If you decide to base yourself in Oamaru for two or more nights, a range of possible day trips become available to you. Some of these (arranged longest to shortest) are:

1. •Drive up the south bank of the Waitaki to Mt Cook. Take in the hydro lakes, sheltered fishing spots, giant dams, salmon farms ... Part of the return trip can be on the river’s north bank.
   

1. •Make a circuit through rolling farmland in the Waireka valley, see the Elephant Rocks, travel through the old gold road to Dansey’s Pass Hotel (wow!!) return via Ranfurly, Palmerston and the intriguing spherical boulders on Moeraki beach.
   

• Take a loop through Waimate - see the Wallabies! - head on to Kurow and return via the Elephant Rocks.