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VICTORIA · SANDSTONE · 11 AREAS

Grampians (Gariwerd) weather & climbing conditions

The Grampians (Gariwerd) in western Victoria are Australia's biggest climbing area: ranges of hard orange-and-grey sandstone with world-famous walls like Taipan and some of the country's best bouldering. Climbing is only allowed in Parks Victoria's designated climbing areas, so we forecast the main open areas, from Mt Stapylton in the north to Halls Gap and Mt Rosea, and flag the guided-only and closed ones. This page compares them side by side, updated every four hours.

Which part of Grampians (Gariwerd) today?

Best today: Taipan Wall, Lower Taipan, Grey and Green Walls, Centurion Walls, Venus Baths, Bellfield Peak, the Bleachers, Mt Rosea, Bundaleer and Summerday Valley (guided only). Poor at Hollow Mountain (not a designated climbing area — climbing is not permitted).

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

7-day forecast by area

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

AreaTodayFriSatSunMonTueWedThu
Taipan WallGoodPoorGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Lower Taipan (bouldering)GoodPoorGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Grey and Green WallsGoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Centurion WallsGoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Venus Baths (bouldering)GoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Bellfield PeakGoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
The Bleachers (bouldering)GoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Mount RoseaGoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
BundaleerGoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Summerday ValleyGoodPoorCautionGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Hollow MountainPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoorPoor

Where you can climb in the Grampians

Rock climbing in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is only allowed in designated climbing areas. Parks Victoria's list was last updated in May 2026, after 18 areas reopened in May 2025 and another 17 in June 2026, and climbing outside these areas can lead to penalties. Bouldering is only allowed in areas designated for bouldering, and Parks Victoria has said no further bouldering areas will be opened.

  • Taipan Wall is open with conditions: only the northern section, reached from the Mt Stapylton track via the Trackside Boulders. Spurt Wall is closed.
  • Summerday Valley (Back Wall, Wall of Fools South and Barc Cliff) is open only to groups with a Licensed Tour Operator.
  • Hollow Mountain Cave is not a designated area. Tortoise Wall and Mountain Lion are closed for cultural heritage, and Lower Centurion is closed from Damage Done northwards.

A free, mandatory online climbing permit is being developed. Check Parks Victoria's rock climbing page and its maps before every trip, as the list changes.

Grampians sandstone and rain

Grampians sandstone is a hard quartz sandstone, much harder than the soft sandstones of southern England or Fontainebleau, and it dries quickly in sun and wind. But it is brittle when wet: holds and flakes can snap, so don't climb it while it is still damp, and give it longer after heavy rain. Some areas, such as Centurion Walls, have softer rock that needs at least 24 hours.

Our forecast marks an area red while rain is falling or the rock is clearly still wet, amber while it is drying, and adds a brittle-rock warning for two days after real rain. Steep walls dry first; creek-side boulders like Venus Baths and mossy slabs take longer.

Best time of year to climb in the Grampians

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are the main seasons. Summer (December to February) is hot and dry, with afternoons often over 30°C on the lower crags: climb early, choose shaded walls such as the west-facing Taipan Wall in the morning or east-facing Bundaleer in the afternoon, or head up to Mt Rosea. Winter is the wettest and coldest season, but sunny walls climb well between the fronts.

Bushfires and park closures

Parks Victoria closes parks in districts rated Catastrophic for fire danger. The Grampians was among the parks closed on 9 January 2026, whatever the rock was doing. The 2024–25 summer fires also burnt the Mt Rosea, Sundial and Victoria Range areas, and some tracks were still closed in late 2026. From November to March, check VicEmergency and Parks Victoria's alerts on the morning you go.

Grampians (Gariwerd) FAQ

Can you climb anywhere in the Grampians?

No. Rock climbing in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is only allowed in Parks Victoria's designated climbing areas, and bouldering only in designated bouldering areas. Some areas are open only to Licensed Tour Operators, and some are closed to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage. Check Parks Victoria's current list and maps before you go.

Is Taipan Wall open?

Partly. The northern section of Taipan Wall is a designated climbing area with conditions: climbs south of Naja are closed, some routes are re-routed, and you must reach the wall from the Mt Stapylton track via the Trackside Boulders. Spurt Wall is closed.

Is Hollow Mountain open for climbing?

Hollow Mountain Cave is not on Parks Victoria's list of designated climbing areas, so climbing there is not permitted. Several nearby areas are designated, including Interpretation Wall, Eastern Walls, Western Crags, Epsilon Wall and the Andersens West boulders.

How long after rain can you climb in the Grampians?

Steep, sunny walls often dry within a day of a shower, but Grampians sandstone is brittle when wet, so wait until it is fully dry and give it longer after heavy rain. Areas with softer rock, such as Centurion Walls, need at least 24 hours.

When is the best time to climb in the Grampians?

Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November). Summer is often too hot on the lower crags, and the park can close on Catastrophic fire danger days; winter is the wettest season.

If Grampians (Gariwerd) is wet: nearby crags

Arapiles — Mitre RockArapiles — Organ PipesArapiles — Tiger Wall