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Elephant Rocks (Oamaru, New Zealand): Tips, Map, Photos

Last updated on December 6, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

If you love geological curiosities, don’t miss the Elephant Rocks in New Zealand. 
The giant rock formations are scattered on a private farm near Oamaru.
You can walk around and let your imagination recognize shapes.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to the Elephant Rocks and the Vanished World Trail of the region.

Heritage Trail Elephant Rocks New Zealand Travel
Content
Why visit Elephant Rocks in New Zealand?
Planning Tips and Map – Elephant Rocks, Oamaru, New Zealand
Elephant Rocks, NZ – Access / Facilities
Walking around the rocks – pictures
Vanished World Trail – Duntroon
Maori Art in the region of the Elephant Rocks
Other rock formations to admire in New Zealand South Island

Why visit Elephant Rocks in New Zealand?

Are the Elephant Rocks worth it?

If you are visiting the area, or driving down the coast through Oamaru, then the detour to the Elephant Rocks is worth the small detour.
However, i would not come to the area just for that location.

Imagine hundreds of rock formations scattered on green pasture.
Some are 1m tall, others reach 10m in height.
They have been rounded and eroded by the elements. So they all have different shapes and you can let your imagination wander… I personally saw an eagle, a whale and more. But no elephants…

Elephant Rocks, Oamaru, New Zealand
Elephant Rocks, Oamaru, New Zealand

Exploration in video

Below is a short video of my exploration of the rocks and other surrounding sites:

Geology of the Elephant Rocks

A short explanation of the geological phenomenon behind the rocks:

  • 25 million years ago, limey sand accumulated in waters up to 100m deep
  • The sediments were buried and turned into limestone with the pressure
  • Within the last few million years, uplift happened. It brought the limestone to the surface
  • Wind and rain eroded and shaped the stone. Where layers were more resistant it protected the rock under it
  • Grey lichen covers most

Elephant Rocks in the Chronicles of Narnia

The site of the Elephant Rocks in Otago New Zealand has been used to film the Aslan’s Camp in the movie The Chronicle of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Note: If you are looking for a rock shaped like an elephant on a beach, this is Elephant Rock not the Elephant Rocks.

More photos after the planning tips.

Planning Tips and Map – Elephant Rocks, Oamaru, New Zealand

Where are the Elephant Rocks Otago?

  • South Island, South East coast, in Otago
  • Great stop when driving from Lake Pukaki to the Moeraki Boulders, near the town of Duntroon
  • Oamaru to Elephant Rocks = 40min drive
  • Dunedin to Elephant Rocks = 2h drive
  • Lake Pukaki to Elephant Rocks = 1h30 drive
  • Queenstown to Elephant Rocks = 3h drive
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented:
Elephant Rocks near Oamaru in New Zealand - Map
Elephant Rocks near Oamaru in New Zealand – Map

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, maps and tips) in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your New Zealand road trip:

Plan your dream trip in New Zealand thanks to my guide
Small Mainland Portugal Algarve ebook cover
  • 12 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 200+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Winter tips to make the most of your time
  • 285+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

How to get to the Elephant Rocks

  • It is on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
  • I have not see any tours. You need your own car to explore the area.
  • Small countryside road to access the trail.
Need to rent a car in New Zealand?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Prefer a car with enough power for the mountain areas
  • Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Visiting the Rocks and the Heritage Trail

  • It is part of a Heritage trail starting in Duntroon
  • Free access to the rocks
  • If you enjoy fossils and geology, I recommend visiting the museum in Duntroon before (10 euros)
  • To explore the rocks plan 20min to 1h depending on your fascinating
  • It is a 5min walk from the carpark
  • Toilets on site
  • This is a private farm, let the animals be
  • Wear closed shoes, as there is animal droppings everywhere.
  • The Elephant Rocks are included in my eBooks, to help you plan an unforgettable NZ road trip:
Plan your dream trip to New Zealand with my guides!
  • 12 easy-to-plan maps
  • 200+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates 
  • Useful planning tips
  • 285+ large photos 
Discover it
  • 6 easy-to-plan maps
  • 110+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates 
  • Useful planning tips
  • 190+ large photos 
Discover it

Where to stay?

  • Duntroon is not a big town – accommodations are limited – See options
  • You can stay at the Victorian town of Oamaru to see the Penguin come back to shore at dusk – Check out the best rated accommodations in Oamaru and book
  • Or you can stay near the Moeraki Boulders to be able to photograph them at sunrise – I stayed at the Moeraki Boulders Motel: It was clean and spacious. The owners are really nice. Not very modern but conveniently located – Check out price and availability

Elephant Rocks, NZ – Access / Facilities

The stop is clearly indicated on the side of the road.
There is quite large carpark and access to the farms is just across the road. 
Make sure you close the gate after entering!

Elephant Rocks New Zealand - carpark
Elephant Rocks New Zealand - entrance

You will find a little explanation with the Heritage Trail sign but not much.
And in one of the holes, you can find a toilet.

Elephant Rocks New Zealand - toilets
Elephant Rocks New Zealand - Heritage trail

Walking around the rocks – pictures

And now it is time to have fun walking around the rocks. 
It is a little hilly but not much.
After rain, it may be slippery. Be careful.

Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 1

It is located in the Waitaki Valley. On a clear day you may see mountain tops that could be covered in snow (but not in Summer). 
But even with bad weather, it is a fun place to explore. It would not do a detour to see it. But if you do the leg between Lake Pukaki and the Moeraki boulders, this is an easy stop.

Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 2

I will repeat myself, but wear closed shoes. There is animal dropping everywhere as it is on a working farm.

Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 3

The rock on top of the rock is harder which is why the boulder was created. However the rock below is soft and attacked by the elements.

Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 4
Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 5
Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 6
Elephant Rocks New Zealand - photo 7

Vanished World Trail – Duntroon

Vanished World Trail – Map

As I wrote before, the rocks are part of the Vanished World Trail. It is a collection of sites with geological features between Duntroon and the Moeraki Boulders.
Some are more impressive than others…
It includes fossil sites, extinct volcanoes and landforms.

Vanished World Trail - Map
Vanished World Trail – Map

Duntroon museum

If you want to learn more about the trail and the geological history of the area, stop at the museum in Duntroon.
Entrance is 10 euros. However note that it is a small museum.

You will see fossils (penguins, whales, dolphins…) and explanations about the sea bed, and what was discovered in the area.

Vanished World Trail - Duntroon Museum 1
Vanished World Trail - Duntroon Museum 2

Anatini Whale Fossil Site

Another site I enjoyed what the Anatini one. 
There is the Fossil of a whale but you can’t see much of it. 
I just enjoyed the short walk and the arch.
It is also on a private farm.

Vanished World Trail - Anatini whale fossil site 1
Vanished World Trail - Anatini whale fossil site 2

Drive around

Even if you don’t stop at all the sites (sometimes there is very little to see), the drive in the region is quite enjoyable:

Vanished World Trail - Drive  1
Vanished World Trail - Drive  2

Maori Art in the region of the Elephant Rocks

The area is also rich in Maori art. More than 20 sites have been discovered in the Waitaki Valley (but only 3 remains because of the creation of lakes and man made developments).
2 sites are easy to access and you can clearly distinguished the shapes. They are maintained by 2 Maori nations’ trust.

Takiroa rock art site

This is the most visited one, as it is located on the main road just before Duntroon.
It is a short walk from the carpark.

The rock shelter is on an ancient pathway along the Waitaki River (from the mountains to the sea).

Takiroa rock art site 1

You can see black drawings of boats and red figures that represent Taniwha, large water creatures in the Maori tradition.

Takiroa rock art site 2

Maerewhenua rock art site

The other site is only a few kilometers away, on the road to the Elephant rocks.
You have to climb 74 stairs to approach the cave.
You can also see black drawings and red figures.

Maerewhenua rock art site1
Maerewhenua rock art site 2

Other rock formations to admire in New Zealand South Island

Do you love geology and rock formations?
Below are 4 more sites worth visiting in New Zealand South Island.

Moeraki Boulders

rock formations to admire in New Zealand South Island - Moeraki boulders

The Moeraki Boulders are probably the most famous boulders. Located on a beach this giant round rocks are fascinating.
Check out my article with many more photos

Omarama Clay cliffs

rock formations to admire in New Zealand South Island - Omarama clay cliffs

​Also on the way from Lake Pukaki to the Moeraki Boulders, you can do a small detour to this colorful wall of pinacles!
Check out my article with many more photos

Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks)

rock formations to admire in New Zealand South Island - Punakaiki

This is a feature that still intrigues geologists…
Located on the West Coast of South Island

Castle Hill Rocks (Kura tawhiti)

rock formations to admire in New Zealand South Island - Castle Hill Rocks

​Another field of boulders. But those are even bigger! This is one of the best stop on the Arthur’s pass drive.
Check out my article with many more photos

All of them are included in my eBooks:

Plan your dream trip to New Zealand with my guides!
  • 12 easy-to-plan maps
  • 200+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates 
  • Useful planning tips
  • 285+ large photos 
Discover it
  • 6 easy-to-plan maps
  • 110+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates 
  • Useful planning tips
  • 190+ large photos 
Discover it

Want to see more of New Zealand?

  • How to plan a New Zealand road trip – read article
  • New Zealand 2 week itinerary – read article
  • New Zealand North Island vs South Island – read article
  • New Zealand in 50 photos – read article
  • 20 Best waterfalls in New Zealand – read article
  • 15 most beautiful beaches in New Zealand – read article
  • Things to do in New Zealand North island – read article
  • Things to do in New Zealand South island – read article
  • New Zealand hidden gems – read article

Planning a trip to NZ?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip in New Zealand thanks to my guide
Small Mainland Portugal Algarve ebook cover
  • 12 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 200+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Winter tips to make the most of your time
  • 285+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

And keep track of your own trip!

New Zealand travel journal road trip

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