Omakau

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Omakau (Ōmakau) is a rural settlement in Central Otago, New Zealand, located on the northwest bank of the Manuherikia River between Alexandra and Ranfurly. The smaller town of Ophir sits across the river about 3 km away. The Māori name Ōmakau refers to Blackstone Hill and to the Idaburn area. Omakau grew when the Otago Central Railway opened in 1904 and today is a stopover on State Highway 85 and the Otago Rail Trail.

The town has historic buildings, including a hotel built in 1898 and a Catholic Church. Every February, the Central Otago A&P Show is held at the local domain.

The wider Omakau area covers about 21.5 square kilometers and had an estimated population of 410 in 2025. The urban area around Alton and Harvey streets had 141 people in 2018.

Omakau School is a co-educational state primary for Year 1–8 with around 85 students (as of October 2025). It opened in 1935 and is the last remaining school of the 13 that once served the Manuherikia Valley.