Oamaru: A Coastal Town of Heritage and Beauty
Serving as the biggest town in the district of North Otago, Oamaru, New Zealand doubles as the main town of the Waitaki District as well. With over 13,000 residents, the city ranks as the 28th biggest urban area in the country and the 3rd biggest in the district, following Dunedin and Queenstown. The town’s name came from the Maori term “oamaru,” which translates to “the place of Maru.” Oamaru is served by the Oamaru Airport, located 15 minutes from the north of the city. You can easily find several hotels and accommodations near the city center and by the beach.
Best Time to Visit
Every year, Oamaru hosts the Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations, a community activity that takes visitors back to the Victorian times. This is held in November and attracts a couple thousand tourists to the city. The summer season is just around the corner by this time of year, so tourism is relatively busy than usual. Oamaru, New Zealand hotels can be easily packed during this season, so make sure to book in advance.
What to Do & Area Attractions
If you’re looking for something near the beach, check out Bella Vista Motel Oamary and Brydone Hotel Oamaru, which are both within walking distance from North Otago Museum, as well. However, if you’re visiting Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, you can stay at the Oamaru Motor Lodge, which is just a six-minute drive away from the site and provides guests with airport transfers too.