Clay Cliffs
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The Clay Cliffs are a striking example of badlands erosion. They are composed of layers of silt and gravel that were deposited by ancient glaciers and rivers over millions of years. These relatively soft sediments have been eroded by wind and rain over time, carving out the dramatic and jagged landscape you see today. The sharp ridges, deep gullies, and varying colors within the layers tell a story of the region's geological past. Appearance: The cliffs are characterized by their dramatic and otherworldly appearance. They feature steep, fluted pinnacles and narrow ravines. The colors of the clay and silt layers range from pale grey and white to ochre and brown, creating a visually interesting and textured landscape. The contrast between the sharp, eroded forms and the surrounding relatively flat terrain is quite remarkable. Location and Accessibility: The Clay Cliffs are located about 10 kilometers west of the small town of Omarama in the Waitaki District of the South Island. To reach them, you typically drive along a gravel road (Henburn Road) for a few kilometers. There is a small entry fee to access the private land on which the cliffs are located. Once there, you can walk around and explore the base of the cliffs. There are no formal hiking trails within the cliffs themselves due to the unstable nature of the terrain. Things to Do: * Photography: The unique and dramatic landscape of the Clay Cliffs makes them a fantastic subject for photography. The play of light and shadow on the eroded formations can create stunning images. * Exploring: Walking around the base of the cliffs allows you to appreciate their scale and intricate details up close. It's like stepping into a miniature canyon landscape. * Picnicking: The area around the entrance often provides a spot for a picnic with a unique view. * Stargazing (nearby): Like much of the Mackenzie Basin, the area around Omarama and the Clay Cliffs offers dark night skies ideal for stargazing. Things to Note: * Footwear: Wear sturdy walking shoes as the ground can be uneven and dusty. * Sun Protection: The area can be exposed, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. * Water: It's advisable to bring your own water, especially on warmer days. * Respect the Environment: Stick to designated areas and avoid climbing on the fragile cliffs. * Entry Fee: Be prepared to pay a small fee at the entrance. Overall: The Clay Cliffs near Omarama offer a unique and fascinating glimpse into the power of natural erosion. Their dramatic and almost lunar-like landscape provides a memorable experience for visitors and photographers. They are a worthwhile detour for anyone traveling through the Mackenzie Basin.
devabrat bindhani
00
This is a beautiful, spectacular, unique landscape that anyone visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park should see. It took us only about 90 minutes to make the visit, including a leisurely walk at the cliffs and the drive in and out the 7 km gravel road from the highway. Some other reviews have said you need 4 wheel drive to get there, but this is absolutely NOT the case. Maybe the road has been improved, but there were no potholes or bumps that would damage a lower car. The road has been graded and is a little washboard-like in some brief stretches, but if you drive intelligently on the gravel surface, you will be fine. I drove our Toyota Yaris rental car to the site with no issues at all. Since this is private land, please do the honorable thing and put the $5 for car or $20 for bus in the collection box. The owners have invested lots of money and labor to build the parking lot and excellent trail. It takes no more than 15 minutes to walk the path from your car to the best and most accessible parts of the clay cliffs. A narrow passageway between two high cliffs allows you to enter an eerily otherworldly landscape that has to be experienced to be believed. It is SO worth the minor investment in both time and money. Do resist the temptation to climb higher than is safe. It’s much more difficult and dangerous coming back down than going up. And please remember to close the gate on driving in and again when leaving.
Marsha Russell
00
Great spot to visit, unique atmosphere and beautiful colours of the rocks. Best visited on a sunny day at sunrise or sunset. Although the cliffs look inconspicuous from State Highway 8 from Lindsay Valley to Omarama, a pleasant surprise awaits once you arrive and enter the cliffs. The road to the cliffs is a bounce from State Higway 8 to the left of Omarama on a tarmac road, then a dirt road in poor condition as it churns heavily and spews clouds of dust. The road passes through private land which is closed by a gate which can, however, be opened. The owner has assessed the fee for transit through his property at $5. The money can be dropped into a box at the gate or transferred to his bank account. There is a car park at the cliff and a shed with information about the cliff itself. The cliff can be walked along the road and along paths. We entered two canyons, the first smaller one without a path and the second which forks steeply upwards. The highest part is slippery, so good trekking shoes are useful. The cliff itself is mainly dramatic towering yellow rocks. The whole thing blends well with the greenery and the sky. At the base of the cliff, the growing lupines bloom beautifully. Close to the cliff is the wide flat valley of the Ahuriri River. Access to the river will be made difficult by the broken steep riverbanks. It is definitely worth a trip to this lovely and peaceful place.
Maarten Dietrich Gutt
00
We took an unexpected detour by seeing the "Clay Cliff" signs while going to Aoraki from Otematata. Very happy we did. About 10 kilometres from Omarama, off SH83. A part of the road [Henburn Road] is gravel but nothing that a standard 2-wheel drive cannot negotiate on a good day. The Clay Cliffs are a geological wonder; ‘bad land’ sharp pinnacles and ridges separated by steep and narrow ravines. The cliffs are on private land and there is an honesty box at the gate where you are asked to pay $5 per car. You really will have to make an effort to stop and locate the unassuming nondescript Honesty Box! There is a proper parking lot at the end of the drive. With big sign explaining how and when the rocks were formed. The base of the cliffs is about 150m from the car park. The Cliffs were created out of layers of silt and gravel deposited by ancient glaciers around 20 million years ago. These layers were compressed, then up-lifted by geological activity in the area, then as the high points began to be eroded pinnacles were left behind. We visited on a nice warm sunny day. But the place is guaranteed to be muddy and slippery after a good shower! Closed, sturdy footwear is advised.
Sabyasachi Banerjee
00
Summary: I enjoyed the surrounding scenery of Ahuriri Valley more than Clay Cliff itself. The Clay Cliff attraction 3/5: No doubt it's unique and intriguing, but not really worth the hype, especially after seeing Aoraki Mount Cook. There's so much crowd that you can hardly have any quiet time to enjoy the landscape. The walk 4/5: it took about 10 to 15 minutes of steady uphill walk from the parking to the actual site. By 5 to 10 minutes, Ahuriri River will be in sight, the beautiful landscape makes the walk more enjoyable. The drive 2/5: How to tell the world you've been to Clay Cliff without telling them? Just show them your car. It took 20 minutes drive from main road State Highway 8 to the parking, only about 5 minutes are on paved road. There's so much dust on the gravel road, at times we can barely see if the car in front of us and our car was covered with clay dust for almost a week.
Jo Lee
00
The Clay Cliffs are a geographically interesting area for hikes near Omarama, New Zealand. Here you find a range of very interesting clusters of pinnacles, which appear to be sprouting out of the ground. There are walking trails through the narrow ravines and along creeks that allow you get up and close to the interesting pinnacles structures. To visit, there is turnoff along State Highway 8 north of Omarama. The drive is around 10-15 minutes, some of which is along gravel roads. The cliffs are eventually found upon private lands. There is a donation box (NZ$5 per vehicle). Pay before opening the gate and proceeding to a carpark just in front of the Clay Cliff. This is a fun place to visit for hikes and a remarkable landscape to see around Omarama and an interesting place to include for drives south on State Highway 8.
Brad
00
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Henburn Road, Omarama 9412, New Zealand
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