Private Cave Stream & Castle Hill - Day Tour from Christchurch

Private Cave Stream & Castle Hill - Day Tour from Christchurch
From NZD $1,399.00
  • Duration: 8 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: CANTERBURY
  • Product code: 1-day-Cave&Castle

You will be picked up from your accommodation or from our meeting point in central Christchurch or at the port in Lyttelton.

We start our adventure by traveling west towards the mountains across the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains. We make a stop after 45 minutes at the the famous "Sheffield Pie Shop” (lunch is provided but you might like to sample a classic Kiwi pie) before continuing our journey.

Castle Hill & Cave Stream Tour Highlights

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

Itinerary

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 Tawhiti.


Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti


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


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.