Rock climbing grades describe the technical difficulty of the hardest section of a route. In Australia, two systems are in common use and knowing which one a guide or website is using matters when you are trying to assess whether a route is appropriate for your group.
The Ewbank System
The Ewbank system is the standard Australian grade for rock climbing. It runs from 1 upward with no defined ceiling, though most routes fall between 10 and 35. Grade 10 to 15 covers basic beginner routes with good handholds and footholds. Grade 16 to 20 is where recreational climbing starts to require technique. Grade 25 and above is for experienced climbers comfortable with commitment and technical movement. Top roping on grade 12 to 16 is a reasonable starting point for introductory sessions.
The French Grading System
Sport climbing guides increasingly use the French system, which runs from 1 to 9 with letter and plus/minus subdivisions. A French 6a is roughly equivalent to an Ewbank 20. You will see this system used on indoor climbing walls and in sport climbing guidebooks. Knowing approximate equivalents helps when using different references for the same area.
Grade and Style
Grade measures technical difficulty at the crux, not overall seriousness. A long committing route at grade 16 in a remote location can be more serious than a short bolted sport route at grade 22 with a controlled fall zone. Grade is one piece of information about a route, not the complete picture.
Starting Out
For introductory climbing with groups, top-rope setups on grade 12 to 16 routes at accessible crags give participants a genuine experience of the movement without requiring any technical lead climbing skills. Most outdoor education centres and youth programs use exactly this approach.
