TOURING TE WAIPOUNAMU
Taking a trip away in our neighbourhood is as easy as can be. You could plan every weekend left of the summer to be filled with adventure, experience, and thrill – and it is all mere hours away.
From sampling the best of the Waitaki wine region to horse trekking through Peel Forest. How about fishing for wild salmon in Waimate, or setting your sights on Mackenzie’s golden grasslands? There’s a weekend away for every single Kiwi.
So, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. The destination is our very own South Island.
TIMARU DISTRICT ROADIE
Timaru District is made up of the little seaside city Timaru, Geraldine, Peel Forest, Temuka, Pleasant Point, and a fantastic rural playground from Caroline Bay to mountainous Mesopotamia.
Start your roadie walking or horse trekking through Peel Forest, looking for waterfalls. Take a compulsory stop at The Green Man Café – time it right, and you’ll strike one of the legendary live music nights.
Peel Forest is the gateway to Mesopotamia, an area of outstanding natural beauty. You can hike, fish and hunt, take 4x4 tours, visit Dr Sinclair’s grave and the remnants of writer/poet Samuel Butler’s original homestead.
Next stop is foodie heaven Geraldine, the home of Barker’s, art galleries, walking tracks, and now gin! Visit Humdinger Distillery for gin tastings, sales, and informal tours. Once you’ve stocked up with goodness, head to Timaru via Temuka’s vintage stores and brand new 18-hole disc golf course.
Timaru is all about coastal walks, outstanding food, and boutique shops – all set in a pretty Edwardian streetscape and centred around beautiful Caroline Bay.
Shop direct at the artisan farmers market on Saturday mornings. Explore Caroline Bay and the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, then do the Dashing Rocks walk. Start with brunch on the Bay Hill or finish with sunset drinks.
Visit the museum and Aigantighe Art Gallery; if museums are your thing, there are 10 to explore throughout Timaru District.
Have a pre-dinner cocktail at Hector Black’s Lounge Bar, and then choose from any of the incredible eateries within walking distance. Finish your evening back at the bay watching the little penguins return from a day’s fishing.
You can head west via SH8 to the legendary Mackenzie via Pleasant Point (with a must-have real fruit ice-cream at Strawberry Divine), or south to Waimate and the Waitaki Valley via SH1.
ESCAPE THE CROWDS
The Waimate District offers travellers a unique destination off the beaten track. The region is blessed with a vast array of stunning landscapes. Pristine rivers and lakes, native bush teeming with wildlife – including the infamous Bennett’s Wallaby – rolling hills, and an expansive rugged coastline make up this wonderful district.
From hilltop glamping, comfortable motels or boutique bed and breakfasts, the Waimate District caters for all travellers – and for the more budget-conscious, there are loads of camping options.
Take some time to enjoy the many walking and biking tracks throughout the district, from family-friendly riverside strolls to steep undulating terrain, all offering breath-taking scenery.
For those feeling the call of the wild, fish in one of the many rivers or lakes for salmon and trout, or reel in an elephant fish from the coastline which is popular for surfcasting. And if golf is your game, there are two excellent courses to choose from.
For a day with a gentler pace, be sure to visit the famous Enkledoovery Korna Wallaby Park for a unique Waimate experience and hand-feed the tame wallabies. To relax and unwind, pack a picnic and a good book and head to the beautifully maintained public gardens and reserves around the district.
It’s a region sure to inspire. You will be wowed by the grandeur of the incredible silo art towering over Waimate’s Queen Street and the stunning Edwardian architecture seen around Waimate township.
Whether you are after a juicy steak, light snack, or a fine-dining experience, the Waimate District has it covered. And for the more adventurous, try out a wallaby pie!
Check out the weekly Waimate Community Market held on a Saturday in Seddon Square, and be sure to indulge in some retail therapy in the great variety of shops. With so much on offer, escape the crowds and plan your trip to the fabulous Waimate District.
LEGENDARY MACKENZIE
The air was clear beyond belief, unbreathed, one would have said newly poured out from the blue chalice of the sky...soon the clouds parted and there was the shining horn of the great peak, the cloud piercer, Aoraki.”
– Dame Ngaio Marsh
Step into the great wide open and discover the highest mountains, awe-inspiring glaciers, vivid turquoise lakes, golden grasslands, and dazzling starry skies. The Mackenzie’s epic scenery and pioneering spirit have become part of our cultural identity. There is truly something magical in this land, a ‘big sky’ canvas that allows visions and dreams to flow.
For many Kiwis, this region is famous for the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Takapō/Lake Tekapo, and our highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Being close to five lakes, Twizel is a haven for boating, swimming, and fishing – plus a base for the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. Fairlie is known for its famous bakehouse and boutique shops, while Kimbell and Burkes Pass feature a historic pub, art gallery, and retro shops.
The Mackenzie is renowned for its impressive displays of light. Being a large elevated plateau surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, you can often find sunlight lingering when it has departed from the low-lying lands nearby. The mountains block most of the rain from falling on the basin, allowing dry winds to create a desert-like area that is unique in New Zealand. The absence of trees allows one to see the contours of the mountains without any greenery in the way, making it a fantastic place to watch clouds, light rays, and shadows dance upon the denuded golden landscape. At night, the stars shine and dazzle crystal clear in the world’s largest dark sky reserve.
Take a scenic flight into the mountains and land on glaciers; stargaze in splendour; explore the beautiful landscape by cycling, walking, kayaking, swimming, and skiing. The locals can’t wait to welcome you to the Legendary Mackenzie!
WEEKENDS IN WAITAKI
Boasting charming small towns, golden beaches that feel like your own secret, and pristine glacial-fed lakes, it’s easy to find solace and unwind in the Waitaki.
Cruising down from the legendary Mackenzie on SH8, stop to explore the underrated townships of Ōmarama and Ōtemātātā. Or for a quick swim, slip into a lake: Ohau, Benmore, Aviemore, and Waitaki. You can tick them off your fishing bucket list too.
Wine aficionados will want to traverse the North Otago and Waitaki Wine region. There’s more than one cellar door to explore here.
Those aching for remote adventure can journey the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail from Mt Cook down to the ocean through the Waitaki Whitestone Aspiring Global Geopark. Live in the moment as you leisurely bike by sweeping landscapes, popular camping grounds, and jaw-dropping natural formations such as Clay Cliffs and Elephant Rocks.
Touring along SH1, make the most of the slow-paced energy in Ōamaru. Explore the historic Victorian precinct, where limestone buildings that used to house grain and shipping equipment now showcase artisan goods and fabulous food.
Step into an alternative timeline at Steampunk HQ. What’s steampunk? Think of a mad scientist holding his goggles to the Victorian era and plugging in some live wires. You can easily spend a whole afternoon interacting with the art and engineering on display.
Or spend a lazy afternoon strolling along the expansive stretch of Kakanui beach, where waves that surfers dream of meet soft golden sand.
Make your way to the fishing town of Moeraki for lunch and indulge in fresh seafood while overlooking the sea. Then pop down to Moeraki Beach, peppered with mysterious must-see boulders formed over a million years ago.
Witness the world’s smallest penguins clambering and waddling ashore. The Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony holds viewings where you can experience the adorable birds up close.
Disconnect from everyday life and visit the untapped Waitaki District.