Cave Stream Caving Adventure with Optional Castle Hill Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

24 hours

Mobile ticket

This adventure lets you experience one of New Zealand’s most accessible underground rivers as well as the dramatic limestone landscape of Castle Hill—available in several flexible tour options.

At Cave Stream, your guide leads you through a 594-metre limestone passage shaped by crystal-clear water, small waterfalls, and winding chambers, finishing with a fun 5-metre ladder climb. It’s a memorable, family-friendly caving experience that requires no previous skills.

Options that include Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti offer the chance to wander an incredible labyrinth of giant limestone boulders, an area rich in cultural history and famous for climbing and film locations. Try some easy bouldering or simply enjoy the scenery.

(Lunch is provided only in the options that include it.)

Whether you choose caving only, add Castle Hill, or join the full day with transport, you’ll experience one of the South Island’s most unique alpine environments.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

Use of caving equeptment including head torch, helmet and safety belt

Snacks

Air-conditioned vehicle

Coffee and/or Tea

Morning Tea (we will stop at Darfield Bakery on the way so you can purchase morning tea if you like)

Included in Castle Hill and full day options

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Option 1: Guided Caving Tour Only (Meet at Cave Stream) Does Not Include: Transport, Lunch, Castle Hill What to Expect: Meet your guide at Cave Stream, gear up, and explore a 45–60 minute underground river cave with large chambers, narrow passages, and a 5-meter ladder exit. The tour ends back at the car park. Option 2: Caving + Lunch + Castle Hill Tour (Meet at Cave Stream) Does Not Include: Transport What to Expect: Enjoy the same caving experience as Option 1, followed by a picnic lunch with mountain views. Then follow your guide in your own vehicle to Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti to explore the famous limestone boulders, learn the site’s history, and try bouldering if you like. The tour ends at Castle Hill. Option 3: Full-Day Adventure with Transport from Christchurch or Lyttelton Port What to Expect: Get picked up in Christchurch or at the port and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Cave Stream for a guided caving tour. Afterwards, enjoy lunch and drinks before heading to Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti for a guided walk among its massive limestone formations. On the return trip, stop in Springfield for a photo with the giant doughnut before dropping off at your pickup point.

Options

Full Day Tour with Transport

Lunch, snacks & drinks include
Luxury car or minivan
Transport from Christchurch
Pickup included

Guided Caving Tour

Guided Caving Only
Transport & Lunch Not Included

Cave + Castle Hill Tour

Lunch and hot/cold drinks
Transport Not Included

Reviews

5.00

6 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great tour!
Rachel W,
Nov 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jared was an excellent your guide! We had a great time going through the cave. He made sure we were safe the entire time and shared interesting knowledge about the area. We would highly recommended this tour.
Caving and boulder adventure
985shelleyo,
Dec 15, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great way to experience your first cave. Weather was great especially given the amount of water to trek though. Guide was knowledgeable and flexible. The rock garden was also great for the looking for a place to explore and even boulder.
Who knew caves could be so fun!!!!
Bill,
Apr 6, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
THe ride to the cave was scenic, including a stop for a snack while lunch was being picked up. the cave was quite an adventure! We'd never done anything like this and absolutely loved it! Our guides were helpful with both advice and a helping hand when necessary. We would do this again in a heartbeat! Lunch after the 1 hour plus cave trek tasted delicious and the views spectalcular
Cave Stream and Castle Hill Tour
Melissa R,
Mar 17, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
The Cave Stream and Castle Hill tour is a well-run and unique experience that offers visitors a chance to explore a hidden part of New Zealand. The tour is well-planned and takes visitors to locations that would otherwise go unseen by many tourists. In addition to the amazing natural scenery, the tour includes a delicious stop at a bakery on the way to the Cave Stream. Overall, this tour offers a fantastic opportunity for travelers to experience the beauty of New Zealand and is highly recommended.
Must-Do Adventure
katems94,
Mar 10, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing trip to Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti and Cave Stream. My guide, Robbie, was very knowledgeable and friendly and tailored the tour to suit my interests. I had a great day walking around the boulder fields, trying some bouldering, and making my way through Cave Stream's underground river and waterfalls. Highly recommend. Thanks so much for an awesome day!
Best Tour Guide Ever
ddannecker2013,
Jan 15, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Mike gave us what we both described as the best tour we have ever been on, and we have been on a lot of tours. Pick up was a breeze, and he was a great driver. He was very knowledgeable about the hike, and provided great guidance on how to follow the multiple paths around Castle Hill. The stop at the pie shop was perfect, and lunch was delicious, especially after the long hike. He took excellent photos of us that we would not have been able to capture otherwise. He is a great conversationalist, and taught us not just about where we were but New Zealand and its history in general. We would highly recommend this tour and this touring company, and we would book with them again.