Business South November 2021

| 53 TOURISM Tourism Waitaki Discover Waitaki, place of many wonders Kim Newth Ōamaru is well known for the limestone architecture of its stunningly well-preserved Victorian Precinct. Photo: Lydia R Cook Photography F rom the limestone heart of Ōamaru to the tranquil fishing village of Moeraki and the fossil rocks of Duntroon, the Waitaki is a place of many wonders, old and new. Vis- itors who book a leisurely stay in the district will be well rewarded. This fascinating area boasts a rich human and geological history. Māori, the first people who lived here, used the Waitaki River as a highway to travel up and down the valley and, much later, people from Europe arrived and built using local limestone. Duntroon is home to the Vanished World Discovery Centre and is in the heart of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark that was formed under an ancient sea. The centre is a great starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about local marine fossils, rocks and landforms and people can even dig for a fossil here. A self-guided Vanished World Trail spans coastal localities from Moeraki to Oamaru and extends inland through the Waitaki Valley. It includes Māori rock art sites, wetlands and fossil sites. Since COVID hit, Vanished World has seen a 30% increase in visitors, fuelled by an upsurge in New Zealanders exploring their own back- yard. Many significant fossils have been found in this palaeontologist’s paradise, (including a small archaic Oligocene dolphin, ‘Waipatia Maerewhenua’, named after the area where it was discovered). “We are about discovery, education and finding out something that you didn’t know had existed or happened,” says Faye Ormandy who chairs Vanished World Inc. “It is a real experience that brings families back time and time again, whether to dig a fossil or to spend time clambering around and admiring the views from Elephant Rocks.” Ōamaru is Waitaki’s largest town, famous for its penguin colony, steampunk and lime- stone architecture of the gracious Victorian Precinct. “It’s an incredible streetscape – how many little towns in New Zealand would have a working heritage-listed Opera House like Ōamaru - but it is the heart and soul of the people here who truly fill it,” says Katrina McLarin, who co-owns Waitaki’s original 1861 Ōamaru stone mansion, along with Auckland restaurateur and chef Brenda Laverick. After falling in love with the 160 year old building in 2019, the couple moved down from Pukekohe and have since restored it to an impeccable standard. Guests can now share the grandeur of ‘Casa Nova House’, where Katrina and Brenda host a luxury bed and breakfast experience. “We’re proud to be custodians of this very significant heritage building. The people here have been so friendly and welcoming - when a community embraces you, then you embrace it back.” “We’re proud to be custodians of this very significant heritage building. The people here have been so friendly and welcoming - when a community embraces you, then you embrace it back.” Waitaki doesn’t just have a restored stone mansion…it also has its own castle! Riverstone Castle, 15km north of Ōamaru, is home to Dot and Neil Smith and alongside the castle is award winning Riverstone Kitchen, established by the couple’s son Bevan and a destination for food-loving visitors. Riverstone Kitchen’s Operations Manager Kathryn Swann says it is rewarding that so many travellers include Riverstone on their itinerary and she observes there is good posi- tivity in the district. “This area is definitely growing and going from strength to strength,” says Kathryn. “More people are coming this way as it is such a progressive place and there’s great local support. There are lots of young, busi- ness-driven people here who love the district’s special character.” Visitors can further explore the district’s built heritage at Clark’s mill and Totara Estate situated between Ōamaru and Maheno. Moeraki, once used as a whaling station, is another jewel in the crown and home to world-renowned restaurant, Fleurs Place. Here, restaurateur Fleur Sullivan is a South Island legend, who at an earlier stage in her amazing food journey opened another culi- nary icon, Olivers in Clyde. She’s passionate about fresh local produce and Fleurs Place is supplied daily from the Moeraki fishing boats. Speaking from Moeraki, Fleur says she loves her part of the Waitaki district. “We’re a bookend down here and Riv- erstone is the other end of the bookcase! You’ve got to have more than one good place if people are going to stay in your area and we’re proud to promote others doing a good job further up the line.” As Fleur observes, many people are getting out and enjoying rail trails along with the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail that starts in the Macken- zie and ends in beautiful Ōamaru. “We have plenty here to embrace for people wishing to stay longer and explore the wider area.” MACRAES - DUNBACK - MOERAKI - HAMPDEN - HERBERT - KAKANUI ;)7832 4%01)67832 (9286332 ˸%1%69 /963; ˸8)1%8%8% ˸1ʶ6%1% ˸,%9 [[[ [EMXEOMR^ GSQ ōamaru waitaki south island new zealand aotearoa TE WAI POUNAMU