Townsville Bouldering Guide: Discover Northern Australia’s Best Climbs!

Ever wondered where the best bouldering in Australia is? With its beautiful beaches, relaxed community, and unique boulders, Townsville in Far North Queensland is a less-frequented climbing haven just waiting to land on your radar.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Townsville is one of Australia’s best rock climbing destinations, combining quintessential Australian beaches, such as Magnetic Island and Bowen, with world-class bouldering. So, if you’re looking for a holiday filled with sun, swimming, and climbing, then Townsville is the place to be.

You can do it! | 📸 Georgia Forster

About Climbing in Townsville

Townsville has been a popular bouldering destination for several years due to the accessibility and diversity of climbing on offer.

If you’re new to climbing, then I recommend checking out Magnetic Island with its large offering of beginner-friendly boulders just waiting to be clambered.

Seriously, who wouldn’t want to boulder in this paradise? | 📸 Georgia Forster

If you’re searching for something a bit more challenging, Harvey’s Marbles might be more your speed. It has 1,600 established climbs that are known for their difficulty due to the physical strength and height of its developers.

Townsville’s Climbing History

Townsville has a welcoming and adventurous outdoor community that’s continuing to grow. The Rock Climber’s Association of North Queensland is the local climbing club, whose members have maintained, developed, and cared for the surrounding climbing areas since 2004.

Townsville’s most notorious bouldering location, Harvey’s Marbles, was developed by legendary local climbers Steve Baskerville and Madoc Sheehan, who spent 15 years putting up new lines in the area.

Today, local climbers continue to explore and develop more great climbing.

How to Get to Townsville and Surrounds

Townsville is an ideal stop for any road trip. From Brisbane it’s a 15-hour drive along the Bruce Highway, passing many of Queensland’s most beautiful beaches.

If you’re coming from the north, it’s a four-hour drive from Cairns, with ample spots to explore. Why not check out Australia’s largest single-drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls, or the stunning Ethel Creek Falls along the way?

Wallaman Falls is a must-see! | 📸 @ryanbaldwinnn

Where to Stay in Townsville

Horseshoe Bay Resort and Caravan Park

Horseshoe Bay Resort is a classic Aussie beach resort, frequented by grey nomads who’ll welcome you in and treat you like family.

The park offers beach huts and units, as well as camping and caravan sites, so everyone is well catered for. It’s also ideally located within walking distance of nearly all the great climbing that Bowen has to offer – all on the beach, of course!

Harvey’s Marbles

Only a 40-minute drive from Townsville city centre, your best option is to book one of Townsville’s many great hotels or caravan parks. This map shows a wide variety of options as well as their proximity to Harvey’s Marbles.

Lost my marbles at Harvey’s Marbles | 📸 Daniel Salomon

Nomad’s Magnetic Island

Nomad’s on Magnetic Island is a well-known spot on the Australian backpacker trail, and its laid-back, fun energy definitely reflects this. We usually choose to stay here at the end of our trip – we may spend a bit more time chilling out, having a beer, and making new friends than climbing but, hey, we think we deserve it.

Best Places to Boulder Near Townsville

Important Safety Notice

Bouldering is a fun and social activity that presents an accessible way to get into other types of climbing, however it still has its risks. Please use a bouldering pad and ask a friend to spot you. The best technique for spotting is to have a friend standing close by with their hands held up, ready to guide you if you fall.

If you’re spotting, remember to keep your fingers together and tuck your thumbs away – the same way that you’d feed a kangaroo!

Hands always gotta be ready to feed skippy

Harvey’s Marbles is located next to a private shooting range. Don’t trespass and please be aware of their seasonal schedule. If you’re planning to camp here, it’s essential that you ask permission. There are no facilities, so you’ll need to be extra aware of leave no trace principles.

Read more: Best Products for Burying or Packing Out Poo in the Outdoors

Bowen

Location: Bowen
Climbing grade: (VB- to V10)
My pick: Welcome to Barbadoss (V4) with V2 stand start and V6 low start. (Located right in the middle of Horseshoe Bay!)

Bowen is the cruisy pick of the bunch – it’s great for slacklining and has beaches to cool off in. You can quite literally climb in your togs – and we usually do – but be aware of the tide or you might find it lapping at your feet as you climb. I usually pack an extra pair of shoes just in case one pair gets wet.

Harvey’s Marbles

Location: Hervey Range
Climbing grade: (VB- to V10)
My pick: The Very Nice V0 Wall (V0), Squatting Bear (V5), Fall From Grace (V2)

Harvey’s Marbles is the most difficult climbing area of the three. The area was developed by very tall dudes and most of the climbs are very sandbagged. Shorter climbers (that’s me!) tend to have a more difficult time here, but there’s definitely something for everyone; you may just need to start a few grades lower than you’re used to. Or, why not practice your route setting skills and make up some climbs as you go?

Magnetic Island

Location: Magnetic Island
Climbing grade: (VB- to V9)
My pick: Whale Boulder area at Rocky Bay

Magnetic Island is a tropical paradise, where you can sit back and relax. It’s a great place to stay at the end of your trip when your fingers are sore and your skin is worn down to the bone.

Essential Gear for Townsville

Located in FNQ, Townsville is a tropical holiday destination, so swimmers and a beach towel are a MUST.

But if you’re visiting in winter, which tends to be the best time for climbing, then I recommend packing a jumper as night time temperatures do tend to drop.

I also suggest bringing camping gear for Magnetic Island and Bowen, which both have great campgrounds.

At a minimum, I recommend the following essentials:

• Climbing shoes
• Bouldering pad
• Beach towel
• Togs (Or ‘swimmers’ for those of you who aren’t down with the QLD slang)
• Tent
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

All geared up in Bowen | 📸 Georgia Forster

Tips for Bouldering in Townsville

• If you’re planning to boulder, visit is winter (June – August) when the conditions will be dry compared to the hot and humid summer months
• Queensland has long days, even in winter, so you’ll have at least eight hours of daylight no matter when you visit
• Check when the Australian school holiday period is as hundreds of Aussies will flock to this popular destination

Guide Books

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of information out there on climbing in Townsville, particularly as most of it is scattered in old guides and pdf files. The following guides are a great place to start.

• Townsville Climbing Guidebook by Christopher Glastonbury – includes comprehensive descriptions of some of the best bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing in the area
• Bouldering at Harvey’s Marbles – put together by the area developers Steve Baskerville and Madoc Sheehan
• thecrag.com – recommended for finding new climbs and recording all your adventures

Townsville Bouldering FAQs

Will I need a car?

Since each of these destinations is outside of Townsville, you’ll need a car for this trip. So, why not make it a road trip and bring your friends along!

How far is each spot from Townsville?

Bowen is a three hour drive south from Townsville and Harvey’s Marbles is around 40 minutes inland. Magnetic Island can be accessed on the water taxi, either on foot or with your car, which takes around 20 minutes. Once you’re on the island, each of the main climbing spots are within walking distance.

Can I hire bouldering pads in Townsville?

There’s currently nowhere to hire bouldering pads in Townsville, so the best option is to bring your own. Alternatively, try reaching out to the Rock Climbers Association of NQ. Rock climbers are a super friendly bunch and if you ask nicely, they might offer to lend you their pad for a day or two. They might even ask to join you!

How long should I plan to stay?

There’s no perfect amount of time to stay in Townsville but I usually try to spend at least two weeks there every year with my friends. This will give you enough time to hit up each of the three main spots, while also leaving you buzzing to come back. Of course, if you’re keen to check out any of the sports climbing on offer in Townsville, you might want to spend even more time in this climbing haven.

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