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Location Description

From a sheltered position almost halfway between the Equator and the South Pole, is Oamaru. With a population of around 13,800 it is well placed to service the farming and pastoral districts of coastal North Otago and the Waitaki Valley. Located 115km northeast of Dunedin and 85km southwest of Timaru, the area enjoys a warm, dry climate.

Oamaru is the distribution centre of a predominantly sheep-farming area. Other land-based industries include dairy, cattle, deer and goat farming, cereal crops, market gardening and cash cropping. In and around Omaru are freezing works, a limestone quarry, fertiliser works, flour mill, stock food plant, woollen mills, iron foundry, engineering works, stone mason and sawmills. Confectionary, bacon and ham, and speciality cheeses are produced, while the Waitaki Valley is noted for its hydro-electric dams and fruit growing.

Known as the 'White Stone City' because of the use of the district's unique creamy limestone in its buildings, it draws much of its charm from these handsome buildings bordering the tree-lined main street. Less well known until recently are the early commercial buildings of the Harbour/Tyne Street precinct. An exciting project, "Historic Oamaru" now aims to restore and retain this area to give New Venture workshop space for small businesses and to enhance the district's already considerable potential for tourism. Guided tours of the historic buildings are available.

Oamaru's amenities reflect the maturity of a town which had its first Town Board in 1862 and was once the sixth largest town in New Zealand. The Oamaru Public Library, North Otago Museum and Archives, and Forrester Gallery combine to provide well-endowed cultural facilities of a professional standard unsurpassed in a town of this size. The fine, established trees and gardens of the Oamaru public gardens are among the finest in New Zealand.

Oamaru has excellent facilities for all sports codes. Centrally placed in the South Island, with a modern Recreation Centre, it is used increasingly as a conference centre by business sporting and cultural organisations.

With first-class hotel and motel accommodation, and pleasant motor camping grounds, Oamaru is the gateway to the Waitaki Valley and its accessible Maori rock drawings, salmon and trout fishing, boating and water sports. There are also many geographical curiosities, for example the Elephant rocks and earthquakes, in and around the Duntroon and the Clay Cliffs at Omarama. Omarama is a great gliding centre and the site of the 1994/95 World Gliding Champos. There are jet boating and 4WD safaris at Kurow.

To the south of Oamaru is Totara Estate (a memorial to the frozen meat industry), and the Kakanui market garden area. Also to the south, are the Moeraki Boulders and Lighthouse, where comprehensive nature tours are available. Herbet Forest and Trotters Gorge offer pleaseant picnic spots and bush walks. Palmerston, 59 kms south, has Puketapu Hill and the monument dedicated to Sir John McKenzie, Minister of Lands in the 1980's. Macraes Gold Mine, the largest modern gold mine of its type in the country is sited aongsde the historic Golden Point Mining Battery. Tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Penguins, seals and dolphins (including Hector's dolphins) are often seen along the North Otago coast. Special efforts are being made to protect the rare yellow-eyed penguin and its habitat. Also, there is the Little Blue Penguin colony at the Oamaru Harbour where fences have been put up, nesting boxes in place, planting of bush, lighting erected and large viewing platforms where nightly viewing takes place.

Visitors Centre

Oamaru Visitor Information Centre
1 Thames Street
Private Bag 50058
Oamaru
Phone: (03) 434 1656
Fax: (03) 434 1657
E-mail: info@tourismwaitaki.co.nz

Attractions

• Oamaru's centre contains many well-preserved Victorian buildings, ranging in style from Greek to Gothic. Historic building and house tours are available and the town's Victorian heritage is officially celebrated every November.

• Little blue penguins can be seen at the Oamaru Penguin Colony and rare yellow-eyed penguins can be seen at Bushy's Beach. There are viewings and tours available for both of these.

• Oamaru's Botanic Garden is renowned for its beauty.

• The Waitaki River and lakes Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore provide many scenic attractions and recreational opportunities. The Waitaki River Salmon Fishing Contest is held every March.

• The coastal road to Kakanui is exceptionally scenic.

• Guided tours are conducted at the Benmore Power Station.

• Maori rock art and the intriguing limestone Elephant Rocks are found at Duntroon.

• Steampunk HQ

• Our local playgrounds can be found by clicking here

Facilities

Oamaru has many hotels and restaurants, including:

• Criterion Hotel
  (03) 434 6247

• Cucina
  (03) 434 5696

• Fat Sally's Pub & Restaurant
  (03) 434 8368

• Galleon Family Complex
  (03) 434 0017

• Portside Restaurant & Bar
  (03) 437 3400

• The Last Post Restaurant
  (03) 434 8080

Transport

Taxi services include:

• Whitestone Taxis
  (03) 434 1234

• Oamaru Taxis
  (03) 434 6666

Whitestone Taxis Ltd runs a bus service from town to the Iona Home and Hospital and return. It operates three times a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
(03) 434 1234

Inter-city services include:

• InterCity Coachlines
  (03) 434 8716

• Oamaru Mini Coaches operates a door-to door service Oamaru to Dunedin, Monday to Friday.
  (03) 439 4765

Community

• North Otago Museum
  (03) 434 1652

• Forrester Gallery
  (03) 434 1653

• Oamaru Public Library
  (03) 434 1650

• Oamaru Club
  (03) 434 6163

• Oamaru Hospital
  (03) 434 8770

• Iona Hospital and Home
  (03) 437 1870

Pre-Schools

There are a dozen or so early childhood facilities in the Oamaru district. Those in Oamaru include:

• ABC Oamaru Childcare
  (03) 434 5960

• Holmes Kindergarten
  (03) 434 6437

• Barnardos Early Learning Centre Oamaru
  (03) 434 9440

• Little Wonders
  (03) 434 2459

• Casa Nova Kindergarten
  (03) 434 2422

• Edna McCulloch Free Kindergarten
  (03) 434 8343

Primary Schools

There are 15 primary schools in the Oamaru district. Those in town include:

• St Josephs School
  (03) 434 8856

• Fenwick Primary School
  (03) 434 8209

• Oamaru North School
  (03) 434 7512

• Pembroke Primary School
  (03) 437 1328

Intermediate School

• Oamaru Intermediate School
  (03) 437 0822

Secondary Schools

Oamaru's secondary schools are:

• St Kevins College
  (03) 437 1665

• Waitaki Boys' High School
  (03) 437 0529

• Waitaki Girls' High School
  (03) 434 8429

Tertiary Institution

The tertiary institution in Oamaru is:

• Ara Institute of Canterbury - Oamaru
  (0800) 24 24 76

Sport

• Waitaki Recreation Centre
  (03) 434 6932

• Aquatic Centre
  (03) 434 9940

• Awamoa Bowling Club
  (03) 434 9173

• North Otago Indoor Bowls Assn
  (03) 434 8035

• North Otago Golf Club Inc
  (03) 434 6169

• North Otago Lawn Tennis Assn
  (03) 434 5154

• North Otago Netball Assn
  (03) 437 1945

• North Otago Rugby Football Union
  (03) 437 0072

• For rock climbers, there is excellent bouldering at Duntroon (contact landowners first)