Kangaroo Point climbing: The best rock-climbing in Brisbane

Rock-climbing in Brisbane is popular at the Kangaroo Point cliffs. The Riverlife Adventure Centre offers Kangaroo Point rock-climbing courses.

Want to go rock climbing in Brisbane? Then the Kangaroo Point Cliffs is the place to do it. To skip the explanation and just book your Kangaroo Point rock climbing experience, head this way…

Otherwise, read on…

Sporty Brisbane

Brisbane in Queensland is quite a sporty place. There are a remarkable number of activities that can be taken on really close to the city centre. Jogging and cycling tracks criss-cross the Brisbane River, while the Kangaroo Point cliffs have become a hub for the energetic and adventurous.

Kangaroo Point cliffs, as seen from Brisbane CBD. They’re the most popular spot for rock-climbing in Brisbane. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

The Riverlife Adventure Centre, which is based at Kangaroo Point, hires out kayaks, rollerblades and bikes. It also offers kayaking and abseiling tours.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

What are the Kangaroo Point cliffs?

That abseiling takes place at Kangaroo Point, where immigrants to Australia were once processed and the Story Bridge Hotel holds annual cockroach races. The Kangaroo Point cliffs rise steeply above the Brisbane River opposite the City Botanic Gardens.

The Kangaroo Point cliffs are deeply unnatural, having been quarried out by settlers needing stone to build with. But they are certainly impressive, and they’re most popular with rock climbers.

With a variety of footholds and hand holds, rock climbers at the Kangaroo Point cliffs have several different routes up to the top. The varying degrees of difficulty within these routes mean that Kangaroo Point is a good place to learn how to climb.

It’s possible to start with the simplest routes and work your way across to progressively tougher parts of the cliffs when more experienced.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.

Kangaroo Point climbing in Brisbane, Queensland

Those with experience and knowledge don’t need a special licence to go rock-climbing in Brisbane. They can do the short ferry hop from Brisbane’s public art-crammed CBD, getting on at Eagle Street Pier and getting off at the Thornton Street Ferry Terminal. From there, it’s only a few steps to the Kangaroo Point cliffs, and away you go.

For beginners and intermediates without the requisite equipment, however, you’ll be better off doing a guided Kangaroo Point climbing session. The Riverlife Adventure Centre offers two hour Kangaroo Point rock climbing experiences, with expert tuition, for $79. These sessions should be booked in advance, online.

The climbing guides will take novices through the safety briefings and teach the requisite climbing techniques.

This is a good option for a Brisbane gift experience.

If rock-climbing in Brisbane gives you the climbing bug, why not try reaching the summit of Mt Kosciuszko in New South Wales or scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge?