Locality Guide - Oamaru,


 

Location Description

From a sheltered position almost halfway between the Equator and the South Pole, is Oamaru. With a population of around 13, 800 it is well placed to service the farming and and pastoral districts of coastal North Otago and the Waitaki Valley. Located 115km northeast of Dunedin and 85km southwest of Timaru, the area enjoys a warm, dry climate.

Oamaru is the distribution centre of a predominantly sheep-farming area. Other land based industries include dairy, cattle, deer and goat farming, cereal crops, market gardening and cash cropping. In and around Omaru are freezing works, a limestone quarry, fertiliser works, flour mill, stock food plant, woollen mills, iron foundry, engineering works, stone mason and sawmills. Confectionary, bacon and ham ,and speciality cheeses are produced, while the Waitaki Valley is noted for its hydro-electric dams and fruit growing.

Known as the 'White Stone City' because of the use of the district's unique creamy limestone in its buildings, it draws much of its charm from these handsome buildings bordering the tree-lined main street. LEss well known until recently are the early commercial buildings of the Harbour/Tyne Street precinct. An exciting project, "Historic Oamaru" now aims to restore and retain this area to give New Venture workshop space for small businesses and to enhance the district's already considerable potential for tourism. Guided tours of the historic buildings are available.

Oamaru's amenities reflect the maturity of a town which had its first Town Board in 1862 and was once the sixth largest town in New Zealand. The Oamaru Public Library, North Otago Museum and Archives, and Forrester Gallery combine to provide well endowed cultural facilities of a professional standard unsurpassed in a town of this size. The fine, established trees and gardens of the Oamaru public gardens are among the finest in New Zealand.

Oamaru has excellent facilities for all sports codes. Centrally placed in the South Island, with a modern Recreation Centre, it is used increasingly as a conference centre by business sporting and cultural organisations.

With first-class hotel and motel accomodation, and pleasant motor camping grounds, Oamaru is the gateway to the Waitaki Valley and its accessible Maori rock drawings, salmon and trout fishing, boating and water sports. There are also many geographical curiosities, for example the Elephant rocks and earthquakes, in and around the Duntroon and the Clay Cliffs at Omarama. Omarama is a great gliding centre and the site of the 1994/95 World Gliding Champos. There are jet boating and 4WD safaris at Kurow.

To the south of Oamaru is Totara Estate (a memorial to the frozen meat industry), and the Kakanui market garden area. ALso to the south, are the Moeraki Boulders and Lighthouse, where comprehensive nature tours are available. Herbet Forest and Trotters Gorge offer pleaseant picnic spots and bush walks. Palmerston, 59 kms south, has Puketapu Hill and the monument dedicated to Sir John McKenzie, Minister of Lands in the 1980's. Macraes Gold Mine, the largest modern gold mine of its type in the country is sited aongsde the historic Golden Point Mining Battery. Tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Penguins, seals and dolphins (including Hector's dolphins) are often seen along the North Otago coast. Special efforts are being made to protect the rare yellow-eyed penguin and its habitat. Also there is the Little Blue Penguin colony at the Oamaru Harbour where fences have been put up, nesting boxes in place, planting of bush, lighting erected and large viewing platforms where nightly viewing takes place.

 

Visitors Centre

Oamaru Visitor Information Centre
1 Thames Street
Private Bag 50058
Oamaru
Phone: (03) 434 1656
Fax: (03) 434 1657
E-mail: (from mid-October 2000) info@tourismwaitaki.co.nz

 

Attractions

Oamaru's centre contains many well-preserved Victorian buildings, ranging in style from Greek to Gothic. Historic building and house tours are available and the town's Victorian heritage is officially celebrated every November.

Little blue penguins and rare yellow-eyed penguins can be seen at Lookout Point.

Oamaru's Botanic Garden is renowned for its beauty.

The Waitaki River and lakes Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore provide many scenic attractions and recreational opportunities. The Waitaki River Salmon Fishing Contest is held every March.

The coastal road to Kakanui is exceptionally scenic.

Guided tours are conducted at the Benmore Power Station.

Maori rock art and the intriguing limestone Elephant Rocks are found at Duntroon.

 

Facilities

Oamaru has many hotels and restaurants, including:
Country Capers Café and Restaurant
(03) 434 0300

Annie Flanagan Bar
(03) 434 8828

Galleon Restaurant
(03) 437 0017

Golden Dragon
(03) 434 8670

 

Transport

Taxi services include:
Whitestone Taxis
(03) 434 1234

Oamaru Taxis
(03) 434 6666

Whitestone Taxis Ltd runs a bus service from town to the Iona Home and Hospital and return. It operates three times a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
(03) 434 1234

Inter-city services include:
InterCity Coachlines
(03) 434 8716

Oamaru Mini Coaches operates a door-to door service Oamaru to Dunedin, Monday to Friday.
(03) 439 4765

 

Community

North Otago Museum
(03) 434 1652

Forrester Gallery
(03) 434 1653

Oamaru Public Library
(03) 434 1650

Oamaru Club
(03) 434 6163

Oamaru Hospital
(03) 434 8770

Iona Hospital and Home
(03) 437 1870

 

Pre-Schools

There are a dozen or so early childhood facilities in the Oamaru district. Those in Oamaru include:
Holmes Kindergarten
(03) 434 6437

Barnardos New Zealand
(03) 434 9659

Teddy Bears Educare Centre
(03) 434 5960

Oamaru Playcentre
025 207 3433

Edna McCulloch Free Kindergarten
(03) 434 8343

Puddle Ducks Educare Centre
(03) 434 5390

 

Primary Schools

There are nearly 20 primary schools in the Oamaru district. Those in town include:
St Josephs School
(03) 434 8856

Fenwick Primary School
(03) 434 8209

Oamaru North School
(03) 434 7512

Pembroke Primary School
(03) 437 1328

 

Secondary Schools

Oamaru's secondary schools are:
St Kevins College
(03) 437 1665

Waitaki Boys' High School
(03) 437 0529

Waitaki Girls' High School
(03) 434 8429

 

Tertiary Schools

The tertiary institution in Oamaru is the Otago Polytechnic Oamaru Campus.
(03) 434 7763

 

Sport

Waitaki Recreation Centre
(03) 434 6932

Aquatic Centre
(03) 434 9940

Awamoa Bowling Club
(03) 434 9173

North Otago Indoor Bowls Assn
(03) 434 8035

North Otago Golf Club Inc
(03) 434 6169

North Otago Lawn Tennis Assn
(03) 434 5154

North Otago Netball Assn
(03) 437 1945

North Otago Rugby Football Union
(03) 437 0072

For rock climbers, there is excellent bouldering at Duntroon (contact landowners first).

 

Offices Servicing this Area


LJ Hooker Oamaru
193 Thames Street
OAMARU
Phone: 03 434 9014
Fax: 03 434 6708
oamaru@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/oamaru
 
LJ Hooker Albany
B8, 210 Dairy Flat Highway
AUCKLAND
Phone: 09 414 6078
Fax: 09 414 6069
albany@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/albany
 
LJ Hooker Alexandra
10 Centennial Ave
ALEXANDRA
Phone: 03 448 8888
Fax: 03 448 6131
alexandra@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/alexandra
 
LJ Hooker Birkenhead
9 Birkenhead Avenue
BIRKENHEAD
Phone: 09 419 2409
Fax: 09 419 2441
birkenhead@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/birkenhead
 
LJ Hooker Blockhouse Bay
1 Donovan Street
BLOCKHOUSE BAY
Phone: 09 626 6119
Fax: 09 627 2287
blockhousebay@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/blockhousebay
 
LJ Hooker Botany
Shop 3, Meadowlands Plaza, 112 Whitford Road
HOWICK
Phone: 09 535 8373
Fax: 09 535 8365
botany@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/botany
 
LJ Hooker Cambridge
55 Victoria Street
CAMBRIDGE
Phone: 07 827 7188
Fax: 07 827 7062
cambridge@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/cambridge
 
LJ Hooker Carterton
111 High Street
CARTERTON
Phone: 06 379 6699
Fax: 06 379 6638
carterton@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/carterton
 
LJ Hooker Cromwell
7A Murray Terrace
CROMWELL
Phone: 03 445 4780
Fax: 03 445 4782
cromwell@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/cromwell
 
LJ Hooker Development Services - NZ
Level 23, 120 Albert Street
AUCKLAND
Phone: 09 375 0500
Fax: 09 354 7999
devserv@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/devserv
 
LJ Hooker Dunedin
63 Musselburgh Rise
DUNEDIN
Phone: 03 470 1370
Fax: 03 455 0790
dunedin@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/dunedin
 
LJ Hooker Eastern Suburbs
234 Orakei Road
REMUERA
Phone: 09 529 1880
Fax: 09 522 0188
eastsubs@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/easternsuburbs
 
LJ Hooker Ellerslie
101 Main Highway
ELLERSLIE
Phone: 09 525 1773
Fax: 09 525 1443
ellerslie@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/ellerslie
 
LJ Hooker Fairlie
75 Main Street
FAIRLIE
Phone: 03 685 8844
Fax: 03 685 8847
fairlie@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/fairlie
 
LJ Hooker Financial Services Bay Of Plenty
Corner Cameron Road & 8th Avenue
TAURANGA
Phone: 07 571 4201
Fax: 07 581 475


 
LJ Hooker Financial Services Christchurch
12 Neptune Place
CHRISTCHURCH
Phone: 03 382 8526
Fax: 03 382 8527


 
LJ Hooker Financial Services Nat Insurance And Permission Mk
Cnr of Kings Cres & Bloomfield Terrace
LOWER HUTT
Phone:
Fax:


 
LJ Hooker Financial Services Northland
42 Darch Road, RD4 Reotahi
WHANGAREI
Phone: 027 345 3460
Fax:


 
LJ Hooker Financial Services South Canterbury/North Otago
Ballantynes Building, Canon Street
TIMARU
Phone: 03 687 9973
Fax: 03 687 9971


 
LJ Hooker Financial Services Waikato
26A Glen Terrace
TE PUKE
Phone: 07 573 5676
Fax: 07 573 5676


 
LJ Hooker Geraldine
16 Talbot Street
GERALDINE
Phone: 03 693 9775
Fax: 03 693 9774
geraldine@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/geraldine
 
LJ Hooker Gisborne
66 Reads Quay
GISBORNE
Phone: 06 869 0091
Fax: 06 869 1367
gisborne@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/gisborne
 
LJ Hooker Glenfield
Shop 7, 111 Bentley Road
GLENFIELD
Phone: 09 441 7300
Fax: 09 441 7010
glenfield@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/glenfield
 
LJ Hooker Green Bay
58 Godley Road
GREEN BAY
Phone: 09 827 4928
Fax: 09 827 7526
greenbay@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/greenbay
 
LJ Hooker Hastings
1st Floor, 126 Queen Street East
HASTINGS
Phone: 06 878 1166
Fax: 06 878 1151
hastings@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/hastings
 
LJ Hooker Henderson
403 Great North Road
HENDERSON
Phone: 09 836 3119
Fax: 09 838 9328
henderson@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/henderson
 
LJ Hooker Howick
49 Picton Street
HOWICK
Phone: 09 537 0124
Fax: 09 537 3888
howick@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/howick
 
LJ Hooker Johnsonville
58-62 Johnsonville Road
JOHNSONVILLE
Phone: 04 478 3109
Fax: 04 478 3106
johnsonville@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/johnsonville
 
LJ Hooker Kaitaia
85 Commerce Street
KAITAIA
Phone: 09 408 1241
Fax: 09 408 1363
kaitaia@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/kaitaia
 
LJ Hooker Kawerau
1 Jellicoe Court
KAWERAU
Phone: 07 323 9200
Fax: 07 323 9204
kawerau@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/kawerau
 
LJ Hooker Kerikeri
70 Kerikeri Road
KERIKERI
Phone: 09 407 7899
Fax: 09 407 7893
kerikeri@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/kerikeri
 
LJ Hooker Kumeu
63 Main Road
KUMEU
Phone: 09 412 9602
Fax: 09 412 9603
kumeu@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/kumeu
 
LJ Hooker Mangonui
10 Beach Road
MANGONUI
Phone: 09 406 0977
Fax: 09 406 0982
mangonui@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/mangonui
 
LJ Hooker Manukau
Suite 3 Level 1, 6 Osterly Way
MANUKAU CITY
Phone: 09 261 2440
Fax: 09 261 2439
manukau@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/manukau
 
LJ Hooker Manurewa
Unit 3, 163 Great South Road
MANUREWA
Phone: 09 268 0454
Fax: 09 268 0452
manurewa@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/manurewa
 
LJ Hooker Masterton
109 Chapel Street
MASTERTON
Phone: 06 378 8666
Fax: 06 378 2139
masterton@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/masterton
 
LJ Hooker Matamata
62 Arawa Street
MATAMATA
Phone: 07 888 5677
Fax: 07 888 8608
matamata@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/matamata
 
LJ Hooker Morrinsville
179a Thames Street
MORRINSVILLE
Phone: 07 889 3957
Fax: 07 889 3955
morrinsville@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/morrinsville
 
LJ Hooker Mosgiel
9 Factory Road
MOSGIEL
Phone: 03 489 6800
Fax: 03 489 6019
mosgiel@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/mosgiel
 
LJ Hooker Mt Roskill
1484c Dominion Road
MT ROSKILL
Phone: (09) 621 0166
Fax: (09) 621 0171
mtroskill@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/mtroskill
 
LJ Hooker Onehunga
131 Arthur Street
ONEHUNGA
Phone: 09 634 4050
Fax: 09 634 4052
onehunga@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/onehunga
 
LJ Hooker Otahuhu
Suite 1, 7 Mason Avenue
OTAHUHU
Phone: 09 276 1234
Fax: 09 276 1235
otahuhu@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/otahuhu
 
LJ Hooker Palmerston North
219 Broadway Avenue
PALMERSTON NORTH
Phone: 06 358 9009
Fax: 06 356 8464
palmerstonnorth@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/palmerstonnorth
 
LJ Hooker Papakura
231-237 Great South Road
PAPAKURA
Phone: 09 296 5000
Fax: 09 298 0637
papakura@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/papakura
 
LJ Hooker Papamoa
Shop 8, Fashion Island, 42 Gravatt Road
PAPAMOA
Phone: 07 575 5129
Fax: 07 574 0029
papamoa@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/papamoa
 
LJ Hooker Papatoetoe
171 Great South Road
PAPATOETOE
Phone: 09 277 7717
Fax: 09 277 7121
papatoetoe@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/papatoetoe
 
LJ Hooker Parnell
Suite 1 Level 4,, 86 Parnell Road
PARNELL
Phone: 09 309 0094
Fax: 09 309 0091
parnell@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/parnell
 
LJ Hooker Ponsonby
190 Ponsonby Road
PONSONBY
Phone: 09 376 7530
Fax: 09 378 9970
ponsonby@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/ponsonby
 
LJ Hooker Putaruru
Cnr State Highway 1 & Main Street
PUTARURU
Phone: 07 883 8810
Fax: 07 883 8800
putaruru@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/putaruru
 
LJ Hooker Pyes Pa
6 Pyes Pa Road
TAURANGA
Phone: 07 543 4657
Fax: 07 543 4658
pyespa@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/pyespa
 
LJ Hooker Remuera
565 Remuera Road
REMUERA
Phone: 09 520 8585
Fax: 09 524 7615
remuera@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/remuera
 
LJ Hooker Rotorua
Corner Eruera & Amohia Streets
ROTORUA
Phone: 07 348 5058
Fax: 07 348 2381
rotorua@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/rotorua
 
LJ Hooker Royal Oak
778 Manukau Road
ROYAL OAK
Phone: 09 624 3900
Fax: 09 624 3939
royaloak@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/royaloak
 
LJ Hooker Tauranga
Corner Cameron Road & 8th Avenue
TAURANGA
Phone: 07 578 3129
Fax: 07 578 1475
tauranga@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/tauranga
 
LJ Hooker Te Awamutu
41 Mahoe Street
TE AWAMUTU
Phone: 07 871 5044
Fax: 07 871 5099
teawamutu@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/teawamutu
 
LJ Hooker Temuka
98 King Street
TEMUKA
Phone: 03 615 9462
Fax: 03 615 9463
temuka@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/temuka
 
LJ Hooker Timaru
Cnr Church & Banks Streets
TIMARU
Phone: 03 688 3029
Fax: 03 688 6133
timaru@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/timaru
 
LJ Hooker Titirangi
423 Titirangi Road
TITIRANGI
Phone: 09 817 8011
Fax: 09 817 4488
titirangi@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/titirangi
 
LJ Hooker Twizel
20 Ruataniwha Road
TWIZEL
Phone: 03 435 0170
Fax: 03 435 0360
twizel@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/twizel
 
LJ Hooker Waihi Beach
27 Wilson Road
WAIHI BEACH
Phone: 07 863 5801
Fax: 07 863 4588
waihibeach@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/waihibeach
 
LJ Hooker Waimate
83 Queen Street
WAIMATE
Phone: 03 689 7974
Fax: 03 689 8216
waimate@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/waimate
 
LJ Hooker Wainuiomata
22 Queen Street
WAINUIOMATA
Phone: 04 564 8644
Fax: 04 564 8650
wainuiomata@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/wainuiomata
 
LJ Hooker Wanganui
25 Victoria Ave
WANGANUI
Phone: 06 349 0883
Fax: 06 349 0884
wanganui@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/wanganui
 
LJ Hooker Warkworth
20 Queen St
WARKWORTH
Phone: 09 425 8589
Fax: 09 425 9002
warkworth@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/warkworth
 
LJ Hooker Whangarei
11 James Street
WHANGAREI
Phone: 09 438 1332
Fax: 09 438 6795
whangarei@ljh.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/whangarei
 
LJH Commercial Bay Of Plenty
Corner Cameron Road & 8th Avenue
TAURANGA
Phone: 07 578 3129
Fax: 07 578 1475
bop@ljhc.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/commercial-bayofplenty
 
LJH Commercial Whangarei
11 James Street
WHANGAREI
Phone: 09 438 1332
Fax: 09 438 6795
whangarei@ljhc.co.nz
www.ljhooker.co.nz/commercial-whangarei
 
ljhooker.comcopyrightdisclaimerprivacy policysite map