Location: Oamaru
Top Things to do in Oamaru
The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Oamaru, South Island
Oamaru (/ɒməˈruː/ ( listen); Māori: Te Oha-a-Maru) is the largest town in North Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, it is the main town in the Waitaki District. It is 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Timaru and 120 kilometres (75 mi) north of Dunedin on the Pacific coast; State Highway 1 and the railway Main South Line connect it to both cities. With a population of 13,900, Oamaru is the 28th largest urban area in New Zealand, and the third largest in Otago behind Dunedin and Queenstown.
Restaurants in Oamaru
1. Adventure Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By robincapper - Auckland, New Zealand
Imagine an amazing library of adventure books (Climbing, trekking, nautical, exploration) where you can browse and buy treasures. Brilliant place to browse and buy. Also great display, artefacts & merchandise relating to Shackleton.
2. Presence on Harbour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Presence on Harbour, is not your usual gift shop, situated in the historic Victorian Precinct in Oamaru, we have plenty of gift ideas of all members of the family and friends, whether you are a visitor or local there is plenty to choose from. We have Kiwiana gifts that are easy to send or carry home in your luggage! Merino Possum Knitwear by Koru & Native World, plus Wyld Wool & Possum garments are on offer. Our artwork is all by New Zealand artists, from originals and prints on canvas or paper. Tin Man by Tony Cribb and Glenn Jones' prints will make you want this Kiwi humour on your wall. New Zealand made or at least designed gifts are our speciality. Come and see for yourself, take some time to soak up the atmosphere of this great space. See you soon.
Reviewed By traceyh35 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Now this is my type of gift shop! It's in such a lovely place, in the beautiful Harbour Street, with an abundance of special products, and lovely staff who provide the friendliest, most helpful service. I couldn't resist treating myself to a couple of keepsakes from a wonderful trip to New Zealand. Great quality products, many of which are eco-friendly at fair prices!
3. Whitestone City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Learn about our history by taking part in it. Take a tour of the visual tale of our town from the rough-sawn Whitestone beginnings to the polished and finely worked grandeur of our facades that still exist today. Partake of Victorian pastimes or boldly go beyond the curtains to encounter our colourful past. Leisurely repose oneself in the sumptuous surrounds of our parlour.
Reviewed By 13Sue - Auckland, New Zealand
My daughter and I decided to do the Grand tour in Whitestone city. This involved getting dressed up in victorian clothing and being guided around the building by Sandy who provided us with some interesting history of Oamaru as well as snapping photographs of us on our phones. Sandy was very passionate about Oamaru and the history of the area and she spent time ensuring we looked the part which we certainly did! We even attracted a bit of attention as we had our photos taken outside. I loved how we could touch things as we walked around and they even had a Penny Farthing carrousel. I would highly recommend this to dress up fans and history buffs, even those who arent would enjoy this I'm sure. Suitable for all ages.
4. Grainstore Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By D1253RBpeterr - Christchurch, New Zealand
What an experience. The Artist Donna was as delightful and passionate as her paintings and Artistic creations. I immersed myself in the glorious surroundings of her passion. An hour was not long enough. Thank you Donna. You are an INSPIRATION
5. The New Zealand Whisky Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Our Cellar Door is now closed. We hope to open a new Cellar Door again in the near future. Please follow us on Facebook for updates.
Reviewed By Ash_84nz - Hamilton, New Zealand
I had planned trip down to Oamaru for months. I had previously tried lot of there older bottlings And had paid for a private 20 litre whisky cask. Tasting room is very well appointed with some very reasonably priced whiskies to try. Team at Nz Whisky is outstanding and are well trained to cater for a discerning client. I would highly recommend visiting to try some of there drams. You can also buy bottles on site.
6. Art On Tyne
7. Oamaru Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
The beautiful Oamaru Opera House stands resplendent in historic Thames Street, Oamaru, New Zealand. Built over a century ago the Oamaru Opera House is still the first choice for quality entertainment, meeting space and conferencing in North Otago. The Opera House is open to the public 8:30am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 1pm Saturdays. Feel free to come in and have a look around. For formal tours, staff are available 10am to 1pm weekdays.
Reviewed By chrisandbarbara2019 - Dunedin, New Zealand
We were lucky to catch a Bach concert by NZ Symphony in this heritage building. Intimate and great acoustics. Take the time to inhale the inside ambience - old posters and quaint windows. Check it out during the day and return at night for the beautiful light show.
8. Steampunk HQ
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,066 reviews
Steampunk hq, which opened in november 2011, is an art collaboration proudly based in oamaru, new zealand. It sets out to portray an industrial version of steampunk, with a giant sense of humour and larger than life visions of an off the wall steampunk universe. Steampunk HQ is well known for its full scale train engine that spits fire and billows smoke The lonely planet guide rates steampunk hq as one of nz’s best new tourist attractions.
Reviewed By CollRr - Auckland, New Zealand
The Steampunk Museum is iconic in Oamaru. It contains a wide variety of various artefacts made from old industrial machinery - there are animals, masks, outfits, and new machines created as retrofuturistic. There is also a futuristic light show which enables you to see yourself “travelling time and space”. Worth a visit and filled with interesting objects.
9. The Janet Frame House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Author Janet Frame lived at 56 Eden Street from the age of six until she left Oamaru after completing secondary school. Her childhood became one of the best known of any New Zealander after she wrote of its joys and sorrows in her bestselling autobiography, which was immortalised in the celebrated film An Angel at my Table. The key rooms are very much as they looked during the Frame residency. The dining room (with its original lino) and the bedrooms have not changed since those days. The house is not a restoration, it has become what is now called a re-framing, a combination of known facts and recollections. In many ways, the house is as the first lines in To the Is-Land '.. with its mixture of facts and memories of truths'. The Janet Frame Eden Street Trust owns and administers the property at 56 Eden Street, Oamaru. Opening Hours 2.00 - 4.00pm daily during the summer (1st November to 30 April).
Reviewed By 290grantn - Hastings, New Zealand
Stopped in to have a look - expected something like a museum but it was really a house that could well have been lived in that day. Nice and natural with a number of items that we remembered from our own childhood. Loved the toilet with the torn up newspapers for use - well remember that. Overall very interesting and not a stuffy museum exhibition. The guide had a fund of stories and was worth listening to. Recommend
10. Michael O'Brien Bookbinder
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By GMdoc529003 - Murwillumbah, Australia
as much a museum as a bookstore, if you are interested in antarctic exploration this is a must, the books and equipment on display are amazing
