Elephant Rocks (New Zealand) Explained

The Elephant Rocks near Duntroon in North Otago, New Zealand, are a collection of large weathered limestone rocks. They are located on a private farm 5km (03miles) south of Duntroon, in the Maerewhenua Valley. The wider area around Duntroon is known for its interesting geology and preserved fossils.[1]

The Elephant Rocks are the weathered remnants of the Otekaike Limestone formation which lies above the Oligocene Kokoamu Greensand.

The rock formations of the Elephant Rocks vary from 1- across and are naturally scattered around a grass paddock on a gentle hillside over an area of about across. The rocks themselves are rounded and pockmarked from weathering, but do not specifically resemble elephant shapes. The pasture is part of a private farm, and sheep may be present. Access is permitted via a 5-minute walk across the farmland from opposite a parking bay on the Island Cliff-Duntroon Road. The Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail passes the site.[2]

The Elephant Rocks area has been used as a filming location for the first Chronicles of Narnia movie in 2005 when it was transformed into Aslan's camp.[3] They also appeared in Season 5 Episode 8.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fascinating Fossils and Rattling Rocks in Waitaki. NewZealand.com official NZ tourism website. 2014-03-04.
  2. Web site: Section 8: Duntroon to Oamaru . A2O . 14 December 2016.
  3. Web site: Filming at Elephant Rocks. . 2014-03-04.
  4. Web site: Jet Lag: The Game . Ep 8 - We Turned New Zealand Into a Real-Life Board Game . 21 May 2024 . 26 April 2023.