Be Prepared

We are extremely fortunate to be able to continue operating and we couldn't think of a better place to breathe in the fresh air, soak up some sunshine and simply get away into the wilderness for some good old fashioned FUN!

To continue to be able to provide a safe and healthy experience for everyone, we will be asking all climbers prior to the climb if they have any cold or flu symptoms, including fever and sore throat. We will cancel any persons who do not pass our screening.  

Some of the additional measures we are undertaking are:

• Screening all climbers before they start the trip
• Hand washing prior and after the tour
• Keeping safe distances in open air at all times
• Travel to the waterfall in separate vehicle. Self-drive only.

On cold days, staying warm is the most important thing when considering what to wear. The best way to do this is to dress in layers.

Clothes designed for outdoor/ exercise are best. Polypropylene, Thermal, Quick-dry, and Wool are all good choices.  If you can, avoid cotton. Cotton, when wet makes you colder. If in doubt, bring more, you can always leave layers at the bottom or put them in your pack if you don't need them. 

Example of Recommended Clothing:

- Head: Thin hat to fit under your helmet
- Hands: Fingerless bike gloves with thin polypro gloves underneath.
- Top Layer 1: Polypro or thermal top
- Top Layer 2: Mid-weight fleece
- Top Layer 3: Insulated layer such as a thin synthetic down jacket or fleece jacket.
- Top Layer 4: Waterproof layer
- Bottom Layer 1: Polypro or thermal Bottoms
- Bottom Layer 2: Trekking pants or shorts
- Feet: Warm sock and hiking boots

If it is forecasted to rain on the day, you may also want to bring extra gloves and a change of clothes for when you finish your climb.

We also have some extra clothes. If you don't think you have suitable clothing, please let us know before your climb.

We will do our best to accommodate last minute bookings. Please call  0800 WILDWIRE or email info@wildwire.co.nz to confirm any booking within 12 hours of departure. 

Absolutely! By letting us know you are keen to join that tour, we will either endeavor to open up some more spaces for that trip, or let you know other alternate options we can offer. We will always get back to you regardless and do our best to accommodate when possible!

You are required to meet at the pickup point you have selected (Wanaka isite or Wildwire Office) when booking 30 minutes prior to your trip departure time.  If you are meeting us out at the waterfall location, we will send you driving directions and meeting time. Due to our guides working to a tight schedule, we will be unable to wait for, or refund any persons that are late. 

Please Note: Self-Drive ONLY in Level 1. If you do not have your own transport, please contact us for a pickup. 

We have 3 options to choose from. Please let us know if you wish to change your pickup point if this is different to what you have booked so we don't leave you behind! 

Choose Wanaka isite if you do not have your own transport, and require a town centre pickup. 

Choose Wildwire Office if you would like to meet us at our office and take our transport out to the waterfall. There is plenty of free street parking. The office is located 5 minutes drive from the town centre. 

Choose Self Drive to Waterfall if you would like to meet us at the climbing location.  The waterfall is a 20 minute drive from Wanaka, and is on the way to the Mt Aspiring National Park, Rob Roy Glacier, and in close proximity to Roys Peak and Rocky Mountain hikes.  Please contact us for meeting point instructions.

First of all, bring your sense of adventure!

Make sure to wear sturdy shoes with some grip and clothes suitable for the weather on the day (See WHAT CLOTHING SHOULD I WEAR IN WINTER if you are unsure about how to dress on cold days). Please bring a rain jacket if weather requires. 

Here is a list of other items you may wish to bring along:
- small backpack
- a water bottle
- small camera
- sunglasses
- sun protection (hat and sun block) 
- something to swim in (if you love cold water!)
- a small towel (if you plan to dunk yourself in the waterfall) 
- extra snacks etc if you are feeling hungry. 

What will be provided on the trip?
We will provide:
- your guide and training,
- helmets, harness, via ferrata lanyard and safety equipment
- on standard tours *we provide snacks and courtesy transport to/from Wanaka town centre. *Snacks and transport not included on special deals and Koha tours.

Expect loads of fun, an amazing adventure and incredible scenery on all tours. You will be briefed on safety and via ferrata systems before you start by your guide. Be prepared for walking up and down trails that are steep in sections. On the via ferrata, you will be climbing ladder rungs that run next to the waterfall and crossing bridges over the waterfall. You will be required to clip and unclip your via ferrata lanyard along the way. You will not get wet, however, you may get your feet wet at times. There are opportunities to swim in hidden pools and picnic along the way. The activity is not difficult, however you will be required to climb up ladder rungs. On the trek your feet will be mainly on solid ground, however, you will be required to use via ferrata safety systems in some places. Please note: There is limited cell phone coverage at the waterfall

The trip must reach a minimum number of 2 to run. If your tour is cancelled due to minimum number we will do our best to reschedule you at a time that suits. If this is not possible, we will refund your tour.

Please Note: In Level 1 - Self Drive is the Only Option.

The waterfall is located approximately a 20 minute drive from Wanaka with plenty of parking.  The waterfall is the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park and the Rob Roy Glacier track, with Roys Peak walk, Diamond Lake, Glendhu Bay, and the Rippon Winery all in close proximity.

If you are travelling from Queenstown on the day of your climb, please allow at least 2 hours for the journey to allow for road closures, slow traffic, and weather conditions. The tour will not wait for you!

If you are travelling by bus, Ritchies Transport run a daily service in the morning and afternoon.

Go Wild is our shortest and easiest climb, including approximately 1hr of climbing and is achievable by nearly everyone. If you can climb a ladder then you can do it. 

Wild Thing continues on from Go Wild and adds around another 2 hours of climbing. It is steeper, more exposed and longer. Technically, it isn’t much harder than Go Wild, but it is higher off the ground.

Lord of the Rungs is our advanced climb, it add around 1-2 hours more climbing after completing Wild Thing and includes going behind a 60m waterfall, an overhang and a Helicopter descent. Good fitness and a sense of adventure is required for this climb.

GO WILD – B
WILD THING – C
LORD OF THE RUNGS – D

Our rating system is based on the international grading system (below.)

Depending on guide availability and climber ability, you may be able to upgrade your climb on the day.  If you think this may be an option for you, please let us know when you book and we will look to accommodate this if possible. Please note upgrades are not always guaranteed.

Upgrade Go Wild to Wild Thing – $75.00 per person
Upgrade Wild Thing to Lord of the Rungs – $350.00 per person

We recommend eating a good breakfast or lunch before your climb, as it may be up to 4 hours of climbing until we reach our lunch spot. 

PLEASE NOTE: We do not include snacks or water on our tours.  You can order a delicious deli made gourmet sandwich and brownie separately at the time of booking, or by contacting us for an additional $15 per person. 

You are also welcome to BYO, the choice is yours! 

Minimum age on our group departures is 9 years on Go Wild and  12 years on Wild Thing.  Please contact us to discuss further, sometimes we can make exceptions for active and confident children. Minimum again for Lord of the Rungs is 15. If you are under 16, you must climb our via ferrata with an adult guardian. For adventurous children under 9 a private tour may be an option. Please ring us to discuss. All minors (16 years and under) require and adult guardian’s signature on their waiver. There are no upper age limits to this activity.

Minimum height requirements to climb the waterfall is 120cm. Our minimum weight requirement is 25kgs. 
There are no maximum height restrictions.

Our harnesses are rated to a maximum of 120kgs, and we recommend those over 100kg have good strength and general fitness. 
The maximum waist measurements for our harnesses are 100cm, and leg loops 70cm. 

Rain generally does not effect the running of our tours. If rain is forecast, please come prepared with a rain jacket and study shoes / boots. We will provide gloves.

In the event of heavy rain, we will contact you the morning of your climb and discuss further options with you. If you don’t hear from us, we are good to go! Please meet us at the confirmed time as planned.

Sometimes the weather is such that if you are booked on Lord of the Rungs the helicopter can not fly. In these cases, if you start the climb and the helicopter is cancelled, we will charge only for the Wild Thing and refund the rest.

No. Our via ferrata ia a commercially run tour only, and is located on private land. Any persons accessing the land without permission will be presented with a trespass order. You can book a tour with us online however if you wish to explore the waterfall, it is an amazing trip and we would love to take you up there! 

Yes! You can guy a voucher for any of our climbs. 

Simply click on the climb you wish to buy, and chose the GIFT CARD option underneath the booking calendar. You will have 12 months to use the voucher, and you can also add money to the voucher and upgrade your climb also! 

No. Our number 1 focus remain on our guests safety first. While the guides seem relaxed and easy going, they are constantly ensuring that everyone is clipping properly. They are focused and monitoring energy levels of people as they climb, assessing how everyone is coping, watching for changes in weather and environment, and offering any encouragement where needed. 
For this reason, we do not ask our guides to take photos or videos as part of their role. We are happy for them to take a few photos if the group is strong, however we do not want this to be their main focus.  Not everyone is comfortable up high, and while our system is very safe, we still must remember that we are operating in a mountain environment and need our guides to be focused on safety the entire time. 
Our clients are encouraged to take their own photos and we also have GoPro mounts on our helmets. 

Our pregnancy policy allows those who are up to 12 weeks pregnant to climb with us.