Waitaki 

The Waitaki is a place of incredible scenic contrast. Journey along the Waitaki Valley and the landscape changes from green pasture to the dryness of Central Otago;  snow-capped peaks and beautiful lakes providing a backdrop to the bare brown hills.

Driving towards the mountains, stop and see the Earthquakes, an impressive formation of limestone cliffs. Nearby you’ll find Maori rock drawings made from red ochre, charcoal and animal fat.

Further along the highway, you come to Kurow, a farming town with many historically important buildings. If you like fishing or hunting, this is a good place to stop.
 
The Waitaki River is a big part of the landscape. The river has three hydro-electric dams on it - Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore. The Waitaki Dam was built with picks and shovels in the 1930s and Benmore is one of the largest earth dams in the southern hemisphere, and the only dam open for viewing.

At the western end of the Waitaki Valley, you come to Omarama. If you like gliding, this is the place for it. Here the nor'wester coming off the Southern Alps to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take an intrepid glider pilot to 10,000 metres.