I'm considering relocating to Tasmania and looking for advice/opinions about where might be suitable for meeting these requirements:

  • COOL summers ((average mid-high 20's),
  • Local crag/s (within 30 min drive) well-endowed with variety of good routes (preferably adventure style more than bolted) & bouldering,
  • other cliffs with good climbing, etc within day-trip/weekend driving range,
  • Realistic chance of low cost rental property out-of-town (preferably 20-30 min drive);
  • Away from big cities but small one/s okay (big enough to have College/Art School facilities),
  • other people interested in climbing/outdoors,
  • active arts community

Any suggestions most welcome.

Cheers, Caela

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2 Comments

  1. Jon Nermut

    Hi Caela,
    Both Hobart and Launceston pretty much fit the criteria.
    Both have very good local climbing and big outdoor scenes. Hobart is a bit bigger (200K vs 100K) and more cosmopolitan (more arts etc), Launceston has a bit better weather.

    I don't think too many of the parochial residents of either city could argue with that (wink)

    Cheers,

    Jon.

    1. Al Williams

      Caela, I agree with Jon.

      Tassie is pretty small and almost all of the establised climbing areas can be reached from hobart or launceston within a 2-4 hour drive and are accessible for day trips or weekends (hobart and launceston are only a 2 hour drive apart).

      As far as after work climbing goes (in summer it doesn't get dark until 9:30pm);

      Hobart

      • Organ Pipes on Mt Wellington has great adventure and sport climbing on vertical dolerite up to 120m with a great view overlooking the city (about 20 minute drive from city)
      • a number of shitty but climbable crags closer to hobart.
      • Good bouldering at a range of areas up to 1hrs drive away.
      • not much on offer in winter except the gym and bouldering when it is dry (the pipes get a bit cold)

      Launceston

      • The gorge is right in the centre of town and offer a spread of trad and sport routes (mostly short <10m with isolated cliffs up to 30m) can climb all year round weather permitting.
      • Hillwood about 20 minutes drive away, good sport climbing on basalt (slab to overhanging) up to 25m
      • Ben Lomond, great adventure (crack) climbing on vertical dolerite up to about 150m about 50 minutes drive and 20min walk away.
      • No gym.

      Cheers,

      Alan