Castle Hill Basin - Rock Climbing
Kura Tawhiti
Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area is approximately 50 km from Arthur's Pass towards Christchurch (100km from Christchurch). Access to the reserve is about 1km on the Christchurch side of Castle Hill Homestead, the track follows a line of pine trees from the large car park.Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) is an extremely popular place for climbing and bouldering. There are a large number of bolted climbs within the reserve.
Nga-i Tahu wish to encourage respect for their association with Kura Tawhiti. A rock-climbing code is in place, and rock climbers are asked to be aware that to Nga-i Tahu, climbing the outcrops denigrates their tapu status.
Code of conduct for Kura Tawhiti
Visitors here to enjoy this intriguing landscape are asked to help protect these values by following the code of conduct.- Please stay on the access track - the paddocks are private property
- No dogs, no fires, no camping or overnighting at the rocks
- Please use the provided toilet facilities
- Refrain from digging holes or disturbing the ground surface - wahi tapu (sacred places) are here
- Avoid trampling on endangered plants - use open spaces between rock outcrops rather than the bases of rock faces
- Respect fenced areas
- Take all rubbish away with you
- Please do not mark the surface of the rocks
- Consider others in the area
- Rock climbers please follow the climbing code of conduct
Flock Hill Station
Flock Hill is the premier bouldering area in the Basin. With its huge twisted forms and water-worn limestone boulders, Flock Hill offers perfect terrain for proud modern bouldering problems. Although people have been climbing here for over 40 years, Flock Hill is still under-developed.Access is from a gravel car-park 1km north of Parapet Rock. Cross the stile, and follow the fence-line back towards Parapet Rock. It is about a 3km (40 minute) walk to the rocks.
Further access information is available at... castlehillbasin.co.nz.
Check the weather (MetService - Canterbury High Country) and the Castle Hill Webcams (www.castlehill.nz) before venturing off to the boulders. The boulders are located about 700-900m above sea-level.
Bouldering guide information can be found at www.thecrag.com.
Code of conduct for Flock Hill Station
Visitors here to enjoy this intriguing landscape are asked to help protect these values by following the code of conduct.- Absolutely NO dogs
- Absolutely NO drones
- NO smoking or naked flames
- NO guns
- Foot access only, park at the gravel pit and walk inside the fence towards Parapet Rock
- Please do not enter from Cave Stream Reserve
- NO permanent climbing aids please
- Leave no litter. All rubbish should be taken from the crag, including biodegradables. Poo pots are a great idea. Public toilets are at DOC Cave Stream Reserve.