Canberra and the ACT region is approximately 3 hours’ drive south of Sydney and 7 hours north of Melbourne. Regular buses, trains and airline services come to Canberra, but it is essential to have a car to get the climbing areas.
It is possible to climb all year round in the ACT. However, autumn, winter and spring are the best months. Canberra has typically clear days and it doesn’t generally rain for too long. A nice sunny winter’s day with good friction on Booroomba Rocks granite is truly delightful.
There are several official camping grounds and a multitude of bush camping spots near the crags. The ACT has a strong traditional climbing background although a considerable number of sport climbing and bouldering areas have been developed in recent times.
ACT Granite guidebook
It is best to get a copy of the ACT Granite: A climbing guide to the ACT climbing guidebook (2nd ed., edited by John Churchill & Mike Peck, 1997) to familiarise yourself. All the outdoor shops in Canberra sell ACT Granite.
Most popular granite areas
Booroomba Rocks
Single and multi-pitch trad and bolted climbing up 150 meters long. Some sport climbing also.
Gibraltar Peak
Mostly single pitch trad and bolted climbing. Some sport climbing also.
Orroral Ridge
Some sport climbing and plenty of good crack climbing.
Sport climbing areas
Mt Coree
Approximately 50 quality sport routes on rhyolite amidst a sub-alpine environment.
Sport climbing at Mt Coree
Red Rocks
20 quality sport routes on a steep rhyolite crag next to the Murrumbidgee River.
In the region
Bungonia Gorge
The best limestone climbing in Australia, up to 350 meters in length. A mixture of trad and sport climbing.
Blue Lake
Some of the finest trad climbing on superb granite in the Snowy Mountains. Also snow and ice climbing in winter.
Southern Tablelands sandstone
Over 150 quality sport routes on a variety of sandstone crags.
