Tubbalunganer Exposé Climbing Festival
20 - 22 March, 2026
The 2nd edition of the Arc’teryx Tubbalunganer Exposé returns to Mount Buffalo, Victoria. The event is built around three pillars: community, safety and stewardship, which guide a vision of a gathering that is adventurous, inclusive and environmentally positive.
FOR THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY
Join us on a three day climbing weekend at Tubbalanganer, meet the climbing community and learn technical skills for your next adventure. EXPOSÉ offers a little something for everyone: a social climbing program, clinics, enviro education sessions, community forums , gear demos, food, music, yoga and of course, lots of compulsory stoke for Buffalo granite.
CLINICS
Our clinics are thoughtfully crafted for those who are ready to move beyond standard crags and welcome climbers of all levels, genders, races and beliefs. The EXPOSÉ community values openness, humility, and shared learning. Most participants will come with climbing experience, but the festival invites everyone to arrive with a beginner’s mindset, ready to unlearn, relearn, and engage with the rock, the environment, and each other.
WHAT'S ON
FESTIVAL HUB
Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Catani, the Festival Hub will serve as the official headquarters of EXPOSÉ. At dawn and dusk, it will host gear stalls and demos from our sponsors, the Repair Café focused on sustainably sourced gear and care, and a festival presence by TERRAIN providing opportunities for environmental stewardship and exploring our relationship to place.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
ANGE
Dynamic leader and herder of cats, Ange is the technical director and main boss lady of the program and most importantly the safety. Ange is leading a pioneering initiative fostering inclusivity and empowerment in adventure climbing. Ange’s RAWQ program shakes off the old instruction conventions and creates space for all climbers to learn, connect, and grow.
SIMON
Adventure community organiser, and festival ‘camp-dad’ has been climbing at Buffalo since he was 16. Published guidebooks, thrashed through scrub, occasionally emerged at the rim of the gorge… and always much better for it. MSC Founder, Backcountry Festival Co-Founder, Victorian Backcountry Companion Author. Communications, logistics and operations frother.
ANTHONY
Quiet achiever. Community Climbing Program Co-Lead. Valley Local, this bloke is a treasure trove of knowledge about Buffalo climbing for sure… but you’ll have to ask him, he’s not gonna blurt it out!
RYAN
After getting thoroughly spanked at Indian Creek, Ryan returned home to practice the dark art of crack climbing at Frog Buttress. It was the start of a great love affair that spanned the globe from the splitters of Ben Lomond to the neat lines of Squamish and everywhere in between. Now located in Halls Gap in the heart of Gariwerd/Grampians, Ryan is a writer and ACIA Multipitch Guide with a focus on trad and alpine climbing.
JIMMY
Part mountain guide, part professional enabler of questionable life choices involving ropes and granite. Jimmy has been climbing for nearly twenty years and guiding for the last few, helping people build the skills to climb safer, smarter, and with more joy. He’s happiest sharing good systems, good stories, and good days out, ideally somewhere with big views and bomber gear.
ANDY
Andy has over 2 decades of climbing experience on Rock, Ice and in the Alpine. For over a decade, Andy has been the Technical Sales Rep in Australia for some of the largest climbing brands like Edelrid, DMM plus many more. With his extensive gear knowledge, Andy loves to use the latest innovations in equipment to move fast on long climbs while sticking to his “simple is safe” motto.
HOW REGISTRATION WORKS
• Festival Pass — $65 (Required)
Your Festival Pass is required to attend EXPOSÉ and gives you access to the festival hub, social programs and festivities.
It includes:
• All social activities and community events
• On-site camping site
• Required parks permits and access fees
• Festival hub access, demos, talks, films and evening programming
EXPOSÉ offers discounted Festival Passes for local residents of the Ovens Valley region.
+ Add on Clinics
Clinics are ticketed add-ons led by certified climbing guides.
Each clinic is designed around specific skills, systems, and progression areas, with small group sizes to support quality instruction and meaningful learning.
An active Festival Pass is required to attend clinics. You’re welcome to come to EXPOSÉ purely for the community and social program, or add one (or more) clinics after purchasing your Festival Pass to deepen your experience.
CLINICS
WARM UP SERIES
Rescue Progression Series Level 1 - Mount Tenerrife
Level 1: Lowering introduces the foundations of lowering systems and partner management in outdoor climbing. Learn safe setups, clear communication and problem-solving for common scenarios. A confidence-building session for climbers developing self-reliance and good habits in real-world terrain.
BOOKRescue Progression Series Level 1 - Blackheath
Level 1: Lowering introduces the foundations of lowering systems and partner management in outdoor climbing. Learn safe setups, clear communication and problem-solving for common scenarios. A confidence-building session for climbers developing self-reliance and good habits in real-world terrain.
BOOKRescue Progression Series Level 1 - Mount Buffalo
Level 1: Lowering introduces the foundations of lowering systems and partner management in outdoor climbing. Learn safe setups, clear communication and problem-solving for common scenarios. A confidence-building session for climbers developing self-reliance and good habits in real-world terrain.
BOOK
Small Steps - Myrtleford
A RAWQ-hosted movement workshop designed to build confident, precise footwork. Aimed at beginner to intermediate climbers, the session develops balance, control and efficient movement through foundational skills, hosted at Buffalo Boulders.
BOOK
Small Steps - Sydney
A RAWQ-hosted movement workshop designed to build confident, precise footwork. Aimed at beginner to intermediate climbers, the session develops balance, control and efficient movement through foundational skills, hosted at 9 Degrees.
BOOKSmall Steps - Melbourne
A RAWQ-hosted movement workshop designed to build confident, precise footwork. Aimed at beginner to intermediate climbers, the session develops balance, control and efficient movement through foundational skills, hosted at Urban Climb Collingwood
BOOK
Tie in Night - Sydney
A relaxed in-store evening exploring the story, purpose and behind-the-scenes planning of the festival, hosted by RAWQ. The night also features a conversation on building more welcoming climbing spaces led by Arc’teryx Ambassador Ivy He, followed by a practical intro to essential knots and rope skills.
BOOK
Give it a Crack - Sydney
A full-day crack climbing clinic led by RAWQ and supported by Blue Mountains Climbing School, designed to demystify jamming and crack movement. Participants will learn practical hand, foot and body techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment, building confidence to progress toward granite crack climbing.
BOOK
Give it a Crack - Melbourne
A full-day crack climbing clinic led by RAWQ, designed to demystify jamming and crack movement. Participants will learn practical hand, foot and body techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment, building confidence to progress toward granite crack climbing.
BOOK
Gear Up Night - Melbourne
An invite-only evening for EXPOSÉ ticket holders to connect with the festival community and prepare for the event ahead. The session includes insights into festival planning and recovery with Field Craft, expert gear advice from Climbing Anchors, plus food, drinks and exclusive discounts on required equipment.
BOOKFRIDAY 20TH MARCH
Rescue Progression Series Level 1
Level 1: Lowering introduces the foundations of lowering systems and partner management in outdoor climbing. Learn safe setups, clear communication and problem-solving for common scenarios. A confidence-building session for climbers developing self-reliance and good habits in real-world terrain.
BOOKTake it for Granite
Take it for Granite is a practical introduction to granite climbing at Mount Buffalo. Learn movement, friction, footwork and confidence on slabs and features unique to granite. Designed for climbers wanting to feel more comfortable and capable on this iconic alpine rock.
BOOKSATURDAY 21ST MARCH
Rescue Progression Series Level 2
Level 2: Raising develops the skills to move others through technical terrain. Learn core hauling and raising systems, problem-solving under pressure, and efficient teamwork. Ideal for climbers building confidence in managing partners and progressing toward more complex rescue and alpine scenarios.
BOOKIntro to Light Aid
Intro to Light Aid introduces the fundamentals of aid climbing on granite. Learn basic systems, gear placement and movement techniques for upward progress when free climbing isn’t the goal. A hands-on session for climbers curious about expanding their technical toolkit beyond free climbing.
BOOKTake it for Granite
Take it for Granite is a practical introduction to granite climbing at Mount Buffalo. Learn movement, friction, footwork and confidence on slabs and features unique to granite. Designed for climbers wanting to feel more comfortable and capable on this iconic alpine rock.
BOOKThe Dark Arts: Crack Climbing
The Dark Arts: Crack Climbing Clinic One introduces the fundamentals of crack technique on granite. Learn hand, fist and foot placements, efficient body positioning, and how to move with confidence in cracks. A practical, supportive session for climbers new to crack climbing or refining basics.
SOLD OUTSUNDAY 22ND MARCH
Rescue Progression Series Level 3
Level 3: Committing is for experienced climbers ready to step further into exposure and consequence. Build confidence in decision-making, rope systems and movement when retreat isn’t simple. A progression session focused on judgement, efficiency and staying calm when the terrain — and commitment — increases.
BOOK
The Dark Arts: Gear Shop
Step inside the Dark Arts. This hands-on gear session dives into the systems, tricks and thinking behind technical climbing setups. Learn how experienced climbers refine their kits, solve problems, and move smarter in complex terrain. Practical, nerdy, and quietly powerful.
BOOK
The Cathedral Tourist Route
The Cathedral climb is your chance to step a little higher and deeper into the religious experience of alpine climbing. This trip is designed to introduce climbers to moving through real, varied offerings of Buffalo granite.
SOLD OUT
Alpine Ecology Walk & Workshop
Explore Tubbalunganer beyond the rock. Join an alpine ecology walk with TERRAIN and Friends of the Earth to learn how this fragile landscape works, why it matters, and how climbers can move more lightly through it. Slow pace, big perspective, grounded conversation.
BOOKDISCOVER
TUBBALUNGANER EXPOSÉ isn’t just about climbing harder — it’s about belonging.
Between days on the granite, the festival comes alive through shared meals, lakeside coffees, gear chats, films, music, and long conversations that run well past sunset. Think campfires, cold beers, demo hubs, repair cafés, panel talks, and impromptu hangs where beginners, locals, guides and lifelong climbers all mix freely.
You don’t need to know anyone when you arrive — that’s the point. EXPOSÉ creates space to meet partners, swap stories, learn from each other, and feel part of a climbing community that values openness, respect, and good times as much as movement on rock.
Come for the clinics. Stay for the people.
Saturday night social will take place at the Buffalo Gorge: one of the parks most iconic features.
The evening will feature a complimentary dinner and drinks from Bridge Road Brewers, chill tunes and stunning views, creating space to slow down, connect, and spend time swapping fables after a hard climbing day.
As the night unfolds, it will lead into a panel forum exploring current climbing culture at Buffalo and across Australia. The conversation will reflect on climbing as conquest, the colonial roots of first ascents, and the enduring magic of uncertainty and the unknown that continues to shape our craft.
To get the most out of the festival, participants are expected to bring their own personal climbing equipment and arrive prepared for variable alpine conditions. Please read your individual clinic description carefully, as some sessions require additional or specific technical gear.
ESSENTIAL
- Climbing helmet
- Harness
- Climbing shoes
- Belay device and locking carabiner
- Chalk and chalk bag
- Appropriate outdoor clothing (warm layers, rain protection)
- Sturdy footwear for approaches- Day pack
- Water bottle and snacks
- Sunscreen, hat and weather protection
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT
- Personal rope (where applicable)
- Basic trad rack and/or technical gear you already own (cams, nuts, slings, etc.)
- Crack gloves or tape (for relevant clinics)
CAMPING & PERSONAL ITEMS
- Tent and sleeping system
- Headlamp or torch
- Camp chair (recommended)
- Personal toiletries and medications
NICE TO HAVE
- Notebook or phone for learning notes
- Reusable cup or mug
- Reusable mess kit including plate and cutlery
GEAR UP
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
