Oamaru

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Ōamaru Penguins
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Waitaki

Ōamaru Penguins

7.7
4.6/5
199 reviews
Ōamaru PenguinsThe location is only a few minutes away from the city center,It is a natural habitat for little blue penguins. The penguins here live entirely in their natural environment, and the conservation center has long conducted scientific monitoring and breeding research on the penguin population. The population has continued to grow in recent years, and in peak season the number of penguins returning to their nests at night is considerable. The conservation center offers two viewing experiences: daytime and dusk. The daytime visit allows you to enter the Blue Wing dark room and observe up close, through nest boxes, the little penguins that stay on shore during the day and do not head out to sea, learning about their habits. The dusk session is the core experience: after sunset, groups of little blue penguins return from feeding at sea, waddling ashore in small groups and crossing the grass back to their respective nest boxes, and the whole process is clearly visible under warm lighting. Dusk viewing offers standard seats and VIP seats; VIP seats are closer to the main route of the penguins returning to their nests, allowing a closer viewing distance, and you can also walk to the boardwalk where the penguins often pass. Staff are on site to provide a guide, introducing the habits of the little blue penguins and the conservation center's research work. Photography and video recording are prohibited in the viewing area. Night viewing seats are open-air with a roof, and bringing warm clothing is recommended even in summer.Oamaru · 1.6km from downtown
Moeraki Boulders Beach
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Moeraki

Moeraki Boulders Beach

6
4.3/5
161 reviews
Moeraki Boulders Beach are scattered along Koekohe Beach on the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand, between Moeraki and Hampden. At low tide, dozens of giant spherical boulders lie fully exposed on the sand. Most range from 1.5m to 2.2m in diameter, perfectly round like giant stone eggs half-buried in the sand. They are actually grey calcareous concretions: about 60 million years ago, calcite in the ancient seabed mud slowly condensed around organic cores like shells and plant fragments, taking millions of years to grow to their current size. Later, years of wave erosion on the cliffs stripped them from the mudstone, washing and depositing them in their current location. What makes these boulders so fascinating is their combination of inner and outer beauty: their appearance is round and full, and paired with the long, sandy beach and the surf of the South Pacific, the scene is quite unique. Some boulders have cracked or even broken in half, revealing hollow cores with calcite crystals embedded in radial cracks, resembling a turtle shell. The viewing experience is highly dependent on the tide: at high tide, the water covers some of the boulders, while around low tide is the best time to see them fully exposed for a close-up view. Checking the daily tide times before you go can help you avoid the disappointment of seeing only "half an egg" submerged in the water.Hampden · 29.8km from Oamaru

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Featured Day tours in Oamaru

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Oamaru penguin conservation center tour - watch little blue penguins return home
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4.0/5
· 1 review· 102 booked
Duration: 2.5 hrs
English
From€33.59
Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket
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4.7/5
· 271 reviews· 51 booked
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
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94.5% of travelers recommend
5% off
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From€23.93€25.19
Dunedin Little Blue Penguin Night Tour, South Island, New Zealand
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5.0/5
· 1 review· 90 booked
Duration: 1 hr
English
Free cancellation
From€45.26
Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket
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4.5/5
· 172 reviews· 29 booked
Duration: 2–4 hrs
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From€25.75
Clearwater Wildlife Tours (small group 10max) Otago Peninsula
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4.9/5
· 115 reviews· 25 booked
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
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98.3% of travelers recommend
From€120.92
Dunedin Nature & City Tour – Full Day Cruise Excursion
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3.0/5
· 3 reviews· 29 booked
Duration: 6–7 hrs
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From€48.89
Garden and City tour
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4.6/5
· 56 reviews
Duration: 4–5 hrs
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91.1% of travelers recommend
From€30.84

Featured Culture & history in Oamaru

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Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
From€100.35
Dunedin: Larnach Castle & Gardens Admission Ticket
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
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5% off
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City Highlights, Larnach Castle Gardens Tour
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4.7/5
· 38 reviews
Duration: 330 mins
Free cancellation
92.1% of travelers recommend
From€126.69
Dunedin Highlights Audio Tour: Victorian Heritage and Civic Landmarks
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Duration: 1 hr
English
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Guided Dunedin City & Peninsula Small Group Tour (Max 10)
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4.8/5
· 24 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
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From€117.46€123.65
Port Chalmers: Larnach Castle, City Sights & Otago Peninsula
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Duration: 6 hrs
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From€153.43€161.51

Featured Outdoor & sports in Oamaru

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Queenstown to Dunedin: Taieri Gorge Train One-Way Tour
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4.8/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
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From€143.09€150.63
Dunedin: Scenic Railway Tour Through the Taieri Gorge
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4.8/5
· 31 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
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31 consecutive positive reviews
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From€80.88€85.14
Dunedin: To Queenstown via Taieri Gorge Train One-Way Day Tour
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4.7/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
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From€143.09€150.63
Dunedin: Scenic Railway Tour of Otago's Coastline
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Duration: 3.5 hrs
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5% off
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From€64.73€68.14

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Oamaru Today's weatherShowers 10-13℃
Oamaru weather for the next 2 days11/3: 10-15℃, 11/4: 12-20℃

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What travellers say about Oamaru

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_AP***8910 October 2026
5.0
Good way to see some penguins if you didn’t make any prior arrangements to see more.

Ōamaru Penguins

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闲庭漫步3024 February 2020
4.0
This is a place to experience a strange feeling. When I first saw it, I thought it was an industrial museum because there were steam locomotives and other industrial relics piled up at the door. After entering and reading the introduction, I realized that this is the headquarters of steampunk. The so-called steampunk is a science fiction theme based on the Victorian era, which originated from the 1980s to the early 1990s. In this magical world, the early technology and steam power of the Industrial Revolution are infinitely mythical and used everywhere. Gentlemen wearing top hats drive steam locomotives roaming in the sky. Haha, I really learned a lot. After the visit, I feel that my overall quality has improved again.

Steampunk HQ

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tiramisu113020 January 2020
5.0
Oamaru White Stone Town, South Island, New Zealand Walking into the quiet White Stone Town, it feels like going back to the most prosperous port city of Oamaru in the 19th century. The buildings in the town are all built with solid white stone, which is probably why it got its name! A European style travels back to the prosperous Victorian era. It is a unique town that combines history and humanity!

Whitestone City

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翱翔的大鲨鱼24 June 2020
4.0
The town is rich in limestone, also known as Oamaru stone, and the stone for many buildings in Dunedin is also obtained from here. Such as Dunedin Station, University of Otago buildings and so on. Of course, most of the old buildings in the town use this kind of stone, especially Harbor St., a street full of handicrafts that can be mined for treasures.

Oamaru's Heritage Precinct

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quqky11 September 2020
3.0
It's a great place with great scenery. The feeling of living in harmony with animals is also great. You can see sea lions, walruses and penguins here. Of course, if you come earlier, you can enjoy this feeling of freedom even more.

Bushy Beach Road

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🎀彡🐾15 June 2020
5.0
Oamaru Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden in New Zealand. Flowers bloom all year round, and each season has flowers of different colors. It is very beautiful. In the park, there are dense forests and beautiful fountains and sculptures on the wide lawns. It is definitely a garden that makes people feel good and is worth a walk.

Oamaru Public Garden

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百合120328 January 2020
5.0
There was a small camera icon of the Moeraki Boulders on the map, so I navigated directly there, but found that it would take about 10 minutes to walk. Whenever the tide goes out, you can see more than 50 huge boulders exposed above the sea. The scenery on a cloudy day is so different from that on a sunny day that it doesn't seem like the same place. I inexplicably find this attraction very cute: the Moeraki Boulders.

Moeraki Boulders Beach

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华籍美娜1 November 2026
4.0
The only downside was the lack of a sheep shearing show. The BBQ was great, and considering the price included food, it was definitely worth it. Overall, the boat trip was very relaxing, with the boat ride to the BBQ area taking about 40 minutes. It's a good option if you like a more leisurely pace of life, especially on a nice day. The only downside was the lack of a show, which made it a bit boring.

RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise

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Shim_2326 October 2026
5.0
One of the most unforgettable experiences of our New Zealand trip! 🇳🇿❤️ The moment we sailed through Milford Sound, we were surrounded by towering mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery everywhere we looked. It was one of those moments when you just put your phone down for a second and take it all in. Nature is truly amazing, and Milford Sound is even more beautiful in person. Definitely an experience we’ll always remember! ✨⛰️

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Oamaru?

Don't miss these attractions in Oamaru: Ōamaru Penguins, Steampunk HQ, and Whitestone City. If you like Day tours, try Oamaru penguin conservation center tour - watch little blue penguins return home. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Oamaru little blue penguin conservation center guide commentary - view little blue penguins.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Oamaru penguin conservation center tour - watch little blue penguins return home, Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket, and Dunedin Little Blue Penguin Night Tour, South Island, New Zealand. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 3 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Oamaru is around EUR 23.93 – EUR 120.92. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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