Guided Abseiling at Mt Boyce
Guided Abseiling at Mt Boyce
There’s a moment, just before you lean back over the edge, when your brain quietly asks, “Are you sure about this?” And then you do it anyway. And it’s exhilarating. This week, we swapped hiking trails for ropes and took on the cliffs of Mount Boyce, just outside of Mount Victoria. We’ve hiked past the edge of these cliffs before — peering out over the Kanimbla Valley — but this time, we went over the edge.
Quick Details
Length: 60m (straight down)
Elevation: Negative 60m
Grade: Easy couple to start, then moved on to intermediate.
Best Season: Year round
Do you girls wanna come abseiling?
Recently we were invited to join the Ask Roz At Large group, and they had organised a day of abseiling at Mt Boyce, guided by the wonderful team from Blue Mountains Climbing School.
“...it’ll be a couple of easy ones to practice. Then a fifty metre to finish”
Sounds awesome! Count us in!
We arrived at the trailhead early, before the rest of the group. Hugh and Bridie, our guides for the day, were there already unpacking the gear. Hugh grabbed the ropes and headed off to set up the first abseil while the rest of the group began to arrive. We grabbed a helmet and a harness each and put them on.
Harnesses really are the great equaliser in outdoor apparel… No one looks good in a harness. There were plenty of laughs as we all tried to figure out which leg went where and tighten everything up.
The sun peeked out from behind the clouds — it was shaping up to be a nice day. Bridie gave us a quick safety briefing and we headed off single file through the bush.
Practice Makes Perfect
We soon reached our first location — a large rock where we could practice a few times before taking on the longer descent. Hugh was already there setting up the ropes so we could jump straight in. Most of our group had never abseiled before, so there were definitely some nerves floating around. But Hugh and Bridie were patient, thorough, and made everything feel manageable.
There were three possible abseils from this rock — one measuring only 3 metres, and two about 15 to 18 metres long. All that was left now was for someone to volunteer to go first. From Hugh and Bridie's perspective, we probably looked like a group of penguins on the edge of an ice shelf, waiting for someone to trip forward.
Roz, our fearless leader, volunteered and we all cheered her on as she climbed up to the top of the rock by a couple of metal spikes. Ropes were clipped onto her harness while Hugh and Bridie explained what they were doing. Roz made her way over to the 3-metre drop, leaned back against the rope, and started walking backwards down the rock face.
Our guides talked us through what was happening — explaining that once the rope rested on the edge of the rock, it would feel easier to move. Roz had barely touched the ground before half of us were volunteering to be the next one down the rope — Roz made it look easy for the rest of us!
I climbed up the rock to join the queue. “This 15 metre one is actually easier than the 3 metre one” said Bridie. That made no sense whatsoever to me, but she explained that the harsh edge on the 3 metre made it harder to get started. Ok then, rope me up for the 15 metre! Was I nervous? Well yeah, a little. I’m a land dwelling mammal, I like to have my feet on the ground — and I like that ground to not be vertical.
Bridie attached the rope to my harness, stood back, and said “Actually we’ll do this a different way. There’s about 6 different ways we can attach the ropes to these and I think this way will be better for you”. This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of activity where they slap some gear on us and send us over the edge of a rock. Hugh and Bridie really took the time to tailor everything to suit each person.
I made my way to the edge, and took my first steps down the rock face. It’s a strange sensation at first — there’s so much going on with the rope in your hands, and trying to move your feet in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you’ll overbalance. Bridie called out a few tips, and after a few metres I started to trust the harness more and actually enjoy the experience.
All too soon it was over and my feet were back on the dirt. For the next couple of hours, we all took turns down the rock. A few in the group needed a bit of extra help, so Hugh worked one on one with them. Later he told me that he really loves working with the nervous people in a group — because by the end of the day, they’re often the ones who’ve grown the most.
It’s so true too — many in our group were nervous before going down the rope for the first time. But a few hours later, everyone in the group was eagerly trying it again to learn more and push themselves further. With the sun shining through the trees, and the sounds of everyone laughing and cheering each other on — we’d look around and think “This really is the best day”.
The Drop into the Unknown
“Ok everyone. We’re gonna pack up here and head over to the sixty metre abseil location”
Sixty? What happened to fifty? Did the cliff grow by ten metres this morning? — or maybe I read the email wrong and should have gone to Specsavers. We grabbed our bags and made our way over to the cliff overlooking the valley below. Hugh and Bridie got to work setting up the ropes.
This one would be different — only a short section of walking down the rock face, then we’d be hanging in mid-air until the bottom. A few in the group decided to sit this one out. They weren’t quite ready to take on this next challenge — and that’s totally fair. It’s important to know your limits, and they should be proud of everything they achieved up to that point.
I think what was so intimidating on this one, was that we couldn’t actually see anyone else doing it. One by one, the group would walk over to Hugh and Bridie, get clipped into the ropes, and then disappear over the edge. The rest of us had no idea of what awaited us beyond the edge until we stood there ourselves.
Sam’s Abseil
I’d built up some confidence on the practice rock, so even though I was still a little nervous, I was also excited. All week though I had been battling a nasty flu and could feel myself running low on energy. I stepped forward, got roped up, leaned back, and took a few tentative backwards steps down the rock — suddenly wishing I had asked Bridie and Hugh for a few more instructions before this point.
After only a few metres, I could feel my legs stretching further and further forward as the cliff face curved away from me. Eventually, there was nothing to press against. I dropped my legs and hung in the harness. And just like that — dizziness. Maybe it was the flu. Maybe nerves. Probably both.
I did the only thing I could: I focused on my breathing and on feeding the rope through my hands. I moved slowly, but I kept moving. I was determined to make it to the bottom on my own — hell, I would’ve set up camp and started a new life halfway down the cliff before calling for a rescue. Little by little, I kept going until I felt tree branches brush against my feet. I may have been slow, but I did it.
Jess’ Abseil
Jess took to abseiling like a duck to water — fear is not really a word in her vocabulary and she absolutely nailed the practice abseils earlier that morning. So when I reached the bottom and someone said “Will Jess come down too?” I immediately said, “There’s no way she’d miss that.” Sure enough, a green helmet soon popped over the edge of the cliff above.
In her own words:
Hanging mid-air on the 60 metre abseil felt so raw, surreal, and vulnerable. Suspended in such a solitary position, I had a full panoramic view of the Kanimbla Valley. It made me feel completely present — taking it all in and truly appreciating the life I have. It was such a high moment — pure freedom and happiness, right here, right now. It was truly a WOW moment and I’m so keen to experience whatever is next.
The End of a Great Day
We all regrouped at the top of the cliff and made our way back to the cars. Everyone was talking about what a great day it was. We’d all pushed ourselves in different ways, and I think every one of us walked off that trail with a quiet sense of pride — and a not-so-quiet plan to do it again sometime soon.
Our Guides for the Day
The Blue Mountains Climbing School has been around since 1984, and is owned and run by local guides who are genuinely passionate about the outdoors. Between them, the team has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience. They offer a wide range of activities across all skill levels — from climbing and abseiling to canyoning and more. Whether you’re after a half-day intro or a multi-day expedition beyond the Blue Mountains, they’ve got something for everyone.
Their courses and guided trips run with small groups, so you’re not just another helmet in the lineup — you actually get time to learn, ask questions, and get the most out of the day. Don’t worry if your mates aren’t keen — you can join a group that’s already heading out. The best bit? They’re super flexible. Whether you’re chasing a new skill, want a fun day out, or have a specific goal in mind, they’ll happily tailor the experience to suit you or your crew.
Tips and Tricks (and Thanks)
If you’ve never been abseiling before, the Blue Mountains really is the best place to try it… as well as rock climbing, canyoning, hiking, and every outdoor activity in between.
We highly recommend booking your outdoor activities with the Blue Mountains Climbing School. They really know their stuff, they’re super friendly, and they have so much on offer.
A massive thank you to our amazing guides Bridie and Hugh — thank you for keeping us safe and making it such a fun and supportive experience. We’ll definitely be back.
Thanks to the Ask Roz At Large group for extra photos, and an amazing day.
Also a massive thank you to Ask Roz Blue Mountains for organising this event for their At Large crew. Ask Roz is the No.1 visitor information provider in the Greater Blue Mountains Region. If you’re looking for things to do and places to see, be sure to check out one of their eMags, which are full of great local tips and tricks.
