Omarama is a tiny place about 1-1,5hours drive towards Christchurch from Wanaka. Accommodation is a about half the price compared to beautiful and famous Wanaka. No wonder, as there is almost nothing there: There little village has grown there due to the unusually great conditions for gliders. But watching the gliders and getting very close to them was super exciting for the kids! A good reason to stop if you are driving in this area.
I really love how all this is so uncomplicated in new Zealand. In Finland there’d be fences and permissions would be required everywhere.
I’m not as interested in aviation as the rest of our family but found clouds in Omarama enjoyable to watch with their spectacular shapes.
Free But Fun 
[…] Arrowtown (recommended, so cute!) – Wanaka (the previous leg was very scenic!) – Omarama – Twizel (Mt Cook) – Fairlie – Temuka – Timaru (check out Caroline Bay) […]
Looks absolutely beautiful!
The whole country is stunning!