Omarama Clay Cliffs

Rising abruptly from the dry Mackenzie Country basin, the Omarama Clay Cliffs are a geological oddity that feels almost otherworldly. These jagged spires and pinnacles of compressed silt and gravel, carved by millennia of wind and rain, glow in shades of ochre, gold, and grey under the vast Central Otago sky. Unlike the more touristy Moeraki Boulders, the Clay Cliffs remain a blissfully uncrowded stop, offering a short but dramatic walk into a landscape that could double for a Martian badlands. For photographers and road-trippers, this is an essential detour off the highway between Twizel and Omarama.

Highlights & What to See

• Dramatic Hoodoos & Spires: Walk the easy 10-minute track to the base of the cliffs, where towering, fluted formations create a natural amphitheatre of striated earth.
• Photography at Golden Hour: The cliffs are at their most spectacular in the early morning or late afternoon, when the low sun sets the clay ablaze with colour and casts long shadows across the pinnacles.
• Geological Wonder: These 1–2 million-year-old deposits were laid down by ancient glacial rivers; look for layers of gravel and silt that reveal the area’s turbulent geological history.
• Off-the-Beaten-Path Vibe: With no visitor centre, café, or entrance fee (just a small honesty-box donation), the site retains a raw, uncommercialised feel that rewards independent explorers.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow 30–45 minutes for the short walk and photo stop. The gravel access road is rough but suitable for 2WD in dry conditions; after rain, it can become slippery and rutted, so check conditions locally. Pair this with a visit to the nearby Omarama Salmon Farm or a soak at the Omarama Hot Tubs for a half-day east of the Lindis Pass.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Twizel – 20 km north; gateway to the Tasman Glacier and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
• Lake Ōhau – A serene alpine lake with walking trails and the popular Ōhau Skifield in winter.
• Omarama – The small township itself, known for gliding (soaring) and the Omarama Hot Tubs.
• Lindis Pass – Scenic mountain pass on the road to Wanaka, with short walks and stunning tussock landscapes.
• Bendigo Historic Reserve – Relics of the Otago gold rush, with short walks to old mining sites.

Please check official sources for current details.