Kura Tāwhiti, or Castle Hill (named by early European travelers) Conservation Area is a majestic geographical attraction one mustn’t miss when traveling through Kura Tāwhiti / Castle Hill.
Explore the spectacular limestone landscape where the grand battle scenes of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” were filmed.
那 Kura Tāwhiti Access Track provides an easy walk to get close to the nature marvels for better appreciation of the sizes of the natural rock sculptures.
From the paved track, a network of unmarked trails go up and around the incredible limestone formations. Just be mindful of the human impact you could make and make sure:
- Not to enter the fenced area.
- Not to dig holes or disturb the ground surface.
- Not to step on endangered plants (use the open spaces between rock outcrops rather than the bases of rock faces); With just 67 plants in existence, the critically endangered Castle Hill buttercup can only be found within the 6-ha reserve.
- Not to litter; use the toilet facilities provided.
- Not to carve, draw or mark the surface of the rocks.
Being underwater 30 million years ago, these limestone outcrops were formed from shells on the seafloor and were compressed over many years. Then, collision of tectonic plates pushed these mountain ranges up and exposed the limestone rocks. Over time, rain, wind and groundwater eroded the rock, leaving the landscape littered with these boulders (and shark teeth).
700 years ago, the first iwi (tribes) used to hunt the now extinct giant moa (large flightless birds that grow up to 240 kilograms and 2 meters tall) in this area. At the time, they shared the food resources with the largest eagles known to ever exist, called pouākai (Hasst’s eagles). A full grown pouākai weigh up to 15 kilograms with a wingspan of 3 meters with talons that could piece the skin of a moa and sever its spinal column.
When the moa population began to decline due to overhunting. The pouākai began to prey on humans. As a result, the tribes learned how to snare and kill the giant eagles. The last of the pouākai were snared and killed, and any nests and chicks found were destroyed.
More photos of Castle Hill Conservation Area:
*地球队长经过* 记住，请保护我们的环境，请勿破坏大自然。不要留下任何垃圾，只带回照片和回忆（如果可以的话，还可以捡走一些垃圾）。请在指定的路径上行走，并尽量保持在中间行走，以使裸露的土壤不会进一步扩散/腐蚀。与大自然融为一体吧 *飞走了*
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