Omarama Clay Cliffs

The Omarama Clay Cliffs, also known as the Ahuriri River Clay Cliffs and the Clay Cliffs Paritea, are a group of cliffs located close to the north bank of the Ahuriri River, some 10 km to the west of the township of Omarama. The cliffs are made up of layers of silt and gravel that were formed during glacial erosion around two million years ago and are part of the Hawkdun Group of sediments. The cliffs were uplifted by the nearby Ostler Fault. The cliffs serve as a tourist attraction in the area and are privately owned. The cliffs are a stark sight - tall pinnacles separated by narrow ravines. These otherworldly formations are made up of layers of gravel and silt, originally formed by the flow from ancient glaciers over a million years ago