Lots to see in Duntroon
THIRTY minutes inland from Oamaru is Duntroon, the biggest little town in the Waitaki Valley.
Built on the banks of the Maerewhenua River, it is steeped in history with Nicol’s Blacksmith Shop, St. Martin’s Anglican Church, the old Duntroon Gaol, and the Vanished World Trail and Fossil Centre. The refurbished Duntroon Hotel is open to visitors.
The Vanished World Fossil Centre at Duntroon is the heart of the Vanished World Trail with displays that help explain the formation of Zealandia and interpret the fossils, rocks, localities, and landforms along the Trail.
The Centre will satisfy the curiosity of anyone who wants to learn more about North Otago’s limestone story and the marine ecosystems of the Oligocene time, some 2030 million years ago. Children can spend time happily digging for a fossil at the Centre’s ‘dig room’, while the adults can take in the geological history of the district’s early marine life.
The retail section at the Vanished World Centre has a superb range of children’s books focussing on the geology theme along with
GNS Science maps and posters and other books and information to satisfy anyone with a more serious interest in geology and the outdoors.
Visitors to Duntroon have the choice of travelling via Highway 83 from Oamaru or taking a more leisurely drive through Weston and the Waiareka Valley on the WestonNgaparaDuntroon Road, with the opportunity to spend some time at the renowned Vanished World sites of Anatini and Elephant Rocks on the way.
Have a look at the Duntroon website, www. duntroon.co.nz, for more things to see and do.