Diamond Lake & Hospital Flat conservation areas
Introduction
Near Lake Wanaka's western shores, both Diamond Lake and Hospital Flat conservation areas are major recreation attractions, especially for rock or sport climbers and walkers.
Features
Hospital Flat and its rocky challenges
Hospital Flat Conservation Area
Hospital Flat is an acclaimed rock or sport climbing area that wasn't named because it hospitalised climbers! Rather, it goes back to the earliest days of farming in the area when runholders and drovers bringing stock from up the valley would drop ailing stock off in the paddock at the base of the steep, rock encrusted cliff. Hence, Hospital Flat was where horses, sheep and cattle convalesced.
Hospital Flat is a boulder-strewn mountainside, the boulders being large and slab-faced ones that loom above the paddock below. The range of climbing challenges is large, from learning pitches through to internationally recognised routes that attract top overseas climbers.
One of Hospital Flat's many challenges
In sport climbing parlance the faces in this area have crimpy hand holds and good friction for the feet. They also have interesting names such as Tombstone, Disco Inferno and Lolly Gobble Bliss Bomb.
Diamond Lake Conservation Area
Diamond Lake, a kilometre up the road, was once a popular skating venue. Now it's a very popular walk to both the attractive hillside lake, with its marvellous views over Lake Wanaka, and on to Rocky Mountain at the top.
This conservation area also has very good rock climbing faces. They are south facing though and can become icy and difficult in winter.
Roadside Attraction and Riverside
There are two more recreation areas in the vicinity. Known as Roadside Attraction and Riverside, they too offer excellent rock climbing opportunities. There is easy access to both from the Matukituki Valley Road.
Location
12 kilometres from Wanaka township on Lake Wanaka's western shores.
Getting there
- Hospital Flat Conservation Area is just 12 kilometres from Wanaka township on the left of the road to the Matukituki Valley entrance to Mount Aspiring National Park.
- Diamond Lake Conservation Area is a kilometre further on the same road on the right.
- Roadside and Riverside are further up the Matuktuki Valley Road on the left.
Activities
Climbing
You can rock or sport climb in these areas.
Guides and commercial tourism providers