Autumn is the perfect time to slow down while exploring Ōamaru and the wider Waitaki region. The pace is gentle while the landscapes shift to warm seasonal colours. Surrounded by good food, scenic views and relaxing moments, it’s the perfect place to embrace the seasonal change.
Check out below for some must do Autumn stops in Waitaki.
Eat & Drink
Whether you’re passing through or settling in, these stops let you wrap your hands around a warm mug and fill your belly.
Whitestone Deli & Diner in Ōamaru is the natural first stop. If you’re a cheese lover, what better way to ease into the day than with an exquisitely cheesy breakfast, you can’t go past a Totara Tasty Cheese Roll! Don’t forget to grab some award-winning goodies on your way out.
Further inland, Kurow’s Waitaki Braids Café offers a cosy place to pause. Settle in with their iconic cinnamon scroll and a hot cup of coffee, or if you’re in the mood for something special, join them for their ever‑changing three‑course dinner, thoughtfully crafted by their talented chefs.
Riverstone Kitchen is well worth the stop. Set among gardens and farmland just outside Ōamaru, the restaurant is guided by a strong ethos of seasonal, locally sourced food, much of it grown on site. Indulge in confit organic chicken for dinner, and roasted plums for dessert, paired with a beautifully curated wine list.
Powdering cinnamon scrolls from Waitaki braids
Dos
Just south of Ōamaru lies Totara Estate, restored Whitestone buildings, a signature of the region, and open paddocks offer a glimpse into early rural life.
From there, a short scenic drive leads to Duntroon and the Vanished World Centre, located in the heart of the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark, where ancient fossils and evolving landscapes reveal a past millions of years in the making. Further inland you don’t want to miss the Benmore peninsula track at Lake Benmore in Autumn. A short 1.5h walking track, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of still waters, wide skies, and Autumnal leaves bursting with colour. Plan it for early in the morning and you’re winning the day.
Nearby, the Ōtemātātā Wetlands reward a slower pace. In autumn, the reeds take on warmer colours, and the area attracts a variety of birdlife. A 1-hour loop, this is another great trail for all ages and fitness levels
Stays
These stays are well-suited to easy going evenings and early mornings, with a strong sense of comfort and quality that encourages time spent on site.
Relax under the stars at Nest Treehouses in Kurow, a great place to properly slow down. Tucked into the landscape, they’re thoughtfully designed with plenty of comfort and space to unwind.
Another scenic Kurow spot is Valley Views Glamping. Offering open countryside views and everything you need to feel settled. It’s a relaxed place to come back to after a day exploring, or to enjoy a slow morning with a coffee and a view.
Staying at Dansey’s Pass Lavender Farm offers a peaceful, off‑the‑beaten‑path experience. Set among open high‑country landscapes, it’s calm, rural and wonderfully understated.
Getting there
To Ōamaru:
- Christchurch to Ōamaru = 3.5 hour drive
- Dunedin to Ōamaru = 1.5 hour drive
- Queenstown to Ōamaru = 3.5 hour drive
Around Waitaki:
- Ōamaru to Kurow = 50 minutes
- Ōamaru to Lake Benmore = 1.5 hour drive
- Ōamaru to Ōtemātātā = 2 hour drive
