- Est. Median Value
- $474K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Safety Score
- 82/100
- Green Space
- 4%
- Current Weather
- 3.8°C
- Median Age
- 46 yrs
~43 crimes/1k/yr
overcast clouds
Living in Duntroon
Duntroon is the limestone town of the Waitaki Valley, around 50 km inland from Oamaru, and it holds the geological and archaeological credentials of a place that the landscape chose rather than the other way around. The Maerewhenua River joins the Waitaki here, the limestone cliffs and bluffs of the mid-valley present themselves in full, and the Takiroa Māori rock art site upstream is the most accessible example of the drawing tradition that makes the Waitaki Valley one of the South Island's most archaeologically significant corridors.
Around 300 people live in Duntroon, in a farming service settlement whose main street faces the limestone country with the equanimity of a town that has been living beside unusual geology since it was established. The Vanished World fossil trail connects the valley's paleontological record - dolphins, sea turtles and penguins in the limestone deposits from the Oligocene seafloor - to an interpretive experience that the local fossil centre in Duntroon manages with appropriate enthusiasm for 25-million-year-old marine mammals.
The Takiroa site's ochre drawings on the limestone overhang represent some of the South Island's best-preserved rock art, accessible on a short walk and interpreted on-site. The valley's limestone caves, the distinctive rock formations and the braided river below combine to make Duntroon's surrounding landscape the most geologically eventful stretch of road in Otago.
Duntroon School serves the local years; secondary students travel to Oamaru.
Is Duntroon a good place to live?
Duntroon is home to roughly 993 people across 21.9 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Duntroon scores 49 out of 100, with a safety score of 82/100 and 4% green space.
Schools: Duntroon has 1 school in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $474K, and weekly rent typically sits around $200.
Lifestyle: Duntroon has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 3.8°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Duntroon is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety82
- Amenities10
- Schools70
- Housing Affordability79
- Green space15
- Community33
- Transport19
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $474K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Median HH Income
- $72K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +0.6%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Duntroon?
- Duntroon is in the Waitaki Valley, around 50 km inland from Oamaru on State Highway 83, where the Maerewhenua River joins the Waitaki in the limestone hill country.
- What is the Takiroa rock art site?
- Takiroa near Duntroon has ochre drawings on a limestone overhang, one of the South Island's best-preserved and most accessible Māori rock art sites, with a short walk from the road and on-site interpretation.
- What is the Vanished World fossil trail?
- The Vanished World fossil trail in the Waitaki Valley connects fossil sites and the Duntroon fossil centre, interpreting the 25-million-year-old marine fossils - dolphins, sea turtles and penguins - found in the limestone deposits.
- What schools are in Duntroon?
- Duntroon School serves the local primary years, with secondary students travelling to Oamaru's high schools around 50 km north.
- How do I get from Oamaru to Duntroon?
- By car, around 45 minutes inland on State Highway 83 following the Waitaki Valley. The road is sealed and scenic throughout.
- Which schools are in zone for Duntroon?
- Duntroon is not covered by a school enrolment zone. Nearby schools may accept enrolments under open enrolment or by application.
- How do I check my school zone in Duntroon?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Duntroon
Schools in zone for Duntroon
No enrolment-zoned schools cover Duntroon. The schools below are the nearest options — many operate open enrolment.
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Duntroon. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Duntroon that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Duntroon School
Full Primary · roll 103 · decile 9 · 0.4 km away
Explore Duntroon
Things to do(1)
Vanished World
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Duntroon
Places to eat & drink(2)
The Flying Pig Cafe
Nicol's Blacksmith
Tradies & Services in Duntroon
Tradies & services(2)
Duntroon Garage
Laser Electrical Duntroon
Stay in Duntroon
Places to stay(2)
Father Ted’s B&B
Duntroon Hotel
Duntroon Weather
Current conditions: 3.8°C, overcast clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 21.82 | 11.59 | 1.87 | 10.55 |
| ☀️ Feb | 21.89 | 11.02 | 1.49 | 10.54 |
| 🍂 Mar | 19.02 | 8.65 | 2.37 | 9.13 |
| 🍂 Apr | 16.81 | 6.83 | 1.73 | 7.95 |
| 🍂 May | 13.04 | 4.11 | 1.23 | 6.67 |
| ❄️ Jun | 10.36 | 2.1 | 1.71 | 5.62 |
| ❄️ Jul | 10.09 | 1.6 | 2.25 | 6.62 |
| ❄️ Aug | 11.61 | 1.37 | 1.24 | 8.17 |
| 🌸 Sep | 14.86 | 4.08 | 3.15 | 9.27 |
| 🌸 Oct | 16.29 | 5.74 | 3.78 | 10.43 |
| 🌸 Nov | 17.66 | 7.64 | 2.82 | 10.82 |
| ☀️ Dec | 20.54 | 10.62 | 3.85 | 9.9 |
Duntroon Community
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