Ōamaru & Waitaki
The Waitaki region has 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 in the Waitaki region. While you won't be able to fit every local gem into just 24 hours, we reckon some time is better than none, and this guide will take you through the best bits. 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.
Editors' Picks
Craftwork Brewery
Ōamaru’s Heritage Precinct is an ode to tradition. In this way it only makes sense that it’s home to Craftwork - an award winning, small scale, Belgian brewery run by brewing couple, Lee-Ann Scotti and Michael O’Brien.
Cucina
Argentinian, Italian and Spanish flavours meet Kiwi hospitality at Cucina. Owners Yanina and Pablo, moved their family to Ōamaru in 2008, and celebrate the cuisine they grew up with through Waitaki's best ingredients.
Fleurs Place
A foodie destination in its own right, Fleurs is a place to ‘rest by day’. It’s an exploration of ingredients normally overlooked, a celebration of kaimoana and a restaurant where every meal is magical.
Valley Views Glamping
Glamping with sweeping views of the Waitaki Valley, and hosts who know its every nook and cranny including the best summer swimming holes. Honeymoon, stay-cation, reunion, whatever the occasion, it’ll be best had here.
The Terraces
Local Kevin Murdoch restored The Terraces building and filled it with historical relics and an art studio. Pop in for a chat with Kevin and the other Ōamaru artist in residence, Al Bell - this is something of an alternative visitors’ centre.
Inc. Design
A quick jaunt up the hill from Ōamaru’s town centre will lead you to Inc. Design Store. Not just a shop, gallery or studio but some combination of all three, Inc. is an experience in and of itself.
Grainstore Gallery
Not quite a gallery or a studio, Grainstore Gallery is an emporium of local artist Donna Demente’s larger than life paintings and sculptures and the ephemera that informs them. Climb up the stairs and be immersed in her creative world.
Tees St
Cucina’s day time counterpart with colourful, tasty brunch plates. The huevos rancheros have been winning ‘big brekkie’ traditionalists over since 2016 and the bombolino doughnuts are the mid-day treat you deserve.