Town in Otago, New Zealand
Photo: David.Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Oamaru (local English pronunciation: "oh-mah-ROO") is a town in North Otago, New Zealand, with beautiful Victorian buildings crafted from the fine, white local limestone, and colonies of penguins. Oamaru is also the gateway to the Waitaki Valley, a stunning natural area bisected by the braided Waitaki River, whose hydroelectric dams have created numerous lakes for water sports and recreation. It is home to New Zealand's first UNESCO Global Geopark - the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark.
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See little blue penguins (kororā in Māori and Eudyptula minor in Latin) in their nests or coming ashore at night. You're likely to see some of the penguins for free just by walking along the waterfront road leading up to the visitor center, though if you want to see them in higher concentrations, at their nests, and with more information provided, the paid viewing may be worthwhile.
Steampunk is a sort of science fiction inspired by Victorian steam powered machinery. The HQ contains a selection of exhibits constructed from twentieth century junk, some of which are animated. you can play "tunes" on a weird version of an organ. Some exhibits in front of (and a couple inside) require $2 coins to come to life.
Oamaru Lookout Point
Harbour & Tyne Historic Precinct
This is the town's original commercial area, largely built in the 1870s to 1890s. It is the most complete Victorian streetscape in the country. The buildings were constructed of a hard, compact limestone that was quarried locally and known as Oamaru stone. Many buildings have been restored and they house shops, galleries and eateries.
Museum about Oamaru.
Factory viewing gallery and shop.
The childhood home, from 1931 to 1943, of the author Janet Frame.
Take a 5– to 10–minute walk through coastal vegetation to a viewing hide from where you may see yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho in Māori) and other marine species.
Large round boulders on the beach.
Established in the 1850s, Totara Estate exported New Zealand’s first shipment of frozen meat in 1882. A number of limestone farm buildings have been restored by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
A museum on the geology and fossils of the Waitaki district. It exhibits fossilised whales, dolphins, giant penguins, giant sharks and other invertebrates from the marine ecosystems of the Oligocene, 20–30 million years ago. Duntroon is 43 km (31 minutes drive) from the centre of Oamaru. There is also a free self-drive Vanished World Trail you can follow to view geology, fossils and Maori rock art in situ.
The weekend of Queen's Birthday (first Monday in June).
Held in November.
A gem, 2010 New Zealand Restaurant of the year.
Motel (rooms $185) with restaurant and bar. 8 beers on tap.
Caravan/tent sites, some with power, and one cabin.
5 room luxury lodge
Hostel with no reception desk - get a code when you book online.
Traditional sweets, sold by the once from glass jars. Also has a selection of British and US imports.
By bus
Daily bus services operate between Christchurch and Dunedin and between Christchurch and Te Anau via Oamaru. The main bus stop is in Eden Street, just east of the Thames Street (SH 1) intersection.
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