Oamaru combines a sprawling historic townscape with garden art, galleries and unusual collections. The Oamaru Historic Area includes buildings and structures on Harbour, Tyne, Wansbeck, Tees, Itchen, Thames, Severn, Meek, Wear, Coquet and Medway Streets. Its distinctive character lies in the way it brings together different eras: the historic townscape is considered the best-preserved in New Zealand and represents life and architecture from the 1860s to the mid-20th century.
Architectural History and Art
The historic streetscapes trace a development from the Victorian era to the mid-20th century. Many buildings were constructed between 1870 and 1885 in the prevailing neoclassical style. This gives visitors a perspective that extends beyond a single period of construction: architecture enthusiasts will find a historical story here spanning several decades.
At the entrance to the Victorian Precinct, Steampunk HQ is housed in the Grain Elevator, a building constructed from Oamaru stone in 1883. The interactive museum invites visitors to explore and discover. On display are retrofuturistic science-fiction art, films, sculptures and sound art. Historic fabric and imaginative themes meet here in different ways; the works on display range from moving images to sound art.
The Forrester Gallery offers a different cultural perspective. It has a diverse exhibition programme and houses a growing collection of artworks of significance to the region. The gallery is also registered by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 1 historic place. Alongside its architectural history, Oamaru is therefore also home to exhibitions and a regionally significant art collection.
Gardens with a History of Their Own
The Oamaru Public Gardens were established in 1876 and are among New Zealand’s oldest gardens. They have also received the five-star “Garden of Significance” rating. New Zealand’s first Chinese garden is located within the grounds. It was created in 1988 as a symbol of friendship between Oamaru and the large Chinese community in the Waitaki District. Most members of this community are descendants of the gold miners of Central Otago.
The Band Rotunda is also part of the gardens’ history: it was built in 1912–1913 in the Arts and Crafts style. For more than a century, it has been a venue for public performances and celebrations. The gardens, Chinese garden and rotunda thus reflect different historical connections, from the grounds established in the 19th century to early 20th-century architecture.
Visits and a Cycling Route
At Ōamaru Penguins, visitors can learn about little penguins at the Discovery Centre during the day. For orientation, Ōamaru Penguins is five minutes from the town centre, on the southeast side of Ōamaru Harbour and a few hundred metres beyond Sumpter Wharf. A visit to the Discovery Centre offers a different focus from the town’s architecture and art.
For cyclists, Oamaru is also the destination of a stage of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. Section 8 covers 54 kilometres from Duntroon to Ōamaru and passes through rock formations, valleys and former railway lines. The full trail route runs from the Southern Alps near Mt Cook Village through the landscapes of the South Island to the historic coastal town of Ōamaru. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out.
Oamaru thus combines a historic townscape with gardens, art and a section of a longer cycling route. You can distinguish the options according to your interests: architecture and history, changing exhibitions, the gardens or the cycling stage to Ōamaru each offer a different experience.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Black Point, Kurow, Duntroon, Otematata, Herbert, Waianakarua, Omarama, Windsor.
For the broader travel overview: Waitaki District.
