Waitaki

The Waitaki region is a place of scenic contrast and haunting natural beauty. Experience mysterious boulders, windswept beaches and Maori rock art.

The middle of the region's coastline is home to the small town of Moeraki and its huge spherical boulders. Scattered along the beach, the Moeraki boulders are more than 65 million years old and are easily accessed from the beach. Look out for the Hector's dolphins that are often seen playing in the waves beyond.

Oamaru is a town with historic whitestone architecture. From here, you can hop on your bike and follow the Alps to Ocean Cycleway in reverse all the way to Aoraki Mount Cook.

Inland, snow-capped peaks and beautiful lakes contrast with the bare brown hills that rise up from the valley floor. Earthquakes is an impressive formation of limestone cliffs that are full of ancient fossils. Nearby you’ll find Maori rock drawings made from red ochre, charcoal and animal fat.

The Waitaki River surges through the landscape, punctuated by three hydro-electric dams - Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore. The Waitaki Dam was built with picks and shovels in the 1930s and Benmore is one of the largest earth dams in the southern hemisphere. In summer, its bright blue colour contrasts with the burnt-orange landscape that surrounds it.

There are many pleasant walks in the Otematata area - most will take around an hour. Longer hikes include the Benmore Peninsula and Deep Stream Tracks.

Tucked away in remote and rugged high-country flanked by the Southern Alps and a glacier-fed lake is the village of Ohau. This tranquil and picturesque alpine hideaway is perfect if you enjoy walking, tramping, cycling and skiing.