Mount Arapiles remains well-touristed, as Parks Victoria reviews visitation numbers statewide in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It comes after the organisation on Thursday announced the closure of the Grampians' McKenzie Falls for the school holiday period between March 28 and April 13.
It will close other parks across the state with high visitor numbers to comply with federal advice to restrict gatherings of more than 500 people.
A spokesman said many other parks had low visitor numbers and remained ideal places to visit.
On Friday, Parks Victoria released an update saying due to the "rapidly changing nature of the situation" it would "monitor visitation rates with the possibility of further changes to park closures, pending advice from health authorities".
When LaTrobe University Bendigo's Bachelor of Outdoor Education course this week cancelled its upcoming practical programs for the first semester until further notice, 25 students decided to go pack up and go climbing at Mount Arapiles.
Student Hamish Craig said he would consider visiting the mountain more often.
"I think we just have more time: We don't have university work to do or trips every weekend," he said.
"This is our commitment."
"We just wanted to be in the bush doing what we love, to be honest," said another student, Kiralee Craden.
Megan and Jarrah Turton travelled to Mount Arapiles' Centenary Park campground while many rockclimbing areas of the NSW Blue Mountains, where they live, remain closed following summer bushfires.
Jarrah said the pandemic had "changed the vibe" amongst climbers.
"We had one climber approach us and I asked if he had a partner to climb with, which is a usual thing," he said.
"If someone is on their own, you would normally join up and go climb together, but (now) you don't want to share touching climbing gear, the same rock or rope as you go climbing.
"She said 'I'm just climbing by myself at the moment, soloing stuff,'."
Megan said there was a debate in the rockclimbing community about whether they should continue to climb during the pandemic.
"With the prediction hospitals are going to be overwhelmed, (some are asking) should we be doing something that has an inherent risk involved?" she said.
Bill Lovel, owner of nearby Natimuk's National Hotel, said he hoped residents would have some input in the decision about whether to close the state park.
He said four had already cancelled bookings at the hotel in recent days, and the business would need to consider laying of staff.
"We had New Zealand Army members come to train at Arapiles, but they can't now the border is closed to non-Australians," he said.
"It is something we will consider because of the changing of the laws in regards to the numbers you can have in a venue. We have already changed our rosters, so we don't have as many staff on because we don't have as many people coming into the place.
Mr Lovel said the March-April period was traditionally one of the peak times for visitors to Natimuk.
"Over Easter there would probably be 1500 to 2000 people out at the mountain, and we'd do up to 250 meals on the Saturday night," he said.
"A long-term closure of the park would cripple our business, as it would the climbing shop and the craft shop across the road from us.
"In a business like ours where you rely on people, you have to make a decision if you stay open or just close, and if you close will you reopen? You still have bills and a mortgage to pay but no income."
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