Attractions

The Oamaru area offers a wonderful variety of attractions.

Guests can choose to relax within the Lodge, wander through the on-site landscaped gardens or visit local sights. Visit Harbour-Tyne historical precinct, an area of splendid Victorian commercial buildings and warehouses currently being restored as the home of craftspeople producing period and contemporary arts and crafts..

Marvel at the delightful penguin parade as little blue penguins cross the road at the town's foreshore to return to their nesting sites or view the rare yellow-eyed penguin in its natural habitat. Take in a round of golf at a nearby course or venture a little further afield to sample the delicious wines of the Waitaki Valley, or fish for salmon and/or trout in the world-famous Waitaki River. The following is merely a few suggestions of some of the ways to enjoy what makes Oamaru and the Waitaki District so special. We are also happy to provide you with a picnic lunch to add that special something to your wanders through our district!

The Waitaki District travel board have developed an incredible map that helps visitors plan their stay, and that shows where all the amazing sights of the region are located. Click here to see that map and here for some suggested itineraries that include Oamaru, the Waitaki Valley, and other stops on the southern end of the South Island. You may also want to visit our blog, which describes some of the attractions in the Oamaru area that may be of interest to our guests, or view this video produced for the Waitaki tourism office showcasing some of the people and attractions of our wonderful town.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/36632769

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Nature and Wildlife

Penguin Colonies

Oamaru is home to two colonies of penguins, Blue Penguins (also known as Fairy Penguins, the smallest of the penguins) and Yellow-Eyed Penguins, which are among the rarest. Visits to these colonies can be arranged by your hosts. For more information on the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, click here.

Moeraki Boulders

Nearby Moeraki is home to the iconic beachside boulders, spheres of stone strew along the waterfront just outside of the picturesque fishing village. While here, you can also venture toward Moeraki lighthouse and gain a good view of their Yellow-Eyed Penguins and other wildlife, and a further five minutes will take you to Shag Point and its resident fur seal population.

Vanished World Heritage Trail

The Vanished World Heritage Trail is a self-guided trail that allows the visitor to see numerous fossils and geological formations that give you a feeling of "deep time". A drive along this trail will take you all through the Waitaki District, from the seaside to the mountains, and offers a unique perspective on the area's changing landscape. For more information, visit the Vanished World website by clicking here.

Danseys Pass

Among the many beautiful drives in the area, Danseys Pass is certainly one of the most popular. Easily done as a day trip from Pen-y-bryn, a drive along Danseys Pass will take you to the old Central Otago towns of Naseby and Ranfurly, as well as to Elephant Rocks and some Maori rock paintings.

Mt Cook/Aoraki and the Lakes

New Zealand's highest peak, Mt Cook, is easily reached from Oamaru, taking approximately two hours (with ample time to stop to photograph the stunning scenery along the way). Ohau, Lake Tekapo, Omarama and other holiday destinations of the Mt Cook area are all nearby and make an exceptional outing from Pen-y-bryn.

Gardens

Oamaru Public Gardens are reputedly among the finest in the land. In addition, a number of private gardens are available for viewing, by appointment.

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Sport

Fishing

With such easy access to rivers and sea, Oamaru and the surrounding district are very attractive to sports fishing enthusiasts. We have fly fishing, surf fishing and ocean fishing nearby, and Pen-y-bryn can provide fishing guides to help ensure that your outing is a successful one. For more information on fishing in the district, click here.

Golf

Oamaru is home to several golf courses, including the North Otago Golf Course and the Lower Waitaki Golf Club. Your hosts can help to make bookings.

Snow Sports

Near to Oamaru are the Ohau Snow Fields, with snowboarding, skiing, and all the facilities one expects from a Kiwi ski centre! And it's all within a short drive of Oamaru.

Rock Climbing

The incredible topography of Elephant Rocks and the surrounding area makes for a beautiful backdrop for an afternoon of rock climbing. The amazing formations offer a range challenges, and will surely provide a climber of any skill level with a good workout!

Cycling

The Alps2Ocean cycleway between Mt Cook and Oamaru may not quite be open (it's due to open in 2012) but there are plenty of cycle trails in the area, and even just the streets of Oamaru make for a very enjoyable bike ride among the historic shops, buildings and parks of the seashore.

Tennis & Bowls

Pen-y-bryn Lodge is located opposite Awamoa Park, which is home to several tennis and bowls courts that are open to the public.

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Gastronomy

Oamaru and the Waitaki District are quickly developing a name as the newest "foodie" destination of New Zealand! While Whitestone Cheese has long been a keystone in Oamaru's culinary landscape, the Waitaki Valley is the country's newest wine district, producing some excellent Pinot Noirs, and many of these can be sampled during a day trip to Kurow, a short drive from Pen-y-bryn, where you can sample the wines of Ostler, Kurow and Waitaki Braids. And to give you plenty of opportunity to sample the wines, we can arrange transport.

Oamaru is also the ideal base for a visit to Riverstone Kitchen, winners of the 2010 Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year award, and Fleur's Place, famously chosen by British chef and food writer Rick Stein as the place he most wanted to visit for an article for the British Daily Mail newspaper. Fleur Sullivan will soon also be opening a new restaurant right in Oamaru, the much-anticipated Loan & Merc, located just down the hill from Pen-y-bryn. 

Each summer, Oamaru is also home to the Oamaru Wine and Food Festival, showcasing the incredible bounty of the region and offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to sample a broad range of delicious products, from locally produced pork, lamb and beef, to the dishes of local restaurants and of course the excellent wines. In 2011, the festival will take place on Sunday, 20 February.

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Art, History and Culture

Oamaru Opera House

Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, the Oamaru Opera House brings headline entertainment from around the world to perform on its immaculate stage. Shows take place regularly throughout the year.

Steampunk

Steampunk is a phenomenon uniquely suited to Oamaru. Conceived as an imagining of how Victorians might have pictured the future, it's an art movement that has no equal. Oamaru holds an annual Steampunk Festival, which in 2010 goes from late October until early December, with exhibits on display on the street as well as in the Forrester Gallery.

Totara Estate

History truly comes alive at Totara Estate, the home of New Zealand's meat exporting industry. It was from Totara Estate that New Zealand's first shipment of frozen lamb was packaged for transport to England (and the ship itself left from Oamaru Harbour). The estate today offers a glimpse into that world, as well as being located in a beautiful setting. A climb to the monument at the property offers unmatched views of the mountains and the surrounding countryside.  For more information, click here.

Victorian Festival

As the best preserved colonial town in New Zealand, it is only natural that Oamaru should host an annual Victorian Heritage Festival, celebrating this enviable heritage. Lasting from 17 to 21 November 2010, the festival will see the entire town decked out in Victorian finery, with penny farthing races, performances and demonstrations of crafts that are still practiced on a daily basis by artisans in town.

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Relaxation

With all that you can do in and around Oamaru, you will probably want to relax a bit, too! While Pen-y-bryn itself offers many opportunities to kick back and relax in our beautiful surroundings, Omarama and its hot pools overlooking the Southern Alps is just a hour's drive away and offer a wide range of spa treatments in addition to the hot tubs. Your hosts can help you to make a booking.

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