Oamaru's Victorian Precinct

Oamaru's Victorian Precinct

Oamaru's Victorian Precinct
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Visit and explore Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct and experience what this architecturally stunning and unique area has to offer. Explore and enjoy a number of great attractions and activities including galleries, craft, antique and book stores, as well as eateries and bars serving up some delicious food, fine wine, craft beer and world-class whisky. Come along and join in the fun of Victorian Oamaru.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Michael C
    Derby, United Kingdom1,981 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Preserved Victoriana
    Late Victorian buildings fill almost the whole of the centre of Oamaru which makes it a very attractive area. It was a real joy to walk around the area. However, we failed to get too excited because almost every English town has similar buildings. Oamaru must be congratulated for making a toiurist attraction out of its buildings.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 30, 2023
  • Carol R
    44 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Such an interesting historical area
    This precinct was so interesting to wander around. Lots of history to see, read and absorb. Many quirky little shops, wonderful bakery. Flat terrain so easy to walk around. Original building wonderfully and lovingly restored.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 7, 2023
  • Lmira1971
    Perth, Australia203 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a gem of a town
    What a little gem of a town to visit. Beautiful old buildings, quirky shops and art galleries, breweries, penguins and seals to see easily here. What is not to love about this place. Stay overnight here ro ensure you see the penguins which you may even see in the old town late at night. But don't approach them if you do see them. They frighten easily.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 8, 2023
  • 8484nikkid
    Adelaide, Australia132 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just adorable
    We stayed in Oamaru for a night whilst on a 2 week driving holiday around the South Island and so glad we did. Oamaru have really made the most of this area, it's just delightful. It's a great place to take lovely photos. And there's a Brewery across the road when you've finished exploring the Victorian precinct
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 4, 2024
  • SD2606
    Christchurch, New Zealand2,456 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Favourite place in Oamaru
    This precinct was gorgeous. They have maintained and cared for this section so well. It is like you have gone back in time or travelled to England. It is very cute and so many photo opportunities.   Cobblestone roads, stonework shop fronts, bunting, eclectic shops, cafes, bakeries, a museum and a steam train to ride on nearby. 
Put this on your list for Day #1, it’s lovely.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written February 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles792 reviews
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bwucee0
Tauranga, New Zealand174 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Here you can drift into a world that existed 100 years ago (rare in NZ) and see how wool and grain were such large part of the way in this area. Its a lovely area to wander around and take in the old buildings, the customary traders are there to help lighten your wallet but have a look at the Victorian wardrobe place. Here you'll see all manner of clothing that reflects a bygone era and its a credit to the locals who have created this little gem. Want a top hat, or a bowler, it's there and in a variety of styles.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kris7676
Auckland, New Zealand91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
We had such a lovely couple of days just wandering the streets of the Victorian precinct, soaking up the architecture and vibe, checking out the shops and galleries and taking so many photos. The walk out to the end of the port was great too. It really did feel like being in small European town. Nothing else like this in New Zealand. A good fix for those who are missing overseas travel! The local artists and business owners really get in the spirit of the Victoriana/steam punk theme and there is a lot of talent there. Would love to come back for the steampunk festival and/or Victorian heritage festival and to spend some more time exploring the second hand/vintage clothes stores.

We've been to a few ghosts tours around Europe and I would have loved to have done one in this part of Oamaru - true stories/history or steam punk science fiction, either would be so much fun.

Things seem to be lively between 10am and 4pm and quiet outside of this (while we were there anyway so if you want to get some photos without random strangers in them, morning or evenings are a great time.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LynnyPinney
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We had a good look around the precinct. It is very well preserved, we enjoyed the beautiful old buildings. I've never seen so many Penny-Farthings in one place before. Great photo opportunities in this area. You can dress up as a Victorian in one of the shops and go around among the old furniture etc taking photos. We had lunch at the cafe in the precinct which was very nice. Some of the shops need a bit more inside appeal to them, but maybe they are still working on it. Oamaru is a very interesting area to explore
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CCNewZealand
Riverhead, New Zealand21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
What a cool place to wander around admiring all the old stone buildings - take your camera and enjoy how they change in the light. Really well thought out selection of shops, cafes and art galleries. We loved Scotts Brewing Company for their great beer and pizza after lots of walking, and the homewares and craft stores - could have spent a small fortune. The Saturday morning farmers market is great for breakfast and music.
Written March 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9,047 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
I got the impression that Oamaru has lots of Victorian architecture some of which has been restored and is in present day use however there is probably a lot more which could be done - it's a work in progress. Alongside Steampunk HQ there are several examples in the Victorian Precinct, but hopefully the town doesn't go down the route of creating a Disney-style themepark.

Old buildings like Cucina (a restaurant), The Last Post (a pub/restaurant) and ANZ Bank are dotted around elsewhere and much of Thames Street centrally has a historic look and is all in everyday use.

It could easily replicate the attraction of art deco Napier on the North Island with a bit more investment and promotion.

We even stayed in a renovated property on Tees Street (Seascape on Tees) which had been tastefully done providing visitor accommodation, yet retaining historic property and providing some visitor income.

I'll watch with interest.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TS
Wellington, New Zealand35 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Family
Shops are gimmicky and complete rip offs. Saw a jacket touted as Steampunk which was originally from Primark in the UK. Probably would have cost £8 brand new and this shop wanted to sell it second hand for $80. Things like that really put me off and leaves a bad taste. Bakery had about 5 choices in it. Just underwhelming and downright boring.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eli B
Sydney, Australia3,551 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Nothing moves fast in Oamaru, tourists saunter, locals linger and the penguins waddle. Down by the water a neighbourhood of once-neglected Victorian buildings now swarm with oddballs, antiquarians and eccentrics who run offbeat galleries, fascinating shops, hip venues. For me its the steampunks in this vicinity that i came to relish with their aesthetic boldly celebrating the past/future with an ethos of ‘tomorrow as it used to be’.
Its only a couple of blocks, but this atmospheric enclave has some of the country’s best preserved Victorian commercial buildings . Come on a Sunday when the town livens up at the Oamaru farmers Market and you will appreciate why certain shops are not open on a Monday.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter H
Brisbane Region, Australia165 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
We both wished that we had some additional time to enable us to fully explore this historic area pf Oamaru. There is just too much to see and do - we stayed for 2 hours when we really only had about 1 hour available and so we didn't get to experience the whole area.
Considered a must visit if you are staying here or just traveling through like we were.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael C
Derby, UK1,981 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Late Victorian buildings fill almost the whole of the centre of Oamaru which makes it a very attractive area. It was a real joy to walk around the area. However, we failed to get too excited because almost every English town has similar buildings. Oamaru must be congratulated for making a toiurist attraction out of its buildings.
Written November 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KiwiKerry53
Wellington, New Zealand4,910 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
A row of lovely old buildings, but small and not a lot happening, even during the day. I suspect the lack of tourism and the winter months have impacted here.
These places are always on the "must" list, just in small town New Zealand in the Covid era.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Oamaru's Victorian Precinct - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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