Rock Climbing Castle Hill

Castle Hill Guided Shore Excursion

On this scenic guided shore excursion, we’ll explore one of Canterbury’s natural wonders, Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti. We’ll travel along the “Great Alpine Highway”, capturing the stunning views of the Canterbury Plains before making a stop in the rural town of Darfield for local treats. In Springfield, we’ll visit the giant doughnut statue and then traverse Porter’s Pass to reach the incredible boulder fields of Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti. Your local qualified guide will provide insights into the area’s cultural and geographical significance before a picnic lunch. We’ll then have time to explore the area at leisure before heading back to the port. This is a must-do trip for anyone visiting New Zealand.

• Scenic drive S.H 73 “The Great Alpine Highway.”
• Explore Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti.
• A guided walk around Castle Hill boulders.
• Learn about the cultural and natural history.
• Local guide.
• Small-group tour.
• Transport with A/C.
• Free time at Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti

Leaving Lyttelton, we head west towards the mountains across the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains. After 45 minutes, we stop in the small farming town of Darfield. We will provide lunch and afternoon tea, but you might like to sample some Kiwi cuisine or pick up a coffee from the local bakery. Continuing our journey across the plains, we pass through another small town named Springfield with its giant doughnut. Your guide will explain how the giant doughnut ended up here while snapping a photograph. From Springfield, it’s a 45-minute drive along “the Great Alpine Highway” to Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti conservation area. The road takes us over Porters Pass (900 m), past Lake Lyndon and through some High Country stations before reaching our destination. Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti is a maze of massive limestone boulders that sit in the heart of the Southern Alps. Once covered with an inland ocean, the area now sits 600m above sea level. The boulders have a special cultural significance to the local Māori people. The area is protected by Tōpuni status “A symbolic cloak of protection” to preserve and acknowledge the area. It’s a popular spot for rock climbing, bouldering, and filmmaking. Your guide will show you around the endless boulder fields and explain how they got there and point out the best photo spots and secret passages. Your guide will lay out a picnic lunch amongst the boulders. After lunch, you have some free time to explore, relax or snap some pictures. Meeting back in the carpark we head back towards Christchurch along “The Great Alpine Highway”. The tour finishes back Lyttelton in time for your cruise ship departure.