Castle Hill, New Zealand facts for kids
Castle Hill is a special place in New Zealand's South Island. It's known for its amazing rock formations. You can find it about 700 meters above sea level. It's near State Highway 73, between the towns of Springfield and Arthur's Pass. This area is private land but also part of the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area.
The name "Castle Hill" comes from the huge limestone rocks found here. They look like the ruins of an old stone castle! Even the front of the famous ChristChurch Cathedral in Christchurch was built using limestone from Castle Hill.
Why is Castle Hill so special?
Castle Hill is a very popular spot for rock climbers. People come from all over to try "bouldering" here. Bouldering means climbing on large rocks or "boulders" without ropes. The unique limestone shapes make it a perfect place for this sport.
Narnia Connection
This area has become even more famous recently. The nearby Flock Hill station was used to film exciting battle scenes. These scenes were for the 2005 movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Just like Castle Hill, Flock Hill also has many climbable limestone boulders. However, you need special permission to access Flock Hill, unlike Kura Tawhiti, which is open to everyone.
Castle Hill Village: A Nearby Community
Close to the rock formations is Castle Hill Village. It's located just north of the Thomas River on State Highway 73. Only a few people live here all year round. Many homes in the village are holiday homes. These are used a lot during the winter for people who love to ski.
The village doesn't have many public shops or services. There's a public toilet at the village hall. You can also find a small playground for children. The village was started in 1982 by John Reid. He was the owner of the Castle Hill Station at that time.
