Natural wonders in Otago Region

New Zealand's Natural Wonders

Otago's diverse landscape features the Southern Alps' hanging Rob Roy Glacier and the expansive glacial waters of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea. In the Catlins, the Southern Scenic Route reveals the multi-tiered Purakaunui and McLean Falls, alongside Jack’s Blowhole, a 55-meter-deep maritime fissure. Central Otago contains the high-country Poolburn Reservoir, while the Waikouaiti area houses distinct limestone formations including ABC and Orbells Caves.

New Zealand's Natural Wonders — Map

Isderion / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

A

Jack's Blowhole

A 55-meter-deep blowhole in the Catlins formed by a collapsed sea cave. Located 200 meters inland, it connects to the ocean via a subterranean tunnel, producing salt-water plumes during high tide and heavy swells.

Ghislain Mary / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Lake Wānaka

Lake Wānaka is New Zealand's fourth-largest lake and the seat of the town of Wānaka in the Otago region.

C

Purakaunui Falls

A three-tiered cascading waterfall on the Purakaunui River in the Catlins. The falls drop 20 meters through native podocarp and beech forest.

Pseudopanax / Public domain

D

McLean Falls

The McLean Falls on the Tautuku River in Catlins Forest Park descend a number of steep drop offs and terraces, with the very top of the…

Wildman NZ / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Lake Hāwea

Lake Hāwea is New Zealand's ninth largest lake.

Pseudopanax / CC BY 3.0

F

Rob Roy Glacier

The Rob Roy Glacier is a small hanging glacier in the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island.

gibler_man / CC BY-SA 2.0

G

Poolburn Reservoir

Poolburn Reservoir, also known as Poolburn Dam, is a reservoir in Central Otago, New Zealand.

H

ABC Cave

Limestone cave located near Waikouaiti in the Otago region.

I

Orbells Cave

A limestone rock shelter and cave in the Waikouaiti area, historically used as a campsite by early travelers.

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