Skip to content.

Frenchman's Gully Rock Art

Te Manunui

Frenchman's Gully Rock Art Site

The smooth walls of limestone outcrops in South Canterbury and North Otago provided an ideal canvas for early Māori. Although over two hundred years old, many of the rock drawings in the gully have survived the elements and can be clearly seen.

The "birdman" with five birds on outstretched arms is one of the drawings etched into the smooth walls of this limestone outcrop. Other "birdmen", fish and dog figures are visible.  Like many drawings in the area they were created by early Māori as they moved through the landscape over the past 700 years.  Images are fading or have been obscured by stock rubbing and lichen. 

Facilities at the site were recently upgraded including an interpretation shelter and signage.

 

 

Frenchman's Gully interpretation panel

Location

Frenchman's Gully/Te Manunui map

Frenchman's Gully Road, south of Pareora
Limited parking at roadside

Turn off State Highway 1 south of Pareora onto Pareora Rivera Road, left onto Craigmore Valley Road, then left onto Frenchman's Gully Road.

Heritage Destinations Southern
tel: + 64 4 365 2897

Opening hours

Outside viewing at any time during daylight hours.