Location: Oamaru
Top Things to do in Oamaru
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids 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. 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.
2. Rainbow Confectionery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
3. 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.
4. Totara Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By flyingeagle2223 - Dunedin, New Zealand
I really loved coming here and looking around especially with my love of history, and learning some more about history within New Zealand, it is totally worth visiting.
5. Oamaru's Victorian Precinct
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 766 reviews
Visit and explore Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct and experience what this architecturally stunning and unique area has to offer. Explore and enjoy a number of great attractions and activities including galleries, craft, antique and book stores, as well as eateries and bars serving up some delicious food, fine wine, craft beer and world-class whisky. Come along and join in the fun of Victorian Oamaru.
Reviewed By Melanieg2776
Great time having a nosy in all the shops great architecture and had a great atmosphere everyone manning the shops were super friends and engaging
6. Oamaru Public Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
Reviewed By cathotateweg - Kaitangata, New Zealand
We were surprised at how large these garden are. We were staying at the caravan park alongside it and were pleased to be able to walk along the whole gardens down into the town centre. Great track too for our 3 Yr old to ride his bike.
7. Oamaru Farmers' Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Oamaru Farmers' Market is open every Sunday between 9.30am and 1pm behind Scott's Brewery in Oamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct. Meet the growers, farmers and producers of the best seasonal produce our region has to offer. You'll find a fantastic selection of fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, plants, baking, preserves and enjoy freshly made hot food and coffee.
Reviewed By AshM499 - Oamaru, New Zealand
The Farmers Market has a great atmosphere with amazing music and food. Bring the kids to this fantastic place to buy organically grown veggies and get some nice snacks like cheese rolls and bacon butties.
8. Oamaru Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By leonardd530
A lovely area to have a picnic. Plenty of room to park a motorhome and brew youself and cuppa, a nice cafe if in a car. Nice clean toilets, BBQ's to use and a garden area with play equipment for the kids. Nice.
9. Moeraki Boulders
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,842 reviews
The mystical Moeraki Boulders captured at dawn.
Reviewed By sarahgR7098ZM - New Zealand, null
Awesome, mystical experience. Loved this, natural wonder, like giant marbles. The sea is rough, cool, green. The sea air clears your lungs, clears your mind and rejuvenates your soul. Be kind to yourself, come visit. Love from Sarah-Jane xx
10. Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 933 reviews
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides visitors with an opportunity to see little penguins in their natural environment. In the evening, visitors are captivated by watching the nightly arrival of penguins from their days fishing at sea. The Colony is a tourism operation with a strong research and conservation focus. At the core of the operation is a long-term conservation programme that ensures the penguins are protected and that the population achieves long-term stability. An important and unique part of that conservation programme is the Colony's Research Scientist who is now one of New Zealand’s leading little penguin experts. PLEASE NOTE: We have a strict arrangement for bookings. To ensure we can manage the viewing safely, if you wish to come to the colony you must pre-book at least 24 hours in advance. As we do not know the potential number of visitors per night in the coming months, we will not open if we do not have customers, so you must pre-book. Thank you.
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