Known for its Victorian architecture and inexplicable obsession with Steampunk, Oamaru is a must-visit town on any New Zealand itinerary. As the largest town in the Waitaki District, located about halfway between Timaru and Dunedin, it makes the perfect place to stop and explore for a day or two.
Here are 16 of the best things to do in Oamaru, including all of the top attractions and some hidden gems as well. Let’s go!
- Best things to do in Oamaru
- Stroll the Victorian Precinct
- Steampunk HQ
- Oamaru Public Gardens
- Visit a gallery
- Have brunch at Tees Street Cafe
- Do a cheese tasting
- Visit the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
- Check out some Otago shags
- Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve
- Oamaru Lookout Point
- Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserve
- Visit a brewery
- Totara Estate
- Riverstone Kitchen
- Elephant Rocks
- Moeraki Boulders
- Oamaru FAQ
- Best places to stay in Oamaru
Best things to do in Oamaru
Stroll the Victorian Precinct
The Oamaru Victorian Precinct is an architecturally stunning area off of Harbour Street. The buildings, made out of local limestone, look like they came straight out of mid-19th century England. This area is right in the heart of Oamaru.
Along the street, you’ll find galleries, antique shops, cafes, and traditional craft stores. This is the perfect place to pop into a few shops for some souvenirs (or to go window shopping if that’s more your thing!). You can also visit Whitestone City, which is an interactive experience that teaches about Oamaru’s Victorian past.
Every November, the area hosts a Victorian fête that includes a parade, performances, and food stalls. Dressing up in classic Victorian costumes is highly recommended!
Steampunk HQ
Steampunk HQ is located close to Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct. It is kind of indescribable, but I’ll do my best. It’s a super interactive art gallery slash workshop dedicated to the Steampunk sub-genre.
What even is steampunk? It’s a type of science fiction that focuses on futuristic inventions from the 19th century, especially using steam-powered machinery. It’s kind of dark, kind of twisted, and definitely weird.
The Steampunk HQ experience is set in a giant warehouse building. There are gadgets and contraptions from local artists both inside and outside.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $2 for children under 16 and can be bought in person from the ticket counter.
Address: 1 Humber Street
Oamaru Public Gardens
The Oamaru Public Gardens, opened in 1876, are a lovely place to come for a stroll on a sunny day. These botanical gardens are some of the oldest in the whole country!
You’ll find lots of walking paths, a few ponds and fountains, a playground, and a Chinese garden. There is also an aviary that’s home to a ton of local birds.
Address: 17 Chelmer Street
Visit a gallery
Checking out one of the town’s numerous art galleries is a great way to get a taste of its quirky culture. In them, you’ll find wacky sculptures, bizarre paintings, and bits and bobs you can purchase as souvenirs. Many of them are Steampunk- or Victorian England-themed as well.
The best galleries in Oamaru:
Have brunch at Tees Street Cafe
Tees Street Cafe is an adorable spot with super tasty food. It’s located within walking distance to the Victorian Precinct, making it a great place to fuel up before you start exploring.
We had the brioche French toast, sticky pork bao buns, and twice-cooked chips with truffle oil, which were all amazing. Their hot drinks were really good as well.
Address: 3 Tees Street
Do a cheese tasting
Oamaru is home to the Whitestone Cheese Factory, one of the tastiest cheese brands in New Zealand. You can stop by their factory store to purchase some freshly-made cheese or you can opt for the factory tour, which takes you through the entire cheese-making process and comes with samples at the end.
The guided factory tour with a cheese tasting costs $35. You can upgrade your tickets to include a wine pairing for $48.
Address: 3 Torridge Street
Visit the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
This seaside research and conservation center is one of the best places to see the world’s smallest penguin in the wild.
Each night, the little blue penguins that live near the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony make their way back to their colony on shore. The building offers tours and penguin viewing stands, giving you a front-row seat for all of the adorable action. For the best chance of seeing the little penguins, book a tour for after sunset — dusk is when the penguins are most active.
Address: 17 Waterfront Road
Check out some Otago shags
On the same road as the Blue Penguin Colony, you’ll see a long pier jutting into the Oamaru Harbour with hundreds of birds chilling on it. (To be honest, you’ll probably smell them before you see them!)
These birds are called Otago shags, which are unique birds found only in the coastal Otago region of New Zealand. While entrance to the pier is blocked off, you can stand and watch the birds at a distance. It’s fun to listen to them squabble with each other and watch them poke their long necks around. Free entertainment, baby!
Another place to see some shags is (cleverly named) Shag Point Lookout. There, you can also look out for fur seals and sea lions.
Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve
Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve is another great spot for (free!) wildlife viewing in Oamaru.
Along this stretch of beach, you have a chance of seeing yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) and fur seals (kekeno). The yellow-eyed penguin is unique to New Zealand and is thought to be one of the world’s rarest penguin species. There is a viewing hide so that you can watch the animals cross the beach in peace.
Oamaru Lookout Point
This wonderful scenic spot is located at Lookout Point Reserve at the top of South Hill. Besides being a great place to see Oamaru from above, the Reserve also offers several different walking trails around the area.
If you can manage it, the Lookout Point is a great option to watch the sunrise!
Address: 1 Tamar Street
Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserve
About half an hour south from Oamaru, Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserve offers a few fun and easy walks. Ranging from 1 to 2 hours roundtrip, the walks at Trotters Gorge go through native bush and river-sculpted caves. On the Trotters Cave walk, you can even spot some glow worms!
Glow worms are special because they literally glow blue through bioluminescence. You can see them in several places around New Zealand, but it’s always especially nice to be able to do it for free!
Related reading: Visiting a glow worm dell in Hokitika
Visit a brewery
Having an ice cold beer is always a good idea when visiting a new place. In Oamaru, a stop at Scotts Brewing Co. is essential.
There, you can sample some brews in the taproom or have lunch in the beer garden. The menu includes a bunch of pub snacks as well as some gourmet pizzas.
Across the street from Scotts Brewing Co., you’ll find the end point for the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail. The brewery’s beer garden makes a great place to watch cyclists finish their journeys (or enjoy a celebratory beer if you’ve done it yourself!).
Address: 1 Wansbeck Street
Totara Estate
Totara Estate is a historical place and museum just 8 km (5 mi) south from Oamaru. As a former North Otago sheep farm, the heritage site is dedicated to the rich history of meat preservation (which is more interesting than it sounds!).
Essentially, Totara Estate was the first place to successfully freeze and package meat for international shipment in the 19th century. This technological advancement transformed New Zealand’s economy and led to modern shipping as we know today!
Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for university students, and are free for those under 18.
Address: 565 Alma-Maheno Rd
Riverstone Kitchen
Located twenty minutes north from Oamaru, Riverstone Kitchen is a highly-rated restaurant serving classic Kiwi dishes. All of their produce is sourced from their on-site gardens, making it a truly farm-to-table experience.
Across the field (and moat?) from the restaurant is Riverstone Castle, a private residence that is open for tours on the weekends. Besides the interesting building, you can also stroll through the manicured gardens around the outside.
Address: 1431 Glenavy-Hilderthorpe Road
Elephant Rocks
A bit farther up the Waitaki Valley, you’ll find the Elephant Rocks. These massive limestone boulders are over 25 million years old and dot the landscape seemingly at random. There’s no real walking track at the Elephant Rocks; the idea is to wander amongst the boulders at your leisure.
If you’re continuing up Highway 83, the Clay Cliffs in Omarama are another super cool geological feature to check out.
Moeraki Boulders
Speaking of cool geological features, the Moeraki Boulders are another must-see thing to do near Oamaru.
These boulders are located on the beach and are almost perfectly spherical. They jut out of the sand in clusters, looking totally out of place and kind of hilarious. The Moeraki Boulders are best experienced at low tide to get the full effect.
Oamaru FAQ
How do you get to Oamaru?
Oamaru is located on the east coast of the South Island, about halfway between Timaru and Dunedin.
Driving times from:
- Timaru: 1 hour
- Dunedin: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Christchurch: 3 hours
- Queenstown: 3 hours 30 minutes
If you don’t have a car, you can also catch an Intercity bus to Oamaru. Buses run from all of the cities above plus Invercargill.
How long should I spend in Oamaru?
At a minimum, I’d recommend spending one full day in town. That way, you’ll be able to see all of the top attractions and have a bit of downtime to explore at your own pace.
I wouldn’t spend more than a couple of days in Oamaru because you run the risk of doing everything and getting bored!
Is Oamaru worth visiting?
Depending on how much time you have in your itinerary, yes! Oamaru is a unique town in New Zealand that has a lot to do, especially for those that are interested in Steampunk or Victorian history.
For those visiting New Zealand or the South Island for the first time, Oamaru will probably be somewhere you visit in passing. It makes a good place to stop on a road trip from Christchurch to Dunedin, but it probably won’t be somewhere you’ll go out of your way to visit. Oamaru would also make a nice day trip if you’re staying in Dunedin for a few days.
Best places to stay in Oamaru
- All Day Bay free campground: Located in Herbert, this campground by the beach is perfect if you have a self-contained campervan
- The Old Confectionery: Boutique apartments set in a remodeled candy factory
- Poshtel: A trendy hotel in the town centre
- Pen-y-bryn Lodge: Plush and comfortable period-style rooms
You’ll also enjoy:
- The Best Places to Visit on New Zealand’s South Island: A Definitive List
- Dunedin Travel Guide: The Best Things to Eat, See, and Do
- Rating Classic New Zealand Snacks
Thanks for reading this guide on the best things to do in Oamaru!
xoxo Niki
