Australia’s oldest climbing school. Still run by people who actually climb.

Founded at Dyurrite / Mount Arapiles in 1988, The Climbing Company has been introducing Australians to outdoor climbing and alpine terrain for over 35 years. The faces have changed, the systems have improved, and the locations have expanded, but the reason we do this hasn’t.

How we got here. In November 1988, four experienced climbers started Australia’s first rock climbing school at Dyurrite / Mount Arapiles. They saw a need to share what they knew and guide people safely into climbing. Chris Peisker ran the business for 35 years, building deep relationships with schools, guides, and the Natimuk community.

When Chris retired in late 2022, he called Aaron Lowndes with the news. Two days later Aaron called back and offered to buy it.

Aaron brought modern systems, a structured skills philosophy, and a partnership with Hamid Shafaghi, an IFMGA-qualified mountain guide that extended the business into alpine and snow terrain for the first time. Same mission. Broader reach.

Why we do this Outdoor climbing changes how people relate to themselves and each other. We’ve seen it enough times to know it’s not accidental, it’s the result of good guidance, clear systems, and real terrain that asks something of you.

Our job is to create the conditions for that to happen safely. Not to manufacture an experience, but to put the right people in the right place with the right knowledge and get out of the way.

That’s what the original founders believed in 1988. It’s what we still believe now.

Meet The Team The people behind the programs.

Aaron Lowndes Director, Lead Guide ACIA Instructor-Trainer/Assessor | IRATA Level 1 Aaron came to guiding from an unlikely direction – corporate finance – after realising he had a genuine talent for teaching and a strong belief in structured, deliberate learning pathways.

He founded Melbourne Climbing School in 2015, acquired The Climbing Company in 2022, and has spent the years since building the systems and team that underpin everything the business does today.

On the rock, he’s known for calm, precise instruction and an ability to make complex systems feel straightforward.

Hamid Shafaghi Co-owner, Alpine Guide IFMGA Mountain and Ski Guide | ACIA Instructor-Trainer/Assessor Hamid holds the IFMGA qualification, the highest internationally recognised credential in mountain guiding, and one held by very few active guides in Australia.

He leads all snow and alpine programs, bringing decades of high-altitude experience across multiple countries to Victoria’s alpine terrain.

Where Aaron built the rock side of the business, Hamid built the snow side, and together they cover more terrain than either could alone.

Behind us is a team of over 60 ACIA-qualified guides who live and climb across Victoria. We’re obviously biased, we think our guides are excellent, professional and passionate about being out there. That’s why we hired them! But so do a lot of other people (the Google reviews back us up).