Southern Destinations: October 02, 2016

OAMARU NOVEMBER 2016 13
Discover The Waitaki District
Endowed with unique geography, glittering Pacific Ocean to the east, majestic snow-capped mountains to the
west and vast lakes in between, the Waitaki District is an inspiring place to spend time.
The Waitaki District is an easy three
hour drive from Christchurch or and
one and a half hours from Dunedin.
Soak up authentic Victorian Era
architecture, the Vanished World
Fossil Trail, or enjoy the abundance
of wildlife, beautiful beaches and
friendly towns.
Cruise along the coast and enjoy
breath-taking views of the Pacific
Ocean and visit pretty towns before
stopping at the Moeraki Boulders.
These massive stone deposits have
gradually been exposed over time
as the shoreline has receded and
are a unique must-see attraction.
Visit the picturesque village of
Moeraki or take time to explore any
of the coastal walks and secluded
beaches between Oamaru and
Palmerston.
Take a glider up over the stunning
Waitaki Valley and soar between
the mountains and over lakes.
Omarama is home to gliding in the
district; whatever your experience
level there are options for everyone.
Get back to nature and camp
next to wide blue lakes in the
Waitaki Valley, fish along the coast,
see Yellow Eyed Penguins that
come ashore each evening or
take a wander through one of the
memorial oaks sites planted in 1919
to commemorate those who died
fighting in WWI and WWII.
See the world’s smallest penguins in
their natural habitat at the Oamaru
Blue Penguin Colony. From the yearround
viewing deck you can watch
the pint-sized birds waddle to shore
at dusk after spending their days at
sea.
Revive the beloved road-trip and
discover the Waitaki District’s long
stretches of coastline, magnificent
mountains, vast lakes and stunning
farmland. Whichever way you go,
you’ll be greeted with stunning views
and numerous photo opportunities.
Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail is a 301km
formed cycle trail taking you from
the Southern Alps to the Pacific
Ocean. The trail only requires a
moderate amount of fitness; it’s
mostly downhill, and suitable for all
ages. The Trail and is split up into
nine stages and you can do them
all, which takes between 4-6 days,
or take a day trip and choose your
favourite section to ride.
Like to eat? The Waitaki District has
it covered, from cheese sampling
at Whitestone cheese factory
in Oamaru to award-winning
Riverstone to the north of the district,
to Fleur’s Place in Moeraki. Oamaru
has a great café culture so you’ll
never run out of new places to visit.
Bringing the whole family to visit
is easy. Riverstone is a great familyfriendly
restaurant with awardwinning
food and a generous play
area. Take a bucket and spade and
head down to Friendly Bay at the
harbour. Aptly named, there are
no massive waves, just clear water
lapping at the sandy beach. With
the Steampunk playground to the
rear, it’s a great sunny spot to relax
while the kids are at play.
The Waitaki is full of fun events.
Heritage Week (16-20 November)
celebrates a by-gone era at
Oamaru's Victorian Heritage
Celebrations.
The Harbour Street Jazz and Blues
Festival (17-19 March) is a vibrant
and welcoming cultural and music
festival experience for locals and
visitors alike. The theme, New
Orleans Jazz, embraces the flavours,
fashion and foot-tapping tunes of
the New Orleans Jazz era, with talent
quests, workshops, street buskers,
pop-up bars and concerts abound.
Oamaru’s Fire and Steam (2
June) is a unique family event that
coincides with the Steampunk New
Zealand Festival. Celebrating fire,
steam, sound, light, and music,
Harbour Street comes alive with
incredible lighting effects, walls of
fire, live bands and street performers
- an annual event not to be missed.
The Premier Steampunk event of
the Southern Hemisphere is based
in the Steampunk capital, Oamaru,
and runs from 1-5 June 2017.
Markets, a fashion parade, gala ball
and teapot racing are just a few
events on offer.