Spiritual Centre of the Universe

Castle Hill is a tourist mecca, and it's easy to see why.

Nestled in Canterbury's high country, is an area with unique outcrops of limestone. It's a spiritual place, rich in history, with special cultural significance.

In 2002 the Dalai Lama visited the South Island and was taken to Castle Hill. He was so taken by the landscape and his spiritual experience, he named the area the 'Spiritual Centre of the Universe".

Castle Hill attracts rock climbers from all over the world. The climbers 'boulder' the limestone tors. 'Bouldering' refers to a type of rock climbing that's performed on small rock formations known as boulders. Climbers climb without using ropes and with minimal equipment, such as; climbing shoes, chalk to keep their hands dry and bouldering mats to prevent injuries if they fall.

Castle Hill is sacred (tõpuni) to the local Ngã Tahu iwi, they have a long history with this area for food gathering and a place to shelter when traveling. The Ngã Tahu name for the area is Kura Tãwhiti, meaning 'The treasure from a distant land'.

30 to 40 million years ago, during a period known as the Oligocene age, this region and much of New Zealand was under a large shallow sea. Overtime pressure caused a massive uplift that resulted in the folding and faulting of the Torlesse and Craigeburn ranges. Limestone rock was eroded by water to form unique, sculptured rock formations.

The DOC carpark at Castle Hill was looking full, so we parked the bus on the side of the road. Unfortunately dogs aren't permitted, so Bernie stayed back at the bus with them. Now, you might be thinking, poor Bernie, he always seems to miss out on going for walks when the dogs aren't allowed. Well, let me reassure you, Bernie will jump at any chance to boil up the jug, to enjoy a cuppa. He couldn't get me out the door fast enough, to see me off on my little adventure!

A walking track leads from the carpark, with an information board along the way. It's an easy path, which you don't have to stick to it - you can wander off in amongst the rocks where ever you like.

The whole area was smothered in daisies. Lots and lots of them. 

I was hoping to see some endangered Castle Hill Buttercups, which are are only found in this area. A six hectare reserve has been fenced to keep hares out, to try and protect the plant. It's not only rabbits and hares that are responsible for the buttercup's demise, invasive weeds and livestock are also to blame. Maybe I should have put a bit more effort into my search because I didn't see even one.

I spotted some people standing at the top of one of the large, weathered rocks and headed in their direction.

It's an awesome walk, with breath-taking views in every direction.

Haha...always time for a selfie.

Pastures below were a range of different shades of green and full of growth from the recent weeks of rain. 

The view from the top was spectacular. The carpark seemed a long way away and people dotted along the track looked like little specks.

I zoomed in on the bus, to check Bernie hadn't got tired of waiting for me and left - haha. He was probably onto his third cuppa!!

I really recommend stopping here if you're passing. Not only is it a unique area of New Zealand, it's rich in history and also known as a very special spiritual place.

Recently, I googled the Dalai Lama and saw he had a facebook page with many thought provoking posts, a couple I liked were...

'     'As one of the seven billion human beings, I believe everyone has the responsibility to develop a happier world. We need, ultimately, to have a greater concern for others’ well-being. In other words, kindness or compassion, which is lacking now. We must pay more attention to our inner values. We must look inside.'

'We may sometimes feel that we can’t do much as individuals, but humanity is made up of individuals; we can make a difference. As individuals we can influence our own families. Our families can influence our communities and our communities can influence our nations. Wherever I can I talk about these things because as human beings we can work together to make a better world'.