Things to do in Waitaki District

Lake Ohau, in the Mackenzie Basin of the Waitaki District on the South Island, is an idyllic spot for outdoor lovers. The first thing you’ll notice when you visit is its stunning blue-green color, resulting from glacial silt carried from the surrounding mountains into the photogenic lake. Get familiar with the area in tiny Ohau Alpine Village and appreciate the grandeur of the Ben Ohau and Ohau mountain ranges in the distance.

Hot Tubs Omarama is an open-air spa surrounded by spectacular rock formations and a picturesque stream. It has a selection of pools of different sizes in the midst of stunning scenery, so you can relax in the bubbles with a view of the waterway and the mountains. After a day of trekking through the mountains, visit Hot Tubs Omarama to refresh.

Steampunk HQ is an unusual art gallery in the heritage center of Oamaru, on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Both historic and futuristic, industrial and artistic, this interactive gallery celebrates a theme that could be described as steam-powered neo-Victorian industrial, with a large slice of fun.

Shipping virtually shut down here in 1974, but the Oamaru Harbour, a registered historic place, is still a bustling spot to visit in Otago. Enjoy fishing, boating and blue penguin viewing, among other interesting activities for all ages.

Marvel at the remarkable size and near-perfect, round shape of the Moeraki Boulders and study the beautiful patterns marking the rocks. Walk along a secluded beach and spot fur seals playing offshore.

Formed by the erosion of a mighty deposit left by a long-gone glacier, Clay Cliffs is a labyrinth of pinnacles and ridges. While in Omarama in New Zealand’s Southern Alps region, go see this awe-inspiring formation set on private land in a scenic location.