Waitaki District

Meet the South Island’s quiet achiever, a district that’s been flying under the radar of the tourist trail, even though it’s got some of the most amazing sights of the Canterbury and Otago regions.

Come see what’s in Waitaki: the Moeraki boulders, Elephant Rocks, Whitestone Geopark and “Puketapu” (Sacred Hill) are just a few of the stunning places you’ll find. Ski, cycle, swim, boat, glide and tramp your way through the Waitaki Valley. Soak in the Omarama Hot Tubs and end your day with wining and dining by the Waitaki River or a crayfish extravaganza by the coast. Get your culture fix by browsing the galleries in Oamaru’s charming Victorian Precinct. Don’t miss Steampunk HQ: it’s mad!

Where to stay in Waitaki District

Aoraki Court Motel

26 Bowen Drive

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this motel is steps from Mount Cook National Park and Te Wahipounamu. Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Red Tarns are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Hawea Hotel

1 Capell AvenueWanaka, Wanaka

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Situated on a lake, this hotel is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Lake Hawea and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Wanaka and Mount Iron Lookout. Puzzling World and Wanaka Lavender Farm are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Mackenzie Country Hotel Twizel

Cnr Ostler & Wairepo RoadsPO Box 99, PO Box 99

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Conveniently near skiing facilities, this Twizel hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Twizel Town Centre and Lake Ruataniwha and close to winter sports such as cross-country skiing and skiing lessons. Lake Pukaki and Lake Benmore are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

115 Thames Street

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in the heart of Oamaru, this eco-friendly hotel is steps from North Otago Museum and Oamaru Hospital. Forrester Gallery and St Lukes Anglican Church are also within 5 minutes.

Oamaru Motor Lodge

391 Thames Highway

Rated 4.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this motel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, Janet Frame House, and North Otago Museum. Oamaru Hospital and Woolstore Complex are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Mountain Chalets Motel

Wairepo Road

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this chalet is 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Twizel Town Centre and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Pukaki Information Center. Lake Pukaki and Lake Benmore are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Bella Vista Motel Oamaru

206 Thames Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Situated in the historical district, this eco-friendly motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Oamaru Gardens and Oamaru Harbour. Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony and Bushy Beach are also within 3 mi (5 km).

YHA Aoraki Mt Cook - Backpacker

4 Bowen DriveAoraki Mt. Cook Village, Aoraki Mt. Cook Village

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this eco-friendly hostel is steps from Mount Cook National Park and Te Wahipounamu. Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Red Tarns are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Countrytime Hotel

15 Airport Rd

Rated 3.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Omarama, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Hot Tubs Omarama and Totara Peak Gallery. Lake Benmore and Clay Cliffs Scenic Reserve are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Glentanner Park Centre

State Highway 80

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in the mountains, this luxury campground is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Lake Pukaki and within 32 mi (52 km) of Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Lake Ruataniwha.

289 Midway Motel

289 Thames Street

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Oamaru, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Whitestone Cheese Factory, North Otago Museum, and Oamaru Hospital. Forrester Gallery and Janet Frame House are also within 15 minutes.

Heritage Gateway Hotel

State Highway 8

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Omarama, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Totara Peak Gallery and Hot Tubs Omarama. Lake Benmore and Clay Cliffs Scenic Reserve are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Heartland Lodge

19 Northwest Arch

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Location

Ascot Oamaru Motel

500a Thames Highway

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this motel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, North Otago Museum, and Oamaru Hospital. Woolstore Complex and Forrester Gallery are also within 3 mi (5 km).

AAA Thames Court Motel

252 Thames Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in the heart of Oamaru, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Whitestone Cheese Factory, North Otago Museum, and Oamaru Hospital. Janet Frame House and Forrester Gallery are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Alpine Motel

285 Thames Street

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in the heart of Oamaru, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Whitestone Cheese Factory, North Otago Museum, and Oamaru Hospital. Forrester Gallery and Janet Frame House are also within 15 minutes.

Colonial Lodge Motel

509 Thames Highway

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this motel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, Janet Frame House, and North Otago Museum. Oamaru Hospital and Woolstore Complex are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Pen-y-bryn Lodge

41 Towey Street

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Holmes Hill, this luxury lodge is within 1 mi (2 km) of St Lukes Anglican Church, Oamaru Gardens, and Grainstore Gallery. Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct and Oamaru Hospital are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Eden Gardens Motel

14 Joy Street

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Oamaru, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Janet Frame House, Oamaru Hospital, and Oamaru Gardens. North Otago Museum and Forrester Gallery are also within 15 minutes.

Kelceys Bush Farmyard Holiday Park

677 Mill Road

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Waimate, this campground is within 6 mi (10 km) of Seddon Square, Waimate Historical Museum, and St Patrick's Catholic Church. Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse and Jacks Point Surfspot are also within 32 mi (52 km).

The Camp - Lake Hawea

1208 Makarora-Hawea Road State Highway 6

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

This Albert Town holiday park is on the beach, 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Lake Hawea, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Wanaka and Mount Iron Lookout. Puzzling World and Wanaka Lavender Farm are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Avenue Motel Oamaru

473 Thames Highway

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Oamaru, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, Janet Frame House, and Woolstore Complex. Grainstore Gallery and North Otago Museum are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge

101 Bowen Drive

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this guesthouse is within 1 mi (2 km) of Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Kea Point Walk. Red Tarns and Lake Pukaki are also within 16 mi (25 km).

Heritage Court Motor Lodge Oamaru

346 Thames Highway

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this eco-friendly motel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, Janet Frame House, and North Otago Museum. Oamaru Hospital and Woolstore Complex are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Northstar Motel

495A Thames Highway

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this eco-friendly motel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, Janet Frame House, and North Otago Museum. Oamaru Hospital and Woolstore Complex are also within 3 mi (5 km).

ASURE Ambassador Motor Lodge

296 Thames Hwy

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this eco-friendly motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, North Otago Museum, and Oamaru Hospital. Forrester Gallery and Janet Frame House are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Highway House B and B

43 Lynn Street

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Oamaru North, this bed & breakfast is within 2 mi (3 km) of Whitestone Cheese Factory, Janet Frame House, and North Otago Museum. Oamaru Hospital and Woolstore Complex are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Hawkdun Lodge

1 Bute Street

Rated 4.8 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Ranfurly, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of John Thomson Monument and Maniototo Park. Maniototo Golf Course is 0.9 mi (1.5 km) away.

Matuka Luxury Lodge

395 Glen Lyon Rd

Rated 5.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated on the waterfront, this luxury lodge is 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Twizel Town Centre and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Pukaki and Lake Ruataniwha. Lake Pukaki Information Center and Lake Benmore are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

86 Mt Cook Road

Rated 5.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated on a lake, this luxury lodge is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Lake Pukaki and 9.1 mi (14.6 km) from Lake Ruataniwha. Mount John Observatory is 31.1 mi (50.1 km) away.

Wotif's insider tips for Waitaki District

Type:

Other

Perfect for:

Couples, Foodies, Culture vultures, The hard to impress

Fluers is a quaint restaurant is run by an award winning chef who surprised the country by choosing this rustic location. Adding to the charm, is the rustic decor and exceptional food. The food is of a quality that you would get in a large city restaurant but with the charm and atmosphere of a rural pub. Situated on the waters edge and serving freshly caught fish everyday.

Tina, 34. London

Learn more about Otago

Waitaki District

Meet the South Island’s quiet achiever, a district that’s been flying under the radar of the tourist trail, even though it’s got some of the most amazing sights of the Canterbury and Otago regions.

Explore Waitaki District

Oamaru

Omarama

Where to stay in Waitaki District

Aoraki Court Motel

Hawea Hotel

Mackenzie Country Hotel Twizel

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

Oamaru Motor Lodge

Mountain Chalets Motel

Bella Vista Motel Oamaru

YHA Aoraki Mt Cook - Backpacker

Countrytime Hotel

Glentanner Park Centre

289 Midway Motel

Heritage Gateway Hotel

Heartland Lodge

Ascot Oamaru Motel

AAA Thames Court Motel

Alpine Motel

Colonial Lodge Motel

Pen-y-bryn Lodge

Eden Gardens Motel

Kelceys Bush Farmyard Holiday Park

The Camp - Lake Hawea

Avenue Motel Oamaru

Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge

Heritage Court Motor Lodge Oamaru

Northstar Motel

ASURE Ambassador Motor Lodge

Highway House B and B

Hawkdun Lodge

Matuka Luxury Lodge

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

Wotif's insider tips for Waitaki District

Fluers Place