November 29, 2024 • 9 mins
Don’t you love coming across something so unexpected and unusual, on a road-trip? That’s how most visitors feel when they first clap eyes on the bewitching glory and striking landforms of the Paritea Clay Cliffs. It’s one of the most popular geo-sites in the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, just minutes from Ōmarama, on Henburn Road. It is absolutely worth the 15 minute diversion off the main road to savour this serrated geological wonder, complete with a slot canyon to shimmy through.
Mike Yardley.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks AB and.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Travel correspondent Mike Yardley is with us this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Kilder gold A, Jack, Guess what's just arrived at my place?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Oh? I know it's going to be like a like
a sixty foot high inflatable center. Or no, okay, let
me see like a like a life size sleigh and
reindeer scene.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Oh that's what I've been after. But no, I've got
a Christmas card, shil I open it.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Oh well, yeah, I'd be surprised if it were for me.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Let me read it. Okay, Hey, Mike, your chats with
me every Saturday are so tiresome. Oh, they absolutely suck.
At least at least the holiday season. We'll give us
all a break from your gallivanting. Merry Christmas, Jack.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Look, that sounds accurate in one scense, but another, I'm
fairly confident it's not what I wrote in your card
this year.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Maybe someone's an impostor and pretended to send me one
from you.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
See.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I feel like you, of anyone on the show, would
would still be sending and receiving more postcards, more Christmas cards.
Do you still you don't send them.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
I only send one to you.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Yeah, the bulk of my ones are the egreetings and messages.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Just not an eg eeting. You don't nothing, you don't
want anything, as far as I can. When I come
to that now, I noted that I can't hear a
cheering crowd on the embankment at Hagley Oval behind you.
That could be because the crowd isn't cheering at the moment.
England looking not at all comfortable for the time being
three forty five.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
But yeah, you the opening day, I loved it. You
just such a great setup there and it's just so chilled.
It feels like a big mess picnic. Yeah, it's really good.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I mean that's it is just so good to see,
especially because you have the grass embankment. Ah, that makes
it so difference, you know, when it comes to Test cricket,
there is nothing quite like just sitting on the bank
in the sun watching leather on willow. You know, it's wonderful. Okay,
So anyway, the English are still looking pretty strong there
for the time then they've put on a few runs
this morning. They're very nearly at the black Caps first
(02:26):
in things total currently only five down. Of course ben
Stokes forty one, not out, harry Brook one hundred and
forty seven not out, gulp out. So we will watch
that today. Anyway, we're taking a summer road trip through
the Yentucky Valley this morning, one hundred kilometers in length.
Where would be a good starting.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Point, Yeah, well, it is a summer road trip season,
and I think this is a really good option because
it's a less traffic to jaunt over summer. So once
you get to the Waitucky River, get over the bridge,
turn off State Highway one on to State Highway eighty
three and head for dun Troon, which is such a
(03:02):
distinctively rustic, Raffish village. I love Duntroon's great name as
well as an a present Scottish name. The thing about
dun Trone Jack is twenty five million years ago it
was under the ocean. It was pretty much the ocean
floor what you see today around the Duntroon landscape, and
(03:24):
obviously seismic forces thrust that all upwards over time. But
the Duntrone area is also home to the Vaniced World Center,
so this is a really good place to start. To
give you the bare bones backstory on all of that
prehistoric geological wealth that is bestowed on the region today.
(03:45):
In the center, they've got so many fossils, so many
fossilized discoveries that had a lot of farmers in the
Waiteki district basically dug up from the limestone on the land,
so you can see like old dolphin skulls, whalebones, penguin bones.
So it's a really good scene set in a bit
of a trophy more than one at the Vanished World Center.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, nice and dun Trune is the best launchpad into
the geopark.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Oh yes, the wy Tacky White Stone Geopark, which is
Australasia's first and only UNSCO geopark. So once you've got
to grips with the geological backstory at the center, you
can just hurl yourself at the region and they've got
a really good self drive touring route which they call
the Banished World Trail. So this will take you through
(04:35):
all sorts of landforms, it will take you to places
where there are lots of fossil fines, lots of rich
cultural history of the White Tucky and there are forty
designated sites all across the geopark that you can wander
around as you wish.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Nice. Okay, that sounds fantastic. So what would be some
of the essential sites?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Well, I reckon. My favorite is actually right on the
highway Takyuroa, which is the rock art site very close
to Duntruon, and this is where early Maldi traveling through
the valley would shelter in those limestone overhangs and you
can see all of the etchings of animals of early
European contacts. There's even like sailing ships etched into the
(05:20):
limestone rock in that cliff face. I just love it.
From their head to elephant rocks, obviously people think of
the Narnia film trilogy because this is the region where
a lot of it was shot. Elephant rocks very well named,
wonderfully whimsical, all sorts of limestone rocks that have been
sculpted by nature's forces. It's a very strange elephant shaped
(05:40):
out crops. And then also nearby elephant rocks another site unatteeny.
The really cool thing about anateeny is you can see
the fossilized bones of a whale exposed in the limestone.
And they reckon this whale. It was a baling whale.
It would be similar to a minky whale today, similar
(06:02):
sort of whale.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
But yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Anateeny also served as a film site that was as
Land's Camp in the Nania film trilogy, and the wider
area around Unattenny Jack is known as the Valley of
the Whales by the locals because of the sheer abundance
of fossilized marine life that that limestone throws up. Another
rockstar spectacle, earthquakes. I love that name, and it does
(06:26):
look like an earthquake hit the area when you arrived.
There are these monstrous slabs of limestone that have splinted
off the hillside and it all happened when the land
slumps thousands of years ago. But yeah, a really confronting site.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
So the westernmost attraction are the Clay Cliffs at or
Marta yet right.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Yes, very well known and if you haven't been there,
you've got to go and just encounter the glory of
nature at Clay Cliff. So it's about forty five minutes
west of duntrone, deep into the valley and it's like
a little boost of Utah hit the western ends of
the Whertuchy Valley. Very serrated and it's got a little
slot canyon that you can shimmy through as well. But
(07:07):
that cliff face, it is like a grand collection of
gigantic organ pipes, tall fluted exploding from the eroded cliff face.
It is just so dramatic. So that's a do not miss.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Nice So for a change of scenery, what about the
Lakes District.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, if you're tracking back from Omadama, definitely check out
the Hydro Lakes District, which is literally a powerhouse for
the nation. I love Lake Benmore and it's probably for
a couple of reasons. It's New Zealand's largest artificial lake.
It holds roughly one and a half times the water
of Wellington Harbor, so it is a vision of vivid
(07:46):
blue because of all of that glacial rock salt in
the water. And then you've got these fantastic trails around
Lake Benmore. I reckon the best is the Benmore Peninsular Track,
So it's about a ninety minute loop, so you can
sort of double it with a picnic. You get greeny
views down to the lake and then you've got mighty
are He's shimmering in the distance now for.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
All Richie McCaw fans. Of course, this part of the
country the synonymous with Korah, but there are some local
wineries to try to.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Yes, not far from Ben Mollert. Definitely call into Kuau
for some wellouns refreshments, and I would suggest check out
the local wine because the White Tacky Valley is now
home to about a dozen very boutique wine producers. A
great option is River t Cellar Door in Kurau because
not only do they showcase their own wine, but also
(08:38):
some fellow producers at the Fellar Door really good Peno, Peno,
Gree and Reasling. So it's Burgundy style wines Jack, that
are doing really well in the White Tacky fantastic.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
How I've got some bad news. You believe this? The
black Caps have just dropped Harry Brook again. Oh yeah,
So it's Glenn Phillips who's now taken the catch of
the year and dropped two relative sitters. That's I think
the seventh drop catch in listening, So Harry brings on
one hundred and forty seven not out.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Oh ye could be slipping away, Jack.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
I feel like it might be. It feels like the
Criocket and gods are not shining upon us at the moment,
but neverth Hey, they certainly shining upon the wait Tucky
Valley though. That sounds fantastic, So we're gonna put all
of your advice for road tripping through that gorgeous part
of the world up on the News Talks he'd be website.
We'll catch up with Alit Smith. He's taking us through
weekend sport this afternoon in a couple of minutes. Right now,
it's twenty eight past eleven.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to news Talks he'd be from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks AB and.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Travel correspondent Mike Yardley is with us this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Kilder gold A, Jack, Guess what's just arrived at my place?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Oh? I know it's going to be like a like
a sixty foot high inflatable center. Or no, okay, let
me see like a like a life size sleigh and
reindeer scene.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Oh that's what I've been after. But no, I've got
a Christmas card, shil I open it.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Oh well, yeah, I'd be surprised if it were for me.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Let me read it. Okay, Hey, Mike, your chats with
me every Saturday are so tiresome. Oh, they absolutely suck.
At least at least the holiday season. We'll give us
all a break from your gallivanting. Merry Christmas, Jack.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Look, that sounds accurate in one scense, but another, I'm
fairly confident it's not what I wrote in your card
this year.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Maybe someone's an impostor and pretended to send me one
from you.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
See.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I feel like you, of anyone on the show, would
would still be sending and receiving more postcards, more Christmas cards.
Do you still you don't send them.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
I only send one to you.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Yeah, the bulk of my ones are the egreetings and messages.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Just not an eg eeting. You don't nothing, you don't
want anything, as far as I can. When I come
to that now, I noted that I can't hear a
cheering crowd on the embankment at Hagley Oval behind you.
That could be because the crowd isn't cheering at the moment.
England looking not at all comfortable for the time being
three forty five.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
But yeah, you the opening day, I loved it. You
just such a great setup there and it's just so chilled.
It feels like a big mess picnic. Yeah, it's really good.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I mean that's it is just so good to see,
especially because you have the grass embankment. Ah, that makes
it so difference, you know, when it comes to Test cricket,
there is nothing quite like just sitting on the bank
in the sun watching leather on willow. You know, it's wonderful. Okay,
So anyway, the English are still looking pretty strong there
for the time then they've put on a few runs
this morning. They're very nearly at the black Caps first
(02:26):
in things total currently only five down. Of course ben
Stokes forty one, not out, harry Brook one hundred and
forty seven not out, gulp out. So we will watch
that today. Anyway, we're taking a summer road trip through
the Yentucky Valley this morning, one hundred kilometers in length.
Where would be a good starting.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Point, Yeah, well, it is a summer road trip season,
and I think this is a really good option because
it's a less traffic to jaunt over summer. So once
you get to the Waitucky River, get over the bridge,
turn off State Highway one on to State Highway eighty
three and head for dun Troon, which is such a
(03:02):
distinctively rustic, Raffish village. I love Duntroon's great name as
well as an a present Scottish name. The thing about
dun Trone Jack is twenty five million years ago it
was under the ocean. It was pretty much the ocean
floor what you see today around the Duntroon landscape, and
(03:24):
obviously seismic forces thrust that all upwards over time. But
the Duntrone area is also home to the Vaniced World Center,
so this is a really good place to start. To
give you the bare bones backstory on all of that
prehistoric geological wealth that is bestowed on the region today.
(03:45):
In the center, they've got so many fossils, so many
fossilized discoveries that had a lot of farmers in the
Waiteki district basically dug up from the limestone on the land,
so you can see like old dolphin skulls, whalebones, penguin bones.
So it's a really good scene set in a bit
of a trophy more than one at the Vanished World Center.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, nice and dun Trune is the best launchpad into
the geopark.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Oh yes, the wy Tacky White Stone Geopark, which is
Australasia's first and only UNSCO geopark. So once you've got
to grips with the geological backstory at the center, you
can just hurl yourself at the region and they've got
a really good self drive touring route which they call
the Banished World Trail. So this will take you through
(04:35):
all sorts of landforms, it will take you to places
where there are lots of fossil fines, lots of rich
cultural history of the White Tucky and there are forty
designated sites all across the geopark that you can wander
around as you wish.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Nice. Okay, that sounds fantastic. So what would be some
of the essential sites?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Well, I reckon. My favorite is actually right on the
highway Takyuroa, which is the rock art site very close
to Duntruon, and this is where early Maldi traveling through
the valley would shelter in those limestone overhangs and you
can see all of the etchings of animals of early
European contacts. There's even like sailing ships etched into the
(05:20):
limestone rock in that cliff face. I just love it.
From their head to elephant rocks, obviously people think of
the Narnia film trilogy because this is the region where
a lot of it was shot. Elephant rocks very well named,
wonderfully whimsical, all sorts of limestone rocks that have been
sculpted by nature's forces. It's a very strange elephant shaped
(05:40):
out crops. And then also nearby elephant rocks another site unatteeny.
The really cool thing about anateeny is you can see
the fossilized bones of a whale exposed in the limestone.
And they reckon this whale. It was a baling whale.
It would be similar to a minky whale today, similar
(06:02):
sort of whale.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
But yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Anateeny also served as a film site that was as
Land's Camp in the Nania film trilogy, and the wider
area around Unattenny Jack is known as the Valley of
the Whales by the locals because of the sheer abundance
of fossilized marine life that that limestone throws up. Another
rockstar spectacle, earthquakes. I love that name, and it does
(06:26):
look like an earthquake hit the area when you arrived.
There are these monstrous slabs of limestone that have splinted
off the hillside and it all happened when the land
slumps thousands of years ago. But yeah, a really confronting site.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
So the westernmost attraction are the Clay Cliffs at or
Marta yet right.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Yes, very well known and if you haven't been there,
you've got to go and just encounter the glory of
nature at Clay Cliff. So it's about forty five minutes
west of duntrone, deep into the valley and it's like
a little boost of Utah hit the western ends of
the Whertuchy Valley. Very serrated and it's got a little
slot canyon that you can shimmy through as well. But
(07:07):
that cliff face, it is like a grand collection of
gigantic organ pipes, tall fluted exploding from the eroded cliff face.
It is just so dramatic. So that's a do not miss.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Nice So for a change of scenery, what about the
Lakes District.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, if you're tracking back from Omadama, definitely check out
the Hydro Lakes District, which is literally a powerhouse for
the nation. I love Lake Benmore and it's probably for
a couple of reasons. It's New Zealand's largest artificial lake.
It holds roughly one and a half times the water
of Wellington Harbor, so it is a vision of vivid
(07:46):
blue because of all of that glacial rock salt in
the water. And then you've got these fantastic trails around
Lake Benmore. I reckon the best is the Benmore Peninsular Track,
So it's about a ninety minute loop, so you can
sort of double it with a picnic. You get greeny
views down to the lake and then you've got mighty
are He's shimmering in the distance now for.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
All Richie McCaw fans. Of course, this part of the
country the synonymous with Korah, but there are some local
wineries to try to.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Yes, not far from Ben Mollert. Definitely call into Kuau
for some wellouns refreshments, and I would suggest check out
the local wine because the White Tacky Valley is now
home to about a dozen very boutique wine producers. A
great option is River t Cellar Door in Kurau because
not only do they showcase their own wine, but also
(08:38):
some fellow producers at the Fellar Door really good Peno, Peno,
Gree and Reasling. So it's Burgundy style wines Jack, that
are doing really well in the White Tacky fantastic.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
How I've got some bad news. You believe this? The
black Caps have just dropped Harry Brook again. Oh yeah,
So it's Glenn Phillips who's now taken the catch of
the year and dropped two relative sitters. That's I think
the seventh drop catch in listening, So Harry brings on
one hundred and forty seven not out.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Oh ye could be slipping away, Jack.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
I feel like it might be. It feels like the
Criocket and gods are not shining upon us at the moment,
but neverth Hey, they certainly shining upon the wait Tucky
Valley though. That sounds fantastic, So we're gonna put all
of your advice for road tripping through that gorgeous part
of the world up on the News Talks he'd be website.
We'll catch up with Alit Smith. He's taking us through
weekend sport this afternoon in a couple of minutes. Right now,
it's twenty eight past eleven.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to news Talks he'd be from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.