Step Back in Time in New Zealand’s Steampunk Capital
Oamaru New Zealand, tucked along the South Island’s east coast, is famous for its preserved Victorian architecture and an unexpectedly delightful twist—its love of all things steampunk. Stroll the Oamaru Victorian Precinct, where historic limestone buildings house art galleries, craft stores, and old-world cafés. Then head to Steampunk HQ, a one-of-a-kind museum filled with quirky gadgets, retro-futuristic sculptures, and immersive exhibits that blend science fiction with industrial design.
Each May/June, the town transforms for the Steampunk NZ Festival, a four-day celebration of all things imaginative and eccentric. The festival takes place over King’s Birthday Weekend, which includes a public holiday observed on the first Monday in June. Expect parades, masquerade balls, live performances, and inventive costumes as locals and visitors celebrate creativity in true steampunk fashion. It’s the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and a brilliant reason to time your visit.
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
Natural Wonders and Wildlife Encounters
Beyond its unique cultural flavour, Oamaru New Zealand offers stunning encounters with nature. A visit to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony lets you witness the adorable spectacle of the world’s smallest penguins returning from the sea. For another rare sighting, walk to Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve, home to yellow-eyed penguins, one of the world’s most endangered penguin species.
Venture just down the coast to find the Moeraki Boulders, enormous spherical stones scattered along the beach that make for an otherworldly photo stop. Foodies can explore the Whitestone Cheese Factory for tastings of award-winning artisan cheeses, and enjoy a meal at Riverstone Kitchen, one of the region’s most celebrated restaurants. Don’t miss Totara Estate, a historic site where New Zealand’s frozen meat industry began—offering guided tours and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Top Things to Do in Oamaru New Zealand
- Explore the Oamaru Victorian Precinct
- Get quirky at Steampunk HQ
- Time your visit for the annual Steampunk NZ Festival
- Watch blue penguins come ashore at dusk
- Spot yellow-eyed penguins at Bushy Beach
- Marvel at the otherworldly Moeraki Boulders
- Taste artisan cheeses at Whitestone Cheese Factory
- Dine at Riverstone Kitchen
- Cycle the final leg of the Alps 2 Ocean Trail
- Visit Totara Estate for history and countryside views
