Down the Valley - Vanished World Centre Duntroon
Photo from https://vanishedworld.co.nz/the-vanished-world-centre/
The community-inspired Vanished World Society was formed in the early 2000’s to help raise public awareness of the geology in the Waitaki district. Vanished World actively promotes the conservation, science and appropriate use of fossils, outcrops and landforms through education, science-communication and “hands-on experience”.
North Otago and the Waitaki district have been renowned for striking and informative features for more than 150 years. These features including fossils, limestone, volcanic sequences and landforms have been important in the conceptual origins and ongoing development of geological science at a national level.
Geologists from the University of Otago have developed a positive and ongoing relationship with landowners in the Waitaki district, as part of a research program on local fossils.
The Vanished World Centre at Duntroon is the heart of the Vanished World Trail with displays that help explain and interpret the fossils, rocks, localities, and landforms along the Trail.
Visitors wishing to participate in the fossil heritage of the Waitaki are able to gain a greater appreciation of the unique nature of the area by viewing these displays. Specimens are mostly from within a 20km radius of the village of Duntroon. The fossils – whales, dolphins, and invertebrates, reveal the marine ecosystems of the Oligocene time some 20-30 million years ago.
The Centre has a fossil extraction room that allows children to gain a first “hands-on experience” of fossils. An additional room houses a collection of rocks and minerals found in the District. In combination, they are an excellent educational resource for school groups studying earth science
The Centre sells a range of geological merchandise, particularly books. There is a great range of products for young people and beginners, from model construction packages to junior paleontologist digger kits. Income from merchandise sales, together with an entrance fee helps cover running costs and the sales of the Vanished World Trail Brochure helps the Society maintain the trail.
CONTACT US
7 Campbell Street, Duntroon, 9494, NZ
Summer Hours: 9.30am to 5.00pm daily Winter Hours: 10.00am to 4.30pm daily
vanishedworldcentre@gmail.com
(+64) 274 312 024
Entrance Fee
ADULT – $10
This allows access to dig your own
fossils from blocks at the Centre.
Children under 18yrs – FREE
Accompanied by an adult