High action activities within an hour's travel! Omarama is a small township at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83, near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. We are only 3 minutes walk from the local shops, cafes and restaurants. The Wrinkly Rams Cafe and sheep shearing is our neighbour and Hot Tubs Omarama is a short walk along State Highway 8. Omarama airport and Soaring Centre are a 5 minute walk away.
Fish for rainbow and brown trout in the local streams, rivers and lakes or take a guided fishing trip with experienced local guides.
There are many rivers and lakes in and near Omarama suitable for recreational fishing. The nearby Ahuriri River is a noted fly-fishing river and adjacent Lake Benmore and Lake Ohau are popular with fly casters and other anglers.
Try your hand at dry-fly casting on the Omarama Stream, trolling and nymphing on Lake Benmore or fly fishing on the Ahuriri River. Brown and Rainbow trout are the main fish species caught here, although Salmon are also common.
Sierra Motels Omarama is an Official Partner of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. We are on Section 4: Lake Ohau to Omarama.
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is truly one of New Zealand's great rides! For over 300 km visitors can experience some of the most beautiful scenery New Zealand has to offer. Suitable for all ages, the trail is an easy grade, and offers a pleasing mix of on and off-road trails which link the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean.
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is sure to be a memorable experience. Highlights include: Aoraki/Mt Cook, Elephant Rocks, Snow-capped Mountains, Clay Cliffs, Golden Tussock Landscapes, Maori Rock Art, Pacific Ocean, Blue Penguin Colony, Limestone Cliffs, Boutique Shops, Turquoise Coloured Lake Pukaki, Vineyards, Oamaru's Victorian Precinct, Waitaki Lakes.
The Wrinkly Rams - right next door, Cafe, winebar, open every day from 7am until 4pm. Evening meals from December until May.
Boots and Jandals - Open all year, restaurant or bar meals. good hearty meals at reasonable price.
These natural rock formations are just 10 km west of Omarama. The Clay Cliffs are a stark sight - tall pinnacles separated by narrow ravines.
These otherworldly formations are made up of layers of gravel and silt, originally formed by the flow from ancient glaciers over a million years ago.
The cliffs are on private land. There's a donation box at the gate where you can pay the $5 vehicle admission fee.
To get to the Clay Cliffs, turn onto Quailburn Rd off SH8 and then onto unsealed Henburn Rd.
