Oamaru in a unique and fascinating town. Here you can explore the Victorian Precinct, with its grand limestone buildings, antique stores, galleries, and cafés. Visit Steampunk HQ, a quirky museum celebrating retro-futuristic art, or take a stroll through the beautiful Oamaru Public Gardens. In the evening, head to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony to watch the world's smallest penguins come ashore. You can also visit the Whitestone City interactive museum, the Forrester Gallery, or take a trip out to see the nearby Moeraki Boulders. Oamaru offers a wonderful mix of history, creativity, and natural beauty for every visitor.
Blue Penguin Colony
The colony began when a small number of blue penguins began nesting in a rock quarry area at the edge of Oamaru Harbour in the early 1990s. Today, it is Oamaru's largest tourist attraction, with over 75,000 visitors per year. The best viewing is at dusk, however day and evening tours are available.
Steampunk HQ
Steampunk HQ is New Zealand's premiere Steampunk experience. They feature retro-futuristic sci-fi art, movies, sculpture, immersive light and sound experiences. Steampunk is a quirky and fun genre of science fiction that features steam-powered technology. It is often set in an alternate, futuristic version of 19th century Victorian England. Oamaru is an ideal setting for Steampunk art and activities, given the wonderfully preserved and thriving Victorian buildings.
Victorian Precinct
Step back in time into Oamaru's Victorian Precinct – a busy hub with shops, galleries, cafés, bars, restaurants, museums, a brewery, a steam train and plenty of fun activities! A market operates in the carpark at the end of the precinct on Sundays.
Oamaru Steam Train
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New Zealand Fur Seals
Shag Point/Matakaea Reserve is a great spot for wildlife viewing and is part of a geologically curious and intriguing coastline. New Zealand fur seals can normally be seen in good numbers on the rock shelves around Shag Point. There are two short seal-viewing walks where visitors can watch the seals swimming, playing, sleeping and basking in the sun.
Oamaru Botanic Gardens
When Oamaru was surveyed in 1858, 34 acres were set aside as a public reserve; Oamaru Gardens opened on this site in 1876 making it one of the oldest in the country. The gardens have an air of maturity greatly enhanced by the plantings along the Oamaru Creek which meanders along its length. Colourful annuals are bedded out on the sweeping lawns and an immaculate rose garden is a centrepiece.
Elephant Rocks
Elephant Rocks are unusual limestone formations formed over the years by erosion from wind and rain. Sign-posted about 30 minutes drive from Oamaru on Highway 83.
Moeraki Boulders
The Moeraki Boulders are unusually large and spherical boulders lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach on the wave-cut Otago coast of New Zealand between Moeraki and Hampden. The Moeraki Boulders are a 30-minute drive south of Oamaru. Also visit Moeraki fishing village, and enjoy fish fresh from the sea at Fleur's Place Restaurant.
Limestone Buildings
Oamaru is famous for its superb limestone buildings, coastal wildlife, and the coastal walks. The Art Gallery, Museum, Historical Precinct (with it's fully renovated Victorian Criterion Hotel,) and the magnificent Catholic Cathedral are also worth visiting.