2. NZ
  3. South Island
  4. Otago
  5. Dunedin/Otago Peninsula
  6. Long Beach

Long Beach

(197 routes)

The main period of route development at Long Beach was in the early 1980s, when the adventure ethic was pre-eminent, and many routes from this era are sparsely bolted by today’s standards. Considerable ability, ingenuity and experience is needed to protect many climbs adequately using natural pro – sportclimbers beware! The easy cracks of the Pinnacle often offer only adequate protection in often friable rock.
You’ll need a comprehensive rack of CDs (including the smallest sizes) and wires (don’t forget the RPs). Double bolt belays service all Main Cliff climbs, and most of the Pinnacle.
To add to your recreational enjoyment, expect some long run-outs, friable, lichenous and sandy holds, loose blocks and great moves, occasionally even great climbs. In keeping with the sportclimbing revolution, later developed climbs are mostly well bolted. Chalk up, take a deep breath, check your runners and go for it!

Type: 
Crag
Altitude: 
5m
Aspect: 
East
Walk time: 
5 min
Access: 

From Dunedin, drive to Port Chalmers (12 km). Immediately after the 50 km speed limit sign, turn left up the hill for 300m (signposted to Purakaunui and Long Beach), then right to climb the hill past Scott’s Memorial. Follow the Purakaunui road and turn off right at 22 km to descend to the Long Beach township. Turn left at the domain, drive past the public toilets (there are no toilet facilities in the crag area) and park at the far end of the cricket field. Walk along the track for a couple of minutes; look to your left 30m before reaching the beach and you’ll see a large detached block with a compact, rectangular face. This is the Dragon’s Lair. Manhattan and Southern Walls are accessed up and behind this block. Areas and climbs are described from left to right.

New Zealand map

Map, Topo

Lat/Lon: 
-45.748755400000, 170.643245600000
NZMS260: 
I44 265928
Topo50: 
CE17 167 312
Attribution: 
Dave Brash. Plus the following people supplied route information and/or read drafts: Calum Hudson, Steve Carr, Murray Judge, Marcus Thomas, Kevin Donoghue, Mike Simpson, Andy MacDonald, Simon Cox, Al Mark, Andy Milne, Bob Cunninghame and Laurie Kennedy.

Places

Type Title Edit link
Wall Manhattan/Southern Wall (13 routes)
Wall Southern Wall (15 routes)
Wall Dragon’s Lair (12 routes)
Wall Teddy Bears Slab (6 routes)
Wall Bolt Suburbia (6 routes)
Wall Philanderer Wall (5 routes)
Wall Bolt City (16 routes)
Wall Main Cliff - Left Side (12 routes)
Wall Main Cliff Central (10 routes)
Wall Main Cliff Right Side (18 routes)
Wall Pinnacle Backside (17 routes)
Wall Pinnacle - Lower Sunnyside (19 routes)
Wall Pinnacle - Upper Sunnyside (14 routes)
Wall North Buttress (14 routes)
Wall The Cave (17 routes)
Wall Dry-Tooling Cave (3 routes)

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