Point Perpendicular

Point Perpendicular was named by Captain James Cook during his infamous voyage to Australia in 1770 in search of new routes. Since then a number of other well known people have visited Point Perp and it now boasts several hundred routes on dozens of different cliffs.

The climbs are extremely varied in style, rock quality, position and protection. Generally speaking the climbing is adventurous and the gear is a combination of the odd bolt and natural protection. There are a few completely bolted routes. Many of the cliffs are accessed by abseil, so a static rope is handy. This is best left in place and prussiks and jumars should be carried! Where the rock is good, for example in the Lighthouse Area, the climbing is fantastic. The grades range from 3 to 27 but anything under about 15 is generally worthless!

ROCK: Sandstone, where the best bits have been strengthened by remobilised silica.
Robyn Cleland on Liquid Insanity (23), Lighthouse Area.

LOCATION: Point Perpendicular is about 3 hours drive from Sydney or 3.5 from Canberra. Take the Princess Hwy south from Sydney. After crossing the Shoalhaven River as you come into Nowra hang a left at the third set of traffic lights, following the signs to Currarong. The northern areas are accessed from near the shops in Piscator St. You will need a guide book! For the southern cliffs turn right onto Lighthouse Road just before Currarong. Much of this peninsula is controlled by the Department of Defence (Navy) as a gunnery range. All access to the southern cliffs is through the boom gate beside the Ranges€ office at the beginning of Lighthouse Road. Access is not allowed during bombing, otherwise you can roam the peninsular at any time. It is almost guarantied to be open on the weekends. Some of the best cliffs are at the end of Lighthouse Road.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: You can climb here all year round. The biggest weather problem can be the high winds at times.

CAMPING: Camping on the peninsular itself is only permitted at Honeymoon Bay which can be crowded at times. It is only open on the weekends (6pm Friday to 6am Monday), long weekends and NSW school holidays. Bookings are necessary in busy periods (Christmas and Easter). For bookings and bombing times Phone: (02) 44 483 248 (Ranger€s Office). You can also camp in a more formal caravan park in Currarong for a similar price.

RECOMMENDED READING: Beecroft Peninsula, A climbing guide to Point Perpendicular, Complied by Mike Peck and John Churchill. A new guide is in the pipeline.

RECOMMENDED CLIFFS AND ROUTES: - all require mixed gear ber Publication PO Box 74 KEIRAVILLE NSW 2500. A new edition of this guide will appear in early 2000.
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Cliff Grades Comments
Lighthouse Area 15-26 Long, pumpy faces - rap in
Windjammer Wall 17-26 Cracks and steep faces, Fantastic wall - rap in
Mussel Beach 17-25 Needs more lower-offs. Walk in area, not exposed
 
 
Climbing Locations