A Gem of a Town – Kurow
Kurow is a town worth taking time to explore, and for those who enjoy exploring New Zealand’s byways, Kurow’s neighbour, the Hakataramea Valley is detour-worthy, particularly if you drive over the Hakataramea Pass.
Steeped in history, Kurow (or Te Kohurau) is situated between the braided Waitaki River (Waitaki translates to ‘water of tears’) and the Saint Mary’s Range in North Otago, just 45 minutes’ drive inland from Ōamaru on State Highway 83. While Kurow and the Hakataramea district might be better known today as the boyhood home of rugby legend Richie McCaw, for those who want to take the time to scratch beneath the surface there is much more to discover. There’s the story of the Waitaha people, the earliest settlers in the region; European settlement and agriculture; the development of the Waitaki Hydro Dam; and the story of how Kurow became the birthplace of our social welfare system.
A visit to the Kurow Museum and Information Centre is a great place to start to uncover the area’s past, while a gentle stroll around the town following the heritage trail allows you to admire notable historic buildings. A prime spot to gain a bird’s eye view of the town and grasp the beauty of the region is atop Kurow Hill. Known as the ‘huffy puffy’ hill, the 1.1 kilometre climb is on a well-constructed path on the northwest boundary of the town. The conveniently scattered armchairs along the track offer welcome respite for those huffing and puffing more than others. When you reach the top, the expansive views make the graft up the hill worthwhile. To the right is the Waitaki Valley, dominated by the river wending its way to the Pacific Ocean through patchworked farmland. And to the left is the Hakataramea Valley shadowed by the Kirkliston Range.
For those enamoured of outdoor activities there is plenty to entice. Both the Waitaki and the Hakataramea rivers are known for being ‘superb’ fly-fishing locations for wild rainbow and brown trout along with sea-run Chinook salmon. To really explore the Waitaki River system a jet boat ride with Braided River Jet Boating might be just the ticket. A small family-owned and operated business, Ronald and Anna Clearwater offer half-day and full-day packages as well as customised trips.
For those who are more energetic, the area naturally lends itself to tramping, hunting, mountain biking and even skiing with the club-operated Awakino Ski Field high up in the Saint Mary’s Range. The hunting and tramping opportunities are through conservation land on both the Kirkliston Range and the Saint Mary’s Range (make sure you gain permission from station owners when accessing conservation land through private land and get your fishing and hunting licences from Kurow Auto Services [Caltex]). Then of course, the world-renowned Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail travels through Kurow. For those wanting to cycle a slightly different route there’s always the Alps 2 Hakataramea Loop over the Hakataramea Pass. The unique view from the pass over the Mackenzie Basin across to the splendour of the Southern Alps is breathtaking.
Kurow, with a population of just over 300, even sports its own nine-hole golf course as well as a race course. Race day, on the 30 December, is a family-friendly event drawing a crowd from all around the region.
If sitting quietly enjoying a tipple is more your style, it just so happens that the Waitaki Valley has become the newest wine-growing region in the country. Taking advantage of the limestone geology and favourable weather patterns with hot dry summers, cold winters and long dry autumns, boutique wineries have sprung up along the valley. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer are typical wines of the region. Kurow boasts two award-winning wineries. Just five kilometres south of Kurow is River-T with its charming cellar door looking over its vineyard across to the mountain. And in the main street of Kurow, in the cute little art deco building that was once the old post office, is The Vintner’s Drop, Ostler Wines’ Cellar Door. Of course, there are great dining options too from hotel meals to cafés with Waitaki Braids and Wild Sage Cafe rating highly.
With so much to do in this region there is every reason to plan a trip and stay a while.
