Things to do in Oamaru
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Visitors Centre
In an old limestone quarry near the waterfront, Oamaru’s blue-penguin colony sees little blue penguins surfing in and wading ashore at the visitors centre. The penguins arrive just before dark (around 5.30pm in midwinter and 9.30pm midsummer) and it takes them about an hour to all come ashore. You’ll see the most penguins (up to 150) in November and December; in the cold months from March to August there may be only 30 to 50 birds. Optimum viewing times for each night are posted at the Oamaru i-SITE. Use of camera flashes is prohibited. It can be cool, so dress warmly.
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Grainstore Gallery
In the world's most ornate grain storehouse , you'll find the lavishly decorated stage of the theatre company Living History , which does live theatre around historical themes. Their energetic Great Storm show, based in 1868, receives rave reviews. Much of the set and many of the props incorporate ‘found' objects, and dispalys the work of locals artists, including Oamaru's best-known artist, Donna Dementé, who is one of the artists that run the Grainstore Gallery upstairs.
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Living History
In the world's most ornate grain storehouse , you'll find the lavishly decorated stage of the theatre company Living History , which does live theatre around historical themes. Their energetic Great Storm show, based in 1868, receives rave reviews. Much of the set and many of the props incorporate ‘found' objects, and dispalys the work of locals artists, including Oamaru's best-known artist, Donna Dementé, who is one of the artists that run the Grainstore Gallery upstairs.
reviewed
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Craft Market
This fascinating area of ancient buildings and narrow streets is now home to bookshops, antique stores, galleries, herbalists and more. The Woolstore has a café, tat and souvenirs, and the Auto Museum for car buffs (the racing cars from the '30s through '80s are particularly cool). Upstairs, there's a craft market and giant novelty chess set. Around the corner at the Photo Shoppe , you can get an olde-style photo of yeeself in period dress-ups for $30.
reviewed
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NZ Malt Whisky Company
At the end of Harbour St, the NZ Malt Whisky Company uses the upper story of a handsome 130-year-old warehouse to mature barrel-loads of single-malt and blended whisky. Sample whisky and port for $2 per snifter, or there’s a guided tour ($15 including four snifters) at 11am and 3pm. The cafe-bar serves snacks and meals from $6, and you can buy bottles of the good stuff at the shop. It’s definitely worth climbing the labyrinthine wooden stairs to the art gallery on the upper floors.
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Penguin Club
Tucked down a seedy industrial alley off a 19th-century street, the Penguin’s bizarre location matches its acts: everything from Flying Nun stalwarts the Clean to punky/grungy/rocky/country locals. Big national acts and up-and-coming international acts sometimes drop by, too. Fridays are open-stage jam night with free admission. If there’s something on at Penguin – anything – go and see it. It’s nominally Members Only, so ask at the Oamaru i-SITE about scoring a guest pass.
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Riverstone Kitchen
This spacious haven 12km north of Oamaru on SH1 blends leather couches and polished concrete for a sophisticated ambience. The menu showcases simply prepared produce and local flavours, with standout options including lamb with smoked eggplant and free-range scrambled eggs with pesto on ciabatta. Beers include the best of the South Island and the North Island, and you can also pick up organic jams and preserves in the cool on-site deli.
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Whitestone Cheese Factory & Café
The home of tasty, award-winning organic cheeses. Try the creamy Mature Windsor Blue or the ultrarich Mt Domet Double Cream. Buy cheese to take away, or dine here on various cheesy treats after you’ve tried the range of samples for a gold coin donation. The cheese rolls are an Otago delicacy, and there are also local fruit juices and Central Otago wines.
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Forrester Gallery
Housed in a beautiful, columned 1880s bank building, Forrester Gallery has an excellent collection of regional art, and hosts diverse temporary exhibits, including contemporary media. This fantastic gallery is a good place to see works by Colin McCahon, renowned for his darkly melancholic style.
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Filadelfios
A brick restaurant-bar that specialises in rather special pizzas and pastas. Read other travellers’ notes on the wall while you wait for your meal to arrive. Dips and antipasto are also popular, particularly late at night when it becomes a lively bar.
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Harbour St Bakkeri
In the historic precinct, the Harbour St Bakkeri has beaut gourmet pies and the South Island’s best sourdough bread – just perfect with a slab of local Whitestone cheese.
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Oamaru Public Gardens
The Oamaru public gardens were first opened in 1876 and are a lovely place to chill out on a hot day, with endless lawns, waterways, bridges and a children’s playground.
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Roost
Good for the day’s first coffee, and the toasted sandwiches ($7 to $12) make it a worthwhile lunch option, too. Grab a seat out the back to soak up the afternoon sun.
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North Otago Museum
In the grand 19th-century library, the North Otago Museum has exhibits on Maori and Pakeha history, writer Janet Frame, architecture and geology.
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Fat Sallys
Popular with locals, especially early on when they’re often tucking into a substantial pub meal. Come along on a Wednesday night for the rollicking pub quiz.
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Auto Museum
The Auto Museum is perfect for Top Gear fans (the racing cars from the 1930s through ’80s are particularly cool).
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Ian Andersen’s Gallery
Check out the Oamaru limestone being carved at Ian Andersen’s gallery and buy some smaller works to take home.
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Steam
Steam specialises in coffees and fruit juices, and is a good spot to stock up on freshly ground coffee for your own travels.
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Photo Shoppe
At the Photo Shoppe , you can get an olde-style photo of yeeself in period dress-ups for $30.
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Countdown Supermarket
The central Countdown Supermarket is well stocked for self-caterers.
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