A short gravel run leading out to the stunning Omarama Clay Cliffs, in the Waitaki district of inland Canterbury. The drive itself is brief and easy, but the destination is very much the main event here.

The Clay Cliffs are a dramatic landform of towering pinnacles and steep ravines, eroded over time into a maze of fluted spires that glow in the changing light. Set against the wide, dry Mackenzie-country landscape near Omarama, it's a striking and photogenic spot well worth the detour.

The access track is straightforward gravel suitable for most vehicles in good conditions, so this is more of a sightseeing visit than a technical 4WD challenge. Take your time at the cliffs themselves, where short walks let you wander among the formations and appreciate their scale up close.