14s Beach
This beautiful beach between Ōamaru and Kakanui has no official name on the map but it has been renamed by locals as the 14s Beach, as it stands near the 14th hole at the Golfe course.
DISCOVER OAMARU
Ōamaru is the largest town in the Waitaki District; most famous for its penguin colony and limestone architecture of the Victorian Precinct – but that’s just the beginning of what the town has to offer.
Be captivated by little blue penguins, fur seals and rare seabirds that call Ōamaru home. With craft beer and whisky, incredible restaurants, café’s and artisan shopping close by, Ōamaru Harbour is great for everyone with stunning views out to the Pacific Ocean, an incredible steampunk-themed playground
and bike park for the kids.
Stroll through New Zealand’s best preserved Victorian commercial streetscape in the Victorian Precinct, Ōamaru. The original buildings made from locally quarried limestone are a testament to Ōamaru’s boom era, when it was an important port town, sending the world’s first frozen meat exports around the world. Venture into Ōamaru a little further and you’ll find wonderful shopping and handmade cheeses and the beautiful public gardens.
Allow plenty of time to visit Ōamaru where dressing in Victorian era attire not unusual, where Steampunks roam and a penny-farthing remains a perfectly acceptable mode of transport. The art of traditional crafts is alive and well and friendly locals are a core ingredient of what makes Ōamaru great.
WHAT TO DO
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
New Zealand’s longest and most spectacular cycle trail – this is a trail not to be missed. The name says it all; start at Aoraki Mt Cook in the heart of the stunning Southern Alps or the equally beautiful Lake Tekapo Village and wind your way round mountains, deep-blue lakes and canals, then rolling farmland before meeting the Pacific Ocean on the edge of Ōamaru Harbour.
Bushy Beach Walk
At the southern end of Ōamaru, spot New Zealand Fur Seals/Kekeno and Yellow-Eyed Penguins/Hoiho from the platform at the end of this cliff-top walk. This is a stunning cliff-top walk has access to the shingle beach before 3pm daily.
Cape Wanbrow Biking Tracks
Biking route The Cape offers steeper terrain with 8km of interconnecting tracks to explore in a compact area. There are climbing tracks with good gradients to get to the two high points. Following this you’ll find numerous options for coming back down with varying levels of difficulty (up to grade
Cape Wanbrow Walks
A spectacular walk taking you up to the aptly named Lookout Point, here you can look over the harbour and out to the Pacific Ocean. This walk is steep going up and can be slippery after rain, alternatively, drive to Lookout Point and take a walk on the track around the Cape and visit a former gun emplacement.
Clark’s Mill
An important industrial landmark in beautiful North Otago houses four-storeyed Clarks Mill – New Zealand’s only surviving water-powered flour mill with early machinery still substantially intact. It was built as part of Totara Estate in 1866.
Cucina
Having won the gold medal in the 2019’s Beef and Lamb excellence awards, as well as other awards, dining at Cucina is a must while in Ōamaru. Embark on a Geo Degustation and savour the tastes of the region with their dishes made with fresh local produce.
Devil’s Bridge Wetland
This wetland lagoon is an important habitat for many wetland bird species and is recognised as an area of Natural Significance in this Karst landscape. The walking track surrounding the lagoon leads to a ‘disappearing stream’, where the water drains into an underground cave system in the limestone. Head south
Forrester Gallery
Architecture OAMARU, THAMES STREET This former Bank of New South Wales was built at a time of rapid growth in Ōamaru. Designed by Dunedin architect Robert Lawson in 1883, the building forms a handsome pair in limestone with its equally imposing neighbour, the National Bank. Both have luxuriant acanthus leaves
Janet Frame House
The Janet Frame House at 56 Eden Street has been restored and is seasonally open to the public.
Kakanui’s sunflowers field
Kakanui is famous for its stunning sunflowers field. The sunflowers are usually blooming in February – and it’s definitely worth the view! This field has played host to many a photographer and film crew over the years. These sunflowers are grown by Topflite to produce some of their seeds. You
Presence on Harbour
Quality NZ made & Kiwiana gifts. Merino possum knitwear by Koru & Native World, and merino garments. New Zealand art & heaps more.
Riverstone Kitchen
Riverstone Kitchen has become a destination for lucky locals, food-loving kiwis, and international visitors alike. And it’s no wonder why. Owner & Chef Bevan Smith’s food ethos is reflected in the all-encompassing gardens that surround and define Riverstone Kitchen. His focus on local suppliers and large production gardens has helped
Steampunk HQ
Steampunk HQ is a unique museum of art, sound & light showing an altered universe set within an 1880’s Grain Elevator building in Ōamaru. Featuring The Portal, a retro-futuristic mirror and lighting installation with original glowing light sculptures.
THE NEW ZEALAND WHISKY COLLECTION
THE NEW ZEALAND WHISKY COLLECTION Whisky distilling was born in New Zealand with the arrival of Scottish settlers in Otago during the 1830’s.The industry flourished until government regulations shut it down in the 1870’s. In the 1960’s the distilling industry re-emerged and in 1974 the Wilson’s Distillery at Willowbank in
Totara Estate
New Zealand is said to be founded on the sheep’s back, and Totara Estate is central to this history. Situated south of Ōamaru, the historic farm (originally 15,000 acres), was the birthplace of New Zealand’s billion dollar frozen meat industry.
Valli Wines and Wine Bar
Taste the unique flavours crafted by one of NZ’s leading artisan cheesemakers at the Whitestone Cheese shop and cafe.
Whitestone Cheese Co.
Taste the unique flavours crafted by one of NZ’s leading artisan cheesemakers at the Whitestone Cheese shop and cafe.
Whitestone Cheese Factory Tour
Award winning Whitestone Cheese, based in Ōamaru, have opened their doors to factory tours! Get a behind the scenes look at our cheese making process, from make to taste!
Whitestone City
Located in the heart of Victorian Ōamaru and fit-out in the style of a colonial town, where activities, displays, merchants, and an array of people in costume provide a glimpse of what Ōamaru would have been like in the town’s early days.
Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Watch as Ōamaru’s cutest residents waddle back from a days’ fishing.
Standing at just 30cm tall, the little blue penguins make up for every millimetre they lack in height with cuteness.
Ōamaru Farmers’ Market
Located at the end of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, right next to Friendly Bay and the Historic Precinct, you will find the vibrant Ōamaru Farmers Market. The market is the perfect Sunday hangout spot all year round, somewhere to grab a bite and a coffee, and your place
Ōamaru Harbourside Walkway
Walking Track Distance: 1.4km (one way) The Harbourside walkway is a nice short route that will take you through the heart and hub of Ōamaru and easily connect with other walks. Starting from the Ōamaru Railway Station, head over to the entrance of the Harbourside Gardens which is on the
Ōamaru Heritage Walking Tours
Take a step back in time and discover Ōamaru’s vibrant colonial history. Embark on a 90-minute easy-paced walk around the Historic Precinct and be immersed in Ōamaru’s rich heritage, culture and geology with a knowledgeable local guide.
Ōamaru Lookout Point
Head up to the lookout for an excellent view over this beautiful seaside town. Walking and cycle trails being here too!
Ōamaru Opera House
The beautiful Ōamaru Opera House stands resplendent in historic Thames Street, an intact, heritage-listed nineteenth century streetscape. Built over a century ago, the Ōamaru Opera House has long been a hub for social, political and cultural activity, and continues to be the first choice for quality entertainment, meetings and conferencing
Ōamaru Public Gardens / Botanical Gardens
The Ōamaru Public Gardens are among the oldest in the country, opened officially in October 1876. The beautiful gardens and distinctly reflect the unique style and heritage of Ōamaru and the Waitaki through Ōamaru stone and other features
Ōamaru’s First Post Office
Architecture OAMARU, THAMES STREET Now a restaurant, this former post office, built 1864 is now Ōamaru’s oldest surviving public building. It is the only known example of architect W. H. Clayton’s work remaining in the town and differs from its more elaborate neighbour, the second post office, which replaced it in
Ōamaru’s Former Post Office
Architecture OAMARU, THAMES STREET Now the home of the Waitaki District Council, this elegant essay in limestone was designed by Forrester and Lemon in 1883, but without its clocktower. It was Thomas Forrester’s son John, who saw to the addition of the 28 metre high tower in 1903. The clock
Ōamaru’s National Bank
Architecture OAMARU, THAMES STREET Originally built for the Bank of Otago in 1871, this elegant and dignified building was, like its neighbour, the Forrester Gallery, designed by Robert Lawson. The Bank of Otago, founded in 1863, was absorbed by the National Bank in 1875. 11 Thames StreetŌamaru 9400 New Zealand
Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct
Explore some of New Zealand’s best and most complete Victorian streetscapes in Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct.
