SportUNE Indoor Rock Climbing

Armidale's indoor climbing wall

SportUNE, the University of New England's sport centre, has the only indoor climbing in Armidale: a top-rope wall set in the first squash court of the SportUNE complex, with two walls at different angles, four ropes and a bouldering cave, which was added in 2013. Routes run from easy climbs for first-timers to overhangs for experienced climbers, and the wall is open to students and the wider Armidale community.

Climbing runs in supervised evening sessions staffed by volunteers from the UNE Outdoor Adventure Club (UNE OAC). Everyone new to the wall gets a short induction from a supervisor, even if they have climbed elsewhere, and complete beginners are shown how to tie in and belay with the wall's Gri-Gri devices.

Good to know

• When: public nights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 17:30, plus a members-only club night on Mondays. Sessions can be cancelled at short notice when the space is booked, so check the club's Facebook page before you go.
• Cost: $8.50 a session, or $6.50 for UNE OAC and SportUNE members, with harness and climbing shoes included. Pay at the SportUNE counter; non-members fill in a form first.
• Children: families are welcome, but under-16s must be supervised by a parent or guardian, under-13s can't belay, and children without a harness that fits them can only use the bouldering cave.
• Bring: socks if you're borrowing the club's shoes, water and comfortable clothes. Changing rooms and lockers are nearby in the centre.

The club also runs climbing, bouldering and bushwalking trips around the New England region, and SportUNE hires the wall out for parties, groups and schools.