Elephant Rocks, Limestone rock formation in Waitaki District, New Zealand.
Elephant Rocks is a limestone formation in Waitaki District consisting of large boulders scattered across a grassy hillside near Duntroon. The rocks spread across roughly 200 meters and create distinctive shapes that stand out against the surrounding landscape.
These limestone boulders formed about 25 million years ago when the area lay beneath a shallow sea. Ocean erosion gradually shaped and exposed these stones from their original bed.
The Maerewhenua River valley around these rocks contains sites where Māori ancestors created rock paintings of animals and mythical beings using natural pigments. These artworks reflect the spiritual connection that indigenous people maintained with this landscape.
A short walk of about 5 minutes from the parking area on Island Cliff-Duntroon Road leads you directly to the rock formations. Access is easy, and the site operates on a voluntary donation basis.
These limestone rocks served as the filming location for Aslan's camp in the 2005 movie The Chronicles of Narnia. Film fans may recognize this spot from one of the epic battle scenes in the adaptation.
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