Waitaki

Need to know ...

The Waitaki District is famed for its dramatic landscape, its classical Victorian architecture and heritage, and its strong links to New Zealand’s pioneering past. With its emerald green lakes, snow-capped mountains and rolling green pastures, Waitaki is a place of haunting natural beauty. Eco-tourism and the renaissance of Oamaru’s historic Victorian township precinct underpin the region’s tourist attractions – along with superb recreational facilities.

Main Centre

Oamaru – known for its unique Victorian whitestone architecture and famous Blue Penguin colony.

Getting There

By Air – Oamaru Airport has daily flights to and from Christchurch.
By road – 3 hours, 20 minutes from Christchurch. Several coach companies travel through the region. Self-driving offers great flexibility.

Eating Out

Star & Garter Restaurant (9 Itchen St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 5246) – best in town. Great food in relaxed surroundings 10am till late.
Kingsgate Hotel T Bar & Brasserie (115 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 0011) – winner of the 2003 Whitestone Waitaki Tourism Awards for Fine Dining, and just as excellent today.
Last Post Bar & Restaurant (12 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8080) – the old post office turned into a fantastic pub with good quality casual dining. Great atmosphere.

Drinking Out

The Criterion Hotel (3 Tyne St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 6247) – built in 1876, now completely renovated.
Fat Sally’s Pub & Restaurant (84 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8368) – pub food and cosy atmosphere.
The Buoys (39 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8852) – a character-filled seafood restaurant.

Coffee Fix

The Woolstore Café (The Woolstore Complex, 1 Tyne St, Historic Precinct, Harbourside Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8336) – open fire, exceptional coffee and a great food selection.
Peter Pan Bakery & Café (13 Eden St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 9091) – serves up fresh baking and excellent coffee.
Emma’s Café (30 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 1165) – this friendly café is a bit of an Oamaru institution.
The Bridge Café (19 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8827) – great for a coffee stop. Steam (7 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 3344) – coffee-roasting and fresh juices on-site.
de Lambert (70 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8884) – some of New Zealand’s best cookies.
Willetts Bakery & Café (163 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 8619)– popular with locals and visitors alike.
Shortblack (45 Thames St, Oamaru, t +64 3 434 6406) – great espresso served hot and fast!

Sights

The famous whitestone heritage buildings of Oamaru.

Don’t miss the fascinating Moeraki Boulders on the Otago Coast 40km south of Oamaru.Benmore Dam on the
Waitaki River.

Action

Go gliding at Omarama – northwest thermals have given this area a worldwide reputation as an excellent place for gliding.
Trout or salmon fishing in the Waitaki Valley.

Relax

Explore Oamaru’s historic precinct – New Zealand’s best-preserved collection of historic commercial buildings.
Visit the Blue Penguin colony at Oamaru for an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Wine tasting in the wineries of the Waitaki Valley.

THE experience

Spend an evening watching the Little Blue Penguins come ashore at Oamaru. Every evening the penguins come in from a day spent feeding at sea and waddle up the beach to their cliffside burrows. You don’t have to go far for this wildlife experience – they make their homes right on the town’ s doorstep!