Animal
activities
Animals are part of everyday life around here.
From hand-feeding wallabies to getting out on horseback, there are a few ways to spend time with animals while visiting the district. Travelling with your own four-legged friend? There’s also a dog park where they can stretch their legs too.
Here are some of the animal encounters and activities you can find around Waimate.
EnkleDooVery Korna Wallaby Park
Hand feed orphan wallabies at EnkleDooVery Korna
You’ll get a generous bag of wallaby feed and as much time as you like with the animals. Gwen ‘the wallaby lady’ who runs the farm is lots of fun and will show you how to approach them and make the most of your visit.
There are a few other characters on the property too, including a talking cockatiel and rare breed Finlayson sheep.
Don’t leave without a look inside the historic trapper’s hut, packed with quirky memorabilia.
Address: 71 Bathgates Road, Waimate 7980
Phone: 03 689 7197. Send email
Winter hours (11 June - 19 September): 10am to 4pm, seven days a week. Group bookings by appointment.
Adults $15
Children under 12 years $10
Children under 3 years free
Eftpos available.
Waimate Dog and Agility Park
The place to take your dog to play, exercise or socialise with other dogs.
Enjoy the fully fenced one acre site beside the Southern Canterbury A&P Association grounds with your furry friend.
Open daily from 8am to 6pm. Donations welcome.
Address: 46 Hakataramea Highway, Waimate
Victoria Park
A five-minute walk from the centre of Waimate you can explore a fantastic bird aviary and a wallaby enclosure.
Victoria Park is a great place to go for a walk, have a picnic, and use the multiple sporting facilities including netball courts, a velodrome, and outdoor bowls.
There’s also a great playground designed by kids for kids. A 9-hole disc golf course is a must-do. The velodrome is used by national and international cyclists and skaters, as well as the local athletics club. There is a scented garden for the blind here, and a small glasshouse featuring sub-tropical plants. The campground onsite is a great place for families.
Dogs allowed on leash, excluding play/sport areas
Address: Tennant Street, Waimate
Wainono Lagoon
A ten-minute drive from Waimate, Wainono Lagoon is on the coast near SH1 and enjoy a walk, bird-watching, and beautiful views inland to the Hunters Hills.
The lagoon covers 350 hectares. It is a conservation area managed by DOC and provides habitat for some 57 different bird species, many resident and others migratory.
The car park and walking track entry is opposite Nosh Cafe.
