Attractions & activities - Omarama 'place of light'

 

Omarama and the Mackenzie region offer a wide range of attractions and activities for you to explore!

 

 

What to see and do. As a major junction point there a numerous accommodation options and several eating establishments that make Omarama a pleasant place to stop and rest during your journeys. If you have more time, don't miss the famous Clay Cliffs. These natural spires are impressive formations. Relaxing is easy in Omarama. The fishing is top notch and the golf course is a pleasant place to spend the afternoon.

 

A world-class gliding area If flying is more your style then getting aboard one of the gliders is an amazing experience not to be missed. Omarama is known as a world-class gliding area, hosting the 1995 World Gliding Championships and 2006 Gliding Grand Prix. Omarama is very warm and sunny in summer. Its no wonder that the name Omarama in the Māori language means "Place of Light".

 

How to get to Omarama Omarama is a small town at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83. You can get to Omarama via Cromwell or Wanaka via the Mackenzie basin or via north Otago turning in-land from Oamaru. Christchurch is the nearest international airport and is roughly a four hour drive to Omarama.Wanaka is one hour by road and Queenstown is only two hours away. If travelling from Dunedin turn in land from Oamaru. Learn more about the Omarama location...

 

 

Hot Tubs Omarama

Soak your soul... and unwind in summer or winter, by day or night. Our tubs are cleaned & re-filled after each use with fresh mountain water - no chemicals are added. Adjust the temperature to your comfort, sit back to relax in the Omarama landscape... www.hottubsomarama.co.nz

 

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Accommodation

 

Omarama

 

 

Ahuriri Motels Stay in the beautiful Omarama district at the Ahuriri Motels on State Highway 83. 1 hour 15 minutes from Oamaru and 1 hour from Mount Cook... www.ahuririmotels.co.nz/

 

Buscot Station Situated in the Southern Mackenzie Country between Twizel and Omarama on State Highway 8, in an original homestead on a working Merino sheep and cattle station. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a large garden and surrounding farmland... buscotstn@xtra.co.nz

 

Hotel Club Omarama hotels and accommodation - cheap, fast and secure reservation service provided by Hotel Club Omarama... www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Omarama.htm

 

Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park. Budget accommodation and camping in the Waitaki District of the South Island, New Zealand. Magnificent alpine scenery... www.omaramatop10.co.nz

 

The Countrytime Hotel in Omarama offers 50 comfortably appointed guestrooms, including impaired mobility and interconnecting suitable for family, holiday and conference accommodation. www.countrytimehotel.co.nz

 

The Heritage Gateway Hotel in Omarama offers 98 well-appointed guest rooms including impaired mobility, inter-connecting and apartment-style suitable for families, conference, honeymoon and self-catering... www.heritagegatewayhotel.co.nz

 

Sierra Motels Sierra Motels offers you the peace of a quiet country setting, with the convenience of village shops and restaurants within walking distance... www.omarama.co.nz

 

 

 

Tekapo

 

The Godley Hotel, Lake Tekapo... The Godley Hotel

 

Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort... Lake Tekapo

 

 

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Activities in Omarama

 

The Clay Cliffs The Clay Cliffs of Omarama are an amazing semi-arid `badland` of deep ravines and pinnacles eroded into ancient river gravels and lake silts situated on the active Ostler Fault Line. These are the cliffs you see from state highway 8 south of Omarama. It is private land with a QEII open space covenant. To get to the Clay Cliffs from Omarama is about 15 mins drive north towards Twizel. Take the first road on your left about 700m after the Ahuriri Bridge, the route is well signposted from there. You will be asked for a donation towards the upkeep of the road into the area at the gate $5 per vehicle. Well worth a visit these formations are quite spectacular.

 

 

Information Centre / Hot Tubs Omarama

Call: 03 438 9703

Address: 25 Omarama Ave, PO Box 147, Omarama 9448, New Zealand

Location: Main Omarama Twizel Highway (State HWY 8).

Email: info@hottubsomarama.co.nz

Visit: www.hottubsomarama.co.nz

 

The Black Stilt Kaki – Guided Tours, viewing hide – bookings essential

 

Fishing Renowned fishing in the Ahuriri River , Lake Benmore , or hydro canals – tackle shop. Products and licences available at the Sierra Motel or Caltex Garage – Fishing Guides available

 

Kayaking on Lake Benmore Big Sky Adventures – contact Info Centre

 

Benmore Dam Gguided tours available 11 am , 1 pm and 3 pm , Dam Information Centre

 

Bikes for hire Enquire at Countrytime Hotel or Heritage Hotel reception areas

 

Golf Course Clubs for hire at the Omarama Hotel, $10 green fee, irrigated greens and tee areas

 

Omarama Rodeo Always on the 28 th of December each year, held at Buscot Station

 

Alpine Lakes 4x4 Adventure Tours – 4 wheel drive tours, walks and white water kayaking, mountain bike rides (mild to wild) – contact Info Centre or Murray Waters directly 0800 494 238.

 

The Briars, Ahuriri Heights - garden visit – described as “a unique gardening experience”

 

Omarama Weather Station Omarama Airport (NZOA)... www.observatory.org.nz/weather/omarama

 

Glide Omarama Based on the renowned Omarama airfield, a club that welcomes the touring pilot, and introduces them to mountain and wave soaring... www.glideomarama.com

 

Omarama Gliding Club (OGC) - Omarama, New Zealand. Soaring and gliding in the Southern Alps on the incredible nor'west wave - the best wave gliding on the... www.omarama.com

 

Southern Soaring Gliding at Omarama, Southern Soaring is New Zealand's leading gliding company for scenic flying and mountain soaring courses, Gliding, southern soaring... www.soaring.co.nz

 

Clay Cliffs Winery At 440 metres above sea level, Omarama's Clay Cliffs boasts the title of being New Zealand's highest-altitude vineyard. Named after the nearby Clay Cliffs with their dramatic sharp pinnacles and deep, narrow ravines, Clay Cliffs winery has one of Otago's earliest plantings of Pinot Gris, Muscat and Pinot Blanc. Recent plantings of Pinot Noir and more Pinot Gris have brought the total area under grapes from the original 0.5 hectares to approximately 4 hectares. The extremes make for an acutely cool style of wine... www.claycliffs.co.nz

 

Activities in Twizel

Holiday Twizel This website has an overview of what to see and do in Twizel. Twizel is a town in the Mackenzie Basin, part of the Mackenzie District of the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. Its residential population is 1,000, but in summer the population more than triples. www.holidaytwizel.com

 

Mackenzie Winter Vast highlands, burnt yellow in summer and frosted satin in winter, interspersed with turquoise lakes fed by ice age glaciers, all surrounded by snow capped mountains including the outstandingly beautiful Southern Alps. Winter in the Mackenzie - it will take your breath away! http://www.mackenziewinter.co.nz

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Activities in South Island of New Zealand

 

If you are driving past Hot Tubs Omarama we've put together some of the activites and attractions in the Mackenzie area that may intrest you... Onsen & Hot Pools | Skiing | Tours & Guides

 

 

Onsen & Hot Pools

 

Hot Tubs Omarama

Soak your soul... and unwind in summer or winter, by day or night. Our tubs are cleaned & re-filled after each use with fresh mountain water - no chemicals are added. Adjust the temperature to your comfort, sit back to relax in the Omarama landscape... www.hottubsomarama.co.nz

 

The Onsen Hot Pools Queenstown's only private indoor / outdoor hot pools, high on the cliffs overlooking the Shotover River canyon. The Onsen Hot Pools experience is all about unwinding and soaking-up Queenstown’s spectacular scenery. Immerse yourself in the views, the pure waters, and the fresh mountain air, as your mind and body surrenders to the deep penetrating warmth and gentle massage of our private pools... www.onsen.co.nz

 

Alpine Springs & Spa Alpine Springs offers three adjoining main Hot Pools landscaped in local greywacke rock and surrounded by the regions native alpine plants to create a natural setting. Pool temperatures range from forty degrees Celsius to thirty six degrees Celsius...
www.alpinesprings.co.nz

 

Hanmer Springs Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is the natural place to unwind - a world class spa experience set in a unique alpine environment. Just a 90 minute drive from Christchurch, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa offers the ultimate in relaxation... www.hanmersprings.co.nz

 

Glacier Hot Pools Nestled in lush rainforest, the Glacier Hot Pools is a haven of natural tranquillity and the perfect way for visitors to unwind and experience a blissful state of pure relaxation after travelling along the coast or enjoying one of its many attractions... www.glacierhotpools.com

 

Maruia Springs Travel deep into the heart of the Southern Alps to the parklands of the Lewis Pass, where snowcapped mountains surround and steam billows from natural hot spring pools, and discover a natural thermal wonderland that begs to be explored... www.maruiasprings.co.nz

 

Oakridge Resort One of the special features of Oakridge Resort is the heated rock pool and health spa complex. After a hard day on the slopes, imagine coming back to a massage or simply to soak in the heated pools exquisitely landscaped in rock and alpine tussock... www.oakridge.co.nz

 

 

Skiing

 

Ski Round Hill Lake Tekapo... www.roundhill.co.nz

 

Ohau, Snow Fields & Lake Ohau Lodge the quiet jewel of the Mackenzie High Country is nestled below the Ohau Range in the Main Divide.  In summer it is endowed with fine weather and long daylight hours and in winter with reliable snow... www.ohau.co.nz

 

Glacier Explorers is the only tour of its kind in New Zealand, and one of three in the world!  Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer of these are accessible to the average person...

www.glacierexplorers.com

 

Mount Dobson Ski Field Lake Tekapo... www.dobson.co.nz

 

 

Tours & Guides

 

Cardrona Safaris Serious trophy hunters come to Cardrona Safaris to persue world records, and leave having witnessed some of the most glorious scenery the world has to offer. www.cardrona-safaris.co.nz

 

Cruise Tekapo offers four options, to suit clients time frames and interests. Cruise times range from 20-25mins to 1.5-2hrs. Also available-for family fun-banana boat rides around the bay .Fishing trips by arrangement (by the hour and up to half and full days)... www.cruisetekapo.co.nz

 

Air Safaris Scenic Flights Mount Cook... www.airsafaris.co.nz

 

Tekapo Helicopters Scenic Flights Mount Cook... www.newzealandnz.co.nz

 

Cycling MTB Pursuits Mountain bike tours, races and events in the Mackenzie Country. Half day rides to 2 day tours in and around Lake Tekapo... www.mtbpursuits.com

 

Fishing Creel 1 - Fishing Safaris (Grant Brown) Grant is a registered member of NZ Professional Fishing Guides Assoc., with 30yrs experience fly fishing Tekapo/Mt Cook. Specialising in dry fly & nymphing for rainbow and brown trout. 1/2 day - 3 day excursions & packages available with accomodation at Creel House B&B... www.laketekapoflyfishing.co.nz

 

Max's Fly Fishing Tours Max offers expert knowledge and experience in fly fishing. maxsfishing@xtra.co.nz

 

Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking The Mackenzie Country's Lake Tekapo contains some of New Zealand's most picturesque and natural scenery. Teal blue lake water and chiselled mountains are amongst the Mackenzie's jewels.Join Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking by sharing the natural beauty in one of the most natural forms of transport available, in a saddle... www.maht.co.nz

 

Mt Cook Trophy Hunting New Zealand Our hunting guides can take you to some of the best shooting spots for Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Chamois and much more on their private hunting blocks neighboring Mt Cook in the Central South Island of New Zealand. Big game hunting trips can be found worldwide, but few can give you the satisfaction that a Mt Cook Hunt can give... www.mtcooktrophyhunting.co.nz

 

Mt Cook Salmon... www.mtcooksalmon.com

Tekapo Starlight Enjoy a guided stroll along the lakeshore on a clear night. Explore the ages and depths of the universe, the birth and death of stars and planets, all unfolding in the wonderfully clear night sky of Lake Tekapo... www.tekapostarlight.co.nz

 

Alpine Recreation provides guided treks, ascents, climbing courses and ski touring in the Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park region... www.alpinerecreation.co.nz

 

Fox Glacier Guiding Glacier Walks & Alpine Adventures... www.foxguides.co.nz

 

 

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Tourism Sites

 

Otago Tourism Omarama is a small town at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83. You can get to Omarama via Cromwell or Wanaka via the Mackenzie basin or via north Otago...

www.otago.co.nz/omarama.htm

 

New Zealand Travel ~ New Zealand Tourism ~ New Zealand Accommodation Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a major holiday, nz-tourism.com provides complete travel & tourism services for New Zealand. We enable you to find your choice of information about New Zealand regions, upcoming events, accommodation the quickest possible way by providing a variety of search and booking services... www.nz-tourism.com

 

Whats On NZ - New Zealand Search Engine Directory. You can find New Zealand sites for accommodation, finance, classifieds, education, entertainment, government, jobs, media, motoring, real estate, business, local guides, shopping,sport, travel, tourism and much more.
Also our travel and tourism city guides to all major cities in New Zealand... www.whatsonnz.com

 

100% Pure NZ The official New Zealand Tourism Board website. A wealth of general information on New Zealand which you will find helpful in planning your New Zealand vacation. www.purenz.com

 

DOC Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz

 

Tramping NZ Tramps & Walks in NZ www.johnb.co.nz

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Websites for Travelers

 

AA Distance Calculator New Zealand Driving travel times & distance calculator for North Island & South Island New Zealand www.aatravel.co.nz/

 

BEDMOBILS - New Zealand's cosiest campervans. A New Zealand camper van is definitley the best way to travel New Zealand. New Zealand is one of the safest and easiest places to travel plus New Zealand campgrounds are the best equipped campgrounds in the world. Due to their extensive travels by camper van through New Zealand, Australia and the United States, the founders of Bedmobils came up with the perfect camper van for New Zealand travel needs. Here are some of the advantages of a Bedmobil New Zealand camper van www.bedmobils.com

 

New Zealand Frontiers Motorhomes & Campervans Rental offers the ultimate freedom of immaculately presented, competitively priced, late model motorhomes, backed by friendly, personal service.

Based on the economical turbo diesel Ford Transit and featuring an air-conditioned living area, all motorhomes are immaculately presented and a pleasure to travel in. Interior layouts are among the most spacious in New Zealand with a shower and toilet, huge bed, and complete kitchen facilities that include a stove, refrigerator and microwave oven. Whether you call it a motorhome, a campervan, or a wohnmobile, all vehicles are fully self contained and feature pressurised hot and cold water throughout, 1.8m headroom, a picnic table and chairs, security alarm with central locking, and all the linen and living equipment you'll need for a comfortable, independent vacation. . www.newzealandfrontiers.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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