What to do in Oamaru

Activities, attractions and tours

Oamaru featuring street scenes and heritage architecture
Oamaru featuring street scenes and heritage architecture
Oamaru featuring outdoor art and art
Oamaru featuring heritage architecture and outdoor art as well as a family
Oamaru featuring interior views and art

Oamaru Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Oamaru has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Oamaru, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Oamaru with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Oamaru

Oamaru is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Oamaru, and make it a breeze to explore Oamaru and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Oamaru to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Oamaru, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Oamaru.

Oamaru attractions

Oamaru has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Oamaru to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Oamaru.

Looking for things to do in Oamaru can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Oamaru or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Oamaru attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Recommended things to do in Oamaru

Number of things to do
1
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket: £21
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Oamaru

Popular places to visit

In Oamaru there's a little blue penguin colony where you can pay to see a show and learn about the penguins and watch them come in for the night. Penguins in New Zealand are only around at dusk when they swim in from a day at sea for the night.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

5/5(2 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, a lovely green space in Oamaru. Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru which includes outdoor art

Steampunk HQ

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Try out interactive displays, marvel at intricate creations, get lost in a light show or just have some bizarre fun at this art gallery with a difference.

Steampunk HQ
Oamaru showing rocky coastline, a bay or harbour and boating

Oamaru Harbour

4.5/5(6 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Oamaru with a trip to Oamaru Harbour. Amble around the area's waterfront or experience its museums.

Oamaru Harbour
Oamaru featuring street scenes and heritage architecture

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct

4/5(1 review)

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct in Oamaru. Stroll along the marina or experience the area's museums.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct
Grainstore Gallery showing heritage architecture

Grainstore Gallery

Delve inside the minds of a group of local artists as you explore the curiosities of this fascinating gallery, housed within a former Victorian grain store.

Grainstore Gallery
Oamaru featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

St Lukes Anglican Church

4/5(2 reviews)

St Lukes Anglican Church is just one of the places to see in Oamaru, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

St Lukes Anglican Church
Forrester Gallery which includes heritage architecture

Forrester Gallery

In Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct is a magnificent historical building that houses a highly regarded art gallery where you will find eclectic exhibitions and exciting events.

Forrester Gallery

Janet Frame House

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Janet Frame House during your trip to Oamaru. Stroll along the marina or experience the area's museums.

Janet Frame House

Whitestone Cheese Factory

Enjoy an outing to Whitestone Cheese Factory during your stay in Oamaru. Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

Whitestone Cheese Factory

Explore areas of Oamaru

North Otago Museum and monument in Oamaru New Zealand

Oamaru North

Oamaru North might not have many top sights, but Whitestone Cheese Factory and Steampunk HQ are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Oamaru North
This is the front of the Steampunk HQ building. It's a gallery that is totally dedicated to Steampunk. Steampunk is a funky art form that mixes the future with the past. Think victorian era, Jules Verne and time travel. Well worth a visit

Historic Precinct

While visiting Historic Precinct, you might make a stop by sights like Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct and Steampunk HQ.

Historic Precinct
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Ardgowan

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Ardgowan and surrounding area, you can visit Whitestone Cheese Factory and Steampunk HQ.

Ardgowan
At the end of the road is a gorgeous beach. After 3PM you are not allowed on it anymore, because the yellow eyed penguins will come back from their fishing activities. You can look at them, although you are quite high up and the penguins are tiny!

South Hill

If you're spending some time in South Hill, Oamaru Harbour and Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct are top sights worth seeing.

South Hill
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Weston

When in Weston, you can plan a visit to Whitestone Cheese Factory and Steampunk HQ, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Weston
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Holmes Hill

Holmes Hill might not have many top sights, but Oamaru Gardens and Steampunk HQ are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Holmes Hill

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

Is Oamaru worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Oamaru is explore North Otago Museum. Tick this leading attraction off your agenda, then experience more of the area's culture and nature.
How do I spend a day in Oamaru?
North Otago Museum and Steam Train are two good places to begin your sightseeing adventures. Remember to explore the retail and dining options in Oamaru while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Oamaru?
You can't go home without exploring North Otago Museum, ranked the top tourist attraction in Oamaru.
Is three days enough to stay in Oamaru?
Three days will give you plenty of time to tick off popular city attractions, such as North Otago Museum, Penguine Colony and Auto Museum. The average stay in Oamaru is two days. If you have the time to extend your getaway, Glenavy isn't far away.
Is Oamaru a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and top sights within walking distance of the city centre, Oamaru is a good destination to experience on foot. Wander between North Otago Museum and Penguine Colony. Then take a stroll around Oamaru North, located 3 kms (2 miles) from downtown, and Holmes Hill, which is about 2 kms (1 mile) away.
What are some activities to do in Oamaru with kids?
If you are after activities and attractions for all of your group, have a look at these fabulous ideas for what to do in Oamaru with kids.

What to do in Oamaru for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or thrill seeker, there are loads of things to do in Oamaru for adults including NZ Malt Whisky Company and Whitestone Cheese Factory.
Are there free things to do in Oamaru?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Oamaru is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can visit without opening your wallet. North Otago Museum is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.