Oamaru is best known for its adorable penguin population, but stay a little longer and you’ll find there’s a lot more to love about this quaint town. With gorgeous Victorian architecture, craft breweries, the renowned Steampunk Museum and wildlife galore, it’s got something for everyone.
Oamaru also makes a great base for exploring a little more of the Waitaki District. Within a 35 minute drive you’ll find the spectacular Koekohe Beach famous for the weird and wonderful Moeraki Boulders, a little known gorge full of glow worms and even several Maori rock art sites.
Here are all the best things to do in Oamaru to help you plan the perfect trip.
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1. Observe the rarest penguins in the world - in the wild
2. Delight in the antics of the little blue penguins
3. Marvel at the incredible glow worm colony at Trotters Gorge
4. Explore the weird and wonderful Steampunk Museum
5. Step back in time at an atmospheric brewery
6. Catch a sunrise at Moeraki Boulders
7. Stroll the gorgeous Victorian Precinct
8. Take a peek at the slumbering fur seals
9. Do a tasting at an artisan cheese factory
10. See half the world’s Otago shags on one wharf!
11. Gaze over Oamaru at Golden Hour
12. Take a stroll through the unusual Elephant Rocks
13. Take in the ancient Maori rock art sites of Duntroon
14. Enjoy a coffee with a view
14 Incredible things to do in Oamaru
1. Observe the rarest penguin in the world in the wild!
The yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) is the rarest in the world, and they can be viewed in Oamaru itself at Bushy Beach Reserve.
However at Bushy Beach you are viewing them from a great distance and unless you are very lucky you will need a good pair of binoculars!
But at nearby Katiki Lighthouse you will find one of the best yellow-eyed penguin viewing experiences in the world.
The viewing area offers a superb view of the beach and hillsides on which the penguins go about their business, and the fence is discreet allowing for an intimate experience.
We were astonished at how close you can get to the penguins (always from behind the fence of course) and it quickly became one of our favourite experiences we’ve ever had in New Zealand.
They are an absolute joy to watch and will no doubt steal your heart as they did ours.
Just remember to keep quiet at all times and stay behind the fence so as not to disturb them as penguins are generally very nervy. You’ll be surprised by how close they might wander to you if you’re quiet and still.
You can read more about viewing the penguins at both Katiki Lighthouse and Bushy Beach in this post.
2. Delight in the antics of the little blue penguins
The little penguins - more commonly referred to as blue penguins - are as hilarious as any comedian you’ll see on TV. Every night they come in from the sea around dusk and waddle up the beach towards their nesting area.
Unfortunately for them, getting to the tunnels that lead to the nests involves running a gauntlet of grumpy Fur seals. You’ll see them attempting to sneak past, before running helter skelter trying to find the easiest way to pass them without getting too close.
We even saw one panic and run back to the hill and slip all the way down on its stomach (funny when we realised it definitely wasn’t hurt!).
On one evening we saw 244 penguins (and this was in winter, when the numbers are generally much lower than in summer!).
The only way to see this absolute spectacle is by paying for a ticket to enter the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.
There is quite a bit to know about the experience and we’ve written a whole (unsponsored) post on it which includes whether premium seating is worth the extra money and also where you can see a few penguins for free.
3. Marvel at the incredible glow worm colony of Trotters Gorge
The forest at Trotters Gorge is a beauty. It has a real wild jungle vibe to it and it’s a wonderful place to visit by day. However, at night things become even more special when you discover the little known glow worm wonderland.
The tiny blue lights twinkle in the bushes and illuminate the riverbanks. You’re also very likely to get this spectacle all to yourself because it is not a well known spot.
You can see the glow worms as early as 200m into the walk making it one of the easiest access glow worm colonies we’ve ever been to (and as I am a major glow worm lover, we’ve been to a lot!).
We’ve detailed everything you need to know about the Trotters Gorge walk by day and by night, with lots of glow worm tips in this post.
4. Explore the weird and wonderful Steampunk museum
You can’t fail to spot Steampunk HQ with its giant train outside the doorway, and that’s a good thing because the museum is an Oamaru must do.
This quirky world of eclectic exhibits is largely set in a futuristic version of 19th century Victorian England.
You’ll find a mix of sci-fi art, movies, and sculpture as you move through the dark and sometimes drafty rooms.
Much of the museum is interactive which will keep kids entertained and you’ll probably find yourself heading into the room known as ‘The Portal’ more than once.
Once inside The Portal you are immersed in an incredible light show and as there is a traffic light system to get in, unlike many other similar light shows, you aren’t disturbed by the constant comings and goings of others, which allows you to really get into the experience.
If you’re visiting on a cool day then wear something warm as it does feel a similar temperature inside to outside (and part of the museum is also outdoors).
Snag a deal
We found that the cheapest way to book a ticket for Steampunk HQ was through BookMe. We were able to get a 50% discount on the price (this is subject to change, so make sure you scroll through their calendar for the best deal).
Check out the latest prices below:
5. Step back in time at the atmospheric craft brewery
Oamaru is lucky enough to have two excellent breweries and it’s the lesser known of the two, Craftwork Brewery, that we were particularly drawn to.
Walking through the door feels like stepping back in time, with huge wooden tables, candlesticks, chandeliers and old fashioned artwork on the walls. I loved it.
It’s been done beautifully and creates a cosy atmosphere which encourages lingering over one of the many craft beer options, all washed down with some local cheeses.
You can try pints of beer or smaller glasses which start at just $5. We’d recommend the Siege of Liege - a Belgium style beer - and each taster comes with a little bowl of nuts which always goes down a treat.
6. Catch a sunrise at the spectacular Moeraki Boulders
The 60 million year old Moeraki Boulders need no introduction; you’ve probably seem them in hundreds of photos already!
They are great to see at any time of day, but catching them at sunrise is pretty hard to beat. Watching the sunrise over the ocean is always a great way to start the day and the boulders add a touch of wow factor.
It takes just a few minutes to walk from the car park down to the beach and then you’ll see the boulders just ahead of you. Some are perfectly formed and some have split like broken egg shells.
You’ll want to visit somewhere between mid and low tide or you might find most of the boulders are submerged.
The Moeraki Boulders are just under 30 minutes from Oamaru and free to visit, but donations are encouraged to maintain the walkway down to the beach.
7. Stroll the gorgeous old Victorian Precinct
Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct is stunning, with a real old world charm. The limestone architecture retains its grandeur and the street is lined with many quirky shops and galleries.
Poke your head into any of the shops and offer a smile and you’ll no doubt find yourself deep in conversation with one of the friendly locals.
As well as shops and galleries you’ll also find the Craftwork Brewery we mentioned above, as well as a cute bakery which does excellent pies (it was also one of the few places on the South Island I found a veggie option!).
8. Take a peek at the slumbering fur seals
Oamaru has plenty of resident fur seals and a great place to see them is at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. During the day the gate is open and you are welcome to walk into the penguin viewing area and take a look at the slumbering seals, which are usually lolling around on the grass and rocks.
Whilst you will see them if you do the penguin experience in the evening, you won’t be allowed to take photos, so it’s nice to also pop by in the daytime.
The good thing about viewing the seals here is that they are behind a fence which means that you can still see them really well but there’s no chance of one coming and taking a nip - and they can move quickly when they want to!
We never saw them anything other than snoozy around Oamaru, but it was lovely to observe them nonetheless and we even got lucky enough to see a small pup.
There is no charge to enter the viewing area during the daytime (you won’t see any penguins though as they will be feeding at sea or resting in their nesting boxes).
9. Do a tasting at the artisan cheese factory
Cheese lovers should head straight for Whitestone Cheeses, where you can take a factory tour or simply purchase a tasting plate. We opted for a tasting and were not disappointed.
The cheese plates come with six wedges and they are big enough for one between two if you’re just after a taste. You can also take it up a notch by ordering a glass of wine to go with it!
The cheeses were a mix of creamy, vintage and a stilton and all were great, although I can’t really judge the stilton as I’m just not a fan.
You can’t pick your cheeses, but it’s a good variety and you can also purchase any additional ones from the shop if it didn’t include your favourite.
10. See half the world’s Otago shags on one wharf!
You will probably hear them (and definitely smell them) before you see them as there are quite literally hundreds of rare Otago shags on the crumbling old Sumpter Wharf close to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.
You can see them chattering, preening and generally going about their business and it’s quite a sight to behold. There are loads at all times of day but at sunset it’s hard to make out any wharf at all!
The wharf is closed to protect the shags, but the pavement beside it offers excellent views both of the birds and the sunset.
11. Gaze over Oamaru at golden hour
Oamaru Lookout Point offers a wonderful view over the town, harbour and even mountains in the distance.
It’s a lovely spot for both sunrise and sunset as the view is so expansive. You can drive right up to the top so it also makes a great place to come for a picnic.
We stopped by for sunset which happens over the hills rather than the ocean. Sunrise would be even more special but if you only have time for one sunrise we’d recommend Moeraki Boulders.
The golden light of sunset is still gorgeous up at Oamaru Lookout Point.
12. Take a stroll through the unusual landscape of Elephant Rocks
If these unusually shaped rock formations look somewhat familiar it might be because they are movie stars.
Elephant Rocks provided a backdrop to some of the scenes in the first of the Narnia movies, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The limestone rocks were brought to the surface a few million years ago and sculpted into these unusual shapes by the elements.
You’re free to wander the whimsical landscape and enjoy the wonderful views of snow-capped mountains in the distance. It’s a peaceful place which seems to see very few tourists, and after a quick stroll it was a lovely spot to simply sit and relax in the sunshine.
It takes just a minute to reach the rocks from the car park. It’s on private land but kindly open to the public.
Close to Elephant Rocks you can also visit Anatini, a site which contains baleen whale bones. They weren’t that easy to make out to the untrained eye but enthusiasts will enjoy the visit. It’s a couple of minutes walk and again on private land which is generously left open to the public.
13. Take in the ancient Maori rock art sites of Duntroon
There are two Maori rock art sites in Duntroon, just a 35 minute drive from Oamaru. The first is the Takiroa art site where paintings in charcoal and red ochre are present on the limestone walls of several large overhangs.
Some are quite well preserved but many have been subject to much weathering and sadly plenty of graffiti too.
Paintings depict animals as well as sailboats, the precise age of which is unknown. The local Ngai Tahu iwi now manage the site and there is protective grilling surrounding the paintings.
You can still get a clear view and hopefully this will stop further degradation of the site. it takes just a minute to reach from the car park and involves climbing a few stairs.
The second art site, the Maerewhenua Historic Area, is just a short drive away and a similar site in the sense of where the paintings are located, on the underside of a limestone overhang complete with protective grilling.
The paintings are predominantly charcoal and we could make out boats and a few other pictures and sadly more graffitti. The walk to see the art is again very short and easy taking just a few minutes.
Although the paintings are not as well preserved as we might have hoped it was still special to see the ancient artwork.
14. Have a coffee with a view
There are plenty of coffee shops to choose from in Oamaru but our favourite was The Galley, which is right on the waterfront. And when I say right on the water, I mean it, there really is nothing between you and the waves, and snagging a seat along the long window is a must.
As well as the glorious location, the coffee was also very good and we can recommend having it with a slice of their ginger loaf!
Where to stay in Oamaru
Poshtel
If you like to be in the thick of things then Poshtel is a great central option (Oamaru is not a town for nightlife so you don’t need to worry about being too central in terms of noise). This quirky hotel offer rooms with a bit of character as well as free parking which is handy in such a central spot.
The hotel gets rave reviews which you can check, along with prices, on:
Highlands on Homestead
If you like to be able to self cater and stay somewhere a little more rural whilst still being very close to town (4.5km away), check out Highlands on Homestead. Wake up with the sounds of the birds in the pretty little suite which has a kitchenette and washing machine, as well as sweet outdoor patio with BBQ.
Check out the prices and reviews on:
Getting to Oamaru
Oamaru is located on the east coast of the south island, just over 3 hours from Christchurch and 1.5 hours to Dunedin. It’s also possible to visit as a short diversion if driving between Christchurch and Queenstown.
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