Hi!
welcome to my blog, I hope you have a lovely time here.
Love Anna x
welcome to my blog, I hope you have a lovely time here.
Love Anna x
Ōamaru, on the South Island of Aotearoa, is such a special wee spot — it’s my hometown, and honestly? Living here feels like living in a dream.
Not only is Ōamaru surrounded by stunning natural beauty, it’s also absolutely dripping in op shops and treasure troves that will have you drooling. Vintage gems, quirky finds, dusty shelves full of magic — it’s a secondhand lover’s paradise.
The town is quaint, quirky, and super easy to explore.
At the southern end of town you’ll find Ōamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct — a cluster of stunning white stone buildings, lovingly restored from their 1860s heyday. These architectural beauties now house an eclectic mix of artisans, vintage stores, curious little shops, a traditional bookbinder, bakeries, breweries, and more.
Wander a little further and you’ll find they back right onto the town beach and harbour — where salty air meets heritage charm.
Ōamaru is an absolute delight to explore — like stepping into a storybook where every page smells slightly of old books and fresh scones.
If you’re heading towards Ōtepoti / Dunedin on State Highway 1, keep your eyes peeled — you’ll pass through Palmerston and Waikouaiti, where quirky little curio stores pop up right on the roadside.
Blink and you’ll miss them, but trust me — stopping in both these towns is a must. You never know what kind of treasure (or taxidermy) you’ll stumble across.
Oh, you are blessed for adventure in and around Ōamaru!
It’s honestly hard to know what to recommend — but I’m going to brag about two of my personal favourite spots that are nearby: Herbert Forest and Moeraki.
Both are about a 30-minute drive south of Ōamaru, following the coastline toward Ōtepoti / Dunedin. And both are absolute gems — wild, peaceful, and perfect for a little soul-reset.
This little patch of precious forest in Herbert is one of only two remaining sections of original forest between Christchurch and Ōtepoti / Dunedin — the other being Peel Forest (to my knowledge!).
In the 1960s, a small act of bravery saved this forest from the axe. It’s one of the last remaining podocarp forests on the east coast of the South Island — and some of the towering trees here are over 1,000 years old 🌲💛
Ian Davis, a young forester in the 1960s, was instructed to poison and fell a cross-section of rimu and podocarp. But instead of blindly following orders from forestry bosses in Ōtepoti / Dunedin, Ian saw the beauty of the place — and took a stand.
He went to a local Member of Parliament, who raised the issue with the Minister of Forestry… and Herbert Forest was saved.
Now it’s a wonderful place to explore — peaceful, lush, and teeming with ancient energy.
Yay for the power of people — one person truly can make a difference. 🙌
MOERAKI
Moeraki is a cute little fishing village about 30 minutes south of Ōamaru, and it’s definitely worth a nosy.
It’s super quaint — and extra lovely in winter — with little boats bobbing in the bay, seaside cribs, and misty hills that feel like a postcard.
The main attraction in Moeraki is, of course, the Moeraki Boulders — a surreal cluster of perfectly round ancient stones scattered along the beach like nature’s own marbles. They’re magical at sunrise, mysterious in fog, and absolutely worth a wander.
Also a fabulous spot in Moeraki is the Moeraki Tavern, the views are fabulous, the meals are great and the service is outstanding.
BUSHY BEACH
Just a few minutes from the heart of Ōamaru, Bushy Beach is a wild, windswept stretch of coastline where yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) sometimes waddle ashore at dusk.
The viewing platform at the top of the track offers stunning views of the beach below — cliffs, surf, and (if you're lucky) a penguin or two making their dignified, slightly awkward commute home.
It’s best visited at sunrise or sunset, and you’ll want to keep a respectful distance to protect the wildlife. It’s peaceful, raw, and totally worth the short walk.
Hiring a car? Fully tune into Magic FM 94.4 😘
Its non stop 50’s 60’s & 70’s music!
Open every Sunday from 8:30am to 1pm, the Ōamaru Farmers Market is held in the heart of the historic Victorian Precinct.
It’s the perfect place to meet the growers, farmers, and producers behind the region’s best seasonal goodies.
You’ll find a fantastic selection of fresh fruit and veg, local meat, plants, baking, preserves, and more — plus hot food and great coffee, made fresh while you wander.
It’s wholesome, local, and full of community spirit — worth popping by, especially on a sunny Sunday morning.
For an amazing kid friendly option - with wine & beer & comfy couches, an epic indoor playground, sushi, bric a brac to buy - head to The Harbor Street Collective Cafe in the old precinct.
This place is amazing, can you believe there is also a second hand clothing store upstairs! ZUSCH
DEL MAR EATERY & CUCINA
These sister restaurants are a beautiful addition to our wonderful town, a true family run business with delectable food.
Del Mar is a beach side family cafe/restaurant with great pizza & gelato. It also has a sandpit for the kids.
It is found right on the waterfront with sweeping views of the harbour & town.
Cucina is found in town and is an atmospheric fine dining restaurant. Great for a romantic setting, on point music & cocktails.
Bookings are recommended at both.
2 spots that Id love to recommend, both are either side of Oamaru so not in town, but my goodness, both are SO SO GOOD!
Riverstone Kitchen
(perfect with kids, amazing food & an amazing playground)
Moeraki Tavern
(good for kids)
bookings are essential
I have heard only good things about the Oamaru Top 10 Holiday Park. It is found right by the Oamaru Gardens and is an easy walk into town.
Its kid & pet friendly, even has a spa pool.
Oamaru Top 10
Or for something a bit more romantic you might want to try Poshtel in town.
Salvation Army Store
Closes at 1pm on Sat, closed Sundays
255 Thames Street
DIRECTIONS
Waitaki Trading Post
Open 7 days
166 Thames Street
DIRECTIONS
Oamaru Charity Shop
Open 7 days
8 Croquet Street
DIRECTIONS
Vintage Bens Antiques
151 Thames Street
OPEN LATE FRIDAY EVENINGS
St John Op Shop
Closed Sundays
54 Thames Street
DIRECTIONS
St Vincent de Paul
Closed Sundays
7 Tees Street
DIRECTIONS
Oasis Antiques
12 Tees Street
DIRECTIONS
K’s Place for clothing
Check FB page for opening times
25 Awamoa Road
DIRECTIONS
Waitaki Resource Recovery Park
Open 7 days
42 Chelmer Street
DIRECTIONS
Red Rooster 2nd Hand
Closed Sundays
142 Thames St
DIRECTIONS
Found Vintage Oamaru
265 Thames St
DIRECTIONS
Revamp Clothing
Check FB page for opening times
409 Thames Street
DIRECTIONS
Second 2 None Clothing
Check FB page for opening times
65 Wharfe Street
DIRECTIONS
Zushz
Open 7 days
Upstairs of Collective Cafe
Harbour Street
Oamaru
Salvation Army North End
Closed Sundays
356 Thames Highway
DIRECTIONS
Hospice Shop
Closed Sundays & Mondays
343 Thames Hwy Oamaru
DIRECTIONS
Oamaru Farmers' Market
Every Sunday between 9.30am and 1pm
Oamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct
The Oddity, Waikouaiti
185 Main Road Waikouaiti
DIRECTIONS
Herbert Forest walk
Moreaki
DIRECTIONS
* a must do is Fleurs Place
all photos by me Pixie Rouge Photography
