Indoor Rock Climbing in Sydney

Are your little daredevils climbing your furniture at home? Why not take them indoor rock climbing?

Indoor rock climbing for kids is becoming more and more popular and now there are bouldering gyms to add to the mix too.

If you are worried that indoor rock climbing might be a bit too dangerous for your kids, fear not. The climbing and bouldering gyms make sure they are safe.

NB Climbing is also a great thing for teenagers to do in Sydney.

Here’s a map showing all the indoor rock climbing gyms in Sydney. Below are descriptions of each place.

Indoor rock climbing has been increasing in popularity in recent years, and venues have been popping up all over Sydney.

Indoor rock climbing is not just for adults, rock climbing has many benefits for kids, too.

Aside from the fun, it develops communication skills, motor planning, endurance, and core strength. Climbing is also a low-impact sport and with so many options to choose from, there’s no need to travel too far from home.

by Debbie Weeks

My daughter scaling a climb at Sky Zone Miranda

Sky Zone: Alexandria + Miranda 

Sky Zone has a variety of different climbing walls, with varying levels of difficulty. There is also The Leap of Faith and Sky Drop, for the more adventurous child. The auto-belay braking system also means kids can climb on their own, and they can even time themselves or race a friend on the Speed Walls.

Climbers must be at least five years old or at least 110 cm tall, so if you have children who are not big enough to climb, there is also Sky Jump and a toddler play area. Sessions are run on the half hour every hour. Bookings are recommended during peak times.

Of all the Sydney indoor climbing gyms, Sky Zone is one of the most kid-friendly as they are trampoline centres too and have cafes and other great stuff.

Website:         www.skyzone.com.au/climbing

Miranda:       Westfield Miranda

G121 Westfield Miranda

600 The Kingsway, Miranda

Open:             Sunday to Thursday – 10am until 8pm

Friday to Saturday – 10am to 10pm

Alexandria :  75 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria

Open:             Monday to Friday – 10am until late

Saturday to Sunday – 9am until late

Turbo Climb: Bankstown

Located at Bankstown Sports Club, next to Monkey Mania, this venue features 26 indoor climbing walls, suitable for ages 4 years and up. Kids can race each other on the Speed Walls, race to the top of a magical beanstalk or climb a roaring volcano. Their walls feature an auto belay braking system, so no climbing buddy is needed.

Climbers also need to be at least 15kgs to participate. Turbo Climb caters to casual climbers, birthday parties, school groups, and vacation care groups. With free onsite parking and a cafe, this is a perfect venue for a family outing. Sessions are run on the hour every hour. Bookings are recommended.

Website:         www.turboclimb.com.au

Address:        8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown

Open:             7 days a week from 10am

Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym: St Peters + Villawood

With around 3,700 square metres of climbing walls, this venue has plenty of climbing routes to suit all abilities. They also have a slightly smaller venue in Villawood. There are boulder courses for kids over 15 years.

They also cater for birthday parties, school groups and school holiday camps. Onsite parking is available.

Website:         www.indoorclimbing.com.au

St Peters:       4c/1-7 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters

Open:             Monday to Wednesday – 9:30am until 10pm

Tuesday – 6pm until 10pm

Thursday – 9:30am until 11pm

Friday – 9:30am until 10pm

Public Holidays – 9:30am until 7pm

Villawood:     5/150 Woodville Road, Villawood

Open:             Monday to Friday – Midday until 10pm

(Open at 9:30am during school holidays)

Saturday – 9:30am until 8pm

Sundays and Public Holidays – 9:30am until 6pm

The Edge Rock Climbing Centre: Castle Hill

At the Edge Rock Climbing Centre you will find 120 climbs of varying grades, (4 with auto-belays), indoor caves, and much more.

Although they welcome participants aged from 5 to 85 years, climbers must be over 15kgs to climb. They also host birthday parties, school groups, and youth workshops.

Address:        9/10 Hudson Avenue, Castle Hill

Website:          www.edgerockclimbing.com.au

Open:             Monday to Friday – 12pm to 10pm

Saturday / Sunday / Public Holidays – 9am to 6pm

School Holiday Weekdays – 9am to 10pm

Climb Fit: St Leonards

Catering for ages 4 years and up, Climbfit is the largest indoor climbing facility in Sydney, with another one opening soon in Kirrawee.

Facilities include a tamer wall for kids (and the climb-wary), and the Groove Tube (a 25 metre long cave tunnel). They also host birthday parties, holiday kids camps (for kids aged 10-14 years), and a Kids Club.

Address:        Unit 4/12 Frederick Street, St Leonards

Website:         www.climbfit.com.au/kids/

Open:             Monday & Friday 6am – 10pm

Tuesday to Thursday – 6am -11pm

Saturday & Sunday 8am – 8pm

The Climbing Centre: Penrith

The Climbing Centre caters for all abilities from beginners to experts. Climb for as long as you want. No time limits!  No bookings are required for climbing, but bookings are essential for tables. They do cater for birthday parties, and there’s even a snack bar and espresso coffee available. They also have a Junior Climbing Club every Monday and Thursday afternoon.

Address:             3/16 Borec Road, Penrrith

Website:             www.climbingcentre.com.au

Open:                  Monday to Friday: 10am till 9pm
Thursday: 10am till 10pm
Saturday: 10am till 8pm
Sunday: 10am till 6pm

Northern Beaches Rockhouse:Brookvale

The Rockhouse welcomes anyone aged from 3 to 75 years. Facilities include over 40 metres of caving tunnels and chambers that change shape and direction. Prices are for a full-day pass, so you can stay all day.

Northern Beaches Rockhouse also cater for schools groups, disability groups and birthday parties. Kids under 13 years do need to be accompanied by an adult. The Rockhouse is extremely family friendly, with a special weekly Mother’s climbing group.

Address:              4E/9-13 Winbourne Road, Brookvale

Website:               www.rockhouse.com.au

Open:                   Monday: 4pm to 10pm

Tuesday to Friday: 12pm to 10pm

Saturday and Sundays: 10am to 9pm

Public and School holidays: 10am to 10pm

Peak Pursuits: Castle Hill

Peak Pursuits has 10 high ropes course activities and 13 vertical activities, as well as the Leap of Faith, Kung Fu Poles, or the Big Drop Giant Slide for the more adventurous child. They cater for birthday parties, school groups, and youth organisations. Sessions run on the hour every hour. Bookings are essential.

Address:             Unit 49/5 Gladstone Road, Castle Hill

Website:             www.peakpursuits.com.au

Open:                  Saturday & Sunday – 10am – 4pm (general public)

Monday to Friday – Prebooked school groups only

Climbing at Nomad Bouldering

Nomad Bouldering: Annandale

Bouldering is a popular form of rock climbing, no ropes or harnesses are used, the climbs are shorter and there’s a soft, padded floor. Nomad Bouldering has almost 1000 square metres of climbing wall and is the biggest bouldering gym in the southern hemisphere.

Children up to 6 years need 1:1 supervision, children 7-9 need a 1:2 ratio and must be within arms’ reach. Kids aged 10 – 13 need a adult-child ratio of 1:4 and can remain on the mats. See exact rules on this webpage here.

There are school holiday programs for kids aged 8 – 16 years.

Address:             Unit 7/12 Chester Street, Annandale

Website:             www.nomadbouldering.com

Open:                 Mon – Fri 6.30 – 22.00, Sat _ Sun 8.00 – 21.00

Monday to Friday – Prebooked school groups only

Climb Oz: Blacktown

Climb Oz has both auto-belay walls plus a large area for bouldering.  There are not climbs for really young children, only for kids aged 10+.

At Climb Oz, kids aged 8-16 can do climbing training and progress from the basics to expert levels.Address:  Level 2, 40 Third Aven, Blacktown

Website: www.climboz.com

Open: Mondays : 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Tuesday to Friday : 1pm to 9:30pm, Saturday & Sunday : 11am to 7pm

9 Degrees Boulder Gym: Alexandria, Parramatta, Lane Cove

The 9 Degrees Bouldering Gyms have climbs that span the 9 degrees of difficulty from beginner to competition levels. The walls are a maximum of 4.5m tall and have a huge variety of holds and climb types. The only equipment you need is comfortable clothes and climbing shoes which can be rented.

9 Degrees recommends its climbs for children aged 10+.

Website:  www.9degrees.com.au

Parramatta Gym Address: Unit 11 METRO CENTRE, 38-46 South St, Rydalmere NSW 2116

Alexandria Gym AddressBuilding 3 , 85 O’Riordan St, Sydney Corporate Park, Alexandria NSW 2015

The Ledge: Camperdown

This Sydney Uni climbing gym is open to the public and children are welcome. Kids under 12 need someone older than 12 with them to belay for them.  A safety induction is given before starting. There are climbs that require ropes plus a bouldering and training area.

Address: A30 Western Avenue, University of Sydney, Camperdown

Website: www.susf.com.au/the-ledge

Open: Mon – Fri 12 noon – 10pm, Saturday 11am – 5pm, closed on Sunday.

So, there you have it. Which one to try first?

Have you taken your children indoor rock climbing or bouldering?

Do you have any top tips for beginners?

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