Lake Ohau Station is home to new accommodation called the Lake Ohau Quarters, located on the shores of Lake Ohau, just 50km from Omarama or Twizel. It has replaced the well-known Weatherall Motels, which closed in 2007.
The station itself is situated amongthe southern alps of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island, covering 8,322ha of high country, and ranges from paddocks 550m above sea level to extensive high country at 2100m above sea level. With merino and angus making up the 6000 stock units, 60% of the land is very steep terrain and includes large mountain ranges.
The long history of the station is tied up with that of Benmore Station until it was sold off as one of eight smaller blocks in the early 1900s. In 1948 Stafford Weatherall gained the property and three generations of his family have lived there for almost 60 years. Stafford built shearers quarters in 1970 and made them available as low-cost accommodation that was immediately popular with trampers, skiers and fishing enthusiasts pursuing the lake’s renowned salmon and trout.
Simon and Liko Inkersell took on the role of managing Lake Ohau Station in 2008 and they work closely with the station’s owners. In 2012, new accommodation was built on the terrace behind the location of the old motels, which have just been opened to the public.
The Lake Ohau Quarters has been built with groups in mind, and is rented out exclusively to one group at a time. The Quarters’ can accommodate up to 24 quests in six separate rooms including double, twin and bunk options, which are separated from the living area by large corridors, creating an excellent noise barrier.
There are separate male and female showers and toilets, along with accessible facilities and a large, well-equipped kitchen and dining room. There’s central heating with double glazing and a large open fire, and also a fully equipped laundry with a drying room, plus a large gas BBQ outside.
Neighbouring the Ruataniwha Conservation Park, Lake Ohau is a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors. Apart from the above mentioned fishing and skiing (the quarters is just 8km from the entrance to the Ohau Ski Fields and 100m from a boat ramp), there is a plethora of options to keep people of all interests entertained.
The Dobson valley provides excellent views of Mt. Cook and is perfect to explore by 4WD or jet boat. It is possible to travel all the way to the divide in the right conditions. Don’t forget your recovery kit if you are in a 4WD – it is a long walk to the nearest house!
The Maitland and Temple valleys have DoC walking tracks (permission is required from station management to access the Maitland) which are renowned for scenery and wildlife. The rare native NZ falcon is also known to make an appearance around the area..
More details www.lakeohauquarters.co.nz.
