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Omarama
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Omarama is an attractive high country
township ideally situated at the junction of State Highway 83 and State Highway
8, to serve the tourist and holiday-maker. Wide, empty roads are a pleasure to
drive on.
Accommodation is well catered for, with top of the line hotels and motels,
homestays, camping grounds and a visitor friendly local pub. A choice of
restaurants, a winery, take away food outlets, a general store, tourist shops,
and two large service stations all operate seven days.
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The Ahuriri River
The nearby Ahuriri River is world famous for its rainbow and brown trout
fishing, with trophies reaching more than 4.5 kg. The best stretches are the
headwaters where you must hike in and camp or, if finances permit, hire a
helicopter. Omarama is within an hour of a variety of equally renowned trout
fishing streams and rivers.
But the Ahuriri isn't limited to fishing enthusiasts. It is home to the
largest numbers of the rare Black Stilt and a variety of other fascinating
birdlife. Among those you might encounter here or on other high country
rivers are Pied Stilts, Pied Oystercatchers, Banded Dotterels, the rare
Wrybill, Paradise Shelducks, Harrier Hawks, Falcons, Black Shags,
Black-fronted Terns, Kingfishers, Pukekos, Spurwing Plovers, White-faced
Herons, Canada Goose, and Welcome Swallows. |
Gliding
Omarama's gliding is renowned among glider pilots the world over. The
Nor'wester blows steady and warm off the Alps to form the famous Northwest
Arch, a thermal that can take the intrepid pilot to 10,000 metres. World
records have been set from here, and facilities are available for
accommodating both people and gliders at the airfield.
In August 2002, millionaire Steve Fossett made an attempt on the gliding
world record. Unfortunately he was weather conditions were unfavourable.
Scenically, the grandeur, colour, accessibility, peace and quiet or the
nearby tourquoise snow-fed lakes restore one's soul. They may be viewed by
plane, boat or four-wheel-drive vehicle.
There are many well-defined walking tracks above the dams and rivers, with
breathtaking scenic views. More extensive tramps can be made into
magnificent alpine river valleys, native beech forests, and mountain passes. |
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