Ardgowan

Oamaru

Popular places to visit

In Oamaru there's a little blue penguin colony where you can pay to see a show and learn about the penguins and watch them come in for the night. Penguins in New Zealand are only around at dusk when they swim in from a day at sea for the night.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Explore the great outdoors at Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, a lovely green space in Oamaru. Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru which includes outdoor art

Steampunk HQ

Try out interactive displays, marvel at intricate creations, get lost in a light show or just have some bizarre fun at this art gallery with a difference.

Steampunk HQ
Oamaru featuring a bay or harbor, boating and rocky coastline

Oamaru Harbour

Explore the waterfront in Oamaru with a trip to Oamaru Harbour. Amble around the area's waterfront or experience its museums.

Oamaru Harbour
Oamaru showing heritage architecture and street scenes

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct in Oamaru. Stroll along the marina or experience the area's museums.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct
Grainstore Gallery showing heritage architecture

Grainstore Gallery

Delve inside the minds of a group of local artists as you explore the curiosities of this fascinating gallery, housed within a former Victorian grain store.

Grainstore Gallery
Oamaru featuring heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

St Lukes Anglican Church

St Lukes Anglican Church is just one of the places to see in Oamaru, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

St Lukes Anglican Church

Things to do

Oamaru: Blue Penguin Colony Evening Viewing Ticket

Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

RM112
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket
See all activities in Oamaru

Top hotels in Ardgowan

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

3.5 out of 5
115 Thames Street Oamaru
The price is RM325 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
RM325
RM374 total
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (584 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

Brydone Hotel Oamaru
Criterion Boutique Hotel

Criterion Boutique Hotel

2 out of 5
3 Tyne St Oamaru Otago Region
The price is RM222 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
RM222
RM255 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Auto Museum and Woolstore Complex are located nearby.
6.8/10 (21 reviews)
Great room thanks

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Criterion Boutique Hotel
Poshtel

Poshtel

5 out of 5
126 Thames Street Oamaru Otago
The price is RM527 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
RM527
RM606 total
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (374 reviews)
Room clean, breakfast not available until 8am - a little late to start for a business trip

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Poshtel
Oamaru Motor Lodge

Oamaru Motor Lodge

4 out of 5
391 Thames Highway Oamaru
The price is RM449 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
RM449
RM517 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (710 reviews)
Clean and quiet but wifi was not stable

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Oamaru Motor Lodge
Heritage Court Lodge

Heritage Court Lodge

4 out of 5
346 Thames Highway Oamaru
The price is RM513 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
RM513
RM590 total
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly motel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (395 reviews)
We always enjoy staying here when traveling through Oamaru very friendly staff and clean

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Heritage Court Lodge
Ascot Oamaru Motel

Ascot Oamaru Motel

3 out of 5
500a Thames Highway Oamaru
The price is RM439 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
RM439
RM505 total
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.4/10 Good! (461 reviews)
Good size, clean room. Very good 👍

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Ascot Oamaru Motel
See all 72 properties in Ardgowan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Ardgowan

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Waiareka Junction

While there might not be top attractions in Waiareka Junction, you can explore the larger area and discover places like North Otago Museum and Steampunk HQ.

Waiareka Junction
North Otago Museum and monument in Oamaru New Zealand

Oamaru North

Oamaru North might not have many top sights, but Whitestone Cheese Factory and North Otago Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Oamaru North
This is the front of the Steampunk HQ building. It's a gallery that is totally dedicated to Steampunk. Steampunk is a funky art form that mixes the future with the past. Think victorian era, Jules Verne and time travel. Well worth a visit

Historic Precinct

While visiting Historic Precinct, you might make a stop by sights like Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct and Steampunk HQ.

Historic Precinct
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Weston

When in Weston, you can plan a visit to North Otago Museum and Steampunk HQ, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Weston
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Holmes Hill

Holmes Hill might not have many top sights, but Oamaru Gardens and Steampunk HQ are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Holmes Hill
At the end of the road is a gorgeous beach. After 3PM you are not allowed on it anymore, because the yellow eyed penguins will come back from their fishing activities. You can look at them, although you are quite high up and the penguins are tiny!

South Hill

If you're spending some time in South Hill, Oamaru Harbour and Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct are top sights worth seeing.

South Hill

Ardgowan