Victoria – Australia

By Alan Kimber on 12/11/2013

A quick tour of parts of the Australian state of Victoria, took us along the Great Ocean Road Route and on to Mt Arapiles for a sample of the best rock that the continent has to offer. In fact, any global climber would be hard pressed to name a better location. All grades up to Aussie 34, some with bolts and others are definitely trad. Camping is currently $5 per person per night. Anyone considering a good cycle tour would not be disappointed following the Victoria coastline. Work out wind direction before you go and definitely use the The Great Ocean Road Backpackers at Lorne Further inland the landscape is very flat, unless you visit the Grampians or of course the climbing on Mt Arapiles

Mt Arapiles has undergone serious geological metamorphism over thousands of years, much to the delight of modern climbers. It is the most solid assortment of Quartzite cliffs you are likely to find anywhere. Sue and I found the grades a little hard to understand and even Tip Toe Ridge, grade 3, depending on which guide you read, had its moments. By comparison I found the same Aussie grades in Tasmania at Freycinet to be softer climbs!

We also visited Hall’s Gap in the Grampians. The weather was not great, but we found a splendid backpackers in Tim’s Place