who often go out there for a BBQ or to watch the sunset.