Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

This tour is the only opportunity you will have to see authentic Maori rock drawings and will appeal to guests with an interest in indigenous culture, history, anthropology, or archeology. More than 500 of New Zealand's remaining ancient Maori rock art sites lie within half an hour's drive of Timaru, South Canterbury. Drawings in red and black decorate the pale surfaces of the limestone outcrops and boulders which line the region's braided river valleys. Mythical beings, such as the fearsome taniwha, are pictured alongside stylized human figures, fish, dogs, and long extinct birds such as the flightless moa and pouākai the giant eagle. Dating back to the arrival of Maori in the South Island between 700 to 1000 years ago, and spanning the centuries through to European arrival, the drawings provide a rare glimpse into the lives and culture of our regions' first people.

Your journey will begin at Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre where local guides from the Ngai Tahu tribe will share their knowledge of the traditional practice of rock drawing, and the history of Māori settlement in the region. A unique interpretive centre, Te Ana houses eight pieces of Maori rock art removed from sites in the early 1900s, alongside the work of contemporary tribal artists influenced by these ancient designs. Next, you will travel to Opihi to explore the Maori rock art sites in the landscape and gain an understanding of the lifeways of the people that created them. Following in the footsteps of our ancestors you will see drawings that document the span of history of Maori occupation in the area, to European arrival, when new elements, such as written language, begin to be incorporated into the art. As kaitiaki or guardians of the sites, the Ngai Tahu tribe are protecting and enhancing the ecological and cultural values at this site, with more than 24,000 native seedlings planted in the last 4 years. Te Ana is a not-for-profit organization, with all proceeds from tours being used exclusively for the management of these treasured sites.

A 15-minute hike over uneven farm land, including some steep gradients is required to reach the caves. Walking involved from beginning to end - total: 1.28km/ 1280 metres/ 4,199.48 feet. Passengers taking this tour must be fit and mobile as this includes a high level of activity; we reserve the right to refuse passengers on the site tour if they are not easily able to manage the walk to the caves. Appropriate footwear is essential, either tramping or light hiking shoes.