The Waitaki region has got it all - the ocean, mountains, bike paths, walking tracks, great food and award winning wine.
With so much to do, see and try it’s crucial to plan ahead and make the most of your time here. While you won't be able to fit every local Waitaki gem into just a couple of days, we reckon some time is better than no time at all and this guide will take you through the best bits.

Your guide to the best things to do in Ōamaru & Waitaki
You’ll jump into the region in Ōamaru where you’ll find plenty of history, folklore, Victorian Architecture and local food and drink. From there you’ll head south to Moeraki for a restful afternoon and then through to Duntroon to explore Waitaki's geologic landscape. You’ll end the day with some glamping, begin day two with a trip to Kurow for a wine tasting and a walk and finally wrap up with a soak in an outdoor cedar tub at Hot Tubs Omarama.
Day One - Morning
Midday
Afternoon
Evening
Day Two - Morning
Explore: Kurow township, walkway
Kurow
Get your legs moving with a wander around Kurow town and then climb up above it all to get a sense of the larger landscape it’s situated within. At the end of Grey Street you’ll find the start of Kurow Hill walkway. While it is a bit steep this walk has great bang for buck in terms of effort to views. In one to two hours, depending on your pace, you’ll get a birds eye view of Kurow town, the braided Waitaki River, the Hakataramea Valley and beyond. Other than from an airplane, this quick hike gives what might be the best perspective of the powerful waterway that makes this region so unique. The wispy, brilliant blue braids of the Waitaki River are completely stunning. The path does go through a working farm so be sure to close the gates.

Midday
Words by: Olivia Sisson
Photos by: Nancy Zhou
48 hours Ōamaru & Waitaki
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1
Stay: Poshtel
126 Thames Street, Oamaru
Accommodation, Stay & Explore
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2
Breakfast: Tees Street
3 Tees Street
Cafes, Eat & Drink
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3
Explore: Steampunk HQ
1 Humber Street
Galleries & Museums, Culture, Stay & Explore
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4
Explore: Victorian Precinct
3 Harbour Street
Galleries & Museums, Culture, Shops
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5
Starters: The Fishwife
145 Haven Street, Moeraki
Eat & Drink
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6
Lunch: Fleurs Place
169 Haven Street, Moeraki
Restaurants, Eat & Drink
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7
Explore: Elephant Rocks
Island Cliff
Activities, Stay & Explore
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8
Dinner: The Fort Enfield Tavern
625 Weston-Ngapara Road, Enfield
Eat & Drink
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9
Stay: Valley Views Glamping
161 Domett Road, Otiake
Accommodation, Stay & Explore
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10
Breakfast: Wild Sage
16 Bledisloe Street, Kurow
Cafes, Eat & Drink
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11
Explore: Kurow township, walkway
Kurow
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12
Lunch: River-T Estate
5292a Kurow-Duntroon Road, RD6k, Kurow
Bars, Eat & Drink, Stay & Explore
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13
Explore: Hot tubs
29 Omarama Ave Main Omarama Twizel, Highway, Omarama
Activities