Oamaru

Travel Guide

Oamaru showing heritage architecture and street scenes
Oamaru showing heritage architecture and street scenes
Oamaru featuring outdoor art and art
Oamaru showing heritage architecture and outdoor art as well as a family
Oamaru showing interior views and art

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Where to stay in Oamaru

North Otago Museum and monument in Oamaru New Zealand

Oamaru North

While Oamaru North isn't home to many top sights, Whitestone Cheese Factory and Janet Frame House are some notable places to visit nearby.

Oamaru North
At the end of the road is a gorgeous beach. After 3PM you are not allowed on it anymore, because the yellow eyed penguins will come back from their fishing activities. You can look at them, although you are quite high up and the penguins are tiny!

South Hill

If you're spending some time in South Hill, Oamaru Harbour and Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony are top sights worth seeing.

South Hill
This is the front of the Steampunk HQ building. It's a gallery that is totally dedicated to Steampunk. Steampunk is a funky art form that mixes the future with the past. Think victorian era, Jules Verne and time travel. Well worth a visit

Historic Precinct

While visiting Historic Precinct, you might make a stop by sights like Steampunk HQ and Oamaru Harbour.

Historic Precinct
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Ardgowan

Ardgowan might not have many top sights, but Janet Frame House and North Otago Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Ardgowan
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Weston

While Weston might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Janet Frame House and North Otago Museum.

Weston
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Holmes Hill

While Holmes Hill isn't home to many top sights, Oamaru Gardens and Steampunk HQ are some notable places to visit nearby.

Holmes Hill
See our Where To Stay guide
Brydone Hotel Oamaru

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

3.5 out of 5
115 Thames Street Oamaru
$80 nightly
The price is $93 total per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
$93 total
Mar 23 - Mar 24
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (592 reviews)
Good bar service

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2026

Brydone Hotel Oamaru
Poshtel

Poshtel

5 out of 5
126 Thames Street Oamaru Otago
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$120 nightly
The price is $139 total per night from Mar 27 to Mar 28
$139 total
Mar 27 - Mar 28
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury lodge in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (382 reviews)
This was a fabulous hotel with tons of character. The decor was incredible. And it was clean, comfy and close to everything.

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Poshtel
Criterion Boutique Hotel

Criterion Boutique Hotel

2 out of 5
3 Tyne St Oamaru Otago Region
$53 nightly
The price is $61 total per night from Mar 18 to Mar 19
$61 total
Mar 18 - Mar 19
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Auto Museum and Woolstore Complex are located nearby.
7.2/10 Good! (33 reviews)
Lovely old hotel with great location

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2026

Criterion Boutique Hotel
See all 75 properties in Oamaru
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Little Sweetie in the Heart of Old Oamaru

Little Sweetie in the Heart of Old Oamaru

Oamaru Otago
Book a stay at this family-friendly cottage in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Grainstore Gallery and Alps 2 Ocean ...
10/10 Exceptional! (50 reviews)
Lovely sensitively converted early home, lots of conveniences, comfortable and easy walking to town.

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2026

Little Sweetie in the Heart of Old Oamaru
Come Relax at Hilltop Nest Retreat with Ocean Views

Come Relax at Hilltop Nest Retreat with Ocean Views

Oamaru
Stay at this apartment in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Janet Frame House and Whitestone Cheese Factory are ...
Come Relax at Hilltop Nest Retreat with Ocean Views
180 degrees sea view

180 degrees sea view

Oamaru North OTA
Stay at this vacation home in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Whitestone Cheese Factory and Janet Frame House are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Fantastic location looking over Oamaru. The house is very clean and the beds are very comfortable. The house has great heating and is very comfortable. Would stay again!

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2026

180 degrees sea view
See all properties in Oamaru
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

In Oamaru there's a little blue penguin colony where you can pay to see a show and learn about the penguins and watch them come in for the night. Penguins in New Zealand are only around at dusk when they swim in from a day at sea for the night.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Explore the great outdoors at Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, a lovely green space in Oamaru. Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru showing a bay or harbor, boating and rugged coastline

Oamaru Harbour

Explore New Zealand’s deep-sea port from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It’s a great jumping-off point for Otago’s many natural attractions.

Oamaru Harbour
Oamaru which includes outdoor art

Steampunk HQ

Try out interactive displays, marvel at intricate creations, get lost in a light show or just have some bizarre fun at this art gallery with a difference.

Steampunk HQ
Oamaru which includes street scenes and heritage architecture

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct

Step back in time at this Victorian-era streetscape, home to historic 19th-century buildings, shops, galleries, museums and dining establishments.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct
Grainstore Gallery showing heritage architecture

Grainstore Gallery

Delve inside the minds of a group of local artists as you explore the curiosities of this fascinating gallery, housed within a former Victorian grain store.

Grainstore Gallery
Oamaru featuring heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

St Lukes Anglican Church

St Lukes Anglican Church is just one of the places to see in Oamaru, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

St Lukes Anglican Church

Things to do

Oamaru: Blue Penguin Colony Evening Viewing Ticket

Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

$28
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket
See all activities in Oamaru

Reviews of Oamaru

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
9
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

If I ever visit New Zealand again I won't stop in Oamaru.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lovely stop for family history.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

The blue penguin colony was a disappointment.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The station wok restaurant is a good Chinese restaurant, best Cantonese gourmet in South Island.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Cute historic friendly town to spend some time in. Loved the Victorian district

3/5 - Okay

CJ

We went to see Penguins but disappointed by lack of communication when penguins arrive. We saw 9 that came in at 9:30. We were told to be there at 8:30. We heard later that penguins normally don’t arrive until after 10:30 or 11.

Cities near Oamaru

At the end of the road is a gorgeous beach. After 3PM you are not allowed on it anymore, because the yellow eyed penguins will come back from their fishing activities. You can look at them, although you are quite high up and the penguins are tiny!

Awamoa

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