Mars rising in O¯ ma¯rama
In the deep south, there’s a remarkable alien-looking landscape that was formed over millions of years. Overseas, it would be a tourist trap, but here it seems almost forgotten, writes Brook Sabin.
New Zealand has no shortage of stunningly beautiful drives, and one of them is between Queenstown and Aoraki/ Mt Cook. This route weaves through some of our most spectacular mountain scenery, with hidden gems a long the way.
From Queenstown, ascend the Crown Range as you wind your way into a majestic mountainscape that passes through Cardrona village.
After an hour you’ll be in Wa¯ naka, where you can stop for icecream at Patagonia Chocolates, and a leisurely walk along the waterfront to see That Wa¯ naka Tree.
Next, traverse the stunningly sparse Lindis Pass, before reaching the heartland of hidden gems: O¯ ma¯ rama, which has two unmissable stops.
The Clay Cliffs
This unworldly landscape has to be one of the most underrated attractions in New Zealand. If it were overseas, there’d be ticket queues, cafes and novelty shops scattered around the place.
Here, there’s a hand-painted sign pointing towards the entrance, and an honesty box that asks for $5 a car to visit.
The cliffs and pinnacles are dramatic. It feels like Sir Peter Jackson was behind its creation as part of an elaborate movie set. But this remarkable landscape was sculpted by Mother Nature over millions of years.
Ancient glaciers, rivers and lakes deposited silt and gravel over millennia. These layers were compressed and eventually pushed up by a faultline. As this process slowly unfolded, the rock was eroded by wind and rain, creating a landscape that has deep ravines next to towering pinnacles.
It’s best if you put aside at least 40 minutes to truly appreciate the place. There is a track leading up into the pinnacles, but then you’re on your own. You can explore as deep into the landscape as you wish. The best part? Arrive late in the afternoon, or in the early morning and you’re likely to have the place to yourself.
A hot tub to remember
Once you’ve explored the Clay Cliffs, another local institution is Hot Tubs Omarama.