Welcome to Waipiata Motel – Your stay at the heart of the Otago Central Rail Trail

In the tiny Central Otago trailside hamlet of Waipiata, sitting right on the iconic Otago Central Rail Trail, you'll receive a welcome with a difference. Just a stone's throw from the Rail Trail, the Waipiata Motel could well be the Rail Trail's best kept secret, offering stylish accommodation... a sun-drenched balcony and the comfort of a cosy Lockwood more like a country B&B than a village motel. You might be fresh off the Rail Trail after a vigorous day of cycling or hiking, a bunch of friends on a Central roadie, a weekend visitor from Dunedin, Queenstown or Christchurch, or passing through for work.

Reflecting the big-hearted hospitality of Central Otago, new proprietor Jennifer Balle, who's just moved down from Auckland to follow her Central Otago dream, will personally welcome and settle you into your gracious quarters.

Each apartment has been individually styled with tasteful, cosy comfort in mind, where attention to detail is paramount. In the long, ranch-style, classic Lockwood, you'll find everything you need: sun-dappled double rooms, modern en-suite bathrooms, natural fibre textiles, a handy kitchenette, teas and coffee; and books to browse, which tell the stories of Central's people and land.

Your stay will be luxuriously quiet and comfortable under Otago's star-studded night sky, with a gentle stroll to the Waipiata Country Hotel for some convivial village hospitality.