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Rock climbing & abseiling

For those who prefer the challenge that only nature can provide, there are many rock climbing and abseiling venues throughout Victoria.

Perhaps the best known of these is Mount Arapiles, located in the west of the state, near the small town of Natimuk. Situated within the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, it is world-renowned as one of the best rock climbing sites in Australia. There are over 2,500 climbing routes, graded from beginners' level up to level 30, which are among the hardest climbs in the world.

Another popular venue is the Grampians National Park which surrounds the town of Halls Gap, also located in the west of the state. It has hundreds of climbing and abseiling sites, with one of the most noteworthy being Mount Stapylton with its dramatic rugged cliff faces, located at the northern end of the park.

In the east of the state, the High Country is the place to go. As with the Grampians, there are hundreds of places to climb or abseil there, including Mount Buffalo, Mount Buller, Mount Feathertop, Mount Hotham, Dinner Plain and Falls Creek. In addition to natural sites, Mount Buller also has an abseiling tower. For those who prefer ice climbing, there is a site at Australia Drift, which is below Mount Hotham.

Other climbing areas in the north-east of the state can be found at Mount Pilot, Mount Stanley, Beechworth Gorge and Eldorado, which are all near Beechworth. Mount Mittamatite, near Corryong, is also a good abseiling sites.

Closer to Melbourne there are also sites for climbing and abseiling in the Brisbane Ranges near Anakie, the You Yangs between Geelong and Werribee, and the Werribee Gorge near Bacchus Marsh.

As rock climbing and abseiling are potentially dangerous activities requiring specialised equipment, it is advisable for inexperienced climbers and abseilers either to take a guided tour or joining a club such as the Victorian Climbing Club.

	Absolute Outdoors	This multi-award winning company provides a fantastic selection of adventure activities including canoeing, guided mountain bike tours, mountain bike hire as well as rock climbing and abseiling. Based in Portland and in the Grampians at Halls Gap.
	Arapiles Climbing Guides	Professional instructors offering a wide range of climbing programmes from beginner to experienced, with group or one-on-one sessions at Mt Arapiles, near Natimuk
	Grampians Tours & Adventures	Our local knowledge and passion allows us to create unique as well as distinctive nature based adventure experiences from our base at Halls Gap in the Grampians National Park. Choose from bushwalking, night walks, rock climbing, abseiling and 4WD tours.
	Hangin' Out	Take a guided rock climbing adventure tour within the Grampians National Park surrounding Halls Gap, renowned for some of the best sandstone rock climbing opportunities in the world. Sessions offering beginner rock climbing, abseiling, and full-day adventure walks negotiating rock climbs, crevasses, and abseils.
	Grampians Mountain Adventure Company	Specialising in rock climbing and abseiling tours for beginners to advanced instruction. Activities based in and around the Grampians National Park surrounding Halls Gap and at Mount Arapiles near Natimuk.
	Louise Shepherd Rock Climbing Guide	Louise introduces beginner and intermediate climbers to Mt Arapiles, located near Natimuk. With over 30 years of rock climbing experience, she knows every nook and cranny of the iconic mount.
	South West Adventures	Specialising in outdoor adventures around Portland and the Grampians region, including rock climbing, abseiling, orienteering, mountain biking, canoeing, adventure walking, caving and rock pooling
	The Climbing Company	Offering a safe, affordable and professional climbing instruction at Mt Arapiles, near Natimuk, particularly for those with little or no climbing experience on rock

Indoor rock climbing

Indoor climbing is a great introduction to the sport for beginners, or as a way for more experienced climbers to hone their skills. It's also great for people to get their climbing fix when they can't make it to outdoor climbing venues.

	Bayside Rock	A versatile indoor climbing centre engineered to the latest Australian safety standards, offering fully automated climbing stations, top ropes, high ropes courses and bouldering
	Hardrock	Offering the ultimate indoor climate experience with locations in Melbourne CBD and Nunawading. General entry available or sign up for a ground breaking instructional course.
	The Rock Adventure Centre	A modern indoor rock climbing centre, located at Geelong, with walls of up to 12 metres high, extensive climbing terrain, abseiling towers, bouldering area and large variety of routes for beginners and experts.
	Victorian Climbing Centre	Australia's first indoor rock climbing gym features 7 metre high walls and is suitable for all ages, located in Seaford