13km west of Dipton lies Southland's best limestone crag. Climbers have been visiting this crag since the early 70's, and in the 90's when the use of bolting became wide spread. Climbing there took off... the crag still has huge potential.
14km From Dipton, go west wards across the Oreti River on the Dipton Castle Rock Road. Take 2nd left and drive up thr Dipton Mossburn Rd.
Brian Russell has now taken over from Stephen Clearwater as the landowner of the Castledowns crags. Brian is very ammenable to the continued used of the area for recreation, including rock climbing. There is the possibility of a walking tra...ck which will tour around the top of the bluffs too. Brian says he does not need climbers to contact him before they visit, but bear in mind, we are still visitors to someone's property. In the future, it would great to see the crags placed under the protection of a QEII covenant to preserve the area for future generations (away from the mining company next door..).
http://www.openspace.org.nz/
