Everything you need to know about Castle Hill New Zealand (Kura Tawhiti).

Everything you need to know about Castle Hill New Zealand (Kura Tawhiti).

Castle Hill New Zealand is an incredible natural, historical and cultural wonder of New Zealand's South Island. Here's everything you need to know about planning a trip to the limestone formations at Castle Hill (Kura Tawhiti).

Castle Hill, also known as Kura Tawhiti by the indigenous Ngai Tahu Maori tribe, is one of the most popular stops on the scenic Arthur's Pass Drive. Visiting this geological wonder is much more than your usual pit stop, as there is plenty to do and a lot to learn about New Zealand's geology and history.

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Where is Castle Hill New Zealand?

The famous Castle Hill rocks are located in the Kura Tawhiti / Castle Hill Nature Reserve, approximately 54 km from Arthur's Pass and 150 km from Christchurch.

You will find the nature reserve between Darfield and Arthur’s Pass.

There is a small community nearby that shares the same name. So if you're looking for quick plug-in directions on Google, make sure you don't miss the Castle Hill rocks. I have marked the location of the parking lot on the map below.

COMPLETE GUIDE: 9 EPIC THINGS IN ARTHUR’S PASS

Best Castle Hill Tour from Christchurch

You want to go to Castle Hill but don't have your own vehicle. You're lucky.

There is a tour that runs from Christchurch specifically to Caterbury's most impressive natural wonder.

You can book either a private or shared tour experience. Either way, you'll receive a professional local guide who will show you the best highlights along the way along the Great Alpine Highway.

Book: Full day trip from Christchurch

How to get to Castle Hill independently

Getting there requires a gradual elevation gain on the incredibly scenic Arthurs Pass (Highway 73 – West Coast Road). Arthur’s Pass Road is well maintained and sealed throughout.

Access to the famous geological site is via the huge parking lot with many street signs. It is very hard to miss as you will see the large limestone cliffs lining the slopes from both directions of the road.

From the parking lot there is a clear, open and marked path to access the boulders where you are free to explore or follow the designated tracks.

RELATED: 6 epic things to do in the Catlins on a New Zealand road trip

About Castle Hill (Kura Tawhiti)

Altitude: 700M
Hiking Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes – 2 hours

The Castle Hill Rocks Site is a New Zealand Nature Reserve and also has Topuni status, meaning Ngai Tahu values ​​are respected and upheld.

The parking lot is large and can accommodate both regular cars and RVs. There is also a public toilet on site.

How were the rocks formed?

New Zealand has one of the most rapidly changing and diverse landscapes in the world. To illustrate this, the Castle Hill Nature Reserve (now at over 700m above sea level) was once beneath a large inland sea known as the Waimakariri Basin.

The limestone cliffs were formed by years of sediment compression and then sculpted by erosion after a major uplift event. This unique type of landscape is known as karst landscape.

You can learn a lot about the geology of the region at the many DOC information boards around the parking lot and the nature reserve.
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Indigenous history and rock art

Indigenous Ngai Tahu tribes place great value on the Kura Tawhiti area. There are historical rock carvings and artwork at two separate rest areas within the nature reserve.

Things to do in Castle Hill New Zealand

Now that you have a little background, you may be wondering; “Well, what can I do here?”

Whether you're a history buff, Lord of the Rings fan, climber, hiker or just looking to pass the time, there's plenty to do in Castle Hill New Zealand.

Hiking trails and trails – Kura Tawhiti Hiking

There are several hiking trails and trails that wind through the limestone formations. Many climb high vantage points that give you some pretty epic views of the entire site.

Tracking pigs back

The main track that continues from the car park and winds through the grounds of Castle Hill is known as the Hogs Back Track. This is very easy to find, but you don't have to strictly stick to the route.

I decided to just explore the area, take some photos and climb some of the boulders to get some unique angles and views.
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Your best choice for hiking and walking around Castle Hill is to simply explore freely!

Climbing and bouldering at Castle Hill

There are several climbing and bouldering rocks around Castle Hill. Although I love climbing, I won't pretend to be an expert in the sport. If you have crash mats or ropes and climbing gear then you will have a great time.

Information about climbing Castle Hill can be found here.
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Watch the sunset

If the confusing and unpredictable weather at Arthur’s Pass allows, watching the sunset at Castle Hill is definitely a good choice. The limestone formations create a unique and beautiful landscape that is a photographer's dream.
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Capture the night sky

Arthur’s Pass Road is known for offering some of the best night skies for astro enthusiasts. This is due to the remoteness and altitude.

Unfortunately we didn't have clear skies as we stayed near Castle Hill. If you do this, be sure to share the photos!

RELATED: Earnslaw Burn New Zealand – hike with epic glacier views near Glenorchy

Visit the nearby Cave Stream Scenic Reserve

For those looking for a rugged and epic caving experience, I highly recommend visiting the nearby Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

This is a unique caving experience with bolted ladders and ropes to help you navigate the cave against a flowing stream. If you're up for an underrated and wild adventure, be sure to leave enough time to visit the Cave Stream to Castle Hill.
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Castle Hill Lord of the Rings scene

Castle Hill New Zealand was the chosen location for one of my favorite scenes in The Lord of the Rings. If you're a LoTR geek like me, then this fact will probably be a big motivator for wanting to visit Castle Hill.

Castle Hill appears in the iconic Lord of the Rings scene, where the Fellowship rests on a rocky plateau on the way to the Misty Mountains. They all enjoy some food and laugh while fencing.

Here is the iconic scene for reference (starts at 1:03).

Where to stay near Castle Hill

Looking for accommodation near Castle Hill? When I traveled to New Zealand's South Island on my most recent trip, I stayed in a spaceship that allowed me to get around easily and camp for free at freedom campsites throughout New Zealand.

Below I'll link some of the most popular accommodation options in Castle Hill New Zealand as well as the free campsite I stayed at.

Castle Hill accommodation

• Forest Lodge – Die einzige Unterkunft in Castle Hill. Diese Unterkunft im Backpacker-Stil bietet einen atemberaubenden Bergblick und liegt nur 7 km vom Mount Cheeseman entfernt.
• Porters Lodge – Etwas weiter den State Highway 73 hinunter, abseits der ausgetretenen Pfade und mit atemberaubender Aussicht auf die Hügel des Cragieburn Valley.
• Springfield Motel and Lodge – Dieses Motel liegt nicht so nah an Castle Hill wie die anderen. Wenn Sie jedoch auf dem Arthur’s Pass nach Süden zurück nach Christchurch fahren, dann wäre dies ein sinnvoller Zwischenstopp nach dem Besuch von Kura Tawhiti.

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Campsites and freedom camping

There are a few campsites along Arthur’s Pass. I decided to stay at Andrew’s Shelter campground since it was free.

The road out here is very scenic, but a bit of a detour and gets a little bumpy. Still, there's nothing a normal 2WD can't handle in normal weather. However, the sandflies here were absolutely brutal, so be prepared.
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You also have the option to stay overnight in the Okuku reserve. This site is a paid DOC campsite, meaning it is still affordable. Reviews say the sandfly problem is still present here, as in most of Arthur's Pass and the West Coast, so I think it's just something you need to deal with.
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If you missed my tips above, you may not be aware of the great camping apps available for road trippers in New Zealand. I used the Spaceship app as well as Campermate to find sleeping spaces and other useful facilities.

Castle Hill New Zealand: Words from the Dalai Lama

Did you know that the Dalai Lama visited Castle Hill on his trip to New Zealand in 2002 and declared the hill the spiritual center of the universe?

More photos of Castle Hill New Zealand

Here are some more photos of Castle Hill New Zealand that I hope will encourage you to visit this historic nature reserve.
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More things to do near Castle Hill

Looking for more things to do in New Zealand's South Island? In the list below you will find a range of free travel articles and hiking guides.

If you have any questions or updated information about visiting Castle Hill New Zealand, please help fellow travelers by leaving a comment below!

MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT

• Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
• Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
• Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
• Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
• Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
• Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
• Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip

For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.

If you would like to use any of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs deductions of images on We Seek Travel.
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