A unique North Otago tourist attraction, built on its limestone country, celebrates its 10th anniversary this month having grown from small beginnings.
Vanished World was set up in 2001 to highlight North Otago's fossils and geological features, with tourist trails spread from as far south as Waianakarua into Oamaru, then up through the Waiareka and Waitaki Valleys.
In its first year, the Vanished World Information Centre had 1500 visitors. Now it has about 9000 a year, with more than that covering the trails that include pillow lava rock on Cape Wanbrow in Oamaru, to fossils in limestone in the Waiareka Valley and around Duntroon, Vanished World chairman John Hore said.
Mr Hore became involved in the project because his farm has the Elephant Rocks, limestone features which attracted visitors.
Vanished World Inc and its sister organisation Friends of Vanished World now have more than 100 members, with 12 volunteers regularly staffing the information centre.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Vanished World is holding a free open day at its Duntroon centre on Sunday, July 24, from which people can tour the trails.
