Holiday advice - Oamaru or Timaru?

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LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#72464 26-Nov-2010 16:03

Our South Island trip is mainly planned (though always subject to change) but we have one week long slot to fill.

At the moment it looks like a choice between Oamaru and Timaru.

Alternatively we might do the high country around Omarama.

Any advice welcome.

We are looking for walking, relaxing and scenery.
Not particularly bothered about extreme sports.

Cheers

LGC

sleemanj

1490 posts

Uber Geek

#409974 26-Nov-2010 16:57

My vote would be with Omarama. Assuming your trip is soon, it will be the height of gliding season so definitely go for a ride.

Not far to the lakes in either direction, not far to Cromwell, Alexandra and their lovely fruit Orchards, not far to Oamaru and Dunedin (why you'd want to go to Timaru I don't know).

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James Sleeman
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farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#409976 26-Nov-2010 17:02

LittleGreyCat: Our South Island trip is mainly planned (though always subject to change) but we have one week long slot to fill.

At the moment it looks like a choice between Oamaru and Timaru.

Alternatively we might do the high country around Omarama.

Any advice welcome.

We are looking for walking, relaxing and scenery.
Not particularly bothered about extreme sports.

Cheers

LGC

there's less than an hour between the two - why is the choice so hard.

From Timaru you have access to Mckenzie High country which is pretty awesome to visit - Mt Cook etc.

keewee01

1737 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#409982 26-Nov-2010 17:14

farcus:
LittleGreyCat: Our South Island trip is mainly planned (though always subject to change) but we have one week long slot to fill.

At the moment it looks like a choice between Oamaru and Timaru.

Alternatively we might do the high country around Omarama.

Any advice welcome.

We are looking for walking, relaxing and scenery.
Not particularly bothered about extreme sports.

Cheers

LGC

there's less than an hour between the two - why is the choice so hard.

From Timaru you have access to Mckenzie High country which is pretty awesome to visit - Mt Cook etc.

And from Oamaru you can also access the McKenzie Basin too.

Between Timaru and Oamaru, my vote would be for Oamaru as it has more character and class than Timaru.

But, for walking, relaxing and scenery then Omarama and surrounds are where you want to be. Very nice at this time of year. Tekapo, Mount Cook, um - Twizel... the various lakes, the canals.

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#410050 26-Nov-2010 20:43

Looks as though Omarama is in the lead so far.

Thanks for the feedback.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#410053 26-Nov-2010 21:00

If I had a week down that way I'd do the loop thru the McKenzie country and back down to Oamaru following the Waitaki. Theres a couple of side trips worth doing along the way. Mt Cook if in the McKenzie (but stay a night and see the stars from Tekapo), or a trip down to Moeraki (from Oamaru) too.

Of the two coastal towns I prefer Oamaru to Timaru, but go down to the old end of town towards the seal colony... to see some nice colonial NZ.

DrCheese

382 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#410064 26-Nov-2010 22:02

Omarama and Oamaru are two different places. Are we all clear on which town we are talking about?

David.

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#410071 26-Nov-2010 22:22

The place names always confuse me when they are not Anglic - everywhere seems to be PiPi, PuPu or KaKa.

Also, I put the wrong name in a response then edited it.

The two areas I am looking are Oamaru on the coast above Dunedin and Omarama up in the hills near Twizel.

Omarama seems to be in the lead at the moment.

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semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#410077 26-Nov-2010 22:51

I used to live around that way and would have to say Oamaru by a long shot. To be more precise, stay at Kakanui and then if you want, you have multiple options available from there. E.g. Moeraki, the lakes, Timaru (only the bay is worth seeing, rest is boring), Dunedin if you want to do a day trip.

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#410080 26-Nov-2010 23:00

Thanks.
Should have said we are restricting ourselves to the Top 10 Holiday Parks and setting up and stopping for at least 5 days at each spot because the tent is a large one.
For short stops we will use a cabin.

keewee01

1737 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#410083 26-Nov-2010 23:21

LittleGreyCat: Thanks.
Should have said we are restricting ourselves to the Top 10 Holiday Parks and setting up and stopping for at least 5 days at each spot because the tent is a large one.
For short stops we will use a cabin.

In that case Omarama. I hear the Top 10 park there is brilliant, plus it has hot pools. Is the lakeside park in Tekapo a Top 10 also??

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#410176 27-Nov-2010 11:44

keewee01:
LittleGreyCat: Thanks.
Should have said we are restricting ourselves to the Top 10 Holiday Parks and setting up and stopping for at least 5 days at each spot because the tent is a large one.
For short stops we will use a cabin.

In that case Omarama. I hear the Top 10 park there is brilliant, plus it has hot pools. Is the lakeside park in Tekapo a Top 10 also??

Nearest to Tekapo is Fairlie.
Omarama looks to have more chices for seeing lakes etc.