Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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1.5 km return | 1 hour return
Badlands hoodoos in the heart of the MacKenzie. Its like been in a big sandcastle
The Clay Cliffs of Omarama are an amazing semi-arid `badland` of deep ravines and pinnacles eroded into ancient river gravels and lake silts situated on the active Ostler Fault Line.
From Omarama at the junction of SH83 and SH8, continue north towards Twizel.
After 4.5 km, Clay Cliffs is signposted to the left along Qualiburn Road.
After 3.8 km Clay Cliffs is again signposted to the left along Henburn Road (unsealed).
After 3.4 km there is a gate on the left, which enters private land. A $5 per car donation is asked for to help maintain the road.
It is a further 3 km to a wide parking bay. Don’t be tempted to drive further as even for a 4WD its dodgy on the slippery clay.
There are no formal tracks here.
Beware of falling rocks especially during rain. Your best bet is to walk along the 4WD track until it peters out and head right through the ramparts into the hidden world within.
Don’t try and fight the matagouri and hawthorn as you get scratched to buggery and no other place competes with these masterpieces.
The earth pillars, or ‘hoodoos’, form by rain washing off the soil surface, exposing a resistant layer of rock or large boulder, which forms a cap, protecting the rock beneath. When this cap is punctured the surrounding material is washed away until another resistant layer is encountered. This gives rise to pillars of differing heights. Where a cap still exists a fluted pinnacle forms. Heavy rain removes the softer silty matrix binding the conglomerate of gravels to expose the individual rocks.
They have counterparts in the North Island at Putangirua (see Pinnacles Walk, Wairarapa).
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Waitaki District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Omarama |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? Private Land Owner This track is independently operated by the private land owner. |
Awesome hidden gem of New Zealand.
Totally worth the trip!
Was a really nice change of scenery.
$5 to get on the land, is worth it!
I went to Clay cliff.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 9 |
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31% |
9/10 | 4 |
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14% |
8/10 | 13 |
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45% |
7/10 | 1 |
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3% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 1 |
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3% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 1 |
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3% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.5/5
I went to Clay cliff.
I enjoyed everything and felt very good.
But a Chinese man picked a natural stone and carried it to his car and left.
I was very disappointed.
Is it illegal to pick up any natural material in reserve area?
But thereis no warning signage.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great natural context that is different than New Zealand.
A risky narrative could happen if you don't have a proper shoes.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Was a really nice change of scenery.
Bumpy, dusty road is not too bad. Nice track that lets you get in amongst the cliffs and get a really close look. Definitely worth a visit if you are passing.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
Really different from most NZ scenery, quite impressive in its own way and less crowded than other places.
You have to pay an entrance fee which I is pretty fair, considering the site is on private land.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Stunning site the sheer grandeur of which makes you feel 'very small' as you wind your way through the impressive formations.
A photographer's and geologist's dream-come-true ....
Reviewed over 6 years ago
1.5/5
I don't know why there is a fee of $5, because this 7.5 km gravel road is ridiculous and gets worse after paying the fee.
The view is nice enough, but you can have a quite good overview from the highway as well.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
5.0/5
Very interesting rock formations - but see for yourself!
Long and bumpy gravel road - absolutely worth it.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Totally worth the trip!
The cliffs are on private land and the scenery is amazing. So the $5 for the road usage is a good deal for a view and an astounding walk. Be sure to walk all the way to the end of the road.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome hidden gem of New Zealand.
A true NZ must do, it really proves New Zealand has it all.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
Great hidden treasure on a long gravel road.
Nice activity for $5.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
$5 to get on the land, is worth it!
Very different scenery. It was nice to walk around/in the cliffs.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
A little off the beaten path, but the clay cliffs were worth a visit.
Very interesting formations accessible by a walking track. $5 entry per vehicle.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
I went to Clay cliff.
I enjoyed everything and felt very good.
But a Chinese man picked a natural stone and carried it to his car and left.
I was very disappointed.
Is it illegal to pick up any natural material in reserve area?
But thereis no warning signage.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Great natural context that is different than New Zealand.
A risky narrative could happen if you don't have a proper shoes.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
4.0/5
Was a really nice change of scenery.
Bumpy, dusty road is not too bad. Nice track that lets you get in amongst the cliffs and get a really close look. Definitely worth a visit if you are passing.
Reviewed about 5 years ago
4.5/5
Really different from most NZ scenery, quite impressive in its own way and less crowded than other places.
You have to pay an entrance fee which I is pretty fair, considering the site is on private land.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
5.0/5
Stunning site the sheer grandeur of which makes you feel 'very small' as you wind your way through the impressive formations.
A photographer's and geologist's dream-come-true ....
Reviewed over 6 years ago
1.5/5
I don't know why there is a fee of $5, because this 7.5 km gravel road is ridiculous and gets worse after paying the fee.
The view is nice enough, but you can have a quite good overview from the highway as well.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
5.0/5
Very interesting rock formations - but see for yourself!
Long and bumpy gravel road - absolutely worth it.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome hidden gem of New Zealand.
A true NZ must do, it really proves New Zealand has it all.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
$5 to get on the land, is worth it!
Very different scenery. It was nice to walk around/in the cliffs.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Totally worth the trip!
The cliffs are on private land and the scenery is amazing. So the $5 for the road usage is a good deal for a view and an astounding walk. Be sure to walk all the way to the end of the road.
Reviewed over 7 years ago
4.0/5
Great hidden treasure on a long gravel road.
Nice activity for $5.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
A little off the beaten path, but the clay cliffs were worth a visit.
Very interesting formations accessible by a walking track. $5 entry per vehicle.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
I have never heard of the Clay Cliffs before, but on my way from Mt Cook to Dunedin I stopped there.
I did not expect a lot but was mindblown when I saw them. They are totally worth a visit.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
2.5/5
Spectacular cliffs in the middle of nowhere, very nice landscape and views.
But $5 road fee per van for a gravel road and no toilets?? That is not nice.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.5/5
Feb 2016: $5 per vehicle - access road is gravel with nasty potholes (pay to bring exact change).
Walk is relatively easy on the main path. Plenty of animal tracks can be followed to find your own private cathedral of wonder. Fascinating place, worth stopping off it you are passing through. Bring water and sunscreen! No toilet.
Jan 2018: Same price, same potholed road, much worse camper to drive in (much larger and only 2wd). Last time we parked at a small turnaround near the river and had to walk past a locked gate, down a very rough, "4wd only", single-lane dirt road (we thought it would be fun to have a quad bike along here). The road end carpark is now through those gates, the 4wd track now being wider and ok for 2wd - expect to be challenged with a large motorhome, but it's do-able. Carpark is much larger, plenty of turning space and closer to the 'Cathedral'. Still no toilet or shelter...doesn't need it, just go prepared. 2 years ago we had the place almost to ourselves...this time, a dozen other people around.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.5/5
Very annoying unsealed road towards it, but so worth it!
Large yellow sand/clay formations that really stand out from the surroundings - special!
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.0/5
Nice spot, not too many people.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014
5.0/5
Very cool cliffs, $5 entry per car.
Great views and good place to scramble up the cliffs.
Reviewed over 9 years ago
4.0/5
The gravel road to the cliffs is tricky but it's worth driving there.
From the carpark it is an easy walk to the cliffs. Actually there are no walkways between the cliffs. The paths can be very steep.
Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in January 2015
4.0/5
Very interesting landscape.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Pales in comparison to similar places around the world on a larger scale, but worth a visit, still very unique, explore as many ravines as you can!
Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in December 2012
5.0/5
Short walk.
very interesting place You will see the signs before heading to Omarama ( to Queenstown) Just follow the signs until you see the gate with honest box $5 per car. It's unsealed road. Park your car when you see sign 4WD only ( I've been there on september 2013 I think 4WD cant drive through as well, there was a very big hole . 15mins walk from car park
Reviewed about 11 years ago
4.0/5
Well worth a visit!
Almost nobody there, and surprisingly impressive!
Very... different :)
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in January 2013
4.0/5
Beautiful place although it wasn't written on our map but we just followed the signs.
Reviewed about 14 years ago and experienced in February 2010
4.0/5
These cliffs are worth stopping.
Not mentioned in many travel guides they offer some spectacular views. Cliffs are on private property and a little fee applies, but it's worth it....
Reviewed almost 15 years ago
3.5/5
Awesome rock formations, you can walk all around and inside - worth a stop off to break up a drive to Wanaka/QT.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009