Saturday, 4 May 2024
by BD Banks
Whether it’s cold and wet or stifling hot outside – if the kids are climbing the walls, head out for some active fun with Melbourne’s best indoor climbing centres for kids. With our guide, you’re bound to find an indoor rock climbing centre near you!
Most of the venues with indoor climbing for kids are suitable for children from 4 or 5 years old – but check in advance if you’re unsure as to whether your little one will be able to enjoy all that kids rock climbing Melbourne has to offer.
Hardrock Climbing offers indoor rock climbing in Melbourne CBD that is mainly for hardcore (adult) climbers, however there is indoor rock climbing for kids 8+ years at this venue. All children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult to help them and one adult is allowed to help 2-3 children.
The sister Nunawading Hardrock Climbing venue is more suitable for rock climbing kids, with easier walls and offers kids rock climbing from 4+ years old.
Hardrock Climbing, 4/8 Franklin St, Melbourne, 03 9631 5300
Bounce, (formerly Latitude Melbourne), is twice the fun for kids with a huge indoor trampoline centre AND indoor climbing! Read our Latitude Melbourne review
Bounce, 590 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg West, 1300 123 528
Go Climb is an indoor play centre that has kids indoor rock climbing and aims to cater for children from every age group, from toddlers to teens. Read our GoClimb review.
For kids 4+ years you can book a session in the rock climbing area, though it’ll be hard to resist the rest of the play equipment!
GoClimb, 64-74 Gaffney Street, Coburg, 03 9350 3181
Gravity Worx is a modern gym run by climbers for climbers. Gravity Worx offers climbing indoors for all three disciplines; Lead, Speed and Boulder.
All first-timers will be taken through a belay induction (how to use the ropes, basic technique and safety essentials) and will be supervised at no extra cost. If your child is big enough to safely fit into a harness then he/she can participate in indoor rock climbing.
As a guide, usually a 4 year old is big enough for a harness.
Gravity Worx, 182-184 Sussex St, Pascoe Vale, 03 9350 1789
Go bouldering in this Abbotsford gym, which was the first bouldering centre in Melbourne. It’s also known as The Lactic Factory, and if that isn’t a promise to test your body, I’m not sure what is!
Children are welcome, but there are safety suggestions for smaller climbers, and all participants will need to be able to demonstrate a safe fall. There are other Northside Boulders gym locations in Brunswick and Northcote.
Northside Boulders, The Lactic Factory, 1 Studley St, Abbotsford
One of three BlockHaus bouldering gyms in Australia, this indoor climbing centre has a dedicated FamilyHaus area with specially designed bouldering for kids. Adults are welcome to use the space too, as long as they are mindful of rock climbing kids around them.
They suggest that kids 5yo+ get the most benefit from the space.
There is also a bouldering gym and workout area for adults and older kids 12+years.
BlockHaus, Unit 2, 359 Plummer St, Port Melbourne, 03 9646 6018
Crazy Climb is a 26-climb venue promising indoor rock climbing for kids big and little, ages 4 to 94!
The climbing walls for kids at Crazy Climb, together with Lollipops Playland form one of the biggest indoor play centres in Melbourne, although note you pay separately for both areas.
Read our review here.
Lollipops Playland and Crazy Climb, 6 Elonera Rd, Noble Park North, 03 9862 3400 and other locations
Formerly known as Clip and Climb Moorabbin and then UpUnlimited, Activate by Hardrock features wall climbing for kids in a small arena plus the Leap of Faith and the Vertical Drop Slide.
They’ve also got an artificial caving system with 85 metres of tunnels to clamber through. It’s the only system of it’s kind in Australia. Children under 6 need to be accompanied through the caving system by an adult.
Walls are of varying levels of difficulty with some easier climbs allowing kids to gain confidence to tackle some harder climbs.
Activate by Hardrock, 4/444 Warrigal Road, Moorabbin, 03 9558 1199
Funtopia Carrum Downs is Australia’s biggest indoor play arena with a huge playground and indoor climbing play centre combined in one!
Climbing World is an indoor rock climbing area with 40 climbing walls starting from beginner to advanced levels. Read our Funtopia Carrum Downs review.
Funtopia Carrum Downs, 586 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs, 03 8726 9053
Want a session of indoor rock climbing kids will love, but with more challenging walls than a clip ‘n climb style centre? Head to Bayside Rock Climbing.
‘Climb Time’ auto-belay sessions run every hour on the hour during trading hours on weekends, week nights and school holidays.. This means you’re not stuck making one child wait while you belay another.
You can go top rope climbing or bouldering at Bayside Rock Climbing, and they can also run a rock climbing party for you!
Bayside Rock Climbing, 9 Network Drive, Carrum Downs
Clip ‘n Climb Berwick, one of the Clip ‘n Climb locations in Melbourne, is the same concept as Clip ‘n Climb Williamstown. The kids climbing wall uses the same self-belay system and is the perfect introduction to kids rock climbing.
Clip ‘n Climb Berwick, 39-51 Intrepid St, Berwick
Kemizo Family Entertainment Centre in Pakenham has rock climbing indoors facilities as well as laser tag and a roller skating rink. Kids can enjoy a six metre high rock climbing wall for climbers of different skill levels. You can climb on 8 courses, and there is an auto belay system in place.
There is another location in Somerton.
Kemizo Family Entertainment Centre, 1/100 Bald Hill Rd, Pakenham
It’s no secret that the climbing walls at Bounce Keysborough (formerly Supaworld Keysborough) are a family favourite, and it’s not just rock climbing for kids.
With a different challenge at every wall, there’s no doubt that rock climbing provides a total body workout, strengthening both your upper and lower body muscles. As well as being a fun pastime, rock climbing also allows you to increase your range of motion and flexibility.
Bounce Keysborough also has a high ropes course, trampolines, ninja warrior course and dodgeball in the same centre.
Bounce, 1 Fiveways Blvd, Keysborough, 03 9131 5099
Flip Out Box Hill has rock climbing and trampolining near Melbourne’s east, and also has parkour equipment, and a range of lessons on offer. With plenty of active play equipment, the whole family will be entertained for hours!
Flip Out Box Hill, T2, 249 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill, 03 9890 7213
Hardrock Climbing offers Melbourne’s ultimate indoor rock climbing experience with over 100 routes graded from 6 to 30 across two locations. The venue caters to first-time climbers and experienced enthusiasts, providing top roping, lead climbing, bouldering, and auto-belays.
After a day of fun climbing, refuel at the on-site café for delicious post-climbing treats and refreshments.
Hardrock Climbing, 16-18 Varman Court, Nunawading, VIC 3131, 03 9894 4183
Rabbit Hole Play Centre is temporarily closed until further notice.
Let your imagination run wild at the Rabbit hole Play Centre. Not only does it have a fantastic Melbourne rock climbing wall, but also boasts a cleverly designed play space – and parents you will find a decent coffee here too! Rabbit Hole review.
Rabbit Hole Play Centre, Shop 13, 227 Ballarat Rd, Braybrook
Head to Cliffhanger Climbing in Altona North, home to the tallest climbing wall in Australia!
The facility offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where climbers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the excitement of scaling new heights. It’s also a great venue for an indoor rock climbing party!
Cliffhanger Climbing Gym, 61/65 Dohertys Rd, Altona North VIC 3025, (03) 9369 6400
The indoor rock climbing area at Funtopia Maribyrnong has 40 climbing walls starting from beginner to advanced levels which guarantees rock climbing Melbourne kids will love!
And the Australiana-themed playspace is one of the largest indoor playground centres in Australia and includes a replica vintage Melbourne tram and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Read our Funtopia Maribyrnong review.
Funtopia, 98 Hampstead Rd, Maribyrnong, 03 9317 0413
It’s inevitable – Kids will climb walls. So why not take them to Clip ‘n Climb Melbourne, where they are actually allowed to climb the walls!
And Clip ‘n Climb has 19 of them, so surely this will satisfy your mini human’s thirst for adventure. Read our Clip ‘n Climb Williamstown review.
Clip ‘n Climb Williamstown, Warehouse 2, 145 Maddox Rd, Williamstown
Located in Braybrook, Flip Out is an indoor playground with kids rock climbing! It promises a safe and exciting environment for kids to challenge themselves and have a blast.
Let your child explore their physical abilities and problem-solving skills as they navigate through the colourful climbing walls and obstacles. With a focus on safety and fun, there are staff on hand to provide a supportive environment for kids to challenge themselves and build confidence.
Flip Out, Central West Shopping Centre, D1/67 Ashley St, Braybrook, (03) 8383 9700
Climb West Melbourne is a dedicated bouldering gym perfect for older kids. You don’t climb using ropes, and none of the climbs are higher than 4.5m, with mats underneath in case of falls.
Climbers at Climb West need to be a minimum of 10 years old. They run instructional sessions for climbers aged 10 – 18y, and they also offer yoga classes.
Climb West, 193 Maidstone St, Altona
With already tonnes of fun activities including the free-jump arena, x-run and the big bag – BounceINC Geelong also has a giant climbing wall with a challenge for every climber!
There are a range of unique climbs, with friendly staff on hand to help out.
BounceINC Geelong, 3/174 Torquay Road, Grovedale VIC 3216, (03) 9131 5099
Boasting state-of-the-art facilities The ROCK Adventure Centre in Geelong caters to climbers from young children through to adults of all abilities.
There is 1000 square metres of Climbing Terrain with walls up to 12 metres high, and a huge variety of routes for beginners to experts. Families can also enjoy a massive bouldering area and cave, stretching area and training walls, as well as the cafe serving drinks and snacks when you’ve worked up an appetite!
The Rock Adventure Centre Geelong, Rear 403 Pakington Street, Newtown VIC 3220, (03) 5221 3101
For more activities in Geelong check out our Best Things to do in Geelong with Kids post.
I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!
The post 23 Best Indoor Rock Climbing in Melbourne For Kids appeared first on TOT: HOT OR NOT