Walking with dinosaurs

NORTH OTAGO features some of New Zealand’s most interesting geology and the area around Duntroon (on SH83 west of Oamaru) contains some fascinating rock formulations and fossils that are easily accessible from the road.

The Vanished World Centre in Duntroon is an excellent starting point to brush up on your geology, with a collection of impressive fossils up to 30 million years old, including prehistoric penguins, whales and dolphins and some species yet to be classified.

North Otago and South Canterbury are also home to numerous Maori rock art sites, though many of them are rudimentary and difficult to reach. However, at Duntroon, there are two sites that are accessible and where the art is vivid and easy to discern.

A short loop drive from Duntroon covers the following walks and will take under two hours, including walking.