Castle Hill tour a ‘privilege’
From the road the rocks look like they were scattered haphazardly across the hillside by a mythological toddler.
Walking among the limestone figures of Kura Ta¯ whiti, or Castle Hill, is humbling for the foreign tourists and locals, who flock daily to the natural phenomenon.
Instagram feeds fill with private picnics in caves, atop rock giants, looking out over the Southern Alps and high country farmland, just an hour and a half from Christchurch city.
In an attempt to share the history and diversity of the area, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has started guided walks at the reserve, as well as in other South Island locations.
Helen Hamblin, walking guide and DOC interpretation ranger, said showing people around ‘‘my home, my land, my area’’ was a privilege.
‘‘I introduce people to the history of the land, which encompasses Ma¯ori moving through the land, some of the Ma¯ori caves, the European shelters, and intertwined with that is any questions on the rocks, the climbing and the whole feeling of respect for the land,’’ she said.
As a teenager, Hamblin walked the tracks at Kura Ta¯whiti, and surrounding areas, later crafting her knowledge of the region as a science teacher and agricultural advisor for the now-defunct Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
‘‘When DOC said, ‘Hey we are going to be doing some interpretive ranger work here, are you interested’, they didn’t have to ask me twice.’’
The guided walks run loosely at 10.30am and 1.30pm from Monday to Thursday. Hamblin also runs similar daily walks at Devil’s Punchbowl in Arthur’s Pass.
‘‘I try to make them a really informative, interpreted guided walk, so I’m covering history, but also flora and fauna along the way.’’
According to the DOC website, the area was once an inland sea that began to infill about 30 million years ago and limestone was eroded by water into sculpted landforms.
The area is now popular with rock-climbers and bouldering enthusiasts, and has served as the backdrop for international films including the 2005 blockbuster The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
A large area of the reserve has been fenced off to protect one of the country’s most endangered plants, the Castle Hill buttercup, or ranunculus paucifolius.
Just 67 plants exist and they are only found within the 6-hectare Lance McCaskill Nature Reserve. It is the longest running plant monitoring project in New Zealand.
Hamblin started the guided walks in January and DOC plans to run them through April, with the chance of regular sessions during long weekends.
"I try to make them a really informative, interpreted guided walk, so I'm covering history, but also flora and fauna along the way."
Helen Hamblin, walking guide