Castle Hill, Limestone rock climbing site in Selwyn District, New Zealand
The natural formation features large limestone boulders spread across a high country landscape at 700 meters elevation between Springfield and Arthur's Pass.
The limestone extracted from Castle Hill contributed to the construction materials used in building the ChristChurch Cathedral during its early development phase.
The Ngai Tahu people name this location Kura Tawhiti, and the area contains 500-year-old charcoal drawings created by early Maori inhabitants.
Visitors access the limestone formations through the Kura Tawhiti track, which extends 1.5 kilometers from the main parking area with basic toilet facilities.
The Castle Hill buttercup grows exclusively in this region, protected within the Lance McCaskill Nature Reserve established in the 1950s.
Location: Selwyn District
Elevation above the sea: 920 m
GPS coordinates: -43.22870,171.71640
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:20
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