Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct Tour

Start this tour at 1 Thames street and stroll through New Zealand’s best preserved Victorian commercial streetscape. Discover Ōamaru’s vibrant colonial history and be immersed in Ōamaru’s rich heritage, culture and geology.

The original buildings in the Victorian Precinct, made from locally quarried limestone, are a testament to Ōamaru’s boom era, when it was an important port town, sending the first grain and wool shipments. Today, the buildings are filled with galleries, shops, artisans, and delicious places to eat and drink.

“Nothing moves very fast in Ōamaru. Tourists saunter, locals linger and penguins waddle. Even the town’s recently resurrected heritage modes of transport – penny farthings and steam trains – reflect an unhurried pace. Most travellers come here for the penguins, but hang around and you’ll sense the wellspring of eccentricity bubbling under the surface. Put simply, Ōamaru is cool.” (Lonely Planet)

Note: There are some uneven gravel paths on this tour.