North-facing limestone crags that are generally weather proof. There are quite a few good climbs here at various grades, and a lot more climbing to be developed. The Arboretum comprises a set of crags about 60–80 metres high. Much of the rock is un-featured and routes tend to follow the large cracks which break up the cliff.
Characteristically the heart of Bullock Creek, in its Jurassic like setting, and its diverse climbing on rock that varies from solid-as to choss pile as you climb through the different layers of limestone. It offers up a handful of moderate multi-pitch adventures as well as some thought provoking trad lines. The Arboretum is also home to the notorious Gumboot Ledge, which has been described by one unnamed individual as "the best climbing at Bullock Creek!" and another as "it's as loose and dirty as the route developers." I'm leaning towards the latter, although Arc of a Diver and Plan B are both classic in their own right
Follow the track from the Arboretum parking (gravel pullout 4.7km from SH6 with a rock cairn). Follow the vague track through long grass and "the mangroves" to the sandy (and hopefully dry) riverbed. Walk downriver past the Forum to a trail marked "A1" on a sign hanging in a tree (just before the log jam). This track will take you to Arboretum (left) which includes While You See a Chance and Nevermind the Bullocks, both of these
climbs will give you access to the climbs on Gumboot Ledge. For the climbs at Arboretum (right) continue down the riverbed, through the ever-changing mess of logs where a sign stating "Fun Climbing" hung between two trees indicates the start of a marked track. 50m further when you reach a junction, turn left on the trail marked "A2". Take the rock stairs uphill. Squeeze past a tree and you will have reached the wall. The mellow left facing corner crack in front of you is Crackerjack.
Places
Type | Name |
---|---|
Sector | Gumboot Ledge |
Sector | Two Towers |
Routes
Reference | Title | Grade | Length | Pro | Quality | Operations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | While You See A Chance | 18 | 37m | 7 | ||
2 | Never Mind The Bullocks | 20 | 37m | 11 | ||
7 | Black Sheep | 19 | 40m | 6 | ||
8 | Blunt Arete | 19 | 20m | 8 | ||
9 | Rock Ahoy | 18 | 20m | 6 | ||
10 | Fresh Bananas | 19 | ||||
11 | Slanted and Enchanted | 18 | 18m | 4 | ||
12 | Nomad | 19 | ||||
13 | Short Story Long | 21 | 20m | 7 | ||
14 | With Friends Like These | 19 | 47m | 8 | ||
15 | Crackerjack | 13 |