Where you can rock climb in Adelaide’s national parks

The ter­rain in South Australia’s nation­al parks not only lends itself to relax­ing activ­i­ties like camp­ing and for­est bathing, but also activ­i­ties that will real­ly get your adren­a­line pumping.

Rock climb­ing is one of them. It’s an activ­i­ty you can learn to do as a begin­ner with an expe­ri­enced guide, or enjoy as a sea­soned veteran.

Here are two nation­al parks in Ade­laide that will rock your socks off:

1. Onka­paringa Riv­er Nation­al Park

With gorge cliffs up to 30 metres high and large per­ma­nent rock pools, Onka­paringa Riv­er Nation­al Park is a rock climber’s paradise.

Locat­ed 35 kilo­me­tres south of Adelaide’s CBD, the park has a ded­i­cat­ed rock climb­ing zone.

The climb­ing area offers top rope and lead climb­ing, and can be found just a short walk from the car park at Gate 15 on Chapel Hill Road.

Why not book a camp­site at Pink Gum Camp­ground and make a week­end of it?

2. Mori­al­ta Con­ser­va­tion Park

Locat­ed only 10 kilo­me­tres east of the CBD, Mori­al­ta is one of Adelaide’s climb­ing hot spots.

It’s pop­u­lar for expe­ri­enced and begin­ners as there are climbs of vary­ing dif­fi­cul­ties. Here you’ll find both top rope and lead climbing.

Dur­ing your climb, you’ll be able to take in the amaz­ing views of Fourth Creek gul­ly toward Adelaide.

You’ll find the climb­ing area off Nor­ton Sum­mit Road between First and Third Falls.

Nev­er tried rock climb­ing before but want to start?

Let’s face it, rock climb­ing has the poten­tial to be a dan­ger­ous activ­i­ty and care must be tak­en. If this is an activ­i­ty you’ve nev­er tried before, it’s rec­om­mend­ed that you are guid­ed by a qual­i­fied instruc­tor.

You can even join a rock climb­ing club, which is a great option if you’d pre­fer to climb in company.

Won­der­ing what to pack on your next rock climb­ing adven­ture? Find out what an expert climber puts in their bag.