Driving day #3 we moved from Arthur’s Pass to Kaikoura:

• Distance = 275 km, bypassing Christchurch
• Expected driving time = 3.5 hours
• Actual elapsed time = about 8 hours
• Main reason it took so long = extended stop at Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area

Also known as Castle Hill, the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area was the setting for one of the battle scenes in the Chronicles of Narnia movie. But the only cameras and characters in sight during our visit were the Olympus PEN cameras we all carried and the four of us climbing up, on, over and through the unique limestone formations.

Farmland surrounds the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area.

K ambles along the pathway to Castle Hill.

In some ways it looks like a giant game of marbles.

Some of the boulders have round hollows that are just about the right size for a person. See K’s head peeking out?

K just fits inside on of the rock eggs at Castle Hill.

Climbing on, up and over boulders is a lot of fun at Castle Hill.

K surveys the landscape, deciding which rock to scramble up next.

Look out below! One more good push should get this one rolling.

This one gives a good sense of the scale at Castle Hill – Mrs. GeoK and K on top of the rock bridge.

C walks across a limestone slab at Kura Tawhiti

We took our time here, exploring lots of nooks and crannies (including a few where geocaches are hidden from view) and trying to figure out the purpose of a spiral outlined in smaller rocks. Whatever the actual purpose, it was pure enjoyment for our teenage boys!

Combining a morning at Kura Tawhiti with an afternoon at Cave Stream (or vice versa) would make an excellent day-trip out of Christchurch. I’m not sure what’s in the area in terms of restaurants and cafes, though, so a little advance research or bringing a picnic lunch would be a good idea.