Onkaparinga Gorge
Also known as: Onkaparinga River NP
Onkaparinga-Gorge; permanent-rock-pools; Fleurieu-Peninsula
The climbing
What there is to climb at Onkaparinga Gorge, and whether a mixed-ability group can split up here.
~86 climbs (theCrag)
Blades Of Glory 21; Stalagmite Addiction 24; One Hold One Quest 26; Red Corvette 22
sport-leads-Red-Cliff; trad-Top-Cliff; toprope-options; multiple-sectors-for-splitting
gate-15-Chapel-Hill-Rd; Top-Cliff-has-stairs; 15-20min-to-river-sectors; suits-mixed-groups
Rock & setting
quartzite-siltstone; variable-some-friable
quartzite-siltstone; single-pitch-walls-to-30m; sport-and-trad; steep-pockety-sport-on-Red-Cliff
Red-Cliff-and-Waterloo-Wall-sunny; limited-shade
moderate; one-of-Adelaide's-two-main-crags; quieter-sectors-exist
Season & conditions
dry-most-year; low-water-late-spring-to-autumn; winter-river-can-block-access
Mar-May; Sep-Nov
permanent-rock-pools-swimming-warm-months
summer-heat-sun-trap; fire-danger; winter-river-crossings
Approach & gear
Onkaparinga-River-National-Park; designated-climbing-zone; free-day-access; follow-park-rules. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
50m-to-track-then-15-20min-to-river-sectors; Top-Cliff-via-stairs
~35km-S-of-Adelaide; via-McLaren-Vale-Chapel-Hill-Rd; car; park-gate-15. Confirm.
sport-draws-plus-trad-rack; generally-good-reception
no-camping-in-park; McLaren-Vale-or-Adelaide-lodging
carpark; limited-facilities; toilets-at-main-park-areas
Bolting & safety
sport-bolts-and-fixed-anchors-Red-Cliff; trad-Top-Cliff; check-fixed-gear. Confirm.
heat; friable-rock; river-crossing; snakes
not-required; commercial-abseil-climb-tours-operate
reception-ok; SA-Ambulance-SES; Noarlunga-hospital-nearby
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand crag report. Coordinates are approximate.