Things to Do in Oamaru

• Harbour-Tyne Street Precinct
  The original business district is now preserved as an historic conservation area and forms the country's most complete group of 19th century Oamaru stone buildings – 22 in all. Walking tours leave from the Visitor Centre (corner Thames and Itchen Streets).
• Penguins
  Oamaru harbour is home to a colony of the world's smallest penguin, the little blue penguin. They nest around the harbour from September to February. At Bushy Beach, a hide allows visitors to watch native yellow-eyed penguins, now one of the world's rarest. They are best seen about 2hrs before sunset.
• Oamaru Gardens
  Located on the banks of the Oamaru Creek, west of the town, the gardens feature a children's playground, aviary, an oriental section and a Wonderland statue, inspired by the Peter Pan statue in London's Kensington Gardens.
• Heritage Festival
  The town's annual heritage celebrations take place in late November and feature penny-farthing races.
• Duntroon Caves
  Located 45km north-west of Oamaru at the farming community of Duntroon, the Duntroon Caves are renowned for their traditional Maori rock drawings. Fossil beds in the area have been found to contain extinct prehistoric whales.
• Moeraki Boulders
  Located 33 kilometres away at Moeraki fishing village, these grey marble-like rocks have been formed by wave action eroding the soft black mudstone cliffs behind the beach. Some weigh several tonnes and boast a 3 metre circumference.