Getting Here
Located in the central South Island, the Waimate District is only 2 hours 45 minutes south of Christchurch, and roughly half-way between Timaru and Oamaru.
Our central location makes the Waimate District the perfect destination for your next weekend escape.
Drive
If you're heading to Queenstown, the Waimate route is an alternative to the Geraldine-Tekapo highway, and the roads aren't as busy. This option takes you into the Mackenzie basin via the stunning Waitaki Lakes, which are less well-travelled than Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo.
Approximate drive times:
34 minutes south of Timaru; 45km
41 minutes north of Oamaru; 47.5km
1 hour 40 minutes to Lake Tekapo; 134.5km
3.5 hours to Queenstown; 283km
2 hours 45 minutes to Wanaka; 228km
2 hours 45 minutes to Christchurch; 208km
2 hours 10 minutes to Dunedin; 158km
Fly
The nearest airport is Timaru, and we are a scenic drive from the South Island's international airports.
Approximate drive times:
Timaru Airport 46 minutes
Christchurch Airport 2 hours 38 minutes
Dunedin Airport 2 hours 33 minutes
Queenstown Airport 3 hours 25 minutes
Bus
Bookings at the Waimate Information Centre. There are daily bus services between Christchurch and Dunedin that stop in Waimate, or at the Waimate turn-off.