Case Studies
Hobart Rivulet Park ‘Fruehauf’ Climbing Cliff

Design Feature

Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
Tasmania
Location
Urban
The Fruehauf Climbing Cliff is one of a number of projects within the Hobart Rivulet Park that has been implemented by the City of Hobart. Planning for the Fruehauf Climbing Cliff was a highly collaborative project with representatives from the climbing community involved from project inception through to construction, and ongoing maintenance.  
27 routes to happiness
Fruehauf is a sandstone cliff with a long history as a rock climbing venue attracting local climbers since the late 1970’s - early 1980’s. Fruehauf is much loved due to its accessibility and good quality climbing routes close to the CBD. The local climbers had a vision to improve the site and ensure it is cared for in the future.  They also have a very strong association, and sense of ownership with the site, which has contributed to a strong sense of place in the area. 
The cliff is one of only two outdoor climbing venues close to the CBD, making it a unique destination for the community. Fruehauf has around 27 routes, which have been developed and maintained by local climbers, with guidance from the Climbing Club of Tasmania. The cliff is known for steep and relatively difficult climbing and is used as an ‘outdoor gym’ by many locals, subsequently facilitating healthy behaviours. 
The Fruehauf site planning project responded to a community request to improve environmental management, access for climbers, and safety at the site. Specifically, the site plan responded to significant erosion at the base of the cliff, soil compaction and loss of vegetation, poor access, and general degradation. 
Collaboration with the climbing community was critical to the success of this project. Outdoor climbing is a self-regulated activity, with limited history of land manager intervention in Australia, and is associated with real and perceived risks.  

A clear scope of works which focused on the preparation of a site plan to improve environmental management and access was an important ‘planning tool’ for this project. This clear scope of works ensured that the project had clear parameters from project management, engagement, and legal / liability perspectives. It also clarified which ‘special challenges’ needed to be tackled, and which were out of scope. 
Specific project challenges included: 
  • Balancing the needs and desires of climbers with environmental management outcomes. 
  • Navigating real and perceived risks associated with the cliff location, and activity of rock climbing. 
  • The challenging topography of the site, including steep access, presenting construction constraints (i.e. machinery access, delivery of materials). 
  • Celebrating the site as an important recreational asset for the climbing community, whilst enhancing safety around the cliff, and minimising public access as part of the risk management approach. 


Implementation of the Fruehauf Site Plan achieved a number of sustainability outcomes and contributed to the environmental management of the Hobart Rivulet Park. 

The Fruehauf site plan is an example of a successful collaboration between the community and the City of Hobart. The project was founded on a robust targeted community engagement process, empowering community champions, and leading to long-term stewardship outcomes – a result the City strives for all volunteer groups operating under its Bushcare program. 
Project team
  • City of Hobart
  • Local Climbing Community
  • Climbing Club of Tasmania
  • University of Tasmania Climbing Club

Project Cost
$80,000 
Health Value
  • Fruehauf offers health benefits through improving accessibility and safety of a site where climbers can exercise their skills in a challenging environment close to Hobart’s CBD, and within a park that facilitates and encourages many passive and active physical activities.
  • The cliff is highly visible from the Hobart Rivulet Shared Path, where many people stop to view climbers. This visibility is ‘aspirational’, or ‘inspirational’ for some park users, who may be encouraged to participate in climbing or other active pursuits.

Economic value
  • Fruehauf offers economic value through demonstrated cost-effective processes from early collaboration with the climbing community through the planning, implementation and ongoing management of the site. The collaboration of interests in the project, included the Manpower Landcare supported Green Army team made up of youth between 17 and 24 years of age, who supported climbers and the City of Hobart Bushland Projects team to deliver the project.
  • Significantly, local climbers contributed to on-site works including participation in erosion stabilisation at the base of the cliff, planting, weeding and mulching.
  • The collaboration of interests in the project enabled an injection of practicality, adaptability and flexibility during construction. For example, a larger supply of stone than expected was discovered on-site, which resulted in a decision to pave the immediate base of the cliff, rather than importing gravel for construction of belay terraces. This was a great outcome from a cost, long-term maintenance, and erosion stabilisation perspective.

Environmental Value
Fruehauf offers environmental value and demonstrated the principles of sustainability, through:
  • Use of sandstone found on-site for the paved ‘belay platforms’
  • Minimal introduction of construction materials
  • Low maintenance requirements of the site, due to use of hard wearing stone to stabilise the base of the cliff and provide a level surface, and use of large boulders for informal seating
  • Upgrading of the original informal access track using local stone, minimising visual and physical impact
  • Improvements to site drainage through construction of a rock-lined drainage line
  • Revegetation of the site with Tasmanian endemic plant species
  • Nurturing natural regeneration of the site through management of invasive weeds, watering and mulching
  • Creation of Crag Care, providing volunteer labour to maintain and care for the site, minimising annual maintenance costs.

Social value
  • Fruehauf offers social value through early and on-going collaboration of interests, and active participation of local climbers in implementation. The project instigated the formation of a ‘Crag Care’ group. Crag Care is a volunteer group with a specific focus on the management and maintenance of Fruehauf and other climbing areas within the city. The Crag Care group is a first for the City of Hobart and within Tasmania more broadly. The group is one of many volunteer groups under the City’s Bushcare program. Crag Care have been involved in working bees at Fruehauf providing a means for ongoing engagement with the climbing community, a way to grow stewardship among young and new climbers, as well as a source of willing workers to care for Fruehauf into the future.
  • The Green Army’s involvement brought a federally funded program that assisted with stone paving work, and regular watering of revegetated areas through a particularly dry season.

Use value
  • Fruehauf’ Climbing Cliff Site Plan provided a blueprint for a stabilised and robust climbing site, readily accessible by the climbing community. The project objectives were achieved and have resulted in a climbing area that is enjoyable, sustainable, safe and functional for climbers to use.

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