Love to feel an adrenaline rush? When you’re not picnicking off the side of a cliff, why don’t you climb your way across the highest peak of Mount Buller? And you won’t be hiking via solid ground. Instead, you’ll be experiencing Australia’s first ever via ferrata, or iron path. Climb across the west face of the summit with the help of fixed anchors, steel cables, ladders, bridges and handholds. There’s already a route that you can take, and a second, more challenging course, will be ready by the middle of summer. RockWire is available for bookings on Mount Buller now, and the current season will run until April 30, 2025.
RockWire at Mount Buller
This heart-racing method of travel was popularised in World War One, when soldiers needed a way to travel through the Dolomites. Now, there’s hundreds of routes in Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and more.
These guided tours at RockWire are great for both beginners and experienced climbers. Meet your guide at the Village Square, then drive together to the summit carpark for the start of your adventure. First, you’ll need to walk the steep track the climbing route. You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to complete the 1.5km walk, and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Mount Buffalo, Mount Stirling, Lake Eildon and more. All of this walking is also a great way to warm you up for the via ferrata route.
The current available route, Route 1, will take you across the west face of the summit. It traverses two main rock bands, and has two wire bridges and wire ladders, as well as plenty of metal foot and hand holds. Get securely fastened to a steel cable, then make your heart-pumping journey. As you scale the cliff, be sure to look around and take in stunning views of the Delatite Valley, which will unfold 1000 metres below you.
Route 2, which is set to open this summer, will take you onto more challenging terrain. It will be higher, steeper and more exposed.
This thrilling experience takes about 4.5 hours to complete. To take on this experience, you will need to be over 120cm tall and between 40 and 120kg. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing for alpine conditions, and bring a backpack for water, snacks and sun protection.