Hidden Secrets

Central Otago

Just outside of Omarama is what the locals describe as New Zealand's best kept secret, the Clay

Cliffs, a colorfully eroded “badlands” canyon. These unique cliffs are both fascinating and beautiful,

but they don’t get much tourism publicity because they’re on private land. Formed by earthquake upheaval and subsequent land erosion the area features orange/grey/yellow striped minarets and spires, pillars and canyons and cathedral-like amphitheaters set against a backdrop of scenic

mountains and the blue braided Ahuriri River flowing below.  We visited early in the day when the blue skies provided a beautiful contrast to the magnificent colours in the canyon.

Puzzling World Maze

We drove south to Wanaka, beautifully situated on a lake of the same name, then on to Puzzling World, a challenging 1mile maze where you must visit the 4 corners before successfully negotiating

your way out. We visited Arrowtown, an extremely pretty former gold rush town that has some well preserved miners' cottages from the later nineteenth century. Finally we drove over the Coronet Peak with it's twisting hairpin bends and far reaching views to arrive in Queenstown.