Otematata: Townscape, Wetlands and Walks

Otematata combines a distinctive townscape with opportunities on the water and outdoor walks. Many of the original T-shaped houses remain and shape the southern part of the town. There are also the Otematata Wetlands, lakes with recreational activities, and the Benmore Peninsula Walk nearby. This gives you more than one possible focus when planning your trip: you can explore the town and its architecture, or devote more of your days to outdoor activities and the water.

Townscape and Wetlands

The surviving T-shaped houses give the southern townscape a distinctive character. Their shape is a concrete feature that sets Otematata apart from a mere collection of attractions. If you pay attention to a place’s character as well as its activities when travelling, you will find a particular reason to explore here.

The Otematata Wetlands are another focus for outdoor activities. Access to the recreation area is via the area north of State Highway 83. Access to campsites and a boat ramp is also available from there. Getting your bearings in this area is especially useful if you are planning an excursion to the wetlands or considering including a boating activity in your plans.

The wetlands offer opportunities for walking, picnicking, cycling and swimming, making them suitable for different kinds of day out. The network consists of formed, signposted tracks. It connects the Wildlife Reserve and Boat Harbour Camp Grounds and allows for a circuit through the area. This makes both individual activities and a route through the area possible. When choosing what to do, you can consider whether you would rather spend time on the tracks, plan a picnic break or go for a swim.

Lakes, Golf and a Walk by Lake Benmore

Visitors can enjoy water sports, swimming, cycling and walking at the lakes near Otematata. Parsons Rock Campsite is on the shore of Lake Aviemore, where there are opportunities for fishing and other activities on the lake. Otematata also has a nine-hole golf course. These options offer different ways to spend your time: water and fishing at Lake Aviemore, other activities at the lakes, and a round of golf as a separate option. You can therefore consider which of these interests you would like to shape your trip most, rather than planning the same kind of activity for every day of your holiday.

The Benmore Peninsula Walk is nearby. From Otematata, it can be reached via the end of the road above the Benmore hydroelectric dam. The track passes through an exotic forest and around a peninsula that extends into Lake Benmore. The walk combines walking with a clearly defined change in scenery: the forest and the shape of the peninsula on the lake are both part of the outing. If you like to pair your time outdoors with a specific route and a peninsula as your destination, this walk offers an alternative to the tracks through the wetlands.

Discover More Places

If you would like to explore more places, you can find Hampden, Duntroon, Kakanui, Waianakarua, Tokarahi, Herbert, Omarama and Windsor here.

For the broader travel overview: Waitaki District.