View Castle Hill Peak from Red Peak. Torlesse Range, By Michal Klajban Canterbury, Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Castle Hill, New Zealand


 

Castle Hill, New Zealand, is an incredible natural, historical and cultural wonder of New Zealand South Island.

It is also known as Kura Tawhiti by the indigenous Maori Tribe Ngai Tahu and is one of the most popular stops on the scenic Arthurs Pass Drive.

Visiting this geological wonder serves much more than the usual pit-stop, with plenty of things to do and much to learn about New Zealand geology and history.

The following are some of the amazing facts about Castle Hill of New Zealand:

1. Castle Hill stands near Townsville

Just meters short of a mountain, Castle Hill is the giant pink granite monolith that stands proudly in the center of Townsville – a perfect place for visitors to orientate themselves. Castle Hill offers vehicle access as well as a number of popular walking tracks, which are frequented by more than 2,500 locals a day.

2. Castle Hill, has a significant History

Apart from being an iconic centerpiece for the city and a lookout for spectacular scenic views, Castle Hill has a significant history.

The Hill’s vantage was used by visiting American soldiers during World War II. According to local legend, the visitors famously offered to demolish the hill and use the rock to build a bridge to Magnetic Island.

A World War II observation bunker sits on one corner of the Hill reminding visitors of Castle Hill’s military history.

3. Castle Hill is the original homeland of the Bidjigal people

Castle Hill Village of Bidjigal Canterbury, New Zealand. Picture By Michal Klajban. Wikimedia

The land that is now called Castle Hill was originally home to the Bidjigal people, who are believed to be a clan of the Dharuk people, who occupied all the land to the immediate west of Sydney.

The best-known aboriginal person from that time is Pemulwuy, a Bidjigal leader who led the resistance movement against settlers during the Hawkesbury and Nepean wars, including sacking farms in Castle Hill, before his eventual capture and dispatch by local law enforcement.

The Bidjigal people are today commemorated by Bidjigal Reserve which straddles the suburbs of Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, North Rocks, and West Pennant Hills.

4. Castle Hill has been served by Rail services

Steam locomotive engine railway, in Castle hill, By Martin Bodman, Wikimedia

Castle Hill was originally serviced by the Rogans Hill Railway line, a steam tram line, on 30 July 1910 to Parramatta.

Major works were undertaken in 1922 to convert the line into a railway, and trains began servicing Castle Hill on 28 January 1923.

In 1924, the railway line was extended beyond Castle Hill to Rogans Hill. As a cost-cutting measure, the state Labor government of Jack Lang closed the line on 31 January 1932, amid much public protest.

5. Named Castle Hill because of limestone boulder formations

Locate near Christchurch, it was named ” Castle hill” due to the limestone boulder formations resembling a run-down, medieval stone castle though, of course, there have never been any castles over here.

The limestone rock formations are what is left after water eroded away when much of present-day New Zealand was covered by the sea.

Natural erosion has weathered the higher parts into fantastic shapes, which are much loved by rock climbers, and the whole area is a maze of towers, arches, holes, and slabs that are a joy to explore.

6. Castle Hill Residential areas

Castle Hill Village, residential area, Canterbury, New Zealand. Picture By Michal Klajban Wikimedia

Castle Hill is a mix of low- to medium-density housing, with the exception of a few apartment complexes. In the 2005 year under the NSW Housing Strategy. Hume Avenue was rezoned to medium density, to allow for low-rise unit and townhouse developments.

The largest residential area in Castle Hill is located on the two sides of Showground Road, sandwiched between the commercial and the industrial area. Smaller residential areas are located at the east of the commercial area, as well as the suburb’s northeast (part of Hornsby Shire, separated by Old Northern Road and Castle Hill Road).

These consist almost entirely of free-standing houses.  government and private schools, as well as an  RSL Club, are located within these areas.

7. Castle Hill has some of the endangered plants in the South Island

Buttercup flower By Tb240904 – Wikimedia

Castle Hill area was filled with plants and shrubs but a fire 600years ago, cleared the area.

Livestock then grazed the area, further damaging the vegetation. This area was the first reserve to be created to protest a plant.

The Castle Hill buttercup grows only in this area and currently, only 67 plants survive. In 1954, the Reserve for the Protection of Flora was established. Other rare plants in the area include limestone wheat grass and a three-cm sedge.

8. Castle Hill holds commercial centers

a view of commercial centers from Castle Hill Wikimedia

Castle Hill’s commercial area centers on a section of the Old Northern Road on the suburb’s eastern side. Its southern side is an older, traditional shopping strip, with the modest-sized Castle mall shopping center.

Its northern side is dominated by the large Castle Towers shopping center, with two department stores as well as two Event cinema multiplexes (giving a total of 16 Cinemas).

A new library and community center, with a unit apartment building on its upper floors, opened next to Castle Towers in 2004.

9. The Castle Hill convict rebellion

The first free settler in Castle Hill, a Frenchman Baron Verincourt de Clamber, in unusual circumstances received a grant of 200 acres (81 ha) in 1802.

It has been suggested that locals of the time commonly referred to de Clambe’s house (“The Hermitage”)as “The Castle” because of the Baron’s noble status.

On Sunday night 4 March 1804, the convicts rose up as one in what was to become known as the Castle Hill Convict Rebellion, also known as the Second Battle of Vinegar Hill.

10. Castle Hill epitome of the New Zealand climbing scene

It is widely considered to be the epitome of New Zealand’s South Island climbing scene, where on any given day one can find rock climbers bouldering the unique limestone outcroppings.

This area has recently seen more visitors, as nearby Flock Hill station was used for the filming of the climactic battle scenes of the 2005 movie, The Chronicles of Narnia; the witch and the wardrobe.

Flock hill also has a huge number of climbable limestone boulders though access requires a short certification procedure via the internet, unlike Kura Tawhiti which, as a conservation area, allows free access at all times.