Omakau

On the Otago Central Rail Trail, Omakau is a suitable place for cyclists and their companions to stay overnight or take a refreshment break. The town lies on the trail, which passes just a few metres away. There is also a historic focus beyond cycling: Omakau is a former mining town in a region historically shaped by gold mining.

Trail stop and getting your bearings locally

Omakau is a parking location for this section of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Check local parking options before your trip if you plan to park there. Just before Omakau, there is a picnic and rest area at Thomson’s Creek. It is in the vicinity of the town, not within the town itself.

Routes in the wider Central Otago District

In the wider destination of Central Otago District, the Otago Central Rail Trail is 152 kilometres long, graded 1, and designed for a tour lasting one to five days. It can be ridden in either direction, with access available at various points. The route is suitable for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. In the district, the trail passes through mountainous, dry landscapes, river gorges, tunnels, and viaducts, as well as historic homesteads and preserved gold-mining settlements.

For regional comparison, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail combines a 21-kilometre bike ride with a 13-kilometre boat trip. It is graded 2–3 and designed for one day. This provides a comparison between a one-to-five-day tour on the Otago Central Rail Trail and a one-day combination of cycling and boating.

Gold-mining history and historic buildings

The Omakau Commercial Hotel at 1 Harvey St was Omakau’s first homestead. It was built in 1898 as Pomona House on a 200-acre farm. The name Pomona House and the year it was built give the history of the first homestead a specific date.

Behind the Omakau Commercial Hotel stands the Old Stone Stable. The historic building was also built in 1898 and was originally associated with Omakau’s first homestead. On a walk, you can pass historic buildings and learn more about the area’s former gold-mining history.

Churches also offer specific points of reference for local history: St Mary’s Anglican Church in Omakau is listed in the Central Otago District Plan register of historic buildings, places, sites, and objects. North of town, St Peter’s Catholic Church stands on a hill. The two buildings are in different locations: St Mary’s is in Omakau, while St Peter’s is north of it on the hill.

More activities and events

Omakau has a 9-hole golf course with lovely views. Check its status before your trip if you plan to play there. The A&P Show is also one of the town’s regular events; the Central Otago A&P Show in Omakau includes equestrian competitions, among other things. Check event dates and programme details before your trip, as details may change. This lets you weigh the trail, local history, and other activities differently when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Naseby, Cromwell, Queensbury, Kyeburn Diggings, Lauder, Tarras, Oturehua, Patearoa

For the wider travel overview: Central Otago District.