Experience the high life with a fun workout suitable for all levels of fitness. You won't want to hang out anywhere else.
The beauty of indoor rock climbing is that it can be done at any time, in any weather, by anyone. As well as giving you a great workout, it improves flexibility, balance and coordination.
It's a good social sport too; you'll meet lots of new people and build strong team-work skills. Good centres will offer a harness fitting, safety briefing and basic climbing instructions on your first visit, while experienced, trained staff should be on hand to offer assistance. Whether you're happy to be a Sunday climber or are keen to compete with the best, there's a wall or route to suit you. Check out our favourite indoor rock-climbing haunts in the state.
This is one of Sydney's largest indoor climbing facilities, with over 200 set routes for all levels of experience and expertise. The majority of the vertical climbs are 8.5 metres high, with a smaller wall on offer for young climbers (or the more timid). Group bookings, memberships, courses, birthday party packages and clinics are also available.
Cost: Entry starts at $16 for adults and $10 for children. Harness hire is an extra $6.
Contact: (02) 9436 4600, www.climbfit.com.au
This centre was initially designed as a training ground for rock climbers, but has since expanded to provide an easy path for anyone wishing to experience the vertical world, from beginners through to experienced. Children wishing to climb must be at least five years old and coaching is available for all levels. The centre also offers personal training.
Cost: Prices start from $12 for adults and harness hire costs $3.
Contact: (02) 9729 0212, www.evolutionclimbing.com.au
This is a good introductory centre that offers a range of routes for beginners and intermediate levels. It also has some options for advanced climbers. Parties, schools and other groups are all catered for here. There are specials on from Tuesday to Friday after 4pm, including rock school for youth, adults techniques class, and student and kids nights.
Cost: Prices start from $14 for adults and $8 for children aged 11 and under. Harness hire costs an extra $4.
Contact: (02) 9678 9635, www.climboz.com
The Edge features a purpose-built tower designed for everyone from beginners to extreme adrenaline junkies. The tower is suitable for both abseiling and rap jumping (a forward-facing descent). The centre caters for groups, schools and birthday parties. There is also a wide range of climbing courses available, including Basic Rock, Sport Rock and Roping Self-Rescue.
Cost: Prices start from $15 for adults and $10 for children. Harness hire costs an additional $5.
Contact: (02) 9899 8228, www.edge-adventure.com.au
This is the country's largest indoor climbing facility, with 2900 square metres of walls to explore.
These range from 11 to 16 metres in height, with an average of 14 metres. With 250 routes, a variety of grades from beginner to expert and a bouldering wall on offer, this centre has something for everyone. Bookings of 10 or more are entitled to a discount and the centre caters for schools, parties and corporates. Classes are also available for every level of climber and the team has also opened a new centre in Villawood.
Cost: Casual entry costs $16 for adults and $10 for children aged six to 12. Harness hire is an additional $6.
Contact: (02) 9519 3325, www.indoorclimbing.com.au
This establishment offers facilities for climbers of all ages and abilities, from beginners through to experts. There's also a gear shop, junior club and an indoor climbing squad for more serious competitors. The Climbing Centre recently added a Penrith branch.
Cost: Prices start from $14 for adults and $8 for children ($5 for under-fours). Harness hire costs an additional $4. Concessions, memberships and group bookings are also available.
Contact: (02) 4784 2232, www.climbingcentre.com.au
This is the largest indoor rock-climbing centre north of Sydney, offering over 70 climb sets for ages three and over. Walls range from six to 15 metres in height with many different bouldering options, a speed wall and 10 simulated caving sequences.
Centre of Gravity also offers laser skirmish and night climbing on Saturday nights, making it a great family destination.
Cost: Prices start from $12.50, which includes instruction and harness hire.
Contact: (02) 6581 3899, www.centreofgravity.com.au
This centre offers 40 runs of varying difficulty, the tallest of which is almost 10 metres high, and it has 10 climbing stations.
The facility is open seven days a week and is available for group bookings and parties, with special prices for schools and community groups.
Cost: $14 for adults and $12 for children (includes harness).
Contact: (02) 4368 3197, www.kincumberindoorsports.com.au
This facility claims to have the largest variety of any facility between Melbourne and Sydney, and boasts a range of routes for beginners through to more advanced climbers looking to test their skills. Team building, kids' parties, school, sports and social groups are all catered for.
Cost: Adult prices from $17.Harness hire is an extra $3.
Contact: (02) 6040 7625.
The only purpose-built indoor rock-climbing gym in the Illawarra offers 100 climbs on 40 ropes with an expansive selection of challenges from easy to extreme. An introductory lesson is included with your entrance fee.
Cost: Prices from $14 for adults and $9 for children under 12. Harness hire is an extra $5.
Contact: (02) 4225 8369, www.hangdog.com.au
This is the only dedicated indoor rock-climbing gym in Newcastle, with facilities catering for all levels, from beginner to elite.
Facilities include over 40 toprope climbs and a bouldering wall 15 metres long and four metres high.
Experienced climbers have access to a testing environment and new routes are set every week.
Pulse Climbing accommodates groups of up to 50 for activities including team bonding for corporates and sports organisations.
Cost: From $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Harness hire is $5.
Contact: (02) 4023 4743, www.pulseclimbing.com.au
Get a grip on some of the most common lingo used in rock climbing.
Abseiling or rappelling: The processes by which a climber can descend a fixed rope.
Belaying: Techniques used to exert friction on a rope to control the pace of a descending climber.
Leading: A climbing method that requires advanced roping skills and special training.
Bouldering: Unroped climbing utilising crash pads to protect the climber if they fall.
Rap jumping: A forward-facing abseiling technique stemming from a form of rope work pioneered by the Australian Army in the 1960s.