Gecko Climb bouldering and climbing gym is set to open in Woolner in mid 2025

A state of the art bouldering and climbing gym will soon open in Darwin, offering a community active space to escape the Top End heat. Here’s what to expect.

Gecko Climb has lodged plans to open a climbing and bouldering gym in Woolner.

A state of the art bouldering and climbing gym will soon open in Darwin, offering a community space to escape the Top End heat.

Gecko Climb is due to open mid next year in Woolner, boasting 300 sqm of bouldering walls, 9m high roped climbing stations, weights training, cafe and chill-out space, and a toddler play area.

Owner Jackson Bursill, a 31-year-old medical student, said he was inspired to bring indoor climbing back to the Top End after experiencing the community formed at bouldering gyms down south.

Nightcliff couple Jackson Bursill and Grace Skehan are the team behind Gecko Climb, a new bouldering and climbing gym coming to Darwin.

“This has been about five years in the works,” Mr Bursill said.

“When I moved up from Canberra, bouldering was something I really missed. I’m by no means the best climber, but it was not just the activity – it’s the community and social aspect that comes with it.

“There’s a lot of people in the local climbing community that have been waiting a long time for something to re-emerge.

“I’m really looking forward to being able to create that space for a community to come together.

“This is fun, it’s active, it’s pro social … we hope this is going to be something that’s good for Darwin.”

The Top End has been without any indoor climbing facilities for five years, after the protracted and legally contested closure of The Rock Centre in Doctor’s Gully.

Gecko Climb has lodged plans to open a climbing and bouldering gym in Woolner.

Mr Bursill is opening the gym alongside his wife Grace Skehan and mum Susan Bursill.

With a second baby on the way, he said offering families more options to be active out of the elements was another driving force for the business.

“Darwin’s getting hotter and there’s no denying that having large, indoor, airconditioned spaces where we can do those sorts of activities – young and old – is something that’s really important,” he said.

Gecko Climb has lodged plans to open a climbing and bouldering gym in Woolner.

Gecko Climb aims to cater to all ages, genders, and skill levels – from beginners, to the best of the best.

“Bouldering is an Olympic sport, and the quality of the bouldering walls we’re putting in makes it the sort of facility that really could see a young person in Darwin gain the skills to compete at a national level and beyond,” Mr Bursill said.

Gecko Climb has lodged plans to open a climbing and bouldering gym in Woolner.

The climbing walls will be built by ICP, a Brisbane based company behind most of Australia’s climbing gyms, using world-leading climbing materials in their European factory.

Local businesses Gabbert Designs architects and Aspire builders have also been closely involved in the project, and Cunnington Rosse town planning consultants submitted the development application.

Gecko Climb will be based at 2 Snell St, Woolner, sharing the warehouse with Fantastic Furniture.