Difference between revisions of "Oamaru"
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| − | + | [[file:Oamaru banner Coast - Early morning panorama of Oamaru]] | |
| − | '''Oamaru''' is | + | '''Oamaru''' is based in North Otago, [[New Zealand]], with beautiful Victorian buildings crafted from the fine, white local limestone, and colonies of penguins. |
<h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Explorer</h2> | <h2 class=subheader>{{FULLPAGENAME}} Halal Explorer</h2> | ||
| − | Oamaru does two things better than anywhere else in New Zealand – beautiful Victorian architecture and little blue penguin viewing. A strange mix in a strange, interesting town. | + | Oamaru does two things better than anywhere else in [[New Zealand]] – beautiful Victorian architecture and little blue penguin viewing. A strange mix in a strange, interesting town. |
| − | Oamaru started its existence in the mid-1800s as one of a few large sheep farms in North Otago. The natural harbour was recognised and a breakwater built to facilitate trade. Buildings sprung up – banks, grain stores, postal offices and a court house – built with a type of limestone called '''Oamaru stone''' because it is sourced locally and used all over the nation. Oamaru fell on hard times and lacked resources to pull down the older buildings while other towns were replacing older buildings with new ones. As a result Oamaru has a fantastic collection of older buildings in an unspoilt precinct by the harbour. Better times have returned recently with the neighborhood becoming wealthy through the meat, dairy and education industries and this has allowed the local residents to restore and strengthen the old buildings. | + | Oamaru started its existence in the mid-1800s as one of a few large sheep farms in North Otago. The natural harbour was recognised and a breakwater built to facilitate trade. Buildings sprung up – banks, grain stores, postal offices and a court house – built with a type of limestone called '''Oamaru stone''' because it is sourced locally and used all over the nation. Oamaru fell on hard times and lacked resources to pull down the older buildings while other towns were replacing older buildings with new ones. As a result Oamaru has a fantastic collection of older buildings in an unspoilt precinct by the harbour. Better times have returned recently with the neighborhood becoming wealthy through the [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-meat/ Meat], dairy and education industries and this has allowed the local residents to restore and strengthen the old buildings. |
Today Oamaru is a little known tourism spot where prices tend to be reasonable for accommodation (of which there is a glut) and there are some exceptional restaurants, which you would not generally expect in a town this size. | Today Oamaru is a little known tourism spot where prices tend to be reasonable for accommodation (of which there is a glut) and there are some exceptional restaurants, which you would not generally expect in a town this size. | ||
| − | Visitors come to view the nightly return to shore of little blue penguins. The town has several colonies of these birds | + | Visitors come to view the nightly return to shore of little blue penguins. The town has several colonies of these birds and the smallest and only blue variety of penguin in the world. The largest colony is now run as a commercial activity by the town council, offering an opportunity to view the penguins in their natural habitat. There is also a small colony of yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), one of the world's rarest penguins, just outside the town. |
| − | Oamaru is the gateway to the Waitaki Valley, a stunning natural area bisected by the braided Waitaki River, whose hydroelectic dams have created numerous lakes for water sports and recreation. The Waitaki Valley is home to New Zealand's newest | + | Oamaru is the gateway to the Waitaki Valley, a stunning natural area bisected by the braided Waitaki River, whose hydroelectic dams have created numerous lakes for water sports and recreation. The Waitaki Valley is home to New Zealand's newest appellation, where a number of vineyards are producing Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and other varietals that are winning international awards. |
Partly because of its impressive architecture, and partly because of its artsy nature, Oamaru has become New Zealand's self-proclaimed capital of '''Steampunk'''. A festival of steampunk is held annually in Oamaru, usually during June. The town's Victorian legacy is also celebrated in a festival, held annually in November. | Partly because of its impressive architecture, and partly because of its artsy nature, Oamaru has become New Zealand's self-proclaimed capital of '''Steampunk'''. A festival of steampunk is held annually in Oamaru, usually during June. The town's Victorian legacy is also celebrated in a festival, held annually in November. | ||
| − | <h2 class=subheader>Travel | + | <h2 class=subheader>Travel to {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2> |
===By car=== | ===By car=== | ||
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Daily bus services operate between Christchurch and Dunedin and between Christchurch and Te Anau via Oamaru. The main bus stop is in Eden Street, just east of the Thames Street (SH 1) intersection. | Daily bus services operate between Christchurch and Dunedin and between Christchurch and Te Anau via Oamaru. The main bus stop is in Eden Street, just east of the Thames Street (SH 1) intersection. | ||
| − | <h2 class=subheader> | + | <h2 class=subheader>Get Around</h2> |
-45.107|170.970 | -45.107|170.970 | ||
Oamaru town is small enough to cycle around. Taxis are available. | Oamaru town is small enough to cycle around. Taxis are available. | ||
| − | <h2 class=subheader>What to | + | <h2 class=subheader>What to See</h2> |
Molting yellow-eyed penguin IMG 6073 - Moulting yellow-eyed penguin at Oamaru | Molting yellow-eyed penguin IMG 6073 - Moulting yellow-eyed penguin at Oamaru | ||
===In town= | ===In town= | ||
| − | * North Otago Museum - | + | * North Otago Museum - 60 Thames Street -45.09981, 170.96945 |
Monday to Friday 1–4:30pm, closed weekends and holidays Free - Cultural, industrial and agricultural history and an exhibition on the author Janet Frame. Rebuilding work is under-way until late 2019 - until this is complete only a single room is open. | Monday to Friday 1–4:30pm, closed weekends and holidays Free - Cultural, industrial and agricultural history and an exhibition on the author Janet Frame. Rebuilding work is under-way until late 2019 - until this is complete only a single room is open. | ||
| − | * Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony - | + | * Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony - 2 Waterfront Road -45.11029, 170.97990 near the harbour and not far from the Victorian Precinct - Daytime from $10, evening from $30 - See little blue penguins (''kororā'' in Māori and ''Eudyptula minor'' in Latin) in their nests or coming ashore at night. |
| − | * Steampunk HQ - | + | * Steampunk HQ - 1 Itchen Street -45.10235, 170.97052 in Victorian Precinct Opening Hours: 10am-5pm, daily in summer, Thursday - Sunday in winter $10 - Steampink is a sort of science fiction inspired by Victorian steam powered machinery. The HQ contains a selection of exhibits constructed from twentieth century junk, some of which are animated. you can play "tunes" on a weird version of an organ. Some exhibits in front of (and a couple inside) require $2 coins to come to life. |
* Town lookout - 45.11102, 170.97192 east side of Tamar St | * Town lookout - 45.11102, 170.97192 east side of Tamar St | ||
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* Victorian Precinct - Harbour & Tyne Historic Precinct - This is the town's original commercial area, largely built in the 1870s to 1890s. It is the most complete Victorian streetscape in the nation. The buildings were constructed of a hard, compact limestone that was quarried locally and known as Oamaru stone. Many buildings have been restored and they house shops, galleries and eateries. | * Victorian Precinct - Harbour & Tyne Historic Precinct - This is the town's original commercial area, largely built in the 1870s to 1890s. It is the most complete Victorian streetscape in the nation. The buildings were constructed of a hard, compact limestone that was quarried locally and known as Oamaru stone. Many buildings have been restored and they house shops, galleries and eateries. | ||
| − | * Whitestone City 12 Harbour | + | * Whitestone City 12 Harbour Street -45.10382, 170.97038 Opening Hours: Daily 9:30AM–5PM $25 - Museum about Oamaru. |
| − | * Whitestone Cheese Factory - | + | * Whitestone Cheese Factory - cnr Torridge and Humber Sts -45.09339, 170.97630 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm summer, 9am-5pm winter, Saturday to Sunday 10am-4pm Factory viewing gallery and shop. |
| − | * 56 Eden Street | | + | * 56 Eden Street | -45.09474, 170.96471 Opening Hours: November - Apr, daily 2-4PM $5 - The childhood home, from 1931 to 1943, of the author Janet Frame. |
===Out of town= | ===Out of town= | ||
| − | * Bushy Beach | | + | * Bushy Beach | | lat=-45.1227, 170.9794 Not far from town. Follow Tyne Street south up to South Hill. Near the top of the hill turn right onto Bushy Beach Road and follow to the end. - Take a 5–10 minutes walk through coastal vegetation to a viewing hide from where you may see '''yellow-eyed penguins''' (''hoiho'' in Māori) and other marine species |
| − | |||
| − | |||
* Moeraki Boulders - 45.345275, 170.826061 40km south - Moeraki Boulders - Large round boulders on the beach. | * Moeraki Boulders - 45.345275, 170.826061 40km south - Moeraki Boulders - Large round boulders on the beach. | ||
| − | * Totara Estate - | + | * Totara Estate - Alma-Maheno Road (State Highway 1) 10 km south of Oamaru - Established in the 1850s, Totara Estate exported New Zealand’s first shipment of frozen [https://ehalal.io/buy-halal-food/halal-meat/ Meat] in 1882. A number of limestone farm buildings have been restored by the [[New Zealand]] Historic Places Trust. |
| − | * Vanished World Centre - | + | * Vanished World Centre - State Highway 83, Duntroon -44.8550, 170.6843 corner of Middleton Street ☎ +64 3 431-2024 | Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am-5:30pm Adult $10, family $20, under 12 child free A museum on the geology and fossils of the Waitaki neighborhood. It exhibits fossilised whales, dolphins, giant penguins, giant sharks and other invertebrates from the marine ecosystems of the Oligocene, 20–30 million years ago. Duntroon is 43 kilometers (31 minutes drive) from the centre of Oamaru. There is also a free self-drive Vanished World Trail you can follow to view geology, fossils and Maori rock art in situ. |
*'''Waitaki Valley''' | *'''Waitaki Valley''' | ||
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<h2 class=subheader>Top Muslim Travel Tips for {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2> | <h2 class=subheader>Top Muslim Travel Tips for {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2> | ||
Steampunk Oamaru - Steampunk headquarters | Steampunk Oamaru - Steampunk headquarters | ||
| − | * | + | * Scenic flights with North Otago Aero Club from Oamaru Airport. |
| − | * Steampunk NZ Festival - | + | * Steampunk NZ Festival - Opening Hours: 31 may - 4 June 2018 - The weekend of Queen's Birthday (first Monday in June). |
* Victorian Heritage Celebrations - Held in November. | * Victorian Heritage Celebrations - Held in November. | ||
==Muslim Friendly Shopping in {{FULLPAGENAME}}== | ==Muslim Friendly Shopping in {{FULLPAGENAME}}== | ||
| − | * Victorian Sweets and Toys 2 Itchen | + | * Victorian Sweets and Toys 2 Itchen Street -45.10210, 170.96935 - Traditional sweets, sold by the once from glass jars. Also has a selection of British and US imports. |
==Halal Restaurants in {{FULLPAGENAME}}== | ==Halal Restaurants in {{FULLPAGENAME}}== | ||
| − | * Riverstone Kitchen - | + | * Riverstone Kitchen - 1431 State Highway 1, RD 5H 12 km north of Oamaru ☎ +64 3 431-3505 | Opening Hours: Thursday - Monday 9am-5pm, Thursday - Sunday 6pm-late A gem, 2010 [[New Zealand]] Restaurant of the year. |
| − | * | + | * Fleurs Place, Moeraki. |
*Portside. | *Portside. | ||
*Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant. | *Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant. | ||
| − | * | + | * North Star Restaurant and Bar. |
| − | ==Muslim Friendly | + | ==Muslim Friendly hotels in {{FULLPAGENAME}}== |
| − | * Kakanui Camping Ground - | + | * Kakanui Camping Ground - Kakanui-Waianakarua Road, Kakanui South -45.185, 170.891 10–15 min drive south from Oamaru From $13 (one adult), additional adults $10 - Caravan/tent sites, some with power, and one cabin. |
| − | * YHA Oamaru - | + | * YHA Oamaru - 2 Reed Street -45.09789, 170.96565 ☎ +64 3 434 5008 beds $27 - rooms $66 - Pleasant small hostel with dorms and individual rooms in a 1950s wooden bungalow. |
| − | * Pen-y-bryn Lodge - | + | * Pen-y-bryn Lodge - 41 Towey Street -45.10570, 170.95559 rooms $525 - $1050 - 5 room luxury lodge |
<h2 class=subheader>Telecommunications in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2> | <h2 class=subheader>Telecommunications in {{FULLPAGENAME}}</h2> | ||
| Line 96: | Line 94: | ||
* Oamaru i-SITE | lat=-45.10204, 170.96900 | * Oamaru i-SITE | lat=-45.10204, 170.96900 | ||
| − | <h2 class=subheader> | + | <h2 class=subheader>News & References</h2> |
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <h2 class=subheader>Travel Next</h2> | ||
*North to Timaru in Mid and South Canterbury|South Canterbury | *North to Timaru in Mid and South Canterbury|South Canterbury | ||
Latest revision as of 16:09, 19 September 2024
File:Oamaru banner Coast - Early morning panorama of Oamaru Oamaru is based in North Otago, New Zealand, with beautiful Victorian buildings crafted from the fine, white local limestone, and colonies of penguins.
Contents
Oamaru Halal Explorer
Oamaru does two things better than anywhere else in New Zealand – beautiful Victorian architecture and little blue penguin viewing. A strange mix in a strange, interesting town.
Oamaru started its existence in the mid-1800s as one of a few large sheep farms in North Otago. The natural harbour was recognised and a breakwater built to facilitate trade. Buildings sprung up – banks, grain stores, postal offices and a court house – built with a type of limestone called Oamaru stone because it is sourced locally and used all over the nation. Oamaru fell on hard times and lacked resources to pull down the older buildings while other towns were replacing older buildings with new ones. As a result Oamaru has a fantastic collection of older buildings in an unspoilt precinct by the harbour. Better times have returned recently with the neighborhood becoming wealthy through the Meat, dairy and education industries and this has allowed the local residents to restore and strengthen the old buildings.
Today Oamaru is a little known tourism spot where prices tend to be reasonable for accommodation (of which there is a glut) and there are some exceptional restaurants, which you would not generally expect in a town this size.
Visitors come to view the nightly return to shore of little blue penguins. The town has several colonies of these birds and the smallest and only blue variety of penguin in the world. The largest colony is now run as a commercial activity by the town council, offering an opportunity to view the penguins in their natural habitat. There is also a small colony of yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), one of the world's rarest penguins, just outside the town.
Oamaru is the gateway to the Waitaki Valley, a stunning natural area bisected by the braided Waitaki River, whose hydroelectic dams have created numerous lakes for water sports and recreation. The Waitaki Valley is home to New Zealand's newest appellation, where a number of vineyards are producing Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and other varietals that are winning international awards.
Partly because of its impressive architecture, and partly because of its artsy nature, Oamaru has become New Zealand's self-proclaimed capital of Steampunk. A festival of steampunk is held annually in Oamaru, usually during June. The town's Victorian legacy is also celebrated in a festival, held annually in November.
Travel to Oamaru
By car
Oamaru is located on State Highway 1, 250 km south of Christchurch (approx 3hr 15min) and 115 km north of Dunedin (approx 1hr 30min). State Highway 83 meets SH 1 at Pukeuri, 9 km north of the town centre, providing access from Omarama and the Mackenzie Country via the Waitaki Valley.
If you want a more leisurely route from Dunedin, follow Oamaru to Dunedin avoiding SH1 in reverse.
Travel on a Bus in Oamaru
Daily bus services operate between Christchurch and Dunedin and between Christchurch and Te Anau via Oamaru. The main bus stop is in Eden Street, just east of the Thames Street (SH 1) intersection.
Get Around
-45.107|170.970 Oamaru town is small enough to cycle around. Taxis are available.
What to See
Molting yellow-eyed penguin IMG 6073 - Moulting yellow-eyed penguin at Oamaru
==In town
- North Otago Museum - 60 Thames Street -45.09981, 170.96945
Monday to Friday 1–4:30pm, closed weekends and holidays Free - Cultural, industrial and agricultural history and an exhibition on the author Janet Frame. Rebuilding work is under-way until late 2019 - until this is complete only a single room is open.
- Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony - 2 Waterfront Road -45.11029, 170.97990 near the harbour and not far from the Victorian Precinct - Daytime from $10, evening from $30 - See little blue penguins (kororā in Māori and Eudyptula minor in Latin) in their nests or coming ashore at night.
- Steampunk HQ - 1 Itchen Street -45.10235, 170.97052 in Victorian Precinct Opening Hours: 10am-5pm, daily in summer, Thursday - Sunday in winter $10 - Steampink is a sort of science fiction inspired by Victorian steam powered machinery. The HQ contains a selection of exhibits constructed from twentieth century junk, some of which are animated. you can play "tunes" on a weird version of an organ. Some exhibits in front of (and a couple inside) require $2 coins to come to life.
- Town lookout - 45.11102, 170.97192 east side of Tamar St
- Victorian Precinct - Harbour & Tyne Historic Precinct - This is the town's original commercial area, largely built in the 1870s to 1890s. It is the most complete Victorian streetscape in the nation. The buildings were constructed of a hard, compact limestone that was quarried locally and known as Oamaru stone. Many buildings have been restored and they house shops, galleries and eateries.
- Whitestone City 12 Harbour Street -45.10382, 170.97038 Opening Hours: Daily 9:30AM–5PM $25 - Museum about Oamaru.
- Whitestone Cheese Factory - cnr Torridge and Humber Sts -45.09339, 170.97630 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm summer, 9am-5pm winter, Saturday to Sunday 10am-4pm Factory viewing gallery and shop.
- 56 Eden Street | -45.09474, 170.96471 Opening Hours: November - Apr, daily 2-4PM $5 - The childhood home, from 1931 to 1943, of the author Janet Frame.
==Out of town
- Bushy Beach | | lat=-45.1227, 170.9794 Not far from town. Follow Tyne Street south up to South Hill. Near the top of the hill turn right onto Bushy Beach Road and follow to the end. - Take a 5–10 minutes walk through coastal vegetation to a viewing hide from where you may see yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho in Māori) and other marine species
- Moeraki Boulders - 45.345275, 170.826061 40km south - Moeraki Boulders - Large round boulders on the beach.
- Totara Estate - Alma-Maheno Road (State Highway 1) 10 km south of Oamaru - Established in the 1850s, Totara Estate exported New Zealand’s first shipment of frozen Meat in 1882. A number of limestone farm buildings have been restored by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
- Vanished World Centre - State Highway 83, Duntroon -44.8550, 170.6843 corner of Middleton Street ☎ +64 3 431-2024 | Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am-5:30pm Adult $10, family $20, under 12 child free A museum on the geology and fossils of the Waitaki neighborhood. It exhibits fossilised whales, dolphins, giant penguins, giant sharks and other invertebrates from the marine ecosystems of the Oligocene, 20–30 million years ago. Duntroon is 43 kilometers (31 minutes drive) from the centre of Oamaru. There is also a free self-drive Vanished World Trail you can follow to view geology, fossils and Maori rock art in situ.
- Waitaki Valley
- Waitaki vineyards
Top Muslim Travel Tips for Oamaru
Steampunk Oamaru - Steampunk headquarters
- Scenic flights with North Otago Aero Club from Oamaru Airport.
- Steampunk NZ Festival - Opening Hours: 31 may - 4 June 2018 - The weekend of Queen's Birthday (first Monday in June).
- Victorian Heritage Celebrations - Held in November.
Muslim Friendly Shopping in Oamaru
- Victorian Sweets and Toys 2 Itchen Street -45.10210, 170.96935 - Traditional sweets, sold by the once from glass jars. Also has a selection of British and US imports.
Halal Restaurants in Oamaru
- Riverstone Kitchen - 1431 State Highway 1, RD 5H 12 km north of Oamaru ☎ +64 3 431-3505 | Opening Hours: Thursday - Monday 9am-5pm, Thursday - Sunday 6pm-late A gem, 2010 New Zealand Restaurant of the year.
- Fleurs Place, Moeraki.
- Portside.
- Fat Sally's Pub and Restaurant.
- North Star Restaurant and Bar.
Muslim Friendly hotels in Oamaru
- Kakanui Camping Ground - Kakanui-Waianakarua Road, Kakanui South -45.185, 170.891 10–15 min drive south from Oamaru From $13 (one adult), additional adults $10 - Caravan/tent sites, some with power, and one cabin.
- YHA Oamaru - 2 Reed Street -45.09789, 170.96565 ☎ +64 3 434 5008 beds $27 - rooms $66 - Pleasant small hostel with dorms and individual rooms in a 1950s wooden bungalow.
- Pen-y-bryn Lodge - 41 Towey Street -45.10570, 170.95559 rooms $525 - $1050 - 5 room luxury lodge
Telecommunications in Oamaru
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the library, next the North Otago museum.
- Oamaru i-SITE | lat=-45.10204, 170.96900
News & References
Travel Next
- North to Timaru in Mid and South Canterbury|South Canterbury
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