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The Waitaki In the Press
The Waitaki has so much to offer that we are being featured in the press quite often!
So, to find all the information on our beautiful region available in the online press, you can browse these links.
If you have news that could be of interest for us or if you would like to work with us, please contact Natalie Whelan at natalie@waitakinz.com
Booking.com has recently revealed Oamaru as New Zealand’s third most welcoming town.
1 FEBRUARY 2022
The phrase ‘seeing is believing’ rings true for a reason, and what we’ve got here in the Waitaki really has to be experienced. We know this news will translate into travellers dreaming of an Oamaru getaway so they can experience first-hand the welcoming locals, the heritage, the wildlife and award-winning cuisine in Oamaru and surrounds.
Movie shot in Otago No 1 on global Netflix charts
29 January 2022
Eight days after its international release, The Royal Treatment has become the most watched movie on Netflix around the globe.
New Zealand's best museumsDine in style: The best fine-dining restaurants around NZ
Jan 18 2022
When circumstance calls for a celebration – of a life event, of whānau and friends, or simply of life and of delicious food in general – there are certain dining establishments up and down the country that have your back.
New Zealand's best museums
Jan 10 2022
Everyone knows about the important museums such as Te Papa and Auckland. What about the hidden collections in our small towns, or eccentrics up and down the country who’ve turned their obsessions into an institution?
Small towns to stop at on a New Zealand roadie
Jan 07 2022
A summer roadie is as much about the places along the way as it is about the journey.
New Zealand is chock-a-block with interesting little towns that are worth hopping out of the car for –here’s our pick of the pit stops.
New Zealand's top 10 road trip detours
Dec 30 2021
Last year Brook Sabin and Radha Engling travelled around New Zealand on a 100-day road trip that took them to every region of Aotearoa. Here are the favourite tiny towns they’ve come across on their travels.Take the road less travelled and explore these detours to get off the beaten track around New Zealand.
New Zealand's most underrated tiny towns and what to do there
Dec 29 2021
Last year Brook Sabin and Radha Engling travelled around New Zealand on a 100-day road trip that took them to every region of Aotearoa. Here are the favourite tiny towns they’ve come across on their travels.
Guide to glamping in New Zealand: Here are the best places to stay
Dec 29 2021
New Zealand has seen an explosion in glamping escapes as Kiwis embrace exploring their backyard like never before.
We’ve stayed in dozens and here are our best picks from around the country.
Top 10 Travel stories of 2021: Your favourite Kiwi experiences
Dec 29 2021
It’s been another year of exploring our own backyard, and luckily enough, we have an amazing yard to discover.
Stuff Travel has been the length and breadth of Aotearoa searching for those amazing hidden gems, and rediscovering old favourites.
Top adults-only retreats in New Zealand
25 December 2021
Sick of being continually asked what’s for dinner? Need some space away from changing nappies? Or just desperate for adult conversation in a grown-up establishment? Leave your kids – and anyone else’s – behind, while escaping to these child-free sanctuaries and adults-only dining options to refresh the mind, where the only person to look after is yourself.
The complete guide to summer cycling holidays
4 December 2021
Thinking of taking your first cycling holiday this summer? Ewan McDonald provides some of the best off-road routes for beginners and families, and almost everything you need to know before you straddle the saddle.
E-bike charging first for popular Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail
22 November 2021
A possible world first e-bike charging network is set to provide a steady stream of income that will further improve New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail as its popularity continues to increase.
New Zealand's best summer road trips
21 November 2021
With Auckland’s borders set to open next month, and confirmation the entire country will enter the traffic light system, Kiwis are finally able to plan their summer holiday with a little more certainty.
Photos open a venue to explore district digitally
20 November 2021
All it takes is a click and you can be at the Puketapu hill or Benmore Dam. At least that is the case when using Virtual Waitaki, a new website that allows people to take virtual tours of businesses and beautiful locations around the Waitaki district.
Stuff Travel Go-To Guide : Dunedin & Waitaki
18 October 2021
Ōamaru embraces its alternative side of Victorian history as a steampunk wonderland. Steampunk is a culture based on 19th-century inventions for the modern world, with an almost post-apocalyptic twist.
Ōamaru: New Zealand's best penguin experience
17 October 2021
They’re late. On a frosty Ōamaru night, we’re waiting for the main stars to arrive: the smallest penguins in the world. Without warning, just as we wonder if they’ll ever arrive, an unusual squeak comes from the water.
Valley Views: Otiake's luxury off-the-grid glamping domes with a view
17 October 2021
After staying in a safari tent on a game reserve in South Africa, Otiake couple Patrick and Amber Tyrrell decided to bring the concept of luxury camping to the Waitaki Valley.
Five first-class destination restaurants worth visiting in Waitaki
17 October 2021
Some of the country’s best produce comes from the wild landscape of Waitaki.
Looking for spring outdoor activities? Hit up one of NZ’s epic cycle trails
12 October 2021
You’ve probably heard of New Zealand’s Great Walks, but have you heard of our Great Rides? Ranging from gentle coastal tracks to more challenging mountain biking adventures, there’s something for everyone along these cycle trails.
Roadtrip New Zealand: The top 10 detours
19 September 2021
Take the road less travelled and explore these detours to get off the beaten track around New Zealand.
Rocking around: Natural landscapes and formations to visit in the South Island
5 September 2021
The South Island is called Te Wai Pounamu for good reason: poke along a pebbly West Coast beach near a river mouth and, if you’re lucky, you’ll find a ready-polished piece of pounamu/greenstone to take home and treasure.
Shag River name change reflects shared history
31 August 2021
The Shag River has undergone a name change.
Exploring Ōamaru: Blue penguins, cheese rolls and an untouched historic quarter
30 August 2021
A Victorian precinct, little blue penguins, craft breweries and a chorus of “Hello!” wherever you go – could Ōamaru be New Zealand’s most unsung charmer? Sarah-Kate Lynch certainly thinks so.
Ōamaru: This is the South Island's most underrated town
30 August 2021
I’m in a European-style alleyway eating the best cronut I’ve ever tried. If you’ve never eaten a good one, I’m afraid to tell you that your life isn’t quite complete.
GO NZ: Cycling the Alps 2 Ocean trail with Adventure South
24 August 2021
The 356km of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, from Tekapo to Ōamaru, can be tackled no matter the season… just make sure you wear your waterproofs.
Back Your Backyard: Five amazing places in New Zealand we've discovered since the last lockdown
20 August 2021
New Zealanders have done a sterling job in exploring Aotearoa over the last year, discovering, and in some cases, rediscovering the many amazing places and locations that make this country so special.
WAITAKI DISTRICT – THE SWEET SPOT OF NEW ZEALAND
18 August 2021
Business View Oceania interviews Margaret Munro, General Manager and Client Services Coordinator at Tourism Waitaki, for our focus on Events and Trade Shows in New Zealand.
WAITAKI DISTRICT – THE SWEET SPOT OF NEW ZEALAND
15 August 2021
I’ve been woken up by some happy birds, singing to the sunrise. That’s what happens in a tree house. As my eyes fire into life, I see fresh snow on the mountains. It’s time to do something pretty special.
The Fishwife at Moeraki: Fresh fish and crays in the bay
28 July 2021
John Pile and partner Nicky have transformed a patch of gravel at Moeraki into a destination, al fresco dining experience.
Waitaki winemakers beat overall trend
18 July 2021
Waitaki winemakers have been among the lucky ones this year, reaping a solid harvest despite a challenging year for New Zealand growers as a whole.
Ōamaru: How one town moved forwards by going backwards
25 June 2021
Out of adversity comes… goggles, airships, watches and waistcoats, brocade and boots. Every June visitors head down to North Otago for a long weekend of dressing up, striding out and posing for the cameras
Four of New Zealand's most underrated ski towns
18 June 2021
You could follow the crowds to our famous ski towns this winter. Or you could seek out proper peace and quiet in one of their underrated counterparts. With snowy mountains, ultra-clear night skies and some pretty incredible hot pools, New Zealand is essentially a winter wonderland. Why restrict yourself to the handful of ski towns the tourist boards and guidebooks shout about?
New Zealand's best cycle trails for wine lovers
7 June 2021
Fine wine and a bicycle – a match made in heaven, especially when enjoyed in beautiful surroundings with two flutes of bubbles already in your belly.
The height of walker delight
7 June 2021
Lucky Kurow has the new Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail going right through it. The town’s gained an easy-access, flatland walking track along riverbank, past vineyard and farmland, writes Clare Fraser.
How to save an island
31 May 2021
On the border of North Otago and South Canterbury, the town of Kurow is tiny by most people’s standards. Hugging the southern bank of the mighty Waitaki River, it is home to just over 300 people, many of whom trace their roots back to settlers and the original farming families in the region.
New Zealand's best open fires for winter holidays
26 May 2021
Whether you want to toast marshmallows around an open campfire, or toast each other with a glass of scotch in front of a grand fireplace, here are the best spots — from luxury lodges, to restaurants, to family campgrounds — to feel the heat this winter.
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: Is this New Zealand's most scenic bike ride?
23 May 2021
They look at me like I’m crazy, clueless or a particularly ill-fated combination of both. “You’ve chosen New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail for your first multi-day bike ride?,” they ask. “And you’re not doing it on an e-bike like the rest of us?”.
Bike trail a beacon in bleak times
22 May 2021
In the same way the Otago Central Rail Trail revitalised rural Otago, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is becoming a beacon of hope for the Waitaki district, writes Kayla Hodge.
Why Waitaki wants its name on the tourism map
19 May 2021
In many ways, the Waitaki district’s geography couldn’t be more enviable, following the river after which it is named from the Southern Alps all the way through to the Pacific Ocean.
Skifield operators optimistic about coming season
14 May 2021
South Canterbury skifield operators are hoping for a long white winter, but long-range forecasts suggest it may be a mild season.
Wyn Drabble: Dining out down south
6 May 2021
I approach Moeraki, not by Highway 1 but by the coast from Oamaru. And what a splendid decision that is.
Entering Narnia: 24 hours in the Waitaki Valley
3 May 2021
Holidays often don’t feel like a holiday when you have children. Kids voice their displeasure from the back seat about your taste in true crime podcasts, while embedding mysterious food items in crevices across the back seat. But help is at hand. A short trip to an area packed full of kid-friendly stops: Waitaki Valley.
New Zealand rocks: Wonderful geology experiences you won't believe exist
29 April 2021
Steaming landscapes, volcanic outcrops and pōhutukawa forests are some of our geology greats, writes Ewan McDonald. Land of volcanoes, glaciers and ancient forests, the diverse geology of Aotearoa is truly astounding. Better yet, it’s easily discoverable and accessible.
Ngāti Te Ata top chef inspires other young Māori to rise
22 April 2021
Lyall Minhinnick is one of three of New Zealand’s best young chefs who battled it out in the kitchen for the chance to be crowned Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s first young ambassador chef.
Hidden gems to visit in NZ when the Trans Tasman Bubble Opens
7 April 2021
Omarama, in the Southern end of the Mackenzie Basin in the North Island, is surrounded by marvellous Clay Cliffs.
Get on your bike in the South Island: Day rides for you to try
10 March 2021
All of Aotearoa’s Great Rides can be sliced and diced into various day rides – return trips, loops using back roads and connecting trails, or one-way missions with the assistance of a shuttle.
These fun cycle trails will make you want to jump on your bike
26 February 2021
Jump on a bike for health, happiness and an adventurous way to explore our own backyard. Here are some cycle trails for both beginners and experts.
Alps 2 Ocean - Trail Notes Pt. 2
23 February 2021
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is a 300km, mostly-off-road, cycling route which travels from the slopes of our highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, right down to the Pacific Ocean at Ōamaru.
Walking with dinosaurs
23 February 2021
North Otago features some of New Zealand’s most interesting geology and the area around Duntroon (on SH83 west of Oamaru) contains some fascinating rock formulations and fossils that are easily accessible from the road.
Kevin Milne: There's never been a better time to travel
20 February 2021
Kevin Milne’s been on his first ever international tourist-free trip in the South Island, and thinks all Kiwis should be following suit. In this talk, he says that”Oamaru is the most interesting town in New Zealand. (…) I urge all listeners to go there, it’s astonishing!”
Travel website reviews suggest Oamaru is New Zealand's 'most welcoming' town
28 January 2021
Congratulations to the 13,700 residents of Oamaru: the small Otago town has been identified as the friendliest in New Zealand, according to research by Booking.com.
One of the South Island's most compelling road trips
25 January 2021
The first part of my trip is the road from Alexandra to Palmerston. This highway consists of 167 kilometres of diverse conditions, ranging from long, straight, flat stretches, to undulating and winding roads through almost moonscape-like areas.
GO NZ: A gourmet road trip through North Otago
19 January 2021
The route from Dunedin to Ōamaru is a pleasant 90-minute drive if you don’t stop off – but if you have the luxury of time, there are plenty of delicious things to warrant putting the brakes to work a bit.
New Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail leg opens to rave reviews
16 January 2021
A new $1.2 million section of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail has proved a hit with holidaymakers as they discover rarely seen South Island scenery.
Omarama Clay Cliffs: The little slice of Mars
15 January 2021
New Zealand has no shortage of stunningly beautiful drives, and one of the best is between Queenstown and Aoraki Mt/Cook. This route weaves through some of our most spectacular mountain scenery, with a few hidden gems in between.
Where this cheese boss calls a 'true great Kiwiana holiday spot'
2 January 2021
A quick chat with Simon Berry, MD of Whitestone Cheese, Ōamaru.
Small towns to stop at on a New Zealand roadie
22 December 2020
A summer roadie is as much about the places along the way as it is about the journey. New Zealand is chock-a-block with interesting little towns that are worth hopping out of the car for –here’s our pick of the pit stops.
How to enjoy a sweet weekend in Oamaru
21 December 2020
Big is good in Oamaru, from vast skies and enormous limestone valleys chiselled by flat grey rivers, to views so surreal they look as though they’ve been painted. The B-side to this gobsmacking scenery is a chocolate-box town that’s big on charm and character. Here’s how to do a weekend in Oamaru.
Country calendar: The 50 best outdoor adventures to try this summer
20 December 2020
The borders are closed and we have the country to ourselves, but where should we go? Brook Sabin took a 100-day road trip around Aotearoa in a Hyundai Kona EV. Along the way he mapped out 50 of the best adventures to experience over the summer months.
GO NZ: New Zealand's best active adventures Nelson to Waitaki
15 December 2020
Cycle 306km of tree-lined lakes and geosites on the Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail. The 4-6 day ride includes a new off-road section – Sailor’s Cutting to Benmore Dam, offering a great workout and stunning scenery.
The most underrated tiny towns of New Zealand
13 December 2020
Brook Sabin and Radha Engling are travelling around New Zealand on a 100-day road trip. Here are their favourite tiny towns they’ve come across on their travels.
Alps 2 Ocean - Trail Notes Pt. 1
8 December 2020
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is a 300km, mostly-off-road, cycling route which travels from the slopes of our highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook, right down to the Pacific Ocean at Ōamaru.
World famous in New Zealand: Moeraki Boulders
10 November 2020
Scattered along Koekohe Beach, which lies roughly halfway between Oamaru and Palmerston, are more than fifty strangely spherical boulders of different sizes, some in clusters, others lying separate.
Eight destinations for your New Zealand bucket list in 2021
5 November 2020
Feed your wanderlust, set your imagination free and check out this fresh list of 8 unique New Zealand destinations to serve as inspiration for your next adventure.
Why a small New Zealand town is suddenly the new rock music capital of the universe
2 November 2020
The world endures lockdown and socially distanced live shows, but life has returned to normal and live shows are back in the small New Zealand town of Oamau.
Moeraki’s indomitable Slow Fish champion
2 October 2020
Fleurs Place, in Moeraki, is one of New Zealand’s best-loved restaurants, and many people call it the best seafood restaurant in the country. However, Fleur Sullivan never even wanted to start a restaurant when she first came to Moeraki nearly 20 years ago. That’s just how things ended up after she started trying to help people out.
Winter holidays: 9 great New Zealand holidays for a short getaway
28 July 2020
Had enough of winter already? Head to one of New Zealand’s 31 regions for a quick getaway, writes Anna King Shahab.
World Famous in New Zealand: Waitaki's Elephant Rocks
19 July 2020
This is a photographer’s delight – and a gift for energetic kids, as well as novice boulderers.
Travel, Mike Yardley: The jaw-dropping Waitaki District really rocks
6 July 2020
The wondrous Waitaki District has always been proud of its rocks, lustily exemplified by the creamy pure texture of Oamaru Stone that underpins the classic good looks of the historical town’s Victorian Precinct.
School holidays: The best playgrounds in New Zealand
5 July 2020
From the absurd to the absurdly beautiful, New Zealand boasts some of the world’s most unique playgrounds. Here are eight of the country’s best, guaranteed to delight both children and the child within.
WOW Power in the Waitaki
6 July 2020
The Waitaki sure knows how to wow. Whether neo-classical Victorian streetscapes, ancient Maori rock art, limestone formations, penguin parades or Steampunk is your bag, it’s a region ripe with riches. Crossing the border dividing Canterbury from Otago, the Waitaki River, is like a pathway into another world.
THE 20 MOST CHARMING TOWNS & SMALL CITIES IN NEW ZEALAND
10 July 2020
Traditional Maori culture, celebrated wineries, mountain backdrops that seem almost too perfect, and vast tracts of verdant wilderness. These are just a few reasons why New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to visit. But its range of charming towns and small cities is also well worth exploring further.
Waitaki’s geological wonderland
24 June 2020
Crossing the border dividing Canterbury from Otago, the Waitaki River, is like a pathway into another world. A region built on the remains of prehistoric creatures from a vanished world. The wondrous Waitaki District has always been proud of its rocks, lustily exemplified by the creamy pure texture of Oamaru Stone that underpins the classic good looks of the historic town’s Victorian Precinct.
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail : Delight at each twist and turn
23 June 2020
Eleanor Hughes sees the sights along the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail from Lake Ohau to Otematata. When we rode around Lake Ohau yesterday, whitecaps whipped across its surface. This morning, it lies placidly and turquoise.
Mike Yardley: Roaming the Waitaki District
20 June 2020
Travel writer Mike Yardley has been roaming in the Waitaki District, and shared his tips with Jack Tame.
WAITAKI: WATER OF TEARS, RIVER OF POWER
In an age when rivers are managed to satisfy the competing demands of dozens of users, the raw power of a mighty river such as the Waitaki is rarely seen. Draining the central mountains of the South Island from Mt Cook National Park south to the Lindis Pass, the waters of the Waitaki—”water of tears”—now churn the turbines of a bevy of power stations before being siphoned off to irrigate dry plains closer to the coast.