Not sure which Blue Mountains adventure is best for you? Our trips are generally graded on a scale from 3 (Introductory) to 7 (Challenging), so you can match your fitness and experience to the right day out. 

Whether you're new to the outdoors or you've had a canyon or two behind you, this guide will help you pick an adventure that suits you.

For our more introductory tours, fitness matters more than experience as our skilled and experienced guides will take you through the basics on the day. But depending on your stamina and strength, some adventures will be physically challenging and may push you out of your comfort zone, which is a good thing! It's all part of the fun, but it's worth being honest with yourself about where you're starting from.

If you're ever unsure, get in touch with our office before you book.

Find your fit

First-timers and novices

We offer a range of beginner-friendly adventures and for those with limited previous experience in the outdoors. You'll usually do best by easing in with abseiling on its own, or joining a introductory canyon trip that builds up gradually. Our guides spend extra time talking first-timer groups through what to expect before any rope is involved, which is exactly what turns the nerves into confidence by the end of the day. Even guests with a canyon or climb under their belt admit to a flutter of nerves before a bigger abseil or ascent, so if it's been a while since your last trip, there's no harm in easing back in with something introductory to moderate.

Families with younger kids

A gentler canyon or a no-abseil option is the best place to start before working up to bigger trips. The Deep Pass Canyon Explorer, Grand Canyon, and Juggler Canyon & Abseiling are a popular family pick, with a pace and length that suits younger energy levels well. If you'd rather skip the rope element altogether, our River Caves Canyoning trip involve no abseils or jumps, just wading through cool water.

Groups after a step up

Once you've had an adventure under your belt, it's natural to want more of a challenge. A step up into more intermediate trips like the Boars Head Abseil and Climb Expedition or Serendipity Canyon is a good next move.

Advanced thrill-seekers

For those chasing something bigger, our more advanced canyons like North Bowens' Gobsmacker Canyon or Butterbox bring bigger abseils, longer days and an even more remote feeling. These trips suit adventurers who already have excellent fitness and solid canyoning or abseiling experience behind them. 

Regardless of how experienced you are, our safety-first approach doesn't change, with our guides bringing the same care and attention to every trip.

Our grading scale at a glance

Canyoning

Note that all our canyonng trips will see you carryining backpacks that may weigh up to 10kg, with our summer wet canyons often involving prolonged cold-water swimming.

Introductory (Grade 3)
For those with limited previous outdoor experience. You'll need good mobility for uneven, remote terrain.

Introductory to moderate (Grade 4)
For those with some previous outdoor experience. No abseiling experience necessary, we'll teach you as you go. You'll need a good level of fitness and mobility, with some extended bushwalking including steep uphill sections. 

Moderate to challenging (Grade 6)
For those with some previous canyoning, abseiling, climbing or hiking experience. You'll need a high level of fitness and to already be an experienced abseiler, with good mobility for extensive bushwalking and prolonged steep sections. Backpacks may exceed 10kg.

Challenging (Grade 7)
Long, hard days through uneven, remote terrain. You'll need a high level of fitness plus previous abseiling and canyoning experience. Expect many abseils, some tricky, with strenuous and at times very steep access. Some exits involve scrambling or short rock climbs, and backpacks may exceed 10kg. Canyons may involve very cold water for extended periods.

Abseiling and Rock Climbing

Introductory (Grade 3)
For those with a moderate level of fitness and good mobility. Abseiling itself isn't particularly physically demanding, but once you're at the bottom, you'll need to walk back to the top. No previous experience necessary, we'll teach you the skills on the day. Our introductory climbs incorporate tuition on climbing technique, cliff safety and belay techniques.

Introductory to moderate (Grade 4)
Abseiling or rock climbing experience is desirable but not essential. As above, you'll be walking back up once you've abseiled down, so a moderate level of fitness helps.

Moderate (Grade 5)
For those with a high level of fitness and flexibility. Abseiling and climbing experience is necessary, and you'll need to be comfortable with exposure high above the valley floor. For more technical, intermediate-grade climbs like the multi-pitch on Sweet Dreams, indoor or outdoor climbing experience is recommended. You don't need to be an elite athlete, but strength, balance and stamina all help.

Bushwalking

Introductory to moderate (Grade 3 to 4)
A couple of hours over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents, suited to a reasonable level of fitness. We recommend regular exercise three to four times a week in the month before your departure.

Moderate (Grade 5)
Several hours of walking over rugged terrain with steep ascents and descents. You'll get the most out of it if you're comfortable walking up and down stairs and on uneven ground, and a day pack with hill-walking experience is recommended.

Still unsure?

Most of our guests sit somewhere in the introductory to moderate range, and that's exactly where we'd point you if this is your first adventure with us. But if you've already got a trip or two behind you and you're after more of a challenge, our team is happy to talk through what a step up might look like. 

And if you're after a more tailored adventure based on your group's needs – or even a special occasion, get in touch and we'll help you out.