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Oct 29, 2024

7 Best Bouldering Gyms for Rock Climbing in Melbourne | Man of Many

Published: 25 Oct 2024 Rock climbing and bouldering gyms in Melbourne are everywhere. Whether you’re looking for a fun social spot after work or a place to push yourself to the limit, Melbourne’s

Published: 25 Oct 2024

Rock climbing and bouldering gyms in Melbourne are everywhere. Whether you’re looking for a fun social spot after work or a place to push yourself to the limit, Melbourne’s bouldering gyms have got you covered. We’ve taken the hard falls (and fun climbs) to round up the best of the best. From the feel-good community vibes at Northside Boulders to the state-of-the-art walls at BlocHaus, these are the gyms every climber in Melbourne should try at least once.

Bayside Rock Climbing is definitely one of the most popular climbing and bouldering gyms in Melbourne – and for good reason. It’s got a solid mix of climbing options and a friendly, welcoming vibe. The setup is perfect for both bouldering lovers and those who prefer ropes, with 25 auto-belays making it easy to climb even if you’re flying solo. The bouldering space is massive, so there’s always a new challenge to tackle.

One thing that stands out here is the community. The staff are super approachable, and they’ve got a range of classes to help everyone from total beginners to seasoned climbers. Plus, if you’re looking for a more social climb, their Womxn’s Night is a great way to meet like-minded climbers in a relaxed, supportive space.

Like with most popular gyms, Bayside can get a bit packed during peak hours, and if you’re just popping in occasionally, the prices might seem a bit steep. But if you’re planning to climb regularly, their memberships and multi-pass options can definitely help save you some cash​.

Bayside Rock Climbing

Northside Boulders is one of the OG climbing and bouldering gyms in Melbourne and has locations in Northcote, Brunswick and Abbotsford. The vibe here is so friendly, with a real focus on community, which we love. Plus, the fact that you get two weeks of free climbing when you first visit is a huge bonus.

Northside Boulders is known for regularly updating its walls with fresh problems to solve, so you’ll never get bored. The route setting is varied too – you’ll find everything from beginner-friendly problems to advanced, overhanging challenges that really test your strength and technique.

The walls go up to 4.5 meters high, and they’re designed with a mix of angles, from slabs to steep, horizontal roofs​. This variety offers something for everyone, whether you’re into working on tricky, technical moves or more powerful, dynamic climbs. Plus, if you’re looking to complement your climbing with some off-the-wall training, they offer free yoga classes for members (or $25 for a drop-in class).

That said, it can get a bit packed during peak hours, so if you prefer a quieter climbing session, try hitting the gym during off-peak times. And while most people love the routes, the grading can sometimes feel a bit inconsistent, so just trust your instincts and enjoy the climb.

Abottsford Northside Boulders

Northside Boulders

Hardrock Climbing is a long-time favourite in Melbourne’s climbing scene. Whether you’re hitting up the CBD location or Nunawading, you’re in for some seriously tall walls – up to 16 meters high! With a variety of climbing styles on offer, including lead climbing, top rope, and auto-belay there’s a wall for beginners to seasoned climbers.

One of the standout features at Hardrock is its focus on lead climbing. If you’re ready to take your climbing to the next level and tackle lead routes, this is one of the best places in the city to give it a go. Plus, the staff are super experienced and always on hand to give advice or a quick belay.

That said, some parts of the gym are showing their age. A few climbers have mentioned that some of the equipment could use an update, and occasionally, there are comments about cleanliness, particularly during busy periods. However, for most, the sheer height and variety of climbs make up for any of these minor issues.

Hardrock Climbing

Urban Climb Collingwood is a climber’s paradise, especially if you’re into bouldering. As Victoria’s largest bouldering gym, it’s got an incredible amount of space, so even when it’s busy, you’ll still find plenty of routes to work on. The routes are reset weekly, which means you’ll never run out of new challenges to try.

But what really sets Urban Climb apart is the range of extras. Beyond the massive bouldering area, there’s a kilter board and a spray wall for training, plus a dedicated atelier where they develop and test new routes. You can also hit up their yoga studio or join pilates and fitness classes. And if you need a break, there’s an on-site café and even a co-working space, so you can grab a coffee or get some work done between climbs.

However, like most popular bouldering gyms in Melbourne, it can get crowded, especially during peak hours, so you might need to be patient for your turn on certain routes. Also, some climbers find the grading system a bit confusing or inconsistent.

Urban Climb

Climbing and espresso, anyone? La Roca Boulders in Oakleigh South is the perfect spot if you’re into climbing and coffee (umm… so like, all of us?) One of the best things about La Roca is their specialty coffee. It’s not just an afterthought; it’s actually really good! La Roca isn’t a massive space, but that’s part of its charm – it feels more like a local hangout. The routes here are challenging, so if you’re already comfortable with bouldering and want to push yourself, you’ll enjoy the variety and difficulty. It’s definitely geared towards climbers who want a bit more from their session.

Since the space is smaller, it can get a bit crowded, and if you’re a beginner, you might find fewer options tailored to your level, as most routes are aimed at intermediate and advanced climbers. But if you’re looking for a bouldering gym in Oakleigh with some challenging routes and great coffee, La Roca Boulders is definitely worth a visit.

La Roca Boulders

Gravity Worx in Pascoe Vale is Melbourne’s only gym with an international standard speed-climbing wall, which is a big draw for those of us who are into (or want to try) this fast-paced style of climbing.

Beyond that, Gravity Worx offers a huge range of routes, from beginner-friendly to more advanced. And, if you’re flying solo, the auto-belayers make it easy to get a good climbing session in without needing a partner to belay for you.

They also host regular in-house competitions, which are awesome if you like a bit of friendly competition or just want to push yourself to the next level. These events are great for getting involved with the local climbing community and meeting other climbers.

It’s worth noting if you’re more into bouldering, Gravity Worx might feel a bit limited in that department. While it does offer some bouldering options, it’s not as extensive as what you’d find at other climbing and bouldering gyms around Melbourne. A few climbers have also mentioned that some equipment could use a bit more regular maintenance​

Gravity Worx

BlocHaus Bouldering in Port Melbourne has almost 100 routes to tackle, and the regular route resets keep the challenges fresh. If you’re just starting out, they’ve got classes and coaching that cover all the basics, like footwork, reading the climbs, and understanding holds. It’s a perfect spot whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced climber looking to improve your skills. BlocHaus also has some cool extras, like a fitness training area for building strength and a padded slackline to practice balance.

That said, parking can be tricky, especially during peak times, and some climbers have mentioned that the route grading isn’t always consistent. But if you’re after a gym that’s fresh, modern, and community-focused (and good for the little ones), BlocHaus is definitely worth checking out.

Here are some other great bouldering and climbing places around Melbourne worth checking out:

With an editorial team full of health and fitness buffs, Man of Many has had the unique opportunity to directly experience some of the best spots bouldering and climbing gyms in Melbourne CBD and surrounds.

It is also based on in-depth research and customer reviews of bouldering and climbing gyms in Melbourne. As expert journalists who guide people between competing products and services, we have provided our independent opinion in formulating our selections.

Our editors have considered the atmosphere and community, pricing, how well it caters to different skill levels and more to come up with this list. You can review our editorial policy here surrounding how we maintain our independence in our editorial reviews.

Looking for other cool things to do in and around the city? Well, well, well, good thing we’ve got you covered. From dining to coffee, music to other fun things like paintball, here are some of the best things you can do in Melbourne:

Actually, there’s so much to do in Melbourne we’ve got a whole category dedicated to it! Check it all out here.

Bouldering is done on shorter walls, usually without ropes or harnesses, and focuses on powerful, technical moves. Rock climbing involves higher walls and requires ropes, harnesses, and a partner for belaying.

Honestly, it depends on what you’re after! If you like the idea of climbing without ropes and want to focus on short bursts of strength and problem-solving, bouldering is a perfect place to start. It’s also great for beginners since the walls are lower, and the falls are cushioned by thick mats. Rock climbing is a bit more technical with ropes and belaying, but it’s awesome if you want to conquer taller walls and build endurance. Either way, both are fun, and you can easily switch between the two once you get the hang of it!

Absolutely! Bouldering is a full-body workout. You’re using your arms, your legs, your core, and even your mind gets a workout as you figure out how to tackle each route. It builds strength, flexibility, and endurance, plus it’s a great cardio workout when you’re climbing continuously.