Historic Ōamaru
A Victorian time capsule
Ōamaru’s remarkably intact and distinctive Victorian streetscapes reveal a once majestic colonial outpost that played a key part in Otago’s industrial and agricultural heritage.
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The Story
This wonderfully preserved precinct of ornately carved limestone buildings was largely built within the space of 30 years thanks to the bounty of wool, grain and frozen meat exported from Ōamaru’s harbour to British markets. At its heart lies Harbour Street, which is one of the few intact Victorian streets left anywhere in the world. We owe the precinct’s preservation to a group of dedicated locals who have lovingly restored and repurposed its beautiful buildings over the last three decades.
Ōamaru's Victorian Precinct is proudly cared for by The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust.
See & Do
Stroll down Harbour Street and immerse yourself in the Victorian era as you meander between and into ornate buildings that once housed engineering enterprises, grain stores and banks.
Visit quirky galleries, artisan shops, a world-class bakery, cafés, and a boutique brewery, where the staff are often dressed in period costume.
Have fun at New Zealand’s premier steampunk experience, Steampunk HQ, and visit Whitestone City where you can ride the world’s only Penny-farthing carousel.
Take part in Ōamaru’s Victorian Fête and Heritage Celebrations which happens in November each year.
Plan your visit
Oamaru is the largest town in North Otago, located 80 km south of Timaru and 120 km north of Dunedin on State Highway 1.
Other Tohu Whenua in Otago
Hayes Engineering Works
Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead belonged to a 19th-century pioneering couple who developed and marketed ingenious labour-saving inventions for pastoral farming, defining the spirit of 'Kiwi ingenuity'.
Olveston
Built for the wealthy Theomin family who lived here from 1906, Olveston has been loved by visitors since it was gifted to the City of Dunedin in 1966.
Dunedin Railway Station
Ornate and flamboyant, the Dunedin Railway Station is today considered one of the world’s best.
Totara Estate
It was from this once grand estate just south of Ōamaru that the first shipment of frozen mutton was sent to England in 1882. This marked the start of an export industry that has underpinned New Zealand’s economic prosperity and is now worth billions.
Bannockburn Sluicings
The Bannockburn Sluicings are a spectacular landscape of cliffs and pinnacles that remain from large-scale water blasting during the 19th century search for gold.
Larnach Castle
Larnach Castle is the ultimate expression of ‘my home, my castle’, where William Larnach spared no expense to build his grand vision.
Kawarau Suspension Bridge
Historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge is an innovative feat of engineering that has withstood notorious canyon winds for over 140 years.
Historic Ōamaru
Ōamaru’s remarkably intact and distinctive Victorian streetscapes reveal a once majestic colonial outpost that played a key part in Otago’s industrial and agricultural heritage.