Whangarei
17.89°C
About
Waitaki is a beautiful region located in the South Island of New Zealand that has a lot to offer for tourists. Some of the major attractions in the region include the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, which is a UNESCO-designated site, featuring stunning geological formations like underground caves, sinkholes, and limestone cliffs. Waitaki is also famous for adventure activities like skiing, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking, with popular ski resorts like Ohau and Temple Basin. Trout fishing in the Waitaki River and visiting the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony are other popular activities in the region.
The town of Oamaru, known for its Victorian architecture, artisanal shops, and heritage buildings, is a top tourist destination in Waitaki. The Moeraki Boulders and Vanished World Trail are also worth exploring. If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, Waitaki is an ideal destination that offers something for everyone.
Bushy Beach Track
Waitaki
Beaches
Lookouts
Walks
Attractions
Spot New Zealand fur seals/kekeno and yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho from this cliff-top walk.
The track zig-zags across the top of the cliff on the south side of Cape Wanbrow. From a platform you can see New Zealand fur seals/kekeno on the rocks below. Carry on further to a viewing hide to watch penguins as they cross the beach (before 9 am and after 3 pm).
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Deep Stream Track
Waitaki
Lookouts
Walks
Walk within a flooded canyon to a shady picnic or fishing spot near Lake Aviemore in the Waitaki Valley.
The track goes along steep faces within a flooded canyon. The track is benched with steps in steeper sections but is narrow with steep drop-offs below. Take care when walking with young children.
The track is well defined and easy to follow to the stream delta where it comes to an end amongst the shady willows. A table is available along the way for a lakeside picnic.
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Benmore Peninsula Walk
Waitaki
Lookouts
Walks
The Benmore Peninsula track is approximately a 4km loop circuit and takes around 1.5 hours to complete. It is not a particularly physically demanding hike, but beautiful nonetheless. On a good weather day, the water on Lake Benmore will appear to be bright turquoise and you will be able to see Mount Cook in the distance. This track gives off a very PNW (Pacific NorthWest) vibe with its wooded pine forests and lookouts.
The track starts out level for a while until you reach a junction for the circuit; you may go uphill to the right or go to the left, which stays level for a little while before it begins to climb. Since it is a loop, you may go either way, but I suggest taking the left path and walking the loop clockwise. Taking the loop clockwise is less physically intensive (as the last few stretches of the track are loose gravel at a steep incline, and no one likes to go uphill on that type of track) and you are rewarded with views sooner rather than later.
Getting there: From Otematata, you will see a sign off of SH83 for the Benmore Dam. Take this road to the dam and drive past it. you will reach the top and end of the road, where the DOC Benmore Peninsula hike will be signposted at the gates.
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