2026 Triple F Challenge - Oamaru, North Otago

Join us for a memorable weekend of connection and community as we explore Oamaru, share stories and laughter and celebrate the three cornerstones of this event - FUN, FITNESS and FRIENDSHIP.

The programme offers a mix of exciting events and activities tailored for everyone over four days of connection, good food, and local adventures including yoga, historic tours and coastal walks.

Enjoy scones at Totara Estate, a castle tour at Riverstone Kitchen, optional penguin spotting, and plenty of time to explore Oamaru and beyond.

This is your chance to connect, recharge, and support Rural Women New Zealand’s charitable goals.

Registrations are due prior to Monday 1st December 2025 so book your ticket today!

WAITAKI WONDERS

13th – 16th March 2026

Programme

The Triple F Challenge has carried on a proud heritage since 2007. Each location brings its own flavour to the experience with the three cornerstones remaining the same: Fun, Fitness and Friendship. In 2026, the Triple F Challenge will be hosted by Rural Women NZ Lower South Island and held in North Otago, Oamaru. A Triple F experience provides a wonderful opportunity for connection while supporting Rural Women New Zealand’s charitable aims. The Triple F Challenge programme offers a number of fixed events and the opportunity for participants to choose from a range of activities. We're really excited and hope you will be able to join us.

Every Triple F Challenge chooses a charity to be the recipient of funds raised during the programme.

For 2026 we are supporting the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust service which is operated by HeliOtago from its bases in Dunedin and Queenstown and provides critical medical help to the communities of southern New Zealand. It is a partially Government funded community service supported by donations and sponsorships from individuals and organisations in our local community. It supports the Otago and Southland communities, ensuring patients receive urgent and lifesaving care.

DAY ONE: FRIDAY 13TH MARCH

3:00pm Book into Old Bones Lodge 486 Beach Road, Oamaru or alternative accommodation.

4:00pm Triple F Registration at Old Bones Lodge

5:00pm Mix and Mingle Friendship Hour. BYO beverage + 1 Complimentary glass of wine or juice

6:00pm Dinner kindly supplied by North Otago Rural Women Members. Evening Enjoy an evening together, walk along the local beach

DAY TWO: SATURDAY 14TH MARCH

7:30am Continental Breakfast at Old Bones Lodge. Make a packed lunch for the day

8:30am Yoga/Light exercise to wake up the body and mind

9:40am Leave for Totara Estate, 565 Alma Maheno Road, Alma 9492

10:00am Morning Tea, Billy Tea and Devonshire scones in the old cookhouse. Guided tour Brydone Monument Walk (40 minutes return trip)

11:30am Depart for Elephant Rocks for a picnic lunch. Walk around and explore. Option to stop at Duntroon, and explore Nicols Blacksmith, Vanishing World or the Wetlands Walk. If time allows there could be an option to see Borton’s Pond, at Blacks Point.

4:00pm Return to accommodation.

5:30pm Star & Garter, 9 Itchen Street Oamaru (upstairs room) Dinner. Guest speaker: Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter

DAY THREE: SUNDAY 15TH MARCH

7:30am Continental Breakfast at Old Bones Lodge

8:30am Walk Along the beach group exercise

9:15am Depart for Riverstone Kitchen

10:00am Dot’s Castle Tour (1 - 1.5 hrs) or take in the gardens and shopping complex. Riverstone Kitchen will be open for morning tea or lunch (own cost).

12:00pm Lunch at your own choosing and at your own cost.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Oamaru at your leisure. Please refer to the options listed for activities and make your own arrangements enjoying what Oamaru has to offer.

6:00pm Light Meal at Old Bones Lodge

8:00pm Blue Penguin Colony 17 Waterfront Road South Hill Oamaru (Optional)

DAY FOUR: MONDAY 16TH MARCH

8:30am Continental Breakfast at Old Bones Lodge

10:00am Check out of accommodation. Travel south to Waikouaiti for Otaho Rural Women NZ Centennial Celebrations.

Optional places of interest: Hampden- Vanessa’s Café, Boulders Bar & Bistro, Gift Shop, Secondhand Shop, Moeraki Boulders, Moeraki Boulders Café and Gift Shop. Walk along the beach. Moeraki Village, Moeraki Tavern. Millennium Walk, Palmerston, Puketapu Monument Walk.

ACCOMMODATION

The Organising Committee has arranged a limited amount of beds at Old Bones Lodge for Triple F attendees which is now open for booking at a special rate. Old Bones offers unique, beachfront accommodation & hot tubs nestled amongst natural New Zealand beauty. For those who enjoy a hot tub they are available via booking onsite (own cost).

Please note that there is no obligation to stay at Old Bones to attend the Triple F Challenge so feel free to explore the many wonderful accommodation options in the area. Please allow for enough time to travel between your accommodation and where the activities are held.

For more accommodation suggestions, check out the Tourism Waitaki website.

Old Bones Lodge

Minimum of a 3 night stay. Reservations to be made by emailing Lynda Perniskie - lynda.perniskie@ruralwomennz.nz

Space is limited

Sunday Afternoon Activity Suggestions

• Steampunk HQ

  

• Whitestone Cheese and Deli

• Scotts Brewing Co.

• Oamaru Heritage Buildings, Victorian Precinct

• Look Out Point and Cape Wanbrow Walks

  

• Rainbow Confectionery

• The Janet Frame House

• Whitestone City Oamaru Gardens Waterfront Walk

• Forrester Gallery Brydone Memorial Walk

• Tourism Waitaki - for more activities and attractions

Cycle Journeys

Have a beautiful depot in Oamaru, where they can offer a bike briefing and a shuttle from Oamaru to Tunnel Road, to allow you to cycle from the Rakis Tunnel back towards Oamaru. This shuttle is not their standard shuttle, however they would be comfortable to offer this for us as long as there is a minimum of seven persons.

Shuttle cost: $45 per person + $15 for the bike transfer.

Standard bikes cost $67, E-bikes are $135.

Prices are subject to change at Cycle Journeys discretion.

Planned Activities

Food Pricing

3 Breakfasts + 1 Packed Lunch + Friday & Saturday Dinner - $80.00 per person

Duty of Care Policy

• All participants will take personal responsibility to prevent/avoid accidents and injury to themselves or others.

• All participants are fully responsible for their own personal belongings.

• Rural Women NZ, Region 1 Lower South Island, as coordinators of this event will not be held liable for any accidents, damage or theft but will ensure to the best of our ability not to expose anyone to unnecessary risk.

Cancellation Policy

Please let Lynda Perniskie know immediately if you have registered for Triple F but are unable to attend. Refunds are negotiable.

Booking Fee

A booking fee will be added to your final registration cost to allow for the registration administration.

NOTE: A registration online is for one person only

Questions?

All Enquiries to Lynda Perniskie via email - lynda.perniskie@ruralwomennz.nz.

A hard copy of the registration can be requested.

THANK YOU TO THE NORTH OTAGO RURAL WOMEN NZ BRANCHES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR THEIR KIND SPONSORSHIP