Introduction
Welcome to the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark! This tour takes you to some of the interesting sites in and around Duntroon, many of which are key geological sites in North Otago. The limestone of the Waitaki region holds the signatures of the inhabitants of the ancient seas; shellfish, corals, sharks, fish, penguins, whales and dolphins. As you travel along you will often see spectacular limestone outcrops, interspersed with fossil fragments that settled on the seafloor, 75-100 m below the sea surface some 23-25 million years ago. Look up and imagine the ocean above your head, what would you see swimming around?The history of Vanished WorldProfessor Ewan Fordyce along with his colleagues and students from the University of Otago’s Geology Department, carried out extensive field work in this area in the 1980/90s. They discovered fossil evidence of marine life from around 25 million years ago. Excited by these discoveries, the local farmers were keen to share the story. In 2001 the community formed Vanished World Inc. This led to the establishment of the Vanished World Trail and Centre.What is Tiaki – Care for New Zealand?Tiaki means to care for people and place. New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it.The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand:Care for land, sea and nature, treading lightly and leaving no traceTravel safely, showing care and consideration for allRespect culture, travelling with an open heart and mindFor more information about the Tiaki Promise, visit the Tiaki official website.
Vanished World Centre
Suggested visit time: 30 mins - 1 hour7 Campbell Street, Duntroon 9494Have some fun with fossils! See some amazing geologic history and have a go at carving some fossils from limestone! At the Vanished World Centre you can see fossils of whales, dolphins and invertebrates, from marine ecosystems of the Oligocene time some 20-30 million years ago.The Vanished World Centre is also the hub for the Vanished World Trail, a series of sites mostly within a 20km radius of the village of Duntroon. Ask the friendly volunteers about what’s around you.Along with interesting displays, the Centre sells a range of merchandise, particularly books. There is also a great range of products for young people and beginners, from model construction packages to junior palaeontologist digger kits. Income from merchandise sales, together with an entrance fee helps cover running costs and the sales of the Vanished World Trail Brochure helps the Society maintain the trail.The Vanished World Society was formed in the early 2000's to raise public awareness about the geology of the Waitaki district. The Society promotes science, conservation and appropriate interaction with fossils, outcrops, and landforms.Cost: ADULT - $10, FAMILY $20, This allows access to dig your own fossils from blocks at the Centre.Children under 12yrs accompanied by an adult FREE.For large group bookings, contact 03-431-2024, or visit Vanishedworld.co.nzOpen Hours: 10am - 4.30pm, seven days a week.
Nicol's Blacksmith Shop
Suggested visit time: 10 - 15 mins21 Campbell Street, Duntroon 9494Open daily. Nicol's Blacksmith Shop operated as a smithy from the mid 1890s to its closure in the early 1970s and was named after the last working Duntroon blacksmith, Nicol Muirden. Visit a piece of New Zealand history where on weekends (Oct to May) the blacksmith comes to life and you can experience a working blacksmith with all its tools and equipment left intact. They also offer beginner blacksmithing course.blacksmith.net.nz
Duntroon Wetlands
Suggested visit time: 15 - 30 minsThe path starts next to the Duntroon goal (part of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail)Enjoy wandering through this unique wetland area, located just off the highway and next to the Duntroon Camping Ground. A dedicated group of locals are working hard to protect the wetland area with the intention of maintaining an environmental asset for generations to come. Explore winding pathways, search for the hidden springs and spot native wildlife.Please stay on the path for your safety and environmental protection. Please be aware the following hazards include: open waterways, cyclists on the Alps 2 Ocean Trail.
Takiroa Māori Rock Art Site
Suggested visit time: 15 minsTo get to Takiroa rock drawings from the north end of Duntroon, head up State Highway 83 about 3 km and look for the information sign and carpark. There’s a brief walk up an uneven pathway.The Māori rock art you can see here includes images from abstract forms to bird and animal life, people and Māori first impressions of European settlers.These limestone overhangs offered early travellers shelter along a seasonal route up the Waitaki Valley, which was a major thoroughfare for Māori.Blockfalls and fissures within the limestone are easily visible at this site as evidenced by huge blocks of limestone at the bottom of the escarpment. This site continues to be at risk of cliff failure and is closed periodically when it is deemed necessary.If you are interested in Māori Rock Art, head to Timaru to the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre.Please be aware the following hazards include: rock / block fall from above / overhang, slippery when wet.
Waipata / Earthquakes
Suggested visit time: 15 minsTo get to the Earthquakes area from the north end of Duntroon turn on to Earthquakes Road near the limestone church. Earthquakes is signposted about 3km down the road. Park at the information sign. Caution! Rocks still fall, and the ground is creviced so wear walking shoes.Earthquakes refers to an area of limestone cliffs near Duntroon. The name came about when it was thought the large house-sized boulders were dislodged by earthquakes long ago.In fact, this locality showcases the power of geological mass movement - resulting in the formation of a graben. This graben contains hazardous fissures and deep cracks. Mass movement at this site displaced huge blocks of limestone which can be seen at the site. In-situ fossil remnants of a whale can be viewed behind the protective caged area. The sediments and fossils from this site tell the story of Zealandia's history when this area consisted of wide and shallow seas with ancient marine life.Please be aware the following hazards include: uneven ground, hidden caves/sinkholes, slippery surface when wet, surface fissures, block / landslide, rock and debris fall from above.
Tokarahi Golf Course
To get to Tokarahi Golf Course keep following Earthquakes Road for about 5km and turn right into Livingstone-Duntroon Road. After 3.5km turn left into Dip Hill Road and the Golf Course will be to your right.The Tokarahi Gold Club was established in 1967 with 28 people in attendance at the first meeting in April of that year. There have been a number of improvements made to the course since its very humble beginnings, with clubhouse alterations undertaken in 1983 and substantial improvements made to the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th greens in late 1991 and a new irrigation system officially opened on the course on Saturday, 1st May 1999.The course climbs up to a high point of 280 metres (920 feet) above sea level, offering spectacular views over the Maerewhenua River valley to the Kakanui Mountains, St Marys Range, Kirkliston Range and the Waitaki Valley. The course is maintained to a very high standard by local volunteer labour and is always presented in immaculate condition year round. Green fees players are most welcome with the green fees currently set at $25.Tokarahi Golf Club
Historic Quarry
To get to this site, follow Dip Hill Road until the end and turn left onto Tokarahi-Duntroon Road. After 1km, turn right into Prydes Gully Road and the Quarry will be to your right.Adze marks in the vertical face of Otekaike Limestone were made in the 1800s, when blocks were quarried by hand for use in local buildings such as Tokarahi homestead. An adze is an ancient and versatile cutting tool similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. Stone was used extensively for building in early days if it was available where needed. But, the cost of transport limited its use far from a quarry. The Otekaike Limestone is sandier than the "Oamaru stone" (Ototara Limestone) of coastal districts, and is younger, with more-obvious fossils. The rock is rather soft because it is only moderately cemented and compacted, it was not buried deeply. Thus, it can be worked by hand. Please be aware the following hazards include: traffic, uneven ground.
Anatini
Suggested visit time: 15 - 20 minsTo get to Anatini carry on on Tokarahi-Duntroon Road for 1.5km and turn left into Tokarahi-Ngapara Road. After 4.5km turn left into Island Cliff Road and follow this Road for 4.8km and Anatini will be to your left. There’s a parking bay and a signposted gate that gives you access to an easy 5-minute walk across the farmland. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail passes through this gully.The land you are standing on was once under the sea. Many animals and plants lived and died on this prehistoric seafloor. Over a few million years, shell fragments from these creatures compacted to become limestone, while bones from vertebrates (such as whales, dolphins and penguins) became preserved within the sediment. The limestone here is from the late Oligocene Epoch, formed 23 - 25 million years ago. Our landmass - Zealandia - was then mostly a submerged continent with only a series of small islands remaining above sea level. New Zealand is now emergent. In the last 20+ million years the limestone has been uplifted and eroded - exposing the baleen whale and other fossils.You are looking at the remains of an ancient baleen whale. Some baleen whales are over 15 metres long. This one was probably five to six metres long. Baleen whales are filter feeders, they sieve a lot of sea water each day to collect small animals to eat (these prey animals are only a few centimetres long). The fossil whale is distantly related to modern baleen whales and died millions of years ago.With views over picturesque farmland this was the scene for Aslan's Camp in the film - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s a beautiful photo opportunity.Anatini is on private land. Please respect this special place and take care not to cause damage. Please go quietly if animals are present and remember to shut the gates. You can help care for this site. Please pick up any rubbish. Tread lightly and leave no trace.Please be aware the following hazards include: narrow pathway, steep drop-off by fossil site, slippery surface when wet, uneven surface and steps, pipe at the bottom of the gate leading to fossil, falling debris / rocks/ blocks from above, and farming activities.
Elephant Rocks
Suggested visit time: 15 - 30 minsThere’s a parking bay on Island Cliff-Duntroon Road and a signposted gate that gives you access to an easy 5-minute walk across the farmland.Elephant Rocks are geological marvels exposed by erosion, set amongst picturesque farmland. Don’t forget your camera as you wander through these towering limestone rocks. A geological wonder of the Waitaki, this unique landscape has featured in films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.Elephant Rocks features distinctive large hummocky or elephant-shaped limestone outcrops. The “elephants” are formed from Otekaike Limestone, which originated as a fossil-rich marine sand around 25 million years ago. The thick and flat-lying limestone has many joints, or cracks, caused by the land being lifted. These joints, which cross each other, are eroded by water. Eventually, enough limestone is eroded away to leave the “elephants” exposed and isolated from each other.Elephant Rocks is on private land. Please respect this special place and take care not to cause damage. Please go quietly if animals are present and remember to shut the gates. You can help care for this site. Please pick up any rubbish. Tread lightly and leave no trace.Please be aware the following hazards include: traffic, slippery surface when wet, uneven surface, fall hazards, and farming activities.
Maerewhenua Māori Rock Art Site
Suggested visit time: 10 - 15 minsApproximately 500m south of State Highway 83 along Livingstone-Duntroon Road the large limestone outcrop that forms this historic area is on the eastern side of the road.Sheltered by an impressive limestone overhang with amazing views over the valley, this site contains charcoal and ochre paintings dating to before the arrival of Europeans. Moa bones have been found here, indicating hundreds of years of occupation. Maerewhenua is a significant landmark in the tradition of Ngāi Tahu Whānui. This rock shelter lies within an ancient food gathering region that follows a pathway that links the mountains and the sea, along the Waitaki River.This historic place is located on private land, but a path to the rock art site has been made accessible to the public.Please be aware the following hazards include: traffic, slippery surface when wet, uneven surface, rock fall from above / overhang.
What's next
Well done. That's the end of the tour. We hope you've enjoyed visiting some key geological sites in and around Duntroon. For a more extensive Fossil and Geology Trail, head into the Vanished World Centre to purchase the Trail Guide which includes more than 15 sites. The sites include fossil sites, extinct volcanoes, mineral localities, and major landforms. Locations span from Moeraki to Ōamaru and extend through the Waitaki Valley.Heading up the Waitaki Valley? Try our Geo-Highlights, Waitaki Valley Tour if you want to explore more sites in the Waitaki Valley. If you are heading back to Ōamaru, try the Rural Route to learn more about the geological and social stories between Ōamaru und Duntroon. If you'd like to learn more about what's in the Waitaki, including places to stay and to eat at (or dine at), please visit Tourism Waitaki's website.
