Otago Clay Cliffs Rising spectacularly behind Ahuriri River, these enormous pinnacles and ridges are impressive even from a distance. To get close is a 25-minute drive from Ōmarama, then an easy 10 to 15-minute walk.
The Wrinkly Rams Take your seat at the only merino sheep shearing show in the country. Afterwards, pop by the gift shop and café.
Waitaki River Popular for water
Ōmarama Ōmarama
Ōmarama Hot Tubs Sink into your private outdoor hot tub filled with fresh mountain water and gaze across the picturesque lake.
Lake Ōhau Lake Ōhau
BELOW: Elephant Rocks, Duntroon © Visit Ōamaru ABOVE: Omarama Hot Tubs BELOW RIGHT: Ōhau Ski Area BOTH: © Waitaki Tourism
temperatures soar and nearby Lake Benmore offers swimming, camping and water sports.
Sailor’s Cutting Make the most of this popular camping and fishing site. Fronting the shores of Lake Benmore, it’s especially popular in summer when droves of happy campers arrive for a holiday.
High Country Salmon Farm
sports, fishing, hiking and boating, this is the smallest of three man-made lakes of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme/Waitaki Dam. Thirty minutes from Ōmarama.
Drop by to see how salmon is farmed, feed the fish and watch them jump to grab a bite, then taste delicious just-caught salmon. Located in Twizel approximately 1 hour 40 minutes from Hāwea.
Ōtematata In low season, Ōtematata, a 15-minute drive from Ōmarama is small and sleepy, but the population booms in summer, when
Alps 2 Ocean From the highest mountains, past great lakes and rivers to the ocean – this cycle trail is an absolute winner.
Ōmarama
Ōamaru Ōamaru
Lake Ōhau
mOERAKI mOERAKI
Ōamaru
Dunedin Dunedin
mOERAKI
Elephant Rocks Created over millions of years from eroded fossil-rich limestone, these great hulks of rock sit on a grassy bluff and resemble elephants, dogs and even Winnie the Pooh. It’s a phenomenal sight, part illusion, part nature-made marvel.
Kakanui Kakanui
Dunedin
Lake Ōhau A beautiful lake for fishing, with a handful of holiday homes and very little development, it’s rarely visited by the masses. Discover bike trails, pebble beaches and dozens of walking paths.
DUNTROON DUNTROON lAWRENCE Waitaki Valley Wine Region RENCEstood a remarkable 4.3 feet tall! lAW Vines were first planted here in Anatini 900m from Elephant Rocks 2001, making Waitaki the new kid on the viticulture block. All that limestone enriches the soil and produces a tasty pinot noir. Enjoy summer wine tasting at River-T Winery and the Ostler Wines Cellar Door year-round.
and home to a natural limestone
arch, Lfossilised INS remnants from the tHE cAT bottom of the ocean and baleen S bones. Signposted as part of tHE cATLINwhale the Vanished World Trail.
Vanished World Centre Learn about local geology as well as an array of long-gone creatures, including an ancient penguin that See Map Section - pages 57 to 63
Kakanui
settlers. Located under a limestone bluff on SH 83.
Kurow Fifteen minutes from Duntroon and sandwiched between the braided Waitaki River and St Mary’s mountain range, it’s a popular stop on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.
Takiroa Māori Rock Art
Kurow Hill Walkway This steep
Hundreds of years ago, Māori travelled the length of Waitaki River, taking shelter in the limestone cliffs. The rock art found here depicts animals, birds and early European
climb to the top of Kurow Hill is more than worth it for the far-flung Hakataramea Valley views. Allow at least 30 minutes to the top, with plenty of stops!
Lake Ōhau Village Enjoying an idyllic setting against snowcapped mountains and a royal blue lake, summer is ideal for water sports and camping, while winter revs up a busy ski season.
DUNTROON
RENCnotE the AW Ski fields It’s lŌhau
largest ski field in Aotearoa, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in exceptional staff and stunning scenery – the views across Lake Ōhau are exceptional.
tHE cATLINS
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