Victorian Precinct
Ōamaru Victorian Precinct
New Zealand's best-preserved street of 19th-century white limestone buildings, lined with bookshops, workshops and craft stores. It's like stepping back in time.
Harbour Street and Tyne Street are lined with warehouses, banks and merchant offices built from local Oamaru white stone during the 19th-century boom in wool and grain trade. It's the most complete Victorian commercial district in the country. Today, the historic buildings house antiquarian bookshops, bookbinders, artisan bakeries, whisky bars and art galleries. A farmers' market takes place on Sunday mornings. In mid-November, during the Victorian Heritage Celebrations, residents dress in period costume and ride high-wheel bicycles in a parade. Strolling the area is free and takes about 1–2 hours.
Opening hours
Open all day; most shops 10:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Steampunk HQ
- Forrester Gallery
- Ōamaru Opera House
- Ōamaru Public Gardens
- Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony
- Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve
- Totara Estate
- Riverstone Castle