waitaki

Waitaki

Highlights

  • Ohau Snow Fields
  • Alps 2 Ocean Trail

Proximity

Nestled among towering mountains and sparkling Lake Ohau, this holiday hideaway is the perfect place for skiing, hiking and cycling.

Waitaki
Lake Ohau Lodge, Waitaki

Ohau is a small, off-the-beaten-track town that acts as a gateway to Lake Ohau, numerous walking tracks, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail and the Ohau Snow Fields.

Found between Ōmarama and Twizel, the drive into Ohau is spectacular in its own right. The area is beautifully rugged and painted with beautiful yellow, orange and brown hues synonymous with the South Island high country. The prominent Ben Ohau mountain range stands watch over the far side of Lake Ohau.

The village is surrounded by mountains and water, with the highest of the Southern Alps including Mount Cook visible on a clear day. The views are even more impressive from up the hill at Ohau Snow Fields, a small ski field providing a wonderful community atmosphere along with all the essential services including rental, lessons, a chairlift and day lodge/cafeteria.

Lake Ohau Lodge offers spectacular views of the lake and mountains and is a great place to stay a night or grab a bite to eat.

Or stay in Lake Ohau Quarters, a cosy, modern lodge-style accommodation with amazing views of Lake Ohau Station - undoubtedly one of the country’s truly spectacular high-country farms. This is also the gateway to the Hopkins Valley. 

The Lake Ohau foreshore is also a picturesque section of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. From Ohau Weir to Lake Ohau Road, cyclists will cruise around the tranquil water’s edge on their way to the end of the section at Lake Ohau Lodge. This section is very scenic and far from all road noise with a great trail surface which includes sections of boardwalk.

The next section of the trail, which begins at Lake Ohau Lodge, will see cyclists will tackle the highest point along the entire trail. This section can be quite rocky and muddy in places with a few false summits and stream crossings to keep things interesting. But the climb is worth the views and the downhill that follows!

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