Conquer Mt Buller's Summit on the new guided Via Ferrata RockWire climb
RockWire Mt Buller
Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you take on the highest peak of Mt Buller! With RockWire, Australia’s first via ferrata, you’ll experience breathtaking views while climbing your way across the Summit’s west face. This thrilling journey features fixed anchors, steel cables, ladders, bridges, and handholds that will have your heart racing and your spirits soaring.
RockWire has two routes. Route 1 is when you're starting out climbing or new to via ferratae. Route 2 offers a more challenging option for those looking to extend themselves with steeper climbs and trickier holds for hands and feet.
Safety is our priority, so you’ll be securely hooked onto cables and guided by a skilled climbing instructor, ensuring you feel confident as you navigate this stunning landscape. Whether you're a novice or an experienced climber, RockWire lets you safely enjoy the thrill of high-altitude exploration.
The term "via ferrata" means "iron way," and it all started in Italy during WWI. Paths through the treacherous Dolomite mountains were built to help soldiers cross over them. Now, this exciting climbing experience has made its way to Australia, and RockWire is proud to be the first in Australia to offer it to you! So gear up, grab your friends, and get ready to adventure beyond the edge!
How it works
Book your guided tour on RockWire's Route 1 or Route 2 during the summer green season and get ready for an exhilarating experience!
Your skilled guide will help you navigate your chosen route, ensuring your safety with specialised cables and lanyards equipped with secure carabiners. Access to the routes are exclusively granted to tours with a RockWire guide. It will take about 4.5 to 5 hours to complete the experience; from first meeting, gearing up, climbing and returning. This includes a ~1.5km hike from the car park up and along the rocky ridge of the summit to get to and from the climbing route.
Who is it for?
RockWire Route 1 is for those looking for a new adventure, especially people who are comfortable with heights. You don’t need to have climbing experience, but a reasonable level of fitness is required to climb, enjoy and move along the route. You will need to be able to climb short but steep hikes and climb a ladder with ease.
To participate, you must be:
13+ years old
at least 120cm tall
within the range of 40kg to 120kg
RockWire Route 2. To complete this route you must have competently completed Route 1 previously or be an experienced outdoor climber. This route is steeper, more physically demanding and a whole lot more exposed to the heights of the cliff than Route 1. Overall it's more challenging but gives you a great sense of achievement to complete.
13+ years old
at least 140cm tall (please note this is taller than Route 1's requirement)
within the range of 40kg to 120kg
if under 15yo must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
be physically fit enough to hike/climb for up to 5 hours.
be able to hold your body weight with your upper body (ie hang from a bar)
be comfortable with heights and exposure on a cliff (significantly more than route 1)
If you have questions about whether it's for you - just ask us and wherever possible we'll offer a safe and fun climb for everyone.
What to Bring
The mountains are known for sudden weather changes, so come prepared for all sorts of weather - often in the same day!
WE PROVIDE
YOU PROVIDE
RockWire guide
Activewear clothing
Harness
Small backpack
Helmet
Water bottle and snacks
Lanyards
Sunglasses
Carabiners
Warm layers
Waterproof jacket
Shoes with good tread (hiking boots are ideal)
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Explore Route 1
Route 1 opened in the Summer of 23/24 along the west face of the Summit of Mt Buller. Route 2 is being built as we speak and will be ready by mid-summer 24/25, with a 3rd route in the pipeline!
To access the route, your guide will take you to the Summit and lead you along the west ridge to the start of the route. This is a grade 3 hike.
Route 1 is the easiest option and perfect for your first time on the Via Ferrata. This route traverses along two main rock bands. It has two wire bridges and one ladder to help you scale the exposed west face and get your blood pumping! The Delatite Valley 1000m below is beautiful and spectacular and creates the sense of a true alpine adventure. RockWire has a continual cable system – once you are safely hooked on you can’t come off until you finish - so you can enjoy the journey knowing you are safe!
Explore Route 2
Route 2 is brand new this summer. It offers the next step up in your via ferrata adventure and a greater challenge for more experienced climbers. Steeper, tougher and bigger than Route 1, It requires more strength and comfort with heights and exposure on a cliff. And for the even more skilled climbers, there is still a 3rd even more advanced route in the pipeline!
To access the route, your guide will take you to the Summit and lead you along the west ridge to the start. This is a grade 3 hike.
What to expect
As you embark on your alpine adventure, here's what you can look forward to:
Meet your guide at Altitude retail shop in the Village Square. Gear up and receive your safety equipment (harness and helmet and more), and check you have everything you need (see the above checklist). Your guide will explain safety and how to behave on the route. This is the perfect time for questions.
Shuttle up to the summit car park. Your group will all board the RockWire bus up to the start of the hike.
Hike to the beginning of the RockWire route. This is not a stroll, it's about a grade 3 hike and is a good 25 minutes of steep hiking up a 1.5 km track that is high, rocky, and steep on an exposed ridge - the views and heights will really get you feeling what it will be like on the cliff! The perfect warm-up for a via ferrata climb.
Reach the start of the via ferrata route: you will be shown how to use your equipment on the route and get started climbing.
Route 1.
Length: 400M
Start point altitude: 1722M
Lowest point altitude: 1644M
Time: ~3-4 hours
Route2.
Length:
Start point altitude:
Lowest point altitude:
Time: ~4-5 hours
Hike back down to the summit car park and be shuttled back to Altitude shop in the Village Square for hi-fives and celebrations of your daring feat!
Timing
Route 1: Please allow approximately 4.5 hours for the whole experience.
Morning Session: 8.00am to 12.30pm (includes gearing up)
Afternoon Session: 1.00pm to 5.30pm (includes gearing up)
Pricing for Summer 2024/25:
Route 1 Group Tours
Weekday
$199
Weekend/Public Holiday
$229
Route 1 Private Tours
Weekday
Weekend/Public Holiday
Up to 4 People
$995
$1145
5 People
$1244
$1431
6 People
$1493
$1718
Route 2 Group Tours
Weekday
$299
Weekend/Public Holiday
$344
Route 2 Private Tours
Weekday
Weekend/Public Holiday
Up to 4 People
$1495
$1720
5 People
$1869
$2150
6 People
$2243
$2580
2025 Winter Season Members offer:
Buy 1 get 1 FREE RockWire session for you and a mate this summer on route 1.
School Groups
RockWire Route 1 is ideally suited for schools and groups seeking team building and adventure. Our guides will tailor a climb to suit your group and abilities – contact us directly at bookings@rockwire.com.au with your request for a quote and booking availability. Please note all participants must also be 13+ years old and meet the height and weight requirements specified further above.
FAQs
Rockwire
The tour starts from Buller Sports Kooroora in the Village Square where you'll get your briefing, your harness and start to get excited!
Please make sure to arrive 30 minutes BEFORE the start of your tour. A shuttle to and from the Summit Area is provided.
Please allow 3.5 hours for your whole RockWire experience.
We supply you with a harness, helmet as well as Via Ferrata Lanyards and carabiners. You simply need to wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in and shoes that you would wear for a walk or playing sport.
No. We use purpose-built Via Ferrata lanyards and carabiners, specifically designed for the course and built to the highest safety standards. RockWire guides will teach you how to use the supplied equipment as part of the induction process and check equipment before and after each climb.
Make sure to wear appropriate footwear, such as sturdy hiking shoes/boots with some tread. Please note that participants with open-toed shoes/sandals are not permitted on the tour.
Dress for the weather and conditions (long sleeve shirts and pants recommended). In addition, we recommend taking at least 1 small backpack per group (in order to carry personal items such as extra layers, water bottles, sunscreen, snacks, insect repellent, etc.).
You must be at least 120cm tall and 40 kilos to participate.
Yes, a waiver must be signed by all adult participants prior to commencement of the tour. A waiver must also be signed by a legal guardian for all participants under the age of 18.
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