OTEMATATA - NEW ZEALAND

Rental - 25 Tasman Road
An hour's drive from Oamaru, along the Waitaki Valley, this property is available for rental the year round.

Accommodation comprises 5 bedrooms (+ 1 fold out bed), the Master with ensuite bathroom, in total 10 people are catered for. (Bed 1 - Double, Bed 2 - Bunks, Bed 3 - Single, Bed 4 - Bunks, Bed 5 - 2xSingle).

Fully furnished, you only need bring food and beverages.

School and public holidays - $NZ 150 per night    Other - $NZ 120 per night.

Make a booking enquiry via Bookabach - www.bookabach.co.nz/The_Lakes

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Otematata
Otematata (meaning ‘a place of good quartz or flint’) is at the site of New Zealand’s largest earth dam, the Benmore Dam, at New Zealand’s largest man made lake, Lake Benmore. Established in the 1950s, Otematata provided accommodation for employees and their families, working on the Waitaki power projects. Today, it is a popular holiday spot, with lakeside camping spots, and numerous places to fish, swim and go boating.

Activities
The Benmore Dam was completed in 1965 and guided tours of the powerstation make for an interesting visit. The Benmore powerstation is 3 km from Otematata and tours last about 1 hr 15 mins. Bookings are advisable at the Meridian Energy Benmore Centre. The centre is also worth a look with informative displays, photographs and working models of how the powerstations work.

A scenic drive past the Benmore Dam, takes you around Lake Aviemore, where you can stop at beaches and picnic areas. Lakes Aviemore and Benmore can be fished for trout and salmon all year round except during September. There are also boat ramps for more adventurous trips on the Lake itself and camping areas by the lake for those wanting to stay longer. To be sure to get a camping spot, you can reserve camping sites from October to April. You will also pass the Deep Stream Walkway on this drive, which is a pleasant walk, taking about 30 minutes one way.

For those wanting to stay dry, visit the Otematata Golf Club, which has a 9 hole course, sure to appeal to all golfing fanatics. There is also a bird sanctuary to visit and the area is known to be home to some rare moths, butterflies and birds. For an extensive view of the Waitaki landscape, take a walk up the Benmore Track, starting above the Benmore Dam. At the top of a short climb is a lookout with picturesque views of the Waitaki Valley and Mt. Cook.

Further west, along State Highway 83 is Glenburn Park and Sailor’s Cutting. Glenburn Park is by Lake Benmore and provides camping facilities and great fishing opportunities. There are also the remains of an early settlement here to satisfy any budding archaeologist’s craving. Sailor’s Cutting is a great picnic area and boat launching spot.

Links
The Lakes - Otematata
Cape View Cottage - Oamaru
Otematata Country Inn
Otematata Lakes Hotel
Beautiful Waitaki
Tourism Waitaki
BandbClub