Omarama's Clay Cliffs

Not far from Twizel, about 30kms south, is a little town named Omarama (in Maori it means ‘a place of light’- referring to the pure and clear skies). Omarama sits at the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin. 

There were two reasons I was looking forward to visiting this area.

1). 'The Clay Cliffs'

&

2). To see the lupins along the Ahuriri River.

When we made the decision to stay at Lake Pukaki until after Christmas, I decided to take a day trip to Omarama. I didn’t want to miss seeing the lupins at their best. 

Just north of Omarama and10kms west are the natural rock formations known as ‘Omarama’s Clay Cliffs’.

The 'Clay Cliffs' are well sign posted, giving you plenty of warning that the turnoff is approaching.  I turned off State Highway 8, into Quailburn Road and then into Henburn Road, which is an unsealed road. There was the odd patch of corrugation and a few pot holes, however it wasn't as bad as I'd been led to believe. 

It’s a private road - the farmer has placed an honesty box for a $5/vehicle admission fee, to help with the upkeep of the road. You can also pay at the Omarama i-SITE.

In the distance I saw a farmer moving a mob of sheep, as they moved onto the road I slowed down to let them pass. But with a couple of whistle commands the dogs skilfully moved them off the road. Where would farmers be without their dogs?

The landscape was beautiful, so typical of the magnificent Mackenzie Basin. Although the briar roses had finished flowering they managed to fill the air with sweet perfume. 
And as for the Clay Cliffs … WOW!

The surrounding vegetation made a striking contrast against the golden clay cliffs towering above. The track leading towards them, was as expected, dry and dusty, but it was an easy walk.

These geological wonders are a mass of tall, sharp pinnacles separated by steep and narrow ravines made up of layers of gravel and silt.

Originally they were formed by the flow of ancient glaciers over two million years ago. That sounds like a long time ago but when you compare it to the 250 million year old surrounding mountains, they’re relatively young!

If you're planning to visit the Clay Cliffs, remember to wear sneakers or footwear with some grip. I climbed up as far as I could go - the path was steep and over loose rocks (varying in size). It was slippery in places and a concerned tourist told me to be careful ... but I was mostly worried about my camera!

Looking out over the Ahuriri River bed.

The view looking up to the sky.

Beside the Clay Cliffs runs the braided Ahuriri River. The river travels from the Southern Alps and flows for 70 kilometres through the southern part of the Mackenzie Basin before reaching Lake Benmore.

 Ahuriri River is popular for brown and rainbow trout fishing.

The clouds were getting darker and I was hoping the rain would hold off for a little longer.

On the walk back to the car I noticed a few lupins had past their best. Seed pods were appearing. The brair rose had also finished flowering and most had rose hips forming. There were still plenty of vipers bugloss in full bloom - maybe they were responsible for filling the air with such a sweet, alluring fragrance?

And I had to stop to take a photo of these merinos, although they weren't very obliging - a bit camera shy.

I drove to The Ahuriri Conservation Park hoping to walk along the riverbed among the lupins but I couldn’t cross over a creek running to the side of it.

Although picturesque, the lupins smothering the riverbanks are a concern for environmentalists. The river is the breeding ground for some endangered birds and the masses of lupins alter the river flow and provide hiding places for predators.

However lupins aren’t all bad and not everyone holds the opinion of the environmentalists. These Russell lupins attract many tourists into the area. And when farmed they’re a nutritious fodder that requires little fertilizer to grow in the infertile soil of the high-country.

As I was looking for possible places to jump over the creek, I heard a soft whirring overhead – a glider silently glided above. Glider pilots love the air above Omarama. World and national gliding records are regularly broken here because of the clear, empty skies and obliging updrafts.

Lake Alexandrina - MacKenzie Country

5am - the alarm went off. Here we are on one long holiday and I'm getting up earlier than I did when I was working. But it's easy getting out of bed knowing I'm off to take photos of the sunrise.
Last night I'd driven to Lake McGregor to capture the sunsetting and this morning I wanted to see Lake Alexandrina as the sun was coming up. The light at the start of the day and end of the day is beautiful - little wonder it's called 'The Golden Hour'.

I wanted to take Oakly with me and he was keen to come, but I  had to leave him behind as Lake Alexandrina is a DOC area that doesn't allow dogs.
I took a brief detour passed the 'Church of the Good Shepherd' to see if anyone was there at that hour. They were - at least a dozen people with cameras and tripods, waiting for the first glimpses of sunlight.
Getting to Lake Alexandrina is along the same road I drove last night - heading south/west from Lake Tekapo there's a sign indicating to turn right towards the Mt John observatory. 

After 10 kilometres, I turned off Godley Peaks Road, onto a gravel road leading to Lake McGregor (and then 500 metres further on is Lake Alexandrina).

Lake McGregor was a soft pinky grey colour, with barely a ripple.

There wasn't a soul in sight at Lake McGregor's DOC camping ground. I counted about 30 campers.

A small section of gravel road had been sealed up the incline over the hill.

Just over the hill's summit, Lake Alexandrina appeared. I was surprised how close the two lakes were.

Another surprise were the holiday homes at the edge of the lake and the caravans on either side of the stream flowing from Lake Alexandrina into Lake McGregor.

I walked along the lake's edge, enjoying the peacefulness and watching the colour changing as the sun rose.

Lake Alexandrina is long and narrow. It's a very deep and cold lake which is spring fed.

It's a popular spot for fishing, large brown and rainbow trout have been caught and the occasional salmon.

Several row boats were tucked in amongst the grass on the lake shore.

The endangered Australian Crested Grebe made a few appearances - each time keeping its distance.

As I wandered over the hill between the two lakes, a handful of rabbits darted away and a few startled merino sheep moved aside to let me pass. The sheep sounded like they were being slaughtered as they bleated to each other. 

The little lambs were funny looking with their long legs and saggy skin.

Before long the sun was up and was casting a golden glow over the willows bordering Lake McGregor.

The only person I saw was a hopeful fisherman out on the lake making the most of the still morning.

Also making the most of the early morning solitude was a mother duck and her eight ducklings.

Walking back to the ute I noticed two campers who'd found a picturesque spot to stay beside the stream.

And near Lake Alexandrina on either side of the outflow stream were clusters of caravans. They looked abandoned and were still locked up waiting for the busy summer season ahead. 

I wondered if one of the campers had perhaps set their pet rabbit free? This little ginger bunny was nibbling on grass beside another wild rabbit. It's colouring was so different to the others I'd seen in the area.

A narrow, wooden footbridge crossed the stream, close to where I'd parked the ute.

Reflections started appearing in the water and it looked like we were in for another scorcher day.

It was time to head home ... back passed Lake McGregor again.

Another quick stop to watch some geese grazing.

There was so much honking as they took off!

The view over the basin was beautiful - the temperature was warm and getting warmer by the minute. And there wasn't a breath of wind.

Sweet briar which grows wild throughout the McKenzie district filled the air with the most divine smell. Looking just like an old world rose.