Best of Oamaru & Waitaki

This package is designed for the gourmet traveller who wants to experience the best of Oamaru and the Waitaki on a three-night stay. It will give you a chance to enjoy some of the area’s best food, drink, and scenery, all without rushing or having to do too much planning and driving.

After arriving at Pen-y-bryn on your first afternoon you’ll settle into one of our guest suites, be shown around the lodge, and later on be treated to pre-dinner drinks and canapés, followed by a four-course degustation menu in our dining room. Depending on the time of year, you’ll either head to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony before dinner, between courses, or after your meal is over for their evening viewing in premium seating, giving you a chance to observe the charming antics of the world’s smallest penguin species as they make their way to their nests after a day (or more) fishing at sea.

On your second day, after a delicious breakfast you’ll have time to explore Oamaru, one of New Zealand’s most charming and distinctive small towns, before arriving at the iconic Whitestone Cheese Factory for a tour of their cheesemaking process, followed by a tailored tasting of several of their award-winning cheeses, paired with Waitaki wines. You’ll also have time to visit the Forrester Gallery, one of Oamaru’s outstanding art museums, along with the quirky Steampunk HQ, which is included in your package price. In the evening, you’ll be booked for the “Trust the Chef” dinner at Cucina, central Oamaru’s finest restaurant, with wine pairings to match each course of your meal.

The next day you’ll be driving through the Waitaki Valley, past the beautiful and photogenic Elephant Rocks, to Duntroon, home of the Aspiring Waitaki UNESCO Global Geopark, to arrive at River-T Vineyard’s cellar door at lunch time for a tasting of some of the area’s most outstanding wines, along with a luncheon platter. You’ll also have time for a tasting at the Vintner’s Drop in the centre of Kurow, where you will be treated to a tasting of Ostler Wine’s award-winning Waitaki vintages.

On your final day in the area, after your last Pen-y-bryn breakfast, you’ll have lunch and a tasting of the craft beers at Scott’s Brewing Company on the Oamaru waterfront before heading home or to your next destination.

The package price for the full three-night experience, including all entry tickets and meals as described above, reflects a discounted dynamic rate—contact us for details. Of course, all these package elements can be organised to suit your particular schedule, so let us know what your preferences are when you make your booking. To make your booking contact us by email and let us know your dates.

While every effort will be made to ensure that this package is offered as described, changes due to weather or other conditions beyond our control may result in last-minute changes.