This was published 4 years ago
Ten of the best things in Australia you can still climb
By David Whitley
With the ban on climbing Uluru finally coming into force on October 26, visitors will have no choice but to discover it's best to walk round it anyway. But for those who have an unquenchable urge to climb things, Australia still has plenty of excellent options...
Mt Augustus, WA
Uluru isn't Australia's biggest monolith – Mt Augustus, rising 717m above the arid red shrubland, is much bigger. The climb to the summit is for experienced bushwalkers only – the paths are often very rough, very steep and unmarked, with Trails WA recommending 12 hours to be set aside for the return trip. It's in the middle of nowhere, over 1000km from Perth. See trailswa.com.au
Mount Kosciuszko, NSW
The highest mountain in Australia is a tiddler by global standards – it's 2228 metres above sea level – but if you want to go high in Oz, the climb from the ski village of Thredbo is the ultimate. Well, we say climb, but it's more of a walk. It's a 13km round trip from the top station of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, with the gradient rarely getting anything near taxing. Much of the route is along specially installed metal walkways designed to minimise erosion. See thredbo.com.au
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
It's not as high as Kosciuszko, but the route to the top of Cradle Mountain is arguably prettier and more satisfying. 1,545 metres above sea level, the summit is reached via a 13km, seven hour round trip. On the way, there's a bit of rock scrambling, but the views out over the dazzling blue lakes and lush green landscape make it worth it. See discovertasmania.com.au
Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW
The Bridgeclimb celebrates its 21st birthday this year, and the appeal of donning astonishingly unflattering grey jumpsuits then walking along the arch of the coathanger has still not worn off. It's considerably less scary than many imagine – most of it's a walk rather than clambering up steps - and there's very little looking down. The harbour views from the top, however, are arguably more stunning than anyone's expecting. See bridgeclimb.com
Adelaide Oval, South Australia
The curving, scallop-esque roof of the Adelaide Oval can now be clambered all over too. A clip-on rail system has been put in place, so would-be conquistadors can safely latch their harnesses on. The highlight comes in the seats perched right on the edge of the Riverbank Stand. Do a special in-game climb and you can watch a quarter of Aussie Rules or a few overs of Twenty20 cricket from an unsurpassable position. See roofclimb.com.au
Skypoint Climb, Queensland
If sheer height rather than iconography is your thing, then Australia's highest outdoor building climb takes place at the Gold Coast's Q1 tower. From the Observation Deck, it's another 298 stairs to the building summit. There, from 270 metres above sea level, you're treated to sweeping beachy views up and down the coast. See skypoint.com.au
Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Queensland
Kangaroo Point on the Brisbane River has become something of an adventure centre – kayak rentals and tours are available there too. But the cliffs, quarried out by convicts in the 19th century, are where most of the action is. There are enough bumps and footholds to make it a perfect training ground for rock-climbers and abseilers. The Riverlife Adventure Centre offers lessons for anyone fancying a pop. See riverlife.com.au
Mt Arapiles, Victoria
If it's rock-climbing you're after, though, Mt Arapiles is the classic Aussie spot for it. Arapiles is by no means a giant – it sticks out about 140 metres above the Wimmera plain – but it is steep and craggy, making for a delicious menu of climbing routes to tackle. However, there's controversy in the air. Several climbing routes in the nearby Grampians have recently been closed due to concerns over destruction of cultural heritage, and Mt Arapiles is due to undergo similar assessment. See Arapiles.com.au
The Pemberton climbing trees, WA
Around the forestry town of Pemberton in the south-west of WA, there are three 'climbing trees' that were originally designed as fire lookouts, but are now tests of nerve. The Diamond Tree, Gloucester Tree and the tallest of them all, the 75m-tall Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, have pegs hammered into the trunk, acting like a spiral staircase around the outside. Going both up and down is frankly horrific. See pembertonvisitor.com.au
Ubirr, Northern Territory
At the lower levels, Ubirr is known for its rare black wallabies and rock art carved into caves and overhangs. But keep going to the top of this giant rocky outcrop, and the reward is one of the greatest views in Australia. In front of you spreads the lush, green floodplain of the East Alligator River. And, on the other side of it, the imposing sandstone escarpment of Arnhemland.
See also: 165 pegs of hell: Australia's scariest tourist attraction
See also: The world's 10 most terrifying tourist attractions
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