'Wealth' of tourism activities in Oamaru

A visitor to Oamaru photographs one of its drawcards, the Victorian Precinct. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.
A visitor to Oamaru photographs one of its drawcards, the Victorian Precinct. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.
There is an ''absolute wealth'' of activities for visitors in Oamaru and a major tourism opportunity for the North Otago town is to place a greater value on what is already here, an international consultant says.

The Waitaki District Council has contracted Canadian company Select Contracts to conduct a study of tourism and attractions in the district.

Select Contracts development manager Dan Harmon was in Oamaru last month, meeting operators, visiting existing attractions and talking to tourists about their experiences.

He was looking at what attractions Waitaki already had, how they all link together, why tourists were coming to North Otago and what opportunities there were to grow tourism year-round.

His first impressions?

''There is an absolute wealth here for a visitor''.

''There isn't really an awareness of how valuable the stories that exist here are ... the rich history of mechanical engineering, for example, the broader story of the penguin colony, the list goes on and continues to grow every time I meet someone.''

''I think that's the self-deprecating nature of Kiwis in general ... [because] for most people who come to New Zealand, it's the most beautiful country they've ever visited. It's a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many, and they will talk about it for the rest of their lives.''

It was Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher's suggestion of a zip-line running from Cape Wanbrow to Holmes Wharf, in an Otago Daily Times article, that led to their introduction.

''Gary's not so egotistical to think that his one idea is the answer, but it did spark a conversation,'' Mr Harmon said.

Mr Harmon said he ''certainly wouldn't rule out'' a zip-line attraction in Oamaru or a push towards more adventure tourism.

''But the message I get repeatedly from Oamaruvians is `We don't want to do what other people have done','' he said.

''This is not a place where you would pick up an attraction-in-a-box bought from Europe or America and plonk it down in the middle of town and charge a ticket for entry. There is so much creativity, there's so much passion already here that there's no need to import that from anywhere else.''

There was opportunity for new, ''ticketable'' attractions in Waitaki - it was just a question of what was appropriate.

Originally from England, Mr Harmon is now based in British Columbia, Canada.

As a development manager for Select Contracts, he has responsibility for adventure operations and has worked on projects as far afield as Macedonia and the Dominican Republic.

Select Contracts is managing the new $22 million adventure park planned for the Port Hills in Christchurch.

The Christchurch Adventure Park, a major new anchor attraction for the city, will have a new chairlift going up the Port Hills, 120km of mountain bike trails, a zip-line canopy tour, a bar and a restaurant.

Mr Harmon will now compile a report of his findings in Waitaki to present to the Waitaki District Council early next year.

Everybody here had been ''most welcoming'', he said.

''Typically, around the world it's the same - consultants are met with a certain degree of apprehension,'' he said.

''But here, first and foremost, people are welcoming ... and once I explain what it is this project is about they can see it's for everybody's benefit.''

rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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