Exploring Island Cliff and Surrounding Roads
Island Cliff is located along the scenic Tokarahi Ngapara Road in the Waitaki Valley region, where you can witness striking geological formations. The road is flanked by 60-metre-high creamy limestone cliffs, known as Waitaki Whitestone, streaked with grey, sculpted by the gentle flow of the Awamoko Stream. This area is a highlight for those interested in natural landscapes and geological features.
The Geology of Island Cliff
The whitestone cliffs at Island Cliff are part of the Otekaike Limestone formation, a distinctive geological feature that dates back around 25 to 30 million years ago. This pale, fine-grained limestone was formed from the compressed remains of ancient marine organisms, including foraminifera and shell fragments, laid down when much of the Waitaki Basin was submerged beneath a shallow sea. Over time, tectonic uplift exposed these sedimentary layers, and erosion has since sculpted them into sheer bluffs and terraces.
The Route and Surrounding Features
As you travel southwest along the road, you will find Island Cliff on your left. This flat-topped, cliff-bound formation is part of the picturesque journey. The road itself connects Elephant Rocks and Anatini Fossils to the north and the Tokarahi Ngapara Road to the south. Cyclists will be pleased to know that Island Cliff is situated on the Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail.
How to Get There
From State Highway 83, the main highway through the Waitaki Valley, take Livingstone Duntroon Road south (from just south of Duntroon). Turn onto Island Cliff Duntroon Road and follow this to Island Cliff. The road descends 60 metres between the whitestone cliffs and connects with Tokarahi Ngapara Road. From there, you can either loop back to Duntroon via Tokarahi Duntroon Road and Livingstone Duntroon Road or continue south on Tokarahi Tapui Road towards Oamaru. The drive from Duntroon will take 12 minutes and is 13 km.
Other nearby places to visit include Earthquakes Waipata, Takiroa, the Vanished World Centre and Lake Aviemore.
