Explore Waimate District

Visit the beautiful Waimate District in the central South Island of New Zealand, and explore hills, rivers, lakes and small country towns. Get off the beaten track and explore our rural heartland. 

Waimate 50

The McKeown Petroleum Waimate 50 is an amazing event, held in Labour weekend each year.

The streets come alive to the sound of street racing. NZ’s top drivers descend on the town for the opportunity to take part in this unique event, where the racing is held in the centre of Waimate, literally around the houses and main street.

The atmosphere is electric, you can meet and talk to the drivers and check out their vehicles. Check out the video above.

An event not to be missed.

Heritage

Waimate’s past as a food-gathering hub for Maori, and later as a frontier milling town on the edge of the forest is easy to connect with by following self-guided walks and visiting the district’s historic sites. The further you go, the more you’ll know! Moa, rock art, sawmilling, churches, and great characters are all part of our story.

Camping 

It’s that time of year again! We have a range of options for your summer camping adventures. From lakeside at the stunning Waitaki Lakes, riverside at Glenavy, to camping in parks with wallabies and playgrounds under the shadows of our amazing silo art.

In 2014 the District was declared motorhome-friendly.  The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association has approved the whole district under the motorhome-friendly scheme.  They even have a camping ground here for members.

Our stories

Get up close and personal with the people, places and things that make Waimate District such a unique and welcoming part of the world. Find out what the locals love about living here, get the inside info on the best places to take your kids fossil hunting, and discover some of the great products made, farmed and grown here. 

Connect with us

Explore Waimate District is on Facebook and Instagram, we can feature your photos if you tag us #explorewaimatedistrict.