Omarama Clay Cliffs New Zealand: the weird and wonderful land formation

The Omarama clay cliffs surely has to be one of the most weird and wonderful wacky land formations on South Island New Zealand and should definitely be on your itinerary.

They are quite a spectacular site, and it’s definitely worth a little detour; the Omarama clay cliffs rise out of the ground and the peaks up into the sky like it’s no one’s business.

You can find the Omarama Clay Cliffs on your road trip from Queenstown to Tekapo.

It’s such an unusual phenomenon, particularly as the surrounding landscape looks typical of the rest of South Island, rolling Hills and mountains, flat valleys and streams, so the Omarama clay cliffs are quite unique.

Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand guides for attractions nearby on your South Island itinerary.

Not sure where to go? Have a look at my article on North VS South Island New Zealand, which is better?

Best activities & tours on South Island

Here are some of the best New Zealand South Island tours! I always compare tours on Viator and Get Your Guide to check prices and different tour availability.

Jet Boat & Wilderness experience – If you’re after an adrenaline experience then this is for you!

Milford Sound Cruises – The best way to see the unofficial 8th wonder of the world.

Franz Josef Glacier tours – one of the most iconic, stunning, incredible things to experience in South Island!

Glenorchy & Paradise half day tour – if you’re after some beautiful sight seeing this is for you!

Glow worm caves – Don’t miss the iconic glow worm caves in South Island!

Scenic Flights – One of the most iconic experiences in all of South Island, New Zealand.

Table of Contents

Omarama clay cliffs

The Omarama Clay Cliffs are a striking natural formation located near the town of Omarama in the South Island of New Zealand.

These cliffs are a weirdly unusual geological feature, with a dramatic landscape that is quite unique to the region; there’s nowhere else quite like it.

The cliffs are made up of layers of silt and gravel that were deposited by glaciers over a million years ago. Over time, erosion has sculpted these deposits into sharp pinnacles and deep, narrow ravines, creating a landscape that is both alien and awe-inspiring.

Apparently the Omarama Clay Cliffs are only 1 – 2 million years old carved by glaciers, meaning that in relative terms, they are actually rather ‘young’.

Omarama Clay Cliffs South Island — Omarama Clay Cliffs

The Omarama Clay cliffs are between Queenstown and Christchurch, and is a great pitstop on your south island road trip. I have a guide on the scenic drive between Queenstown and Tekapo.

The Omarama clay cliffs themselves are pretty extraordinary with such unusual land formations, it seems a little bit like it belongs to another world.

The detour of the main road to the cliffs is not a particularly long one. It’s around 15 to 20 minute drive, but it is worth it to see this unusual land formation.

Note that the Omarama clay cliffs are technically on private land, so there is a donation box / honesty box for the entry fee entry the drive. There are plenty of signs detailing the directions so you shouldn’t get lost and Google Maps seem to work for us as well so that wasn’t an issue.

You will have to drive for about 20 minutes on a gravel path which is particularly dusty and the speed limit is around 20 or 30 km/h.

If you’re in the area near the Omarama Clay Cliffs, don’t forget to visit Lake Pukaki & Aoraki National Park, Tekapo Springs and the Tekapo dark night reserve!

Clay Cliff carpark

There is a free carpark at Omarama Clay cliffs where around 50 to 100 cars can park and this is plenty as there usually only around 20 people there. There are no facilities or resources here. No toilets, no drinks or snacks so make sure you bring everything you need to with you.

The walk up to the Omarama cliffs is only around 5 to 10 minutes, although bear in mind in the middle of the day the heat is quite strong so make sure you bring a hat. It’s hot!

clay cliffs Omarama

As you get a little bit closer, you’ll start to notice the incredible land formations, and as you walk up the designated pathway, you’ll find a small entrance into a small valley.

This valley is closed (so you can’t get lost), but utterly beautiful, and you can walk around and take as many pictures to your hearts desire, but bear in mind, it’s quite steep.

There’s only so far you’ll be able to walk up, but it’s well worth it. If you decide to climb up some of the Omarama clay cliffs towards the end of the valley, you find yourself in bear in mind that it is really dusty and a little bit treacherous footing as there’s a lot of scree and loose rocks everywhere.

We made the wrong decision of wearing flip-flops and Birkenstocks and it wasn’t very easy to climb up the hills. We managed it but it was a little bit tricky. So for this reason I’d recommend trainers.

When your climbing up the hills and various peaks in the valley, just be mindful of how treacherous it is, and it would be quite easy to fall, so just make sure you’re comfortable with the heights that you’re scaling .

The views of the Omarama clay cliffs are phenomenal, and it is, for this reason that you’ll get a full 360° appreciation of the beautiful valley that you’re in outlandish landform something that’s truly unique in South Island New Zealand.

How long do you need at the Omarama Clay cliffs?

You probably only need around 30 minutes at the Omarama Clay Cliffs and it really depends on how long you plan on photographing and admiring the scenery. The walk from the car park is around 5 to 10 minutes and once you’re in the valley, it’s a closed walking trail.

We spent some time taking photographs here for the blog, but other than that the Omarama Clay Cliffs are just a quick pitstop, there’s not a huge hike or anything.

Given that, it’s only 15 minutes away from the main road, it’s well worth a visit to the cute and quirky Omarama Clay Cliffs.

Omarama Clay Cliffs map

Save this to your google maps so you know where to go!

Address:

Henburn Road, Omarama 9412, New Zealand

Omarama is situated in the Waitaki District of the Canterbury region, and the Omarama Clay Cliffs are just a short drive from the town.

To reach the cliffs, you typically take State Highway 8, turning off onto Quailburn Road and then onto an unsealed road that leads to the site. The last part of the journey involves a small entrance fee, which is used for the maintenance of the road and the preservation of the area.

Queenstown to Omarama Clay Cliffs

Queenstown to Omarama Clay Cliffs: The distance is approximately 180 kilometers (about 112 miles), and it usually takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to drive via State Highway 6 and State Highway 8. This route takes you through some beautiful landscapes, including the Kawarau Gorge and the Lindis Pass.

Christchurch to Omarama Clay Cliffs

Christchurch to Omarama Clay Cliffs: The distance is roughly 320 kilometers (about 199 miles), with an estimated driving time of around 4 to 4.5 hours via State Highway 1 and then State Highway 8. This journey takes you through the Canterbury Plains, past Lake Tekapo, and through the Mackenzie Basin, offering varied and picturesque scenery along the way.

Car & Campervan Rental

It’s recommended that you either hire yourself, a campervan or a car, so you can explore South Island at your heart’s desire on an epic road trip NZ South Island.

Depending on what time of year it can be really busy so it is worth looking at your stay well in advance. Bear in mind cost of hotels on your itinerary South Island New Zealand.

Car Rental South Island

Omarama clay cliff entry fee

There is no official cost associated however, it is on private land and they there is a donation box when you turn into the drive so you can drop in some change or a few dollars in upon entry. Just make sure you have change with you. They recommend 5-20 NZD.

South Island Weather

Here is the average weather on the South Island by each month. The South Island of New Zealand experiences a diverse climate, with the west coast receiving high rainfall and the east coast being drier and cooler.

Seasonal temperatures vary widely, from warm, sunny summers to cold, snowy winters, especially in the mountainous regions.

South Island Weather in January

Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
Average sunset time: 9:30 PM

South Island Weather in February

Average temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Average rainy days: 7
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:00 PM

South Island Weather in March

Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 8:15 PM

South Island Weather in April

Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 11
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:45 PM

South Island Weather in May

Average temperature: 6°C (43°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

South Island Weather in June

Average temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:15 PM

South Island Weather in July

Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

South Island Weather in August

Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 10
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:00 PM

South Island Weather in September

Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:30 PM

South Island Weather in October

Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 13
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 7:45 PM

South Island Weather in November

Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
Average sunset time: 8:30 PM

South Island Weather in December

Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:15 PM

Quick links

Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad:

Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide

Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia.

E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card!

Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it!

Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank!

Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things nearby on your South Island itinerary:

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