Visit Australasia’s only UNESCO Geopark

The Waitaki braided river is characterised by gravel beds, numerous channels and variable flows, which are unique to parts of the world with young, rapidly eroding mountains. The upper part of the Waitaki Basin was formed thousands of years ago when glaciers retreated, leaving behind beds of gravel and boulders.

Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the Kororā (Little Blue Penguin), along with fur seals and seabirds on Oamaru’s coastline. Explore the new Discovery Centre to learn about their lives and the conservation work protecting them, see penguins in nesting boxes, and after sunset enjoy the unforgettable sight of them returning home from a day at sea.

Anatini is a narrow, sheltered valley where you can see the fossil-bones of an ancient baleen whale partially embedded in limestone that formed around 25 million years ago, when this area lay about 100 metres underwater. This site is also known for being used as the backdrop for Aslan’s camp scene in the 2005 film adaption of C.S Lewis’ treasured classic ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’.

Hop off the trail and wander through the Awamoko Valley (aka Valley of the Whales) to view layers of sediment in the limestone and greensand cliffs formed over the last 23-29 million years by the Awamoko stream. There are many fossils from this area which help to create a picture of the life that thrived in this area such as the extinct ‘giant’ Kairuku penguin.

Enter the Duntroon Wetlands either through the ancient Maori rock art on Harris St or behind the village map beside the old gaol on SH83. Look out for the wildlife depicted in the ancient Maori rock art, admire the native plants and spot the springs as you wind your way through the wetlands and over sections of boardwalk which have been protected and reinvigorated by a group of local volunteers like Meridian Energy and Duntroon School.

Elephant Rocks takes its name from the imposing limestone formations that resemble a herd of elephants. These rocks are the fossilised remains of a prehistoric seabed from over 25 million years ago, formed when seas covered what is now Te Riu-a-Māui/Zealandia. They were formed by weathering, tectonic processes, changes in sea level and erosion. Elephant Rocks is a stunning geological site which overlooks the valley and a must-do on your tour.

Just a 35-minute drive from Ōamaru, Duntroon is home to a variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions with geological features unlike anywhere else. The mainstreet of Duntroon contains many snapshots of the past such as Nicol’s Blacksmith shop, which has been operating since the 19th century, a restored Gaol built in 1910 and a naturally formed Brewery Hole. Discover the history of the town and life back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

When you’re in the Steampunk capital of Aotearoa New Zealand, you’d be silly not to visit Steampunk HQ. Steampunk HQ is an interactive museum of art, sculptures, sound and light, set in a retro-futuristic 19th century Victorian England powered by steam. A truly unique experience enjoyed by all – particularly lovers of Sci-Fi.

Wander down Aotearoa New Zealand’s best preserved Victorian commercial streetscape with 16 Neo-Classical buildings built from local limestone (aka Ōamaru Stone) from the Waitaki Valley in the 1870’s-1880’s. These building are alive and thriving today with restaurants, café’s, bakeries, local art galleries and stores inspired by the local area.

Learn about Ōamaru’s Victorian past by immersing yourself in it at Whitestone City. Live a real Victorian experience from games and Victorian pastimes to shops, and ride on the only penny farthing carousel in Aotearoa New Zealand all whilst in Victorian clothes. Discover why Whitestone City was rated one of the best places to visit in Ōamaru (TripAdvisor).

While Timaru, just an hour north of Waitaki, is celebrated as Phar Lap’s birthplace, a little-known fact is that he was sired in the Waitaki Valley. His sire was Night Raid and his dam Entreaty. Today, a memorial plaque stands on the site, commemorating the legendary racehorse born on 4 October 1926. Phar Lap went on to win 31 of his 51 races before his untimely death in California in 1932, cementing his place as one of the greatest champions in racing history.

Another limestone shelter in the valley posed as the strategic position for warning against strangers, predators and bad weather. Now the walls contain charcoal and Kokowai (red ochre) drawings, depicting forms such as birds, animals and people as well as depictions of European sailing ships and animals.

Vanished World has gained significant technical support and specialist display materials from the University of Otago. The Fossil Centre at Duntroon and the Vanished World Trail, with its freely accessible set of locations, has provided the Society with the tools to engage the Waitaki community and visitors with the geology of our region.