Castle Hill Basin / Kura Tawhiti

Castle Hill is a world class bouldering area, with well over a thousand boulder problems on unique sculptured limestone shapes that are unlike any other forms on earth. The grand limestone rock battlements of Kura Tāwhiti led early European travellers to name the area Castle Hill. Climbers, families, students, scientists and travellers have always been drawn to this spectacular place, to explore its natural, cultural, historic and recreation values. Kura Tāwhiti (Castle Hill) is an extremely popular place for climbing and bouldering. There are a large number of bolted climbs within the reserve. Ngāi Tahu wish to encourage respect for their association with Kura Tāwhiti. Rock climbers must follow the rock climbing code, and be aware that to Ngāi Tahu, climbing the outcrops denigrates their tapu status.