Explore the Vanished World Trail: Anatini and Elephant Rocks, Waitaki Valley, New Zealand
Anatini and Elephant Rocks, New Zealand
Elephant Rocks and Anatini are both interesting places to visit in the Waitaki Valley and Oamaru Region. The sites are only two minutes drive from each other, and if you weren’t looking for them, you would have no idea that they were there. But these rural sites are some of the best places to visit in Duntroon, a small town near Oamaru and Kurow.
Elephant Rocks, New Zealand
The Duntroon region is full of amazing rock formations. Not only are they interesting to look it, kids will have a ball climbing, jumping and exploring the area. This is exactly why we wanted to visit Elephant Rocks and Anatini. Only 35 minutes inland from Oamaru and 20 minutes from Kurow, it is an easy road trip stop to stretch the legs and a fun thing to do near Oamaru.
Elephant Rocks are aptly name as they are as large as and kind of look like elephants. They were created millions of years ago and are now a natural playground for us to enjoy and marvel it. Elephants Rocks are located on private land, so we are very lucky to have free access. Do keep an eye out for the animals that are grazing there. Our kids loved hanging out with the sheep.
If you love exploring Elephant Rocks, you should also check out Castle Hill in Canterbury. These rock formations are like a natural playground and has a bigger area to explore
How long does it take to explore Elephant Rocks?
I would allow 30-60 minutes to explore the area. It isn’t too big, but if you are like me and happy to let the kids explore and play, then they could adventure here for quite a while. If you were stopping for a quick walk and photo stop, I would allow 20 minutes.
The Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail runs straight past Elephant Rocks, so if you are on this trail, you could plan a stop here.
Facilities at Elephant Rocks
There is a toilet available. (out of view from the road) You can also find a billboard map here, with information on the whole area. This tourist site is part of the Vanished World Fossil Trail. The trail was set up to educate and preserve the unique geological sites in the area. If you are interested in geology and fossils, you can also visit the Vanished World Centre in Duntroon itself. Kids under 12 are free and you can dig your own fossils from blocks here at the centre.
Elephant Rocks doesn’t really have any shade (except from the large boulder shadows) or picnic tables, but you could easily picnic on the grass. Just watch out for the sheep (and their business)
Anatini: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Narnia Film Location
Anatini is quite famous for two particular reasons. The first, is that it was a film location for the Chronicles of Narnia. If you are familiar with the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this was the site of Aslans camp, before the battle. The second reason it is interesting, and part of the Vanished World Trail, is that there is a fossil of an enormous whale in the limestone. It was an ancient Baleen Whale, which I had never heard of before so here’s a quick lesson.
Baleen Whale Fossil at Anatini
There are 14 types of baleen whales, including some popular ones like the blue whales, humpback whale and gray whale. They are larger than most other toothed whales except the sperm whale. Lots of Baleen whales travel between warm and cold waters, so perhaps this one was travelling to the Antarctic waters for feeding. Baleen whales have baleen instead of teeth. Baleen is made out of keratin (that’s the same stuff that our fingernails and hair is made of) Pretty cool though huh?
There is more information about the baleen whale fossil here if you are interested, or take a look around the rocks and explore in the caves. There is also a really crazy tree with all the branches facing upwards. If I knew more about trees, I’d let you know what it was, so if anyone else knows, flick me an email. Very interesting though.
How to get to Anatini fossil site
The rock site at Anatini is on private land. There is a small sign for Anatini farmstay and the site on the right hand side (coming from Duntroon) You can almost miss it so keep an eye out. Head down the driveway a little bit and there is a sign for the Vanished World site, pointing to the paddock. Park here in the paddock and enter the track by the fenceline. It’s only a few minutes down this track and you are there. Its only a few minutes drive from Elephant Rocks, so it’s easy to do both these sites in one trip.
Visiting Anatini and Elephant Rocks
You could easily visit these sites on a half day trip from Oamaru, but they would be great on a road trip from Oamaru to Omarama and the Mt Cook Region.
Combine your visit to Anatini and Elephant Rocks with:
- Kurow Hill Walkway, a short walk with beautiful views of the braided rivers
- The Deep Stream Track at Lake Aviemore
- Visiting a canyon: Omarama Clay Cliffs
- Walking the Hooker Valley Track for epic views of Mt Cook
- Tasman Glacier Viewpoint track to see the the Tasman Glacier and icebergs
Jennifer
Founder of Backyard Travel Family
Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space
Jen has three young children, 6 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.
what you need to know
Travel
Located on Island Cliff-Duntroon Road (the google location is accurate) Both are on the lefthand side of the road (heading from Oamaru to Duntroon)
The sites
- free to visit
- only a few minutes walk from the carpark
- could be a bit muddy after rain
- no special gear required, just enjoy
- you could visit both sites in about an hour.
Suitable for kids?
Both are great places for the kids to roam and explore
Facilities
- Toilet onsite at Elephant Rocks
- very little shade
What to bring
- cameras
Food options
Cafe in Duntroon, but there are more cafe options and a supermarket in Kurow, about 15 minutes down the road. Great fruit market stalls in this region too so keep an eye out roadside.
What the critics thought
