WAITAKI WONDERS
We’re all wishing for a safe and sun-soaked summer, one filled with lazy days at the beach, an opportunity to release the Olympic athlete within, a cheeky glass or two of world-class bubbly, and a well-fluffed pillow ready and waiting for you at the end of the day. Whether you’re after me-time, a romantic getaway, a group vacation, or that long-awaited family trip, the Waitaki District is offering everything you could wish for.
The golden sands of Kākānui are backed by dramatic cliffs that look stripped from a renaissance masterpiece. You can splash about, catch a solid surf break, or spy Hector’s dolphins in the waves at the main beach on Campbells Bay. Make sure you also visit Koekohe Beach in Moeraki, where the mysterious spherical boulders can be found in all their glory at low tide, and closer to Ōamaru, Bushy Beach is the perfect stretch for a stroll. Past 3pm, up in the purpose-built viewing hide, you can spot one of the world’s rarest penguins, the Yellow-eyed (hoiho), come ashore.
See the Waitaki in every detail as you bike the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail from the foot of Aoraki Mount Cook or from Lake Tekapo, wind past undulating green hills and farmland, through to the Pacific Ocean in Ōamaru. Cycle the whole journey over the course of four to seven days or simply enjoy a day excursion. Each section provides different thrills, vistas, and secrets you can’t see from the road in a car.
The Waitaki region is producing award-winning wines, and you’ll want to visit those with cellar doors, such as River T and Ostler Wines, to sample the delicate tones born from the arid climate and limestone-rich soils. Go on; you deserve to raise a glass as the sun sets on a verdant vineyard and the mountains of Kurow.
End your days in style. Forget cramming the tent into the back of the car, and let Valley Views Glamping serve as your base while you indulge your Waitaki wanderlust. Nestled in Otiake Valley, it’s the dreamiest destination, made up of six geodesic domes furnished in a soft and homespun style.
Always ready to welcome travellers, the Waitaki is a must-visit corner of the world, home to New Zealand’s first Geopark full of geo-formations for you to discover during summertime.