Omarama means the place of light and glider pilots love the air above the small township near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin.
As a junction town, Omarama is naturally a great place to stop and stay if you're coming from Christchurch, Christchurch or from Ohau via the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. After a long day travelling or pedalling, have a relaxing soak in a private hot tub filled with pure mountain water at Hot Tubs Omarama under the starry night sky.Or now that you’re in the high-country, watch a live sheep shearing show at the Wrinkly Rams with shearing and sheep dog demonstrations. The Wrinkly Rams is also a popular restaurant and souvenir shop.Omarama also has a stellar reputation for world-class gliding. With Glide Omarama you can soar over the beautiful Waitaki Valley and McKenzie basin on introductory scenic flights. There’s nothing quite like peacefully soaring over some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery.Don’t miss the unique geological attraction, the Clay Cliffs, just north of Omarama. You feel dwarfed walking among towering pinnacles and ridges separated by steep ravines. It’s like something straight out of a western movie.The Ahuriri River adds plenty more character to the landscape – both out at the Clay Cliffs, from the town and in the air from your glider. It runs by Omarama and into Lake Benmore and is a particularly popular spot for fly-fishing.
