ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
Come and experience the Waitaki District...
Waitaki District
Whilst the conference is based in the heart of Oamaru in the Waitaki District has much to entice. Oamaru is the largest town of the Waitaki District with a population of around 13,800 people; the Waitaki District’s population is around 21,000. The Waitaki District stretches from Lake Ohau in the Southern Alps to the coastal town of Oamaru, south to the small township of Palmerston and north to the Waitaki Bridge. Oamaru and Waitaki offer many visitor attractions the most well-known being the Victorian Architecture and heritage and the Blue Penguins. The Waitaki also offers skiing and water sports in the Waitaki Valley Lakes; many archaeological sites including Parkside Quarry, Vanished World Fossil Trail sites like Elephant Rocks and Anatini. Wine generation is a growing industry in the Waitaki Valley. The Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail winds through the Waitaki Valley from Mount Cook to Oamaru and is a comfortable six- day ride. The coastal area of Waitaki boasts the Moeraki Boulders and wildlife viewing opportunities. Would you like to stay an extra day or two?
Waitaki District a beautiful part of the world.
Click to download maps and area information.
Saturday Afternoon Activities
RIVERSTONE CASTLE (tour $35 including bus)
Riverstone Castle is 19km North of Oamaru and is the creation of Dot and Neil Smith. Surrounded by a lake and set on the Smith’s dairy farm behind Riverstone Kitchen.
Built from local Oamaru stone, Riverstone Castle makes for a dramatic backdrop to the rest of the Riverstone complex. Dot’s childhood dream to one day live in a castle is now a reality, brought to life by the years she has spent gathering ideas, roaming stately manors, historic gardens and old castles abroad and collecting the individual pieces she has sought to furnish it with. Dot’s vision was accomplished with the help of Wanaka architect Sarah Scott and her ever supportive husband Neil.
Saturday afternoon we will operate two groups of tours travelling by bus to site then through the castle but numbers are limited so get in fast!
(Note: numbers for Dot’s castle are limited to 50. Two tours each of 25 at 2pm & 3.30pm)
ROD TEMPERO MOTOR BODY BUILDER LTD
(tour $30 including Bus)
From Rod Tempero:
Rod Tempero is 3.3km South on State highway 1.
"At Rod Tempero, we manufacture and restore exciting and desirable road registered cars of the 50’s and 60’s era. These beautiful vehicles are hand built, with every aspect to the original specification, using techniques and tooling handed down over three generations of motor body builders. We continue to produce these exciting cars today and currently have some very desirable projects underway, including rare restorations." Once again numbers are limited so please get in quick. (Note: Tempero tour max 50/60 people)
GUIDED HISTORIC AREA WALKING TOUR ($15)
Take a step back in time and discover Oamaru’s vibrant colonial history. Embark on a 90-minute easy-paced walk around the Historic Precinct and be immersed in Oamaru’s rich heritage, culture and geology with a knowledgeable local guide. Oamaru is the largest town in the Waitaki District and is famous for it's limestone architecture of the Victorian Precinct.
You will be guided as you stroll through New Zealand’s best preserved Victorian commercial streetscape in the Victorian Precinct, Oamaru. The original buildings are made from locally quarried limestone are a testament to Oamaru’s boom era, when it was an important port town, sending the world’s first frozen meat exports around the world. Once again numbers will be limited so please get in quick. (Note: Historic area walking tour max 25 people)
