Waitaki Christmas Gift Guide

Stuck for a Christmas gift idea? Waitaki has got you covered. From vouchers to see penguins, bike hire for Alps 2 Ocean, glamping retreats to restaurants or five-star accommodation, gift an experience they will never forget.  

For the wildlife wanderer... give the gift of discovery!

A trip to Waitaki isn’t complete without a stop in to the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony. 

A voucher is the perfect way to treat the Wildlife Wanderer in your life to see the cutest Ōamaru residents in action and explore their nesting areas.  

Or make a donation on their behalf to the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony or the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark. As a registered charity, the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark rely on community support and funding to operate.  

Even better, buy your Wildlife Wanderer a subscription to the Friends of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark Programme where they’ll be kept up to date with all Geopark news and activities, as well as gain free entry to the Vanished World Centre in Duntroon.  

square tile with a seal, the ocean, penguins, and people walking through elephant rocks

For the luxury lover...give the gift of a glamping retreat!

From a treehouse perched high up in the trees at Nest Treehouses to the magical domes of Valley Views Glamping, there is something for every Luxury Lover. 

Take a step back in time at The Old School Enfield, The Brydone Hotel and Federation House or really sweeten Christmas for your Luxury Lover with a stay at The Old Confectionery.  

If a city adventure is calling your name, a voucher for Poshtel, CasaNova House or Mariner Suites will have you staying in style. 

Keen for a laid-back escape? Check out HighTree Chalets, Pen-y-bryn Lodge or give the gift of a refined high-country experience at The Lindis. 

With picture perfect landscapes and nature all around, Waitaki is the ultimate place for a luxurious escape this holiday season. 

For the active adventurer... give the gift of adventure!

What’s better than exploring New Zealand’s longest cycle trail? Gifting this amazing experience to your loved ones this Christmas! 

Design a custom Alps 2 Ocean trip for the Active Adventurer in your life, or gift them a luxury tour of a lifetime.   

For top quality, comfortable and reliable bike rentals and tours, you can’t go past Adventure South or Cycle Journeys. With more than 8 tour guide operators for the A2O, find your perfect fit here. With a wide range of E-bikes and Mountain bikes perfect for any trail, it’s an open invitation to explore the paths less travelled.  

For the bougie foodie... give the gift of culinary delights!

Give the Bougie Foodie in your life a unique taste of Waitaki and send them on the culinary trip of a lifetime.  

Give them a Geo Degustation experience at Cucina or The Criterion Hotel Bar and Eatery, a delicious seasonal dining affair at Riverstone Kitchen or a taste of locally made beer and a pizza to match at Scotts Brewery. 

For the thirsty Bougie Foodies, treat them to a tasting of Waitaki wines at River-T Wines or Valli Wine Bar, or buy a selection of locally brewed beers for Christmas Day at Craftwork Brewery. 

Can’t make it to Waitaki? No problem. A Whitestone Cheese Club subscription is the perfect gift for your loved ones (or even yourself) this Christmas. Enjoy a mouthwatering selection of cheeses delivered to your doorstep – we’ll leave the frequency up to you! 

for the heritage enthusiast... give the gift of a unique experience!

Allow your loved ones to take a step back in time and get their daily steps in with a Heritage Walking Tour. A 90-minute stroll through Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct will satisfy their curiosity. 

For a truly quirky gift, a trip to Steampunk HQ will not disappoint. A unique attraction unlike any other in New Zealand, Heritage Enthusiasts will enter an alternate world of futuristic science fiction. 

If farm history is more up their alley, give the gift of a Totara Estate tour. The birthplace of New Zealand’s billion-dollar frozen meat industry and the home of restored farm buildings that show what mid-1800’s life was like for a farm worker. 

For the hidden gem hunter... give the gift of a hidden gem

Give the Hidden Gem Hunter something other than socks, after a visit to the unique gift stores and galleries in Ōamaru and the Waitaki Valley.   

Choose a handmade piece or pottery lesson at Silenzio Pottery, a new dress at Jessica Flora and In Good Company, or a jewel to last a lifetime at Whistle + Pop.  

If experiences are what you are after, gift a voucher to Hot Tubs Ōmārama, or take your loved one to Riverstone Castle, Kitchen, or the Country Shop. 

Wandering around Ōamaru, choose from studios and stores boasting one-of-a-kind gifts from sculptors and artists. Pick a pack of hand-drawn Christmas cards or a limited edition print from Buggy Robot, or choose a locally made gift from William Bee General Merchants, Inc Design Store, Studio Realm and more!