Elephant Rocks (New Zealand) facts for kids
The Elephant Rocks are a group of huge, ancient limestone rocks found near Duntroon in North Otago, New Zealand. They sit on a private farm about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Duntroon, in the beautiful Maerewhenua Valley. This whole area around Duntroon is famous for its cool geology and the old fossils found there.
These amazing rocks were formed over millions of years. They are what's left of a very old rock layer called the Otekaike Limestone. Over time, wind and rain have slowly shaped them into the unique forms you see today.
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What Are the Elephant Rocks?
The Elephant Rocks are scattered across a grassy field on a gentle hillside. They range in size from about 1 meter (3 feet) to 10 meters (33 feet) wide. The rocks are rounded and have many small holes, which shows how much they have been worn down by nature. Even though they are called "Elephant Rocks," they don't actually look like elephants!
Visiting the Rocks
The field where the rocks are located is part of a working farm, so you might even see sheep grazing nearby! You can visit the rocks by taking a short 5-minute walk across the farmland. There's a parking area on the Island Cliff-Duntroon Road right across from the entrance. The popular Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail also goes right past this special spot.
Elephant Rocks in Movies
The Elephant Rocks area became famous when it was used as a filming location for a big movie!
Narnia Connection
In 2005, the Elephant Rocks were transformed into Aslan's camp for the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. Fans of the film might recognize the magical landscape from the movie!
Other Appearances
The rocks also appeared in an episode of the online travel show Jet Lag: The Game, specifically in Season 5 Episode 8.
