Rock Climbing in Melbourne
- Family
Since rock climbing is officially an Olympic sport, we thought it was high time to check out the best venues for rock climbing in Melbourne!
In the past, indoor rock climbing centres were like training gyms – filled with tough-looking people with impressive equipment and not much of a sense of humour for giving little kids a turn. But rock climbing in Melbourne has changed and, while older kids can still have those more intense experiences at the types of places where people wear the right gear and all seem to be in training for scaling Mt Everest, a range of kid-friendly centres are also on offer to give younger children a taste of what climbing rocks is really like – just for fun!
Where to go Rock Climbing in Melbourne
1. Hardrock Climbing
Kids are welcome at Hardrock Climbing and so are first-timers but be aware that hardcore climbers use this space too – and they’re serious.
It’s recommended that only kids over the age of eight years old try climbing at this venue. All children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult to help them. One adult is allowed to help 2-3 children, which gives the kids a chance to relax in between climbs.
If it’s your first time visiting the centre, you need to allow extra time because filling in the detailed Agreement Form, plus undergoing the safety induction, can take up to 30 minutes. Once it’s completed, though, you are able to climb in the centre. There is also a centre at Nunawading – with the same rules and pricing. The Nunawading venue is more child-friendly, with easier kid-friendly walls and a minimum climbing age of four years old.
Locations:
CBD: 4/8 Franklin Street, Melbourne
Nunawading: 16-18 Varman Court, Nunawading
2. Activate By Hardrock
When serious rock climbing in Melbourne seems too, well, serious—along comes Activate by Hardrock to make rock climbing accessible for littlies, and their inexperienced parents.
Thanks to the hydraulic auto-belay system, your kids won’t need a climbing companion but they will still need you to help them clip on and off to ensure their safety. It’s great as a birthday party venue and a nice way to pass some after-school or weekend time, to get your kids moving and challenging themselves to scale new heights of activity. School holidays get busy fast and because it’s one of those places that you book in specific sessions online, we recommend plotting your visit early – and locking it in.
Even if you’ve never climbed before, the safety briefing at the start of every session fills you in – but do make sure you listen and get the kids to focus too.
Location:
3. Bayside Rock Climbing
Rock climbing in Melbourne is one of the country’s fastest-growing sports and Bayside has more than 200 climbs to choose from – ranging from easy to sweat-inducing challenges. Top Rope Climbing is ideal for fitness – something for older kids only.
The ‘Climb Time’ automatic belay system is ideal to help under-13-year-olds deal with getting themselves up and down each climb safely – no climbing companion needed. Bookings are required for Climb Time sessions and can be done easily online. Using this space as the home for your next Happy Birthday celebration is perfect for active kids and for children who want to extend their skills and focus on the sport of it all, a variety of classes for a variety of age groups are also on offer.
Location: 9 Network Drive, Carrum Downs
4. Cliffhanger Climbing Gym
Cliffhanger Climbing Gym has been around for years, offering a space for keen rock climbers to strengthen their muscles and their skills in one of the most challenging destinations for rock climbing in Melbourne.
They boast the tallest indoor climbing walls in the Southern Hemisphere (20 metres!). Dedicated bouldering areas are another challenge. An active development program provides young climbers with the opportunity to boost their performance and learn from the best in regular classes, with school holiday programs also available. For one-off thrills, book your next kids’ birthday party here – but only if everyone’s game.
All first-time climbers must go through a full safety induction before being allowed to climb. All participants under the age of 18 need a waiver signed by their own parent – something to remember if you’re taking your kids’ friends along for an outing.
Location: 499 Grieve Parade, Altona North
5. KemizO Entertainment Centre
There are currently two Kemizo locations in Melbourne’s outer suburbs. Rock climbing walls are just a small part of what is on offer – the rest of the centres are a mixed bag of kid-friendly entertainment, with some centres home to roller-skating rinks and indoor play centres and all housing massive multi-level laser tag arenas and arcade game fun.
Looking for the perfect birthday party destination for active kids? KemizO has you covered!
Locations:
Somerton (temporarily closed) - 844 Cooper St, Somerton
Pakenham - 1/100 Bald Hill Road, Pakenham
6. Urban Climb
Complete with a gym, bouldering gym, yoga studio, fitness gym space, onsite coffee, and a co-working space—it's safe to say Urban Climb Collingwood ticks all the rock climbing in Melbourne boxes, and then some.
If it's your first time, it's worth noting that under-18s need a waiver signed by only their parent or legal guardian, and demonstrations are required for kids and their supervisors.
Location: 29/41 Down St, Collingwood
7. Climb West Melbourne
Not only does Climb West Melbourne offer seriously epic climbing opportunities for adults and kids aged 8 and up, but they're also home to a Wellness Hub—catering to all your needs before, during, and after a climb. Consider them your one-stop shop for all things climbing-related.
And did we mention...the coffee van? "Jimmy" is located at Climb West Melbourne and is open on both weekends and weekdays. Jimmy is known for his delicious coffee, amazing toasties, bagels, and smoothies! Told you they had every base covered!
Location: 193 Maidstone Street, Altona
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