Driving SH1 from Waianakarua to Hampden | Otago | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Otago Region

Tags: driving, hampden, new zealand, otago, waianakarua

Added: 2 years ago

Driving SH1 from Waianakarua to Hampden, in the Otago region on the East Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

Waianakarua (the 5 A's) is home to the oldest stone bridge still used on a New Zealand highway. The historic Mill House provides a venue, dining and accommodation while the nearby Waianakarua River offers swimming and picnic spots, with camper and tent sites and motel units available at the Riverside Haven Holiday Park.

The Waianakarua also has a hunting block where you may find red deer, feral sheep and pigs. Permits are required to hunt here and can be obtained from the Department of Conservation.

The small town of Hampden offers a beach side camping ground, a popular cafe, a tavern, and a renowned fish shop serving fresh blue cod. You might notice a jump in the video when we are driving through Hampden. This is where I cut out us pulling over for Blue Cod. If not here Moeraki Tavern just up the road.

Down at the beach you will find a playground for the kids with pseudo-boulders and where hector's dolphins are often spotted in the surf. If you go for a walk on the beach you may be able to see the Moeraki Boulders in the distance. You can walk all the way there if the tide is low.

Near the beach you'll find the Moeraki Boulders Kiwi Holiday Park with camping, motel and backpacker accommodations, and up the hill in town, the Moeraki Boulders Motel.

Check out the Heritage Trail which takes you on a walking tour of various historic sites starting from the old Hampden Hotel and includes local churches, the cemetery, war memorial and more.