Oamaru

Where is it?

The largest town in the North Otago district Oamaru sits on the coast north of Dunedin and almost due east of Queenstown. Famed for the local white limestone that has been used in many of the towns' finest buildings.

What's it like?

Formerly Oamaru had a reputation as a picturesque, attractive town, a reputation that faded with the 20th century. However in recent times the town has under gone a rejuvenation and its stock is rising once more.
Europeans arrived in the 'Whitestone City' in the 1850's and soon established it as one of the biggest and most important business and trading ports in the country. The wealth that was accumulated was articulated in a number of grand buildings constructed from the local limestone.
Oamaru is inhabited by numerous artists and crafts folk who combine with the stately ambiance of the old buildings to give the town an artsy, bohemian feel to it.

What to see and do.

Apart from the buildings visitors flock to Oamaru for the bird life. A short walk from the town brings the visitor to two penguin colonies. Visit the numerous Blue Penguins or their much rarer Yellow Eyed cousins. The best time to visit depends on time of year and sunset/sunrise so check on the day.
In the town take a stroll around the Historic District to get a look at the range of marvellous old limestone buildings that used to make up the towns business area. You'll not see anything like this elsewhere either on North or South Island. Especially noteworthy is the North Otago Museum, The Forrester Gallery or the Old Post Office.
For more sedate strolling take a wander through the Oamaru Gardens, one of the oldest formal gardens in the country. Don't miss the centrepiece, Italian Marble Craig Fountain.
Have you heard of novelist Janet Frame? Thought not. She is one of New Zealand's foremost ladies of letters, amongst her novels are the autobiographical 'Angel at My Table' which was later made into a film of the same name. Anyway, back to the point, Frame lived many years in Oamaru and certain scenes featured in her novels are based on places in the town. Visit them on the Janet Frame Trail if you are a fan.

Eating, Sleeping and Drinking

This is not a large town and the number of bars, restaurants and hotels reflect this, however what there is offers good price and quality.