TOP 6 CLIMBING LOCATIONS AROUND AUSTRALIA | GRIPT ACADEMY

Australia boasts some breathtaking climbing destinations for enthusiasts of all levels. Here's a rundown of the top five climbing locations in Australia:

 

Grampians, Victoria: 

Sitting 3.5 hours West of Melbourne, and known for its sandstone cliffs, the Grampians offer diverse climbing experiences suitable for all skill levels. From bouldering to multi-pitch routes, climbers can explore the striking landscapes and enjoy various styles of climbing.  With over 9000 recorded climbing routes, drawing in an estimate of 30,000 people annually you aren't going to get bored quickly!  Using rock coloured chalk is seen as best practice in the Grampians, to ensure the rocks are kept pristine for hikers and sight seers to enjoy also.

The routes here are split between 72% Trad, 16% Bouldering, and 9% Sport Climbing, with the most popular Crags found at 'Mt Stapylton', 'The Amphitheatre', 'Mt Rosea' (with plenty of high quality multipitch routes) and 'Bundaleer.'  However, there are plenty of other less travelled crags that also offer amazing climbing opportunities. 

Weather in the Grampians can deteriorate rapidly, with strong winds pushing the weather along the plains surrounding the Grampians National Park, so make sure you plan ahead to avoid disappointment during your adventure.

Note that access to some areas may be restricted due to cultural and conservational reasons, so checking current guidelines is essential.

 

 

Blue Mountains, New South Wales: 

A small 1.5 hour drive from Sydney Central, the Blue Mountains are a world of their own.

A world-renowned climbing destination, the Blue Mountains feature sandstone cliffs with a plethora of routes catering to both beginners and seasoned climbers. It offers stunning views and a wide range of climbing styles, including Trad, sport, and bouldering. The area's accessibility from Sydney makes it a popular choice among climbers.

There are plenty of accommodation and cafe/restaurant options near by, making climbing in the Blue Mountains a bit more civilized than your average crag.  Routes are all within an easy driving destination and often only require a small walk for the approach.

With almost 7000 climbing routes made up of 46% Sport Climbing, 44% Trad Climbing, and 10% Bouldering, you will be entertained for days on the beautiful sandstone cliffs.

 

 

Arapiles, Victoria:

Mount Arapiles is a granite outcrop famous for its excellent rock quality and diverse climbing opportunities. This location offers an extensive array of routes, from easy to extremely challenging, attracting climbers from around the globe. The remote setting and beautiful surroundings add to its allure.

Pack your tent and plenty of supplies because Mt Arapiles sits 4.5 hours West of Melbourne CBD, or 1.5 hours West of the Grampians (if you already happen to be climbing there).  You're also going to want a big bag of gear because 90% of Mt Arapiles climbing is Trad climbing! with only a small 8% Bouldering and 2% Sport Climbing!

The Arapiles is well known for its amazingly well formed climbing rock, providing awesome routes for beginners right through to advanced and is a great place for beginner trad climbers to practice and become more comfortable, while also challenging the hardcore climbers looking for their next great ascent.

Note: Due to its popularity, the main campground known as the pines can become very crowded, so plan your trip ahead of time!

 

Tasmania (Freycinet Peninsula and Ben Lomond): Tasmania offers unique climbing experiences, particularly on the Freycinet Peninsula's sea cliffs, providing a stunning backdrop of coastal views while climbing. Ben Lomond, known for its dolerite columns, offers challenging traditional climbs in a beautiful alpine setting.

These 2 areas are 6.5 hours away from each other, both sitting on Tasmania’s East Coast, and offer incredible climbing opportunities.  While the Freycinet Peninsula is a fair distance from Ben Lomond, the latter is only a short 1 hour drive from the large township of Launceston.

With over 3000 routes on the east of the island, Tasmania is a climbers dream that’ll keep you busy for months.  Beware, however, the quickly changeable weather in Tasmania and plan your trips accordingly!

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that the east of the island is the only decent place to go, as there are thousands more climbs all over Tassie!

 

 

Nowra, New South Wales: Nowra is renowned for its sport climbing opportunities, with a vast collection of bolted routes. The sandstone cliffs along the Shoalhaven River provide various grades suitable for climbers of different abilities. The mild climate makes it a great year-round climbing destination.

Nowra is a short 2 hour trip South of Australias largest city, Sydney, and is home the states best Sport climbing.  It is also where you will find the hardest bouldering in the state!

With a split of 71% Sport Climbing, 21% Bouldering, 3% deep water soloing, and 3% Trad, Nowra is ideal for pushing yourself and your level on the mainly well bolted sport routes, while spending your rest days surfing at the local beach.

On another plus side, most crags are a short 5 minutes from a car park so the approach is very minimal!

 

Glass House Mountains: With the combination of unique geological formations, impressive multi-pitch routes, diverse climbing opportunities, beautiful scenery, short drive from both Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast and on site accessibility makes the Glass House Mountains a prime climbing location in Australia.

A large number of old volcanic mounds peaking out from the otherwise quite flat landscape, makes the Glasshouse mountains an incredible climbing location. With lots to choose from.  Long Trad climbing adventures, meets cruisy multi-pitch climbs, meets hard sport climbs.  The climbing split is 48% Trad, 38% Sport, 8% Bouldering, and some other styles in between!

It is important to note that The Glasshouse Mountains have a lot of cultural significance to the aboriginal people and a lot of areas are no longer operational, so do your research in advance for the crag you’ll be attending!

 

When visiting all these climbing locations, it's crucial to adhere to local regulations, respect the environment, and ensure safety by using proper gear and techniques. Additionally, checking current access and route conditions is advisable before planning a climbing trip to any of these areas.

Rock coloured chalk is often a requirement to keep the beauty of the rocks you are climbing on untarnished.  

These 6 locations are just the tip of the iceberg in Australia.  There are plenty of other amazing and exciting places to climb that will keep you entertained for millennia.  

Get a Grip and keep on sending.

 

NB: Stats of climbing splits were found on www.thecrag.com.  Make sure you check them out for any climbing information you might need about a local crag.  Chances are they have the climbs you want to project!