Climbing Forecast › Areas › Blue Mountains

NEW SOUTH WALES · SANDSTONE · 6 CRAGS

Blue Mountains weather & climbing conditions

The Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney, have a huge number of sandstone crags along the escarpments of the upper mountains plateau at about 900–1,000m. We forecast six of the most popular: the sport crags around Blackheath (Centennial Glen, Shipley Upper and Porters Pass), Medlow Bath, and the trad areas of Mount Piddington and Mount York at Mount Victoria. Compare them side by side, updated every four hours.

Which part of Blue Mountains today?

All of Blue Mountains looks good today.

Updated Thu 12 Nov, 02:14 · refreshed every 4 hours

7-day forecast by crag

Each day is judged on the 10:00–16:00 climbing window. Tap a name for hourly detail.

CragTodayFriSatSunMonTueWedThu
Centennial GlenGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorCaution
Shipley UpperGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorGood
Porters PassGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorCaution
Medlow BathGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorCaution
Mount PiddingtonGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorGood
Mount YorkGoodGoodPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorGood

Can you climb in the Blue Mountains after rain?

Not straight away. Blue Mountains sandstone is soft: bolts have to be glued in, and the rock can break easily when it's wet. Wait at least 24 hours after proper rain, and longer on shaded, seeping walls in the glens and gullies. Our forecast marks a crag red for 24 hours after a millimetre or more of rain, and keeps sheltered or seeping crags amber for a second day.

The exception is the steepest rock: much of Centennial Glen overhangs enough to stay dry in light rain, which is why it's the area's classic wet-weather crag. Only climb lines that are genuinely dry, and stay off anything running with water.

Best time of year to climb in the Blue Mountains

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are the peak seasons. Summer days often pass 30°C and bring afternoon thunderstorms, so go early or late and pick shaded crags such as Centennial Glen or the morning shade of west-facing Mount Piddington. Winter is cold, but the sunny north- and west-facing crags, like Shipley Upper and the sunny side of Mount York, climb well on clear days. Mornings in Blackheath are often misty, but the mist usually burns off by midday.

Access

Most of the climbing on the western escarpment is on Crown land managed by Blue Mountains City Council, rather than in the national park, and some crags cross private land. Use the established tracks and car parks, and check for council or NPWS closures after storms or fires: Mount York was closed after the 2019–20 bushfires and reopened in 2021.

Blue Mountains FAQ

How long after rain can you climb in the Blue Mountains?

Wait at least 24 hours after proper rain, and longer on shaded or seeping walls. Blue Mountains sandstone is soft and can break when wet. Very steep walls such as parts of Centennial Glen can stay dry in light rain.

Where can you climb in the Blue Mountains when it's raining?

Centennial Glen near Blackheath is the classic wet-weather crag: many of its steep, overhanging sport routes stay dry in light rain. Avoid anything with water running down it.

When is the best time to climb in the Blue Mountains?

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November). Summer is hot and stormy, and winter is cold but good on sunny crags.

Is the Blue Mountains good for sport or trad climbing?

Both. The crags around Blackheath and Medlow Bath are mostly sport, while Mount Piddington and Mount York at Mount Victoria are the main trad areas.