Cave Stream & Castle Hill - Day Tour from Christchurch

You will be picked up from your accommodation or from our meeting point outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Ave, Christchurch.

We start our adventure by traveling west towards the mountains across the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains. We make a stop after 45mins at the “The famous Sheffield Pie Shop” (Lunch is provided but you might like to sample a classic Kiwi pie) before continuing our journey to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti.

Castle Hill & Cave Stream Tour Highlights

• Scenic drive S.H 73 “the Great Alpine Highway”
• Visit Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill
• Guided caving trip through “Cave Stream”
• Local guide

Morning - Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti

Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti is an amazing labyrinth of giant limestone boulders that sit 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”. Known internationally as world-class climbing, bouldering, and film making destination; it’s well worth a visit.

Your guide will show you around if you like you can have a go at bouldering and test your climbing skills, or use your time here to explore the endless maze of boulders. We stop here for lunch at Castle Hill.

Afternoon - Cave Stream

We will meet back at the carpark at 1:00 pm and make our way to Cave Stream, just 10 mins drive from Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti. It will take us approximately 45mins to make our way through the 594 meters of limestone cave. Our route follows the crystal-clear water up-stream, through the winding chambers and small waterfalls. The final section has a 3-meter fixed ladder to climb past the largest waterfall as we exit the cave. 

Not interested in caving? Not to worry, the stunning landscape used for filming The Chronicles of Narnia” surround us here. You’re welcome to explore the paths and trails in the area or sit and relax with some afternoon tea in this very peaceful landscape. 

We follow the “great Alpine Highway” back to Christchurch casting our eyes over the massive Torlesse Range and iconic “Gap”. 

Your guide will drop you back at your accommodation in Christchurch, at the airport or in the city center.