Featured Activities
With close to a thousand routes of grades 8-31 you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy your climbing cravings. Pick up a copy of the Wānaka Rock guidebook or, if you’re climbing around the South Island, Rock Deluxe gives a good overview of the best climbing areas. The Wānaka Rock Climbing Club Facebook page is a great place to meet climbing partners and get the latest beta.
You are best to come with all your own gear as gear rental options are limited and impossible for items such as ropes and quickdraws. If you are travelling light with just your rock shoes there are a couple of small bouldering areas; Lakeside and Luggate Boulders being the most well-known. Once you’re geared up, let the fun begin!
Riverside is a justifiably popular crag with a range of grades (including beginner options), a great picnic spot and of course the Motatapu River is right there for a mid or post-climb dip. Wade upstream for the harder routes at Garden Bar and Toad Hall.
For a multipitch classic, you can’t go past Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out (16) on Little Big Wall – just make sure you have double ropes for the 40m free-hanging abseil descent!
Sunnyside is Wanaka’s best winter crag, basking in full sun. Although the routes are mostly on the shorter side, there are dozens of climbs over a range of grades.
Road Side Attraction is, as the name suggests, right next to the road. Easy access, a range of grades and climbable in all-seasons; it’s a popular choice. Shortcut to Exposure (17), Aretenaphobia (20) and Everything But The Formalities (22) are three of the classics.
