Discover the Charming Steam Town: A Must-Visit on Your Slow Travel Journey to Dunedin

Tekapo is a charming stop on the way to Dunedin, and we spent an enchanting afternoon in Oamaru. If your schedule allows, consider staying overnight to fully immerse yourself in the town’s unique atmosphere. This picturesque place boasts Victorian-style streets and distinctive stone buildings, with steep slopes that lead down to the sea.

You can also spot adorable blue penguins 🐧 and playful seals 🦭. Known as the Whitestone Town, Oamaru exudes a punk vibe, complete with numerous steam installations. The iconic abandoned locomotive still whistles and emits steam, adding to the town’s mystical allure. As you drive into this special place, you’ll be amazed that such a unique town exists on New Zealand’s South Island.

▶️ Here are a few must-see attractions:

📍 Whitestone Historic District
Lined with stunning stone buildings, this district is also home to delightful art installations, including a giant bicycle wheel that’s a hit with visitors. These buildings house a variety of bakeries, grocery stores, vintage shops, and antique stores, each with creative, quirky, and retro storefronts.

You can even enjoy a costume show, where you can cosplay as medieval characters. It’s said that an annual fashion show takes place here, adding to the town’s vibrant cultural scene.

📍 Friendly Bay Playground
A fantastic playground for kids, featuring zip lines, ball pits, swings, and numerous small installations. You can easily spend an entire afternoon here, and there’s a beautiful beach nearby for additional fun.

📍 Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
The habitat of the adorable Oamaru blue penguins, where you can watch these cute little creatures. They usually come out at night, so many visitors choose to stay overnight to catch a glimpse. Remember to avoid using flashlights to protect their natural behavior.

📍 Katiki Point Lighthouse
Just a short distance from Oamaru, this lighthouse offers a great spot to see lazy seals basking in the sun. The coastline here is breathtakingly beautiful 🌊, making it a perfect place for a leisurely walk or a picnic.

📍 The Fish Wife
A must-visit lobster restaurant that’s worth a special trip. It’s one of two popular lobster restaurants on the South Island, with the other located in Kaikoura. People start queuing up when it opens at 10 am, and although they might sell out in the afternoon, we managed to get some when we arrived around 4 pm.

Half a lobster + fries 🦞🍟 cost 28.5 NZD, though prices may vary slightly.
ps: The pier here is a photographer’s dream, with flocks of seagulls providing a picturesque backdrop!

📍 Moeraki Boulders
On the way from Oamaru to the lobster restaurant, you’ll pass by a beach adorned with large, round boulders. These boulders took millions of years to form, with the soft mudstone inside appearing on the seabed about 15 million years ago. Over time, they emerged, creating a truly unique and awe-inspiring landscape!

Oamaru is a treasure trove of a town, brimming with attractions and outstanding natural scenery. It’s also a very livable place, with large supermarkets, comfortable accommodations, and a variety of restaurants. If your schedule isn’t too tight, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary!