Omakau (meaning the place of the spouse) is both a service town for the surrounding farming land and a popular holiday destination.

The population of Omakau  is approx 400 and the town is situated on SH 85 between Ranfurly and Alexandra on the north west bank of the Manuherikia River.  The river begins in the far north of the Maniototo, flowing southwest for 85 kilometres where it joins with the Clutha River at Alexandra. During the 1860s the Manuherikia valley was one of the areas of the Central Otago Gold Rush.

The Omakau township was put on the map when the rail tracks from Ranfurly arrived.  It was decided the railway would come through Omakau rather than Ophir as it would save the cost of a bridge over the Manuherikia River.  The track opened on 1st September 1904.  The railway continued through to Alexandra at the end of 1906.  The Rail link closed in 1989.

The Post Office opened in Omakau on the 27th May 1937.  Built of triple brick.  The Post Masters residence was built on a separate title behind the Post Office.