climbing in new Zealand
this is just a few top locations across our great nation
Golden Bay South Island
Golden Bay, at the top of the South Island, is one of Aotearoa’s finest summer holiday destinations. Sunshine, slopers, swimming holes and hippies form the basis of an existential cosmic harmony in the Bay.
The main climbing area is Payne’s Ford, New Zealand’s premier limestone sport climbing destination.
CASTLE HILL BASIN South Island
The South Island’s Castle Hill Basin, in Canterbury, is New Zealand’s showpiece bouldering area.
Thousands of limestone boulders lie in grassy alpine meadows across the basin. The climbing style is very unique—there is very little friction, and even less in the way of conventional hand or foot holds. To be successful at Castle Hill, you don’t pull on the slopers … you climb them
FIORDLAND South Island
The Darran Mountains and Cleddau valley, near the famous Milford Sound in south-western New Zealand, contain the best rock in the country. The valley crags are steep sculpted bowls of perfect stone, and are suited well to hard sport climbing. The diorite walls above the snowline are generally coarser grained and slabby with few cracks—your classic Darrans multi-pitch route will include some healthy run-outs on both smears and edges
CASTLE ROCK
The crag is on private farmland, there is a $10 fee (per person per day) to climb. This fee covers maintenance of anchors, bolts, and other facilities and is collected on an honesty basis – sign in and pay at the toilet(!) building beside the main car park.
This Crag has draw cords on almost every route, allowing for quick set up of top ropes. This, along with its easy access, makes it really suitable for groups of any size.
For more information, check out;
Ti point
Slug Wall
We found this is, as an ideal location for groups of 20 participants. It is part of Wharepapa South Froggatt faces.We took the Hoppers there for an all day climb. It was a busy day to drive there and back as well as climb in one day.
Slug Wall was relatively easy and quick to set up for top roping. The climbs were great for kids with grades ranging from 14 to 17. We were able to set 8 climbs side by side. This made it very easy to monitor and for the kids to see each other while belaying and climbing. Parents had a great vantage point to watch from the top of the slug. The foot of the climb was a little tight for space to stand belaying.
It was only a short walk to other faces for those who were a bit more adventurous or wanted to lead climb. The biggest hassle for the day was the cows drooling on our cars. We are so lucky to have access to venues like this and I would encourage anyone who uses it, to take in a rubbish bag and take anything out they has been left behind by other groups. Respect the land and the stock that may be on it.
Kawakawa bay North Island
Kawakawa Bay is arguably the best climbing destination in the north island of New Zealand. Nestled among native bush on the picturesque shores of Lake Taupo.
With well over 200 routes, Kawakawa Bay has a veered range of climbing; with some very easy single pitch sports routes, Multi pitch Trad, mixed and more advanced sports routes.
The bay can offer some very exposed climbing with climbers finding themselves high above the lake many pitches up.
Meet our friendly Team @
VERTICAL ADVENTURES
To provide a safe environment for people of all abilities and ages to experience climbing while having fun and enjoying each others company.
Vertical Adventures is a member of NZOIA (New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association).
Contact us
- 09 818 3038
- 5A Waikaukau Road, Glen Eden.
- info@verticaladventures.co.nz
- Weekdays: 10.00 am - 10.00 pm
- Weekends: 9.00 am - 9.00 pm