Bouldering Castle Hill

Private Guided Caving & Castle Hill Day Tour

Experience an incredible day trip as you explore two stunning natural wonders in the Canterbury region. Start with caving at Cave Stream, where a friendly local guide will help you safely navigate through the breathtaking rock formations and underground passages. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely stroll among the impressive limestone boulders at Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti. This adventure is a must for anyone visiting Christchurch!

Highlights

• Scenic drive S.H 73 “The Great Alpine Highway.”
• Explore Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti
• Guided caving trip through “Cave Stream.”
• Local guide
• Small-group tour
• Transport with A/C

Private Guided Caving & Castle Hill Tour Itinerary

You will be picked up from your accommodation, the meeting point in Christchurch, or Lyttelton Port.

We start our adventure by travelling west towards the mountains across the flat farmland of the Canterbury plains. After 45 minutes, we stop at the famous “Sheffield Pie Shop” (lunch is provided, but you might like to sample a classic Kiwi pie) before continuing our journey to Cave Stream.

Cave Stream

Once arriving at Cave Stream, your guide will kit you out with caving gear and provide a safety briefing before heading down to the cave entrance. The 600-meter limestone cave follows an underground river and takes most groups 45-60 minutes to complete. Inside the limestone cave, the crystal-clear water flows through large chambers and over small waterfall steps. The cave gets as narrow as a standard hallway, and you can always stand up inside. The final section has a 5-meter fixed ladder to climb past the largest waterfall as we exit the cave. This is a favourite of children and adults and a great way to spend a family day out. Please check our website for age requirements on this trip.

Back at the car park, hot drinks and a picnic lunch will be provided while you enjoy the mountain views. From here, it’s a short drive to Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti.

Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti

Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti is an amazing labyrinth of giant limestone boulders in the Craigieburn Basin, an area surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. The area is rich with cultural and recreational significance and has been granted Tōpuni status, “a symbolic cloak of protection.” It’s well worth a visit, as it is known internationally as a world-class climbing, bouldering, and film-making destination.

Your guide will show you around, and if you like, you can try bouldering and test your climbing skills or use your time here to explore the endless maze of boulders.

On the way back, a short break in Springfield allows for a photo with the giant doughnut, the history of which your guide will explain. Once back in town, you will be dropped off at your accommodation or pickup point.