Shella Shpigel

Rock climbing is great for health and fitness and team building, and of course, it's a fun-filled activity for all ages. Bouldering, as the name suggests, is climbing boulders with the freedom to go rope and harness free but at safer low wall heights. There is no shortage of rock climbing and bouldering gyms in Melbourne, and we’ve picked the best if you’re in the mood for some vertical adventures. Find more rainy-day activities, including the best escape rooms in Melbourne. Feel more like jumping? Try these excellent trampoline parks around Melbourne. 

Melbourne has a thriving Eastern European community, thanks to the wave of migrants who arrived in the 1970s and '80s. As a result, we can find plenty of locals stocking up on familiar flavours at a variety of delis in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs. Russian cuisine is typically hearty and comforting due to the long winters. The cooking tends to feature starch heavily, coupled with pickles, cured meats, beetroot and cabbage. So whether you're an experienced cook or like taking culinary adventures, these Russian delis will provide ingredients for a Russian feast. Shop on at the best markets in Melbourne and find more of Melbourne's best restaurants while you're at it. 

It's hard to miss Hardrock's CBD location. Located above Swanston Street, this climbing venue offers floor-to-ceiling views of the street and its multiple intersections. For keen climbers, Hardrock offer 44 top rope walls, which are up to 16 metres high. The venue also has four auto-belay walls, so you don’t have to bring a spotter as the automated cable system will catch climbers if they fall. For experienced climbers, the venue's grade ranges from six to 30, so if you have one, bring your locking karabiner and they can provide the climbing shoes. The climbs are for punters 11 years and over, while younger climbers can engage in interactive rock climbing games. Hardrock also has a venue in Nunawading which also features a bouldering cave and 51 top rope walls up to 14 metres high. Are you a keen climber? Here's a list of some more bouldering venues in Melbourne. 

KLP International Deli has been in business since the late 90s, allowing them to expand with two locations in St Kilda and Moorabbin. They have a smorgasbord of local products in their range and others are shipped from Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria. Their deli counter is well stocked with soft and hard imported cheeses. And their small goods cater to Russia's love for a slice or two of Pariser (a meat mixture that's often seasoned pepper and ginger). KLP's Pariser is available in store in chicken, veal, mushroom or paprika varieties. For the fish fans, they provide vacuum-packed herring, jars of pickled seafood cocktails and many dried fish varieties including bream. On the shelf, they have many tinned fish preserves as well, all of which go down well with a shot of vodka (thanks to KLP's liquor license). For those who prefer cooking from scratch, they also sell imported sunflower oil, condiments, herbs and spices. Sweets fans can also get amongst lollies, chocolates and traditional biscuits. They also sell zefir, which is a traditional Russian type of marshmallow that is made from whipped fruit, puree, sugar and eggs whites.

Russian Tidbits is a family business that has been around for over 20 years and it’s definitley a favourite among locals in Carnegie. The store provides tasty morsels of food but the variety is so abundant that it could have easily fed Russian royalty through a long winter. Their deli cabinet is filled to the brim with cold cuts and there are at least 10 types of salamis here, which are all made fresh onsite. Hidden in the freezer you'll find delicious pelmeni, which are dumplings filled with meat. The vegetarian alternative is called vareniki and are the same dough parcels but filled with potato, mushrooms or cheese. On the imported side of things, they have large jars on the shelves with just about everything pickled and fermented, from cabbage to mushrooms and even watermelon. Pickling is popular amongst Eastern European countries as it allows these cold countries to enjoy any vegetable and fruit all year around. Russian Tidbits also stocks countless varieties of sour cherry teas, as well as the national dessert called Napoleon cake, which is 20 layers of puff pastry filled with custard in between each layer.

Kazachok refers to traditional Russian folk dance that's fast-paced, and it seems pretty fitting for this small and busy store in Bentleigh. Here at Kazachok Deli, most customers can be found awkwardly moving back and forth to get some foot space all in an effort to win the attention of staff.   This deli is a carnivore’s paradise. Here you'll find countless hams, pastramis and salamis in the cabinet for hunters to feast their eyes on. The varieties are endless and include hot, cured and smoked options. Pork fillets, sausages and ribs are also up for the taking. It's all fresh, too, as they're all made in their factory out the back.   Off land products are also available in-store, including salted herring, smoked mackerel and red caviar. They also stock a range of dairy products including Chevrette goat’s cheese and Kefir probiotic drinks. They supply Borodinsky, a dense, dark brown sourdough bread from Baker In The Rye, which is a staple in most Russian households. Plus, the shelves are jam-packed with imported confectionaries, teas and jams. Take a number, it's well worth the wait.

European Flavour in Caulfield is for those feeling homesick, people who are time poor or individuals who are wanting to experience a Soviet sausage for the very first time. This is a deli but European Flavour has a focus on ready-made goods, too. They have a selection of cold cuts and cheeses but the real winner is their borscht, a classic Russian beetroot soup that tastes homemade without the fuss (just add sour cream!) They also sell Russian favourites such as cabbage rolls, pickled tomatoes and liver paté. There is a huge variety of salads as well, including the Russian Olivier salad, which is made from potatoes, vegetables, eggs and mayonnaise. Other highlights to try are pirozhki which is a puff pastry bun filled with meat or cabbage. Or for those feeling more adventurous can try some cow’s tongue, which is commonly found in homemade sandwiches. Kholodets is also available, which is a gelatine dish of broth, meat and vegetables.

Fine Gourmet Deli is a large store overflowing with Eastern European fare and drink in Bentleigh. Their focus is on sourcing products locally or importing internationally. Their small goods have all the standard offerings including a wide range of smoked, fermented and boiled sausages. They sell the ever-so-popular Moskovskaya sausage, which is smoked with garlic and made from pork and beef. From the sea, they have black and red caviar, and the traditional salt dried Russian Vobla fish. Traditionally, this fish is consumed with a beer and luckily at Fine Gourmet Deli, beverages are their speciality. They have a large range of imported alcohol and – unsurprisingly – vodka. They also stock a renowned carbonated drink called kvass. It's made from rye bread, yeast and fruit but considered non-alcoholic. Additionally, they have a wide selection of fruit juices including the all-time favourite flavour, sour cherry. Their shelves are also filled with a large variety of Russia’s beloved buckwheat. Plus on any given day they offer obscure Russian products including cosmetics and even children’s books. This is truly your one stop Russian shop.

Northside Boulders are the same team who own and operate Melbourne’s first dedicated bouldering gym, the Lactic Factory in Abbotsford. The walls here are up to 4.5 metres high and are angled from inclined slabs to horizontal roofs. Northside also has food onsite to get climbers refuelled and refreshed to take on their next challenge. They’ve adopted the same signature furnishings and plants as their Abbotsford gym, and they play some wicked tunes to boot.

Located in Brunswick, North Walls has the distinct honour of featuring climbing walls by Walltopia, an international wall-climbing manufacturer. These specially-made walls provide plenty of climbing routes for all levels. Plus for the serious climbers, they have lead tests during certain hours. North Walls has a strong sense of community, often hosting a variety of workshops for avid climbers, including ones that are for women only. They also host competitions for climbers to test how many routes they can complete without taking a rest. If you aren’t gripping ropes, there is also a café on site where you can recharge with freshly ground coffee.

Up Unlimited Moorabbin is a climbing gym concept that was originally brought over from New Zealand. There are over 30 clip and climb challenges to try, available in a range of difficulties, which are all equipped with TruBlue auto-belay technology which make it easy to climb without a climbing buddy. There are even Speed Walls, which have timers to race climbers on parallel climbs. Once you've climbed the walls, there's also a caving obstacle course to try that includes over 85 metres of caving fun (including a ball pit!). Brave punters can even try their vertical drop side and Leap of Faith obstacle. Up Unlimited is open to all ages, with climbing prices starting at $12.50 per person.

Gravity Worx in Pascoe Vale has up to 50 different rock climbing routes of varying difficulty. They have a mix of top rope (safety partnered), auto-belay (solo) and lead climbing (periodic clip-in harness) on offer. The 16 auto-belays are ideal for children, inexperienced climbers and those who don’t have a climbing partner, so don't worry about rocking up solo. They also host regular climbing competitions, stretching and yoga classes and coordinate outdoor sessions.

Bayside Rock has something for every climber. Under 13s will love Climb Time, a child-friendly area that provides 25 fully automated climbing stations that don’t require parental supervision. Designed by an Australian national climbing champion, their top ropes section has 50 climbs that are 10 to 12 metres high. Bayside also has a bouldering area for those that prefer a rope-free experience, with over 300 metres of courses with 100 problems in varying grades. They keep you closer to the ground at 4.5 metres in height. They also have a ropes course to explore – you can essentially spend all day here. Climbing shoes and chalk bags can be hired.

TEDxMelbourne returns in 2018 to once again generate conversations about things that matter and inspire new ideas for the future. The theme for this year is 'the Great Unknown', with themes surrounding who we’ve been and what we’ll become. The line-up will feature local scientists and academics including astrophysicist, author and TV presenter Dr Lisa Harvey-Smith, archaeologist and lecturer Dr Ronika Power, science writer, researcher and educator Lynne Kelly, as well as public speaking coach, spoken word artist and author Fleassy Malay. The speakers will discuss a variety of meaningful questions, like is it true that if you know your history, then you know your future? Or what does it mean to connect and belong in a world that keeps changing the rules? The format for this year's event offers attendees flexibility by providing them with the opportunity to choose morning, afternoon or full day sessions. The venue has also changed for 2018 and is a more intimate and inclusive environment, at the Meat Market in North Melbourne.  TedxMelbourne will take you on a thought-provoking journey on Monday August 13. For more information and to book tickets, head here.  Keep the learning train going with our guide to the best tours in Melbourne.