Location: Oamaru
Top Things to do in Oamaru
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What to do and see in Oamaru, South Island: The Best Outdoor Activities
Oamaru (/ɒməˈruː/ ( listen); Māori: Te Oha-a-Maru) is the largest town in North Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, it is the main town in the Waitaki District. It is 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Timaru and 120 kilometres (75 mi) north of Dunedin on the Pacific coast; State Highway 1 and the railway Main South Line connect it to both cities. With a population of 13,900, Oamaru is the 28th largest urban area in New Zealand, and the third largest in Otago behind Dunedin and Queenstown.
Restaurants in Oamaru
1. Vertical Ventures NZ Ltd
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Pop-in to our cycle shop, opposite the brewery in the historic area of Oamaru for advice of where to ride. We offer a range of services on The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle trail (A2O). Our tours are second to none and we pride ourselves on delivering high quality services. Our clients are considered are ambassadors and we will cater to your needs. If you want to be independent then we can organise and book your itinerary for you. We offer bike hire including e-bikes and children's bikes. Theres Nothing like slowing things down, getting some light exercise and fresh air. Hire a bike for the day and head inland on the A2O for a spot of lunch at Enfield or further to explore the Rakis tunnel, a great day out.
2. RBM Motorcycle Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. Sanctum Grove Equine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Bubbbblz
We had an amazing trail riding experience. Tania was so welcoming and accomodating; she went out of her way to make sure we were comfortable and had a great time. The ride was the perfect length and the walk through the stunning rivers was an unforgettable experience. 100% would recommend!!
4. Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is a 306km journey from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. This is New Zealand - in all its splendor and beauty - from the highest mountain, past great lakes and rivers to the ocean. , the 9 section trail is an easy to intermediate graded trail, offering a pleasing mix of on and off-road trails. Allow 4-6 days for the entire ride, or simply try out a day excursion. Amidst the grandeur of braided rivers, glacier-carved valleys, turquoise hydro-lakes, tussock highlands and rural plains, are a host of tantalising off-the-bike activities including wine-tasting, penguin-spotting, glider flights or simply quietly soaking in alfresco hot tubs. It's no wonder people come from all over the world to enjoy the Trail's stunning vistas, wide open spaces and expansive landscapes. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is internationally recognised and a great way to experience the diversity of the South Island.
Reviewed By adiegel - Auckland, New Zealand
Absolutely fantastic ride. Self organised and rode with panniers over 6 days; accommodation on way was great- highly recommend duntroon hotel service abs food were impeccable) Trail is mostly off road and when on the road on extremely quiet roads along fabulous canals etc. when on tracks-the track is fantastic and in good condition- a few stony bits but I am not a highly experienced technical mountain biker and managed easily (was on a hard tail bike not electric bike). This trail is so varied in scenery and absolutely stunning. We did it end of April / may ; cold fingers/feet in the morning but a great time of year to do it.
5. Bushy Beach Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By OldGoatsKnowBest
It will cost you nothing to get a good look at the penguins in their natural element. Just organise yourself to get to the car park about one hour before dark. Aim for a calm, warm evening but if it's misty and breezy, you'll still get to see the sights. The beach and vegetation is nothing especially remarkable but the track is good and you get good views down and out across the water's edge. Penguins will arrive in random places at slightly varied times and most will take their solitary routes up the beach, across the stones and tidal debris and then into the vegetation. Keep walking the whole track and on the way back you'll probably spy penguins up the slopes. The more careful and observant you are, the more you will enjoy. These are big birds and more impressive than the blues down at the penguin colony where you have to pay for your viewing. Your eyes adjust to the light so a torch is not really necessary. The track takes you easily back to your car. Dress for comfort and take good footwear.
6. Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 933 reviews
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides visitors with an opportunity to see little penguins in their natural environment. In the evening, visitors are captivated by watching the nightly arrival of penguins from their days fishing at sea. The Colony is a tourism operation with a strong research and conservation focus. At the core of the operation is a long-term conservation programme that ensures the penguins are protected and that the population achieves long-term stability. An important and unique part of that conservation programme is the Colony's Research Scientist who is now one of New Zealand’s leading little penguin experts. PLEASE NOTE: We have a strict arrangement for bookings. To ensure we can manage the viewing safely, if you wish to come to the colony you must pre-book at least 24 hours in advance. As we do not know the potential number of visitors per night in the coming months, we will not open if we do not have customers, so you must pre-book. Thank you.
7. Bushy Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By AnnaDBJ - Melbourne, Australia
The hoiho - yellow-eyed penguins - come ashore here in the late afternoon to go up to their nests. I arrived at 5:00pm in late September and was super lucky to see 6 penguins through until 6:15pm. (Sunset was about 6:30-6:45pm.) There was a guide from the blue penguin centre there who helped to spot the penguins and had high-powered binoculars to see them - so lucky he was there! He had been there since 3:30pm but the first penguin came out of the water at 5:00pm. Apparently guides are often there in the afternoon during the peak season to help and also keep people off the beach after 3:00pm to keep it clear for these endangered birds. If you go, bear in mind the penguins are not large and move quickly - one that I saw lingered on the beach but the rest hustled relatively quickly across the sand/gravel to the cliffs. We stayed on the path, before the blinds. I had a 300mm camera lens to see them through but binoculars were even better. You won't be seeing them close up but with a good camera zoom or binoculars the yellow stripe is clearly visible. Too far great pics though without an even longer lens. The yellow-eyed penguins come in earlier than the blue penguins, so you can hang out here until towards sunset, then head down to the pier and see the blue penguins.
8. Fly Fishing Waitaki
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