Oamaru Regional Information

The port town of Oamaru lies on a scenic harbour on the east coast of the South Island, eighty kilometres south of Timaru and 120 kilometres north of Dunedin. The town is perhaps most recognised for its distinctive white stone buildings in the old part of the town, produced from limestone quarried in the area. Oamaru was established as a gold mining and timber milling settlement in the nineteenth century, also producing grain and wool in the surrounding farmlands.

The town's historic limestone buildings can be experienced up close in the Tyne Historic Precinct, where locals can be seen in Victorian dress or riding penny farthing bicycles. The buildings house a number of stores and service providers, including craft and antique shops, cafes and restaurants, a book store and a motoring museum. A walk through this precinct is a worthwhile experience, with interesting sights and people along the way.

In the area surrounding Oamaru, there is a network of heritage trails taking visitors through inspiring scenic surroundings and revealing some of the region's history. The Ocean to Alps Trail is a scenic drive with grand views; the Janet Frame Trail highlights sites of significance to this iconic New Zealand writer in Oamaru, the place of her formative childhood experiences; and the Moeraki Trail tells the tale of Maori settlement in the area and the whalers who carried out activities on the Oamaru coastline.

At the harbour, a colony of Blue Penguins attracts many visitors who come to view the penguins' daily feeding journey. As the sun sinks into the ocean, the colony gathers to make its way to its beachside home. Blue Penguins stay with their colony year round, although they are known to make long foraging trips during non-breeding periods. For this reason the penguins can be enjoyed in any season, although numbers peak from September through to January.

Navigate with our great Oamaru map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Oamaru weather.

For further information on Oamaru, visit the Oamaru and Waitaki District information site.