Landscapes of the Waitaki were once located under ancient seas and now sit above sea level, providing unique geological marvels and insights into a vanished world. This district is home to the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, which now also boasts a new international status, officially accredited as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Oamaru’s Steampunk NZ Festival is back this King’s Birthday weekend from 2 – 6 June, and ready to take you to a world where Victorian fashion is the norm, the latest innovations are steam-powered machinery and there’s quirky events you’ve never heard of. Cancelled in 2022 due to Covid 19,
Positioned like a Whitestone icon in the South Island, Ōamaru has close ties to Dunedin, Christchurch, and Queenstown, making it a perfect spot for a daytrip or staycation. Step into the Victorian era, discover your Steampunk alter ego, spot the wildlife, or simply enjoy a good ol cup of coffee
During the summer months in the Waitaki there’s always an extra crackle of adventure in the air. You can open your door and take to the roads less travelled with the feeling that anything is possible. And this being wine country, at the end of each day it’s imperative you
Spring is well sprung, and there’s nothing quite like seeing the Waitaki in a blanket of lush green and blossom. Springtime is a lovely time to visit, it’s so easy to be swept away as the district has come alive, the air is warmer, and there are plenty of spots
Here we go again: masked and back in our bubbles. It can be a challenge to stay positive during Covid outbreaks, it’s easy to be swept up in the uncertainties, but a chance to stop and breathe is your daily walk. Immersing yourself in nature is a good way to
Reasons never cease for visiting Waitaki, the sweet spot of New Zealand. From its charming Victorian heritage to the sheer scenic beauty of the Waitaki Whitestone Aspiring Global Geopark, the District is a feast for the eyes. The beautiful hotels, lodges, and bed and breakfasts on offer are the cherry
Kiwi eyes know to look to the Waitaki during the summer, but we think people underestimate a sweet winter break in the Waitaki. Winter is a prime time here to beat the crowds, appreciate the stunning landscapes that have been remade in icier hues, and enjoy all the diverse activities
Kings and Queens looking to rest their weary heads in spellbinding Ōamaru will find Casa Nova House has been re-imagined for them. This boutique bed and breakfast is officially open. A tapas style restaurant downstairs is set to send tastebuds into a sizzle at a later date.
Who hasn’t pondered the possibilities of slipping by unnoticed and staying after hours at a museum or gallery? To slumber under history, art, and memorabilia is a one-of-a-kind experience. Here, in historic Ōamaru, you don’t have to sneak past security to enjoy this surreal kind of shut eye. Spend the
Here in the Waitaki District, where the staggering landscapes stretch from Flag Swamp almost to the foot of Aoraki Mount Cook, there are plenty of opportunities for red leaf hunters to see the changing colours of Autumn. Be quick to view the impressive autumn foliage, it’ll be winter before you
Hello overworked humans. Stop wringing your hands into a worry! When you’re going through the motions it can be easy to forget to take a much needed moment for yourself. Sometimes a vacation is not just about physically getting away from it all, but stepping back, and taking a mental
Every year on April 25th the world raises a glass to the penguin, the adorable seabird whose existence is on the edge. We wouldn’t know waddle do without them. Luckily, here in the Waitaki District we have lots of opportunities to learn about and admire our tuxedoed friends. So, put
The horses trekked across the Otago goldfields and the cyclists pedalled. The high country ahead was a long stretch, rugged, and beautiful. Early in March, the Goldfields Cavalcade transported horse riders, walkers, runners, and 51 cyclists back to the days of damper and mutton for lunch, saloons, and gold pans
Otago Anniversary weekend in Oamaru saw the small seaside town overflow with soaring pipes, harmonica, and guitar. The Oamaru Licencing Trust Harbour Street Jazz and Blues Festival showcased the best jazz talent from Oamaru and beyond. Jazz was lavished across cafes, hotels, restaurants and swung about in breweries, galleries, and
3.82 billion exist. Today’s the day to mark their achievements. It’s International Women’s Day. We’re celebrating by focusing on three unstoppable women who have called Ōamaru home. These women who had struggles (mental health, disabilities, and yes, the patriarchy) but nevertheless they persisted to make a profound difference to their
Once upon a time there was a small girl and a small boy who visited the same playground in their village every Te Rā O Ngā Tamariki – Children’s Day. Come March 7th, the two would slide and swing and seesaw. But this year, something was different. They knew every
When you chat with outdoorsy people, animal lovers, adventurers, swapping stories of hikes and creatures in the wild, you might discover there’s beauty in your backyard you just took for granted. In honour of World Wildlife Day, now is the perfect time to explore the far reaches of the Waitaki
There’s a utopia hidden away in Ōamaru that has often been overlooked, but no more! The Oamaru Public Gardens have received a 5 star ‘Garden of National Significance’ rating. Following an on-site assessment, the gardens were evaluated on landscaping and planting design, horticultural maintenance, visitor experience and wow factor. Praising
“If you’re really fit it’s a good challenge to do.” Wayne Munn said of his recent tour de force in determination. He wasn’t talking about mere squats or push-ups. Wayne and his friend Ben Washington rode the entirety of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail in one day, raising money
While you may think Valentine’s Day is too commercialised and too cheesy (yes and yes), it’s also always cute to tell your loved ones you love them. And a little thought put into the day doesn’t hurt. No one wants to be on the receiving end of a last-minute ‘these
It’s time to put the petal to the metal! Head out to Topflite’s sunflowers while the fields are still in full bloom—harvesting will begin in March. The vivid flowers are planted in a different location every year to avoid build up of diseases in the soil, and this time they
Part of the joy of travelling is sticking your lovely self in front of iconic locales and snapping a shot. “I was actually here!” You can say and show your Mum, your friends, and your 90 year old self all the places you traipsed. There will never come a time
Cheese. Proof of a higher power or just a gooey accident that tastes like home? Either way, cheese has been sparking happiness in humans since…well, no one knows. The origins of cheese predate recorded history. A commonly held theory places the invention 8,000 years ago at the hands of an
In a very Victorian town, there is a very Victorian street; And in the very Victorian street there is a very Victorian hotel; And in the very Victorian hotel there is a variety of Victorian tales…
If you’re an eco-warrior with wanderlust, you’ll know planning greener adventures can take more time and effort—but it’s worth it. From the activities to the accommodation, it’s important for green thinking travellers to reduce the impact their holidays have on the planet. So, how on earth do you travel while
Just like the spark from a flint that turns into flame, each artefact at the reopened and newly refurbished Waitaki Museum is a precious touch point for the culturally significant stories the Waitaki District has to offer. Acting Director Chloe Searle is very keen to see visitors back in
The Waitaki District’s newest accommodation Mariner Suites is nestled in the perfect spot, with the striking Oamaru coastline on offer, and the stunning Victorian precinct a mere knucklebone’s throw away. The hotel’s doors opened on December 1st and straight away saw support from locals, with two Ōamaruvians enjoying a luxurious
Air NZ recently took to our crystal clear skies to find the 8th wonder of the world within Aotearoa. The Moeraki Boulders got a shout out so we thought we’d divulge a little more information on the many wonders of the Waitaki, just as Antipater of Sidon did in the
While the human kingdom froze their travel plans during lockdown, NZ’s iconic wildlife never stopped going with the flow. In fact, the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony has been given opportunities to spread its wings (well, flippers) further than ever before. A live stream of the colony, as the world’s
Imagine a moment of therapy. Did your mind conjure up a New Yorker style cartoon of a patient lying on a couch and bespectacled therapist looking at the clock? Thought so. And yet, closer to home, Rainbow Confectionery—a far cry from the psychoanalytic stereotype—has played an integral role in
Do you think it’s possible to travel into the past? Stephen Hawking thought so. Scientists across the globe have long debated the bending of space and time, the paradoxes, and the mechanics, and while they’ve been (mostly) scratching their heads the township of Ōamaru has repeatedly succeeded in finding