Travel Tips and Warnings for Visiting Oamaru & Dunedin in New Zealand
Oamaru exudes the charm of a cozy, small town, perfect for a leisurely and relaxing stroll. Dunedin, on the other hand, is a city that makes you feel at home from the moment you arrive. Unlike bustling tourist hubs, it offers a genuine slice of everyday life, complete with stunning historic buildings, late-night eateries and bars, and a refreshing seaside where you can often spot playful seals.
🌊Timaru
Eager to try my hand at abalone fishing, I did some research in advance. As we passed through Timaru and noticed the tide was at its lowest, the idea of digging for abalone seemed irresistible. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a nearby place to get a permit, so I splurged on an abalone knife (quite pricey at 15 NZD).
By the time we reached Tuhawaiki Point (Jack’s) Lighthouse, the tide had already started to rise. Although we didn’t catch any abalones that met the size requirements, we found plenty of large mussels. We also ran into another group of Chinese people there, sharing the same adventure.
🏙️Oamaru
🍴 The Galley was a bit of a letdown.
– Smoked salmon: overwhelmingly salty
– Panini: the bread was mediocre, with a strong floury taste that didn’t quite hit the mark
🍴Scott’s Brewing Factory
🍕The pizza here was absolutely delicious, and we even bought a large bottle of beer to enjoy later.
🐧Since we hadn’t booked a penguin viewing, we squatted by the roadside and managed to spot just one, which was still a delightful experience.
🏙️Dunedin
🍴Initially, we had a reservation at Prohibition Smokehouse, but after indulging in too much steak and burgers, we decided to pick a random restaurant. With so many options available, we made a last-minute reservation on Google Maps while walking.
Etrusco at Savoy 🍝 Upon entering, we were greeted by locals sipping drinks and chatting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
We opted for a trio platter, curated by the chef, along with an additional pasta and salad. The food was exquisite, but even four of us couldn’t finish it all 😂 For a group of four, a trio platter and a salad or dessert would be more than enough.
📍Signal Hill
We contemplated driving up to see the night view.
The road was steep and narrow, and it was very dark with no other cars around. At the top, we found three other cars. The night view was decent, but if you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy the breeze, it’s a lovely choice (too many photos to post, will send them privately).
📍Tunnel Beach
Due to the strong winds and less-than-ideal weather, we didn’t make it all the way down to the beach. However, even from above, the view was still quite picturesque.
📍Sandfly Bay
🌊🦭After parking at the designated spot, a 15-20 minute walk through a unique landscape awaits. The path is lined with sandbags, and as you near the beach, it transforms into a mix of dirt and sand. For a moment, I questioned the directions given by the local auntie, but any doubts vanished when we reached the rocky shoreline.
There, we were greeted by a colony of seals, including a rare white one, basking in the sun. The serene setting was almost undisturbed, with only a few other visitors around.
However, on our return journey, the weather took an unexpected turn. Within just two minutes, the bright sunshine gave way to an overcast sky, and soon, a heavy downpour began. We braved the wind and rain, climbing back up the path, feeling as if we were in a military drill [laughing]. It was then that I truly appreciated the quality of our raincoats; despite the fierce weather, we stayed dry and comfortable. All that was left to do once we got back was to rinse the sand off our shoes.
