Waimate District
Discover South Canterbury
Waimate District
Waimate District is home to around 7,900 people over 3,582sq kms, located 40 minutes drive south west of Timaru. The gateway to the Waitaki Lakes and spectacular Mackenzie basin enroute to Aoraki/Mount Cook and Queenstown, or south to Dunedin.
The pioneers who milled the Totara tree forests were the first European settlers in the mid 1850’s, a mural of the peaceful meeting between first settler Michael Studholme and local Maori chef Te Huruhuru now immortalised on the painted silos in Waimate township.
Self described as a small district with a big heart, the township of Waimate (pop. around 3,000) is the centre of this agriculturally rich community, steeped in natural beauty of rolling farmland and native bush. Berry fruit and horticulture thrive here, the Strawberry Fare festival held each December is a celebration of the delicious locally grown strawberry.
The Waimate Information & Event Centre in Paul Street offers a huge range of activities and community centre for multi-purpose sports, gymnasium, available for private and corporate functions.
Waimate District Towns
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Discover Waimate District
Retrace history at Bushtown- a replica Edwardian town, Waimate Museum, sacred Maori rock art, test the Whitehorse mountain bike tracks, fish the clear clean rivers and streams, encounter tame wallabies, high country horse trekking – just some of the many discoveries here.
Silo Art
Waimate is home to one of New Zealand’s largest pieces of street art, on the landmark Grain Silos. Two good mates collaborated on the project to decorate the silos with murals celebrating the town’s past.
Waimate Tracks & Trails
Explore Waimate's bushland tracks, hilltop trails, and lakeside rambles - Take a short hike to a waterfall, a steeper challenge, or a riverbank stroll with the kids? Waimate District's walking tracks and trails have something for everyone.
Waimate Events Centre
The Waimate Event Centre is a Council-owned facility which offers a wide range of activities for residents and visitors to the Waimate District.
Bushtown
Bushtown Heritage Park tells the story of Waimate’s pioneering settlers through the lens of the sawmilling industry.
Waimate District Council
Local government of Waimate District. Offices at 125 Queen St, Waimate. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.
What's On
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Businesses of Waimate
Oceania Dairy and Fonterra are major employers in the district and contributors to the national economy. Agriculture, horticulture and rural and rural support businesses thrive alongside a rapidly growing tourism industry within easy proximity of major road, rail and port facilities.
Greenhenz Organic and Free Range Eggs
894 Ikawai Middle Road, Waimate
Kelceys Bush Holiday Park
677 Mill Road, Waimate
Makikihi Country Hotel
36 Main South Road, State Highway 1, Waimate
Makikihi Fries
26-16 Makikihi Beach Road, Makikihi 7978
Upcoming Events
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