South Hill

Oamaru

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!
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!
Oamaru featuring boating, sailing and a bay or harbor
Oamaru featuring a bay or harbor, boating and sailing
Grainstore Gallery showing heritage architecture

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 featuring a bay or harbor, boating and sailing

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 featuring street scenes and heritage architecture

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct during your trip to Oamaru. Stroll along the marina or experience the area's museums.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct
Oamaru showing a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

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
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 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

Things to do

Oamaru: Blue Penguin Colony Evening Viewing Ticket

Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

P1,652
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket
See all activities in Oamaru

Top hotels in South Hill

Criterion Boutique Hotel

Criterion Boutique Hotel

2 out of 5
3 Tyne St Oamaru Otago Region
The price is P3,291 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
P3,291
P3,785 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Auto Museum and Woolstore Complex are located nearby.
7/10 Good! (24 reviews)
Quite a quirky place in the Victorian area of Omaru. The room was compact and probably the same layout as it was in Victorian time. The room and bathrooms were clean. The kitchen was a bit disorganised. The staff were lovely and very keen to help in any way they could.

Reviewed on Feb 13, 2026

Criterion Boutique Hotel
Oamaru Holiday Homes 28 Ure Street

Oamaru Holiday Homes 28 Ure Street

3.5 out of 5
28 Ure Street Oamaru
Stay at this vacation home in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail and Grainstore Gallery are located ...
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Oamaru Holiday Homes 28 Ure Street
The Nest on Till

The Nest on Till

35 Till Street Oamaru Otago
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Oamaru Gardens and Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail are located nearby.
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The Nest on Till
Penguin Retreat

Penguin Retreat

2.5 out of 5
2 Arun St Oamaru OTA
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions NZ Malt Whisky Company and Oamaru Harbour are ...
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Penguin Retreat
Brydone Hotel Oamaru

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

3.5 out of 5
115 Thames Street Oamaru
The price is P4,826 per night from Mar 5 to Mar 6
P4,826
P5,550 total
Mar 5 - Mar 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (584 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on Jan 29, 2026

Brydone Hotel Oamaru
Poshtel

Poshtel

5 out of 5
126 Thames Street Oamaru Otago
The price is P7,826 per night from Mar 5 to Mar 6
P7,826
P9,000 total
Mar 5 - Mar 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury lodge in Oamaru. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (376 reviews)
Quaint is the word. So different from chain hotels. Beautifully restored old building .witmemmem

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Poshtel
See all 79 properties in South Hill
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 South Hill

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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Holmes Hill

While Holmes Hill isn't home to many top sights, Oamaru Gardens and Steampunk HQ are some notable places to visit nearby.

Holmes Hill
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Waiareka Junction

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Waiareka Junction and surrounding area, you can visit North Otago Museum and Steampunk HQ.

Waiareka Junction
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Ardgowan

Ardgowan might not have many top sights, but North Otago Museum and Steampunk HQ are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Ardgowan
North Otago Museum and monument in Oamaru New Zealand

Oamaru North

While Oamaru North isn't home to many top sights, Whitestone Cheese Factory and North Otago Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

Oamaru North
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Weston

While Weston might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like North Otago Museum and Steampunk HQ.

Weston

South Hill