Waitaki District

Extending from the Southern Alps to the Pacific coast in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, famous for penguins, boulders, and Victorian stone buildings.

Waitaki District is located in the eastern part of New Zealand's South Island, extending along the Waitaki River from the inland highlands to the Pacific coast, straddling Canterbury and Otago. The main town, Oamaru, is famous for its Victorian Precinct built of white limestone, Steampunk HQ, and the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, while Bushy Beach offers views of yellow-eyed penguins. The Moeraki Boulders are a coastal marvel, and the inland features Elephant Rocks, Omarama Clay Cliffs, and Takiroa Maori Rock Art, with expansive ocean views from Katiki Point Lighthouse. December to March is the best time to visit. Oamaru is located on State Highway 1 between Christchurch and Dunedin, with Dunedin being the gateway airport.

Destinations

• Oamaru
• Lake Tekapo & Aoraki/Mount Cook

Itineraries

• New Zealand South Island In-Depth Grand Loop – A complete loop of the South Island starting from Christchurch, connecting coastlines, glaciers, fjords, peninsulas, an…
• Christchurch to Queenstown Lakes & Fjords – A one-way self-drive through the Mackenzie Basin, Mount Cook, Wanaka, and Fiordland, ending in Queenstown.
• New Zealand North to South: Auckland to Queenstown – Head south from Auckland through geothermal areas and Wellington, cross the strait, and explore the lakes and fjords to…