Driving SH1 from Palmerston to Waikouaiti in Otago New Zealand

Categories: Otago Region

Tags: 4k, dashcam, driving, new zealand, otago, palmerston, road trip, scenic, scenic drive, waikouaiti

Added: 2 years ago

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

Palmerston is situated at the junction of SH1 and SH85, and is the gateway to the Otago Goldfields heritage trail and Central Otago. The towns main landmark, visible from a distance, is Puketapu (sacred hill). Atop the hill sits a monument to early politician, Sir John McKenzie.

There is a walking track up Puketapu which is open to visitors for most of the year. At the top you get stunning 360 degree views of patchwork farmland, rolling hills, distant mountains, lagoons, the Shag River and a beautiful, unspoiled coastline. This walk is on private land and is closed during lambing season.

The Shag River passes through Palmerston on it’s way to the nearby river mouth. It’s a small to medium-sized river which holds a reasonable population of brown trout. Between Dunback and Palmerston there are a number of accessible parts of the river. Locals also enjoy a summer swim and paddle on parts of the river.

Head out to Anderson's Lagoon or Tavora Reserve for magical coastal walks and wildlife viewing, or drive just 5 minutes to a lookout point to view a large colony of New Zealand fur seals. There are more great walking options and camping at the nearby Trotter’s Gorge.

Waikouaiti is a rural community about a thirty minutes drive north of Dunedin. To the east is the Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge which provides an ideal habitat for birds, particularly wetland species. An easy walk around the lagoon leads to Waikouaiti Beach which stretches between two headlands, Cornish Head to the north where you can visit the oldest farm buildings in New Zealand at Matanaka Historic Farm, and to the south Huriawa Peninsula, a historic Māori pā site.

In the main street you’ll find an eclectic array of shops. There's the boutique sized Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre housed in the former Bank of New Zealand, and built in 1869 during the Gold Rush. The Oddity Second Hand shop - a family owned business housed in an 1870s building complete with a tiny attic room. Next door at The Green Room you’ll find contemporary handmade New Zealand homeware and jewellery including designer clothing and baby gifts.