OTEMATATA/ OMARAMA

On the way to Otematata we stopped off at Omarama and visited Bev and Lindsey (Vanessa’s aunty and uncle) at the Merino Country Café. Bev and Lindsey own and manage the Café and offer a little bit of everything, including merino clothing, souvenirs, meals and snacks as well as coffee and tea. They also have on a display a valuable collection of Jan McLean’s porcelain dolls some of which are one of a kind. During the day the café is known to be quite busy as tour busses stop off for lunch or afternoon tea as they pass through the town (usually going to or coming from Mt Cook, Wanaka or Lake Tekapo).



Otematata is a quiet little village in the Waitaki District. The region is becoming a village of holiday homes and is equipped with a hotel, restaurant, camping ground, backpackers and other basic services. While we were staying there it was quite deserted however I am told that during the holiday seasons (Christmas, New Years and Easter) the town swells to over 5000 people as holiday makers from the bigger towns come to enjoy the lakes. Alison (Vanessa’s aunty) was kind enough to let us stay in her holiday house and it is easy to see why they choose to vacate to Otematata.

In the morning I thought I would take adventure of the nice weather (and free time) and went for a run through the town and along a walking track that leads to the Benmore dam/lake. I stumbled across the camping grounds that are set in the most magnificent location right on the shore of the lake and easy walking distance into town. The lake is now used as a huge water playground for holiday makers from far and near.

www.exploretainment.com

It takes around an hour and a half to drive from Otematata to Oamaru and is quite a beautiful drive as the road winds around the Waitaki River there are great views of the dams.

www.exploretainment.com

www.exploretainment.com