Features of the Vanished World Trail
Shark-toothed dolphins, whales, penguins and many more marine life used to swarm the Waitaki Valley millions of years ago. That was when the region was deep under the ocean. Now, the fossils of long-forgotten marine creatures can be found all over the region’s farmlands some 400 metres (1,312 feet) above sea level. But these fossils are not the only natural wonders of the Waitaki Valley, which is situated just north of Oamaru. Huge pinnacles have been formed by ancient glaciers, while limestone outcrops are weathered into all shapes and sizes. Even New Zealand’s first settlers must have found this place fascinating as you can also view their Maori carvings in the limestone walls. See all these wonders with this list of bizarre sights in the Waitaki Valley!
For sure, the Waitaki Valley is an awesome road trip destination but also a geologist’s dream! You can visit each site of interest by following the self-guided Vanished World Trail, which you can pick up at the Vanished World Centre, Duntroon. We’ve selected the highlights in our list below.
1. Clay Cliffs
These towering pinnacles are definitely worth the detour from the highway. There isn’t any marked walking track, so just enjoy exploring the area and getting some awesome photos of the braided Ahuriri River, complete with blooming lupins during the spring/summer. The private land requires a NZ$5 fee per car.
Location: 10km (6 miles) out of Omarama. Turn off the State Highway 83 onto Quailburn Road and then onto the unsealed Henburn Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Maerewhenua Rock Art Site
Carved into the limestone cliffs are historic Maori carvings, thought to be from the moa hunting period.
Location: Signposted just south of State Highway 83, along Livingstone-Duntroon Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Elephant Rocks
Here lies a grassy field of unusual New Zealand farm animals: elephant rocks! The limestone outcrops come in different shapes maybe some look like elephants with a lot of imagination which makes climbing them hard to resist. The location was used during the filming of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where the White Witch bowed before Aslan. See more 20 Crazy Rock Formations in New Zealand.
Location: Follow easy-to-spot signs on the Island Cliff-Duntroon Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Anatini Fossil Whale Site
Nearby the Elephant Rocks are the bones of a fossilised baleen whale. There are also more limestone outcrops to enjoy.
Location: Signposted near the Elephant Rocks.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Earthquakes
The simple yet appropriately named Earthquakes shows sheer cliffs as they have risen from the ground in what we can only assume was an earthquake!
Location: At the north end of Duntroon turn on to Earthquakes Road. Earthquakes is signposted about 3km (2 miles) down the road.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Rattling Rocks
You may look a bit daft, but if you go to the Maerewhenua River and start shaking rocks from the river near your ear, you may find some that rattle!
Location: Maerewhenua River near Duntroon.
© Pixabay7. Fish, Penguins, Whales and Shark-toothed Dolphins
The Vanished World Centre holds all sorts of ancient marine creatures. Their fossils have been found all over the Waitaki Valley and displayed here at the centre in Duntroon. There is just a small entrance fee.
Location: Duntroon
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About the Waitaki Valley
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- ŌamaruNZ (Regional tourism website)
- Waitaki NZ (Regional tourism website)
- Waitaki District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
