Getting to Waimate

You’ll find Waimate on the east coast of the South Island, about half way between Dunedin and Christchurch.

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 

Driving Times & Distances
 

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

There are daily Intercity bus services between Christchurch and Dunedin that stop at the Waimate turn-off.  Atomic Shuttles can be chartered for group travel.

Intercity
Atomic Shuttles