Kurow Museum
Kurow Museum is on the Main Street of Kurow at the back of the Information Centre.
Do call in and visit.
The Museum is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.30pm
Weekends & some Public Holidays 10am-12.30pm
(feel free to phone ahead on Public Holidays to ensure access)
Entrance is FREE, but we would love a donation to keep our quirky rural museum running.
Paterson’s Cottage
Paterson’s Cottage, [originally known as Paterson’s Accommodation House], is an historic building situated near the Waimate-Hakataramea Highway in South Canterbury and on the property of Glenmac. This building is an excellent example of an early cob building with its walls and chimney built of clay, (probably from the cliff at the mouth of the nearby Penticotico Stream), chopped up tussock and shingle.
Kurow Hill Walkway
If you want to see the layout of the Waitaki Valley and Hakataramea Valley then Kurow Hill walk is a must. There are armchairs placed up the hill for rest and to take in the views.
To get to the top of hill takes around 30 minutes with a few rests along the way. Access is from Grey Street, along from the Kurow Motels.
Heritage Trail - Birthplace of New Zealand’s Social Security
Follow the map around the historic buildings and sites of Kurow and learn about the beginnings of the social security system in NZ.
Pick up one of the trail maps at the Kurow Information Centre and Museum.
Pictures: Kurow School (Former). c1930. Image courtesy of the North Otago Museum P0025.409, 1930s.
Copyright: North Otago Museum. Taken By: David Erskine Neave.
Fishing in the lakes and rivers nearby
Brown and rainbow trout fishing available on Lake Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki all year round.
The Waitaki River opens for fishing on the 1st of Oktober, while nearby rivers like the Hakataramea, Maerewhenua and Otematata river open on the first Saturday of November. In these waters trout can be fished through to the end of April. Sea run salmon run the Waitaki River to Kurow late summer and autumn and can be fished u until the end of March. Trout and salmon fishing requires the ourchase of a licence and regulations must be adhered to.
Fishing gear and licenses: Kurow Auto Services (Caltex) & Sierra Motels Omarama.
Give us a call at the information centre if you are after a fishing guide.
Kurow Wetlands
The Kurow Wetlands were constructed and maintained by local volunteers to preserve and protect the stunning natural environment and wildlife in the braided river environment. This easy and flat short walk is located only a few minutes out of Kurow town centre and is a great spot to get close to the Waitaki River.
Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail
301km from Mt Cook to Oamaru - whether you want to embark on the journey from mountains to ocean or just take a leisurely ride around the dams . The A2O trail passes right through Kurow, which makes it a great stop along the journey or a good base to explore the nearby areas by bike.
Check out more details on https://www.alps2ocean.com/
Photo credit Bruce Dow
New Zealand’s newest Wine region
The complex limestone/greywacke/schist soils have attracted the passions of a handful of adventurous and focused producers.
This unique terroir enjoys hot, dry summers, cold winters and long dry autumns.
Pinot Noir is the predominant variety planted, alongside aromatic whites Pinot Gris and Riesling.
River-T & Valli Wine Bar both offer a small platter or snack along with your wine tasting experience.
Kirkliston Range Conservation Area
A great place in the Hakataramea Valley to go tramping or hunting. Click here to get more information directly from the DOC website.
Oteake Conservation Park
Traverse the tops of mountains Oteake Conservation Park covers large tracts of the St Bathans, Ewe, Hawkdun, Ida and St Marys ranges, and parts of the upper Manuherikia Basin. Click here to get more information directly from the DOC website.
Ahuriri Conservation Park
Venture a bit further up the valley to explore the mountains, rivers, tussocklands, forests and valuable wetlands of the park by foot, mountain bike and on horseback. Click here to get more information directly from the DOC website.
Awakino Skifield
The Awakino Ski Field is a friendly and affordable club-operated skifield situated high in the St Marys Range near Kurow in the Waitaki Valley. The field is situated in a sunny, north-facing valley with fantastic views over the Waitaki Valley and Hakataramea. It boasts one and a half high-speed rope tows, queues are unheard of and a busy day means more than 10 people.
Hakataramea Cycle Route
From Kurow, cross the Waitaki River via SH82 and turn left onto Hakataramea Valley Rd. Carry on following the Hakataramea River until Wrights Crossing. After crossing the river here, turn right onto McHenrys Rd to head back down the valley onto SH82 and return to Kurow. Gravel and bitumen roads, mainly flat with a small section on state highway.
Coffee and a bite to eat
Sit and relax at one of the café’s in town: Waitaki Braids, Wild Sage Café (photo credit), River café and Te Kohurau Restaurant and Café all have a great choice of food as well as drinks available.
One town - two brightly colored pubs
Enjoy a cold beer and pub meal at either the Waitaki Hotel or the Kurow Hotel.
Golfing
Green Fees $15
Club & Cart Hire available
5 Manse Road, Kurow, North Otago
Bookings & Information - kurow.golf@gmail.com
Club Days:-
Summer Saturday mixed competition report 12.45pm tee off 1.00pm
Winter Saturday competition report 12.15pm tee off 12.30pm
Winter Wednesday competition report 10.15am tee off 10.30am