Hotels in Oamaru (South Island, New Zealand)

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    • Popular choice

    Brydone Hotel Oamaru

    8.1Very good (2,471 ratings)

    Central Oamaru heritage location, Restaurant with diverse menu

    0.4 km away from the beach
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    • Popular choice

    Poshtel

    9.3Excellent (2,039 ratings)

    Central location near attractions, Thoughtful continental breakfast

    0.1 km to City center
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    • Popular choice

    Criterion Boutique Hotel

    7.1(51 ratings)
    0.2 km away from the beach
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  4. Alpine Motel

    8.0Very good (1,169 ratings)

    Family-friendly spacious units, Prime central Oamaru location

    0.6 km to City center
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    • Popular choice

    Oamaru Motor Lodge

    8.9Excellent (2,048 ratings)

    Tour desk for local excursions, Select rooms with a spa bath

    1.8 km to City center
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  6. Ascot Oamaru Motel

    7.3(1,266 ratings)

    Relaxing spa facilities, Private beach access

    3.6 km to City center
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  7. ASURE Ambassador Motor Lodge

    8.9Excellent (1,167 ratings)

    Proximity to Oamaru attractions, Select rooms with spa baths

    1.4 km to City center
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  8. Heritage Court Lodge

    8.1Very good (1,505 ratings)

    Newly opened and renovated rooms, Assistance with local tours

    1.9 km to City center
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  9. Alma Motel

    8.8Excellent (1,096 ratings)

    Retro charm with modern cleanliness, Proximity to Moeraki Boulders

    5.0 km to City center
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  10. Northstar Motel

    8.5Excellent (548 ratings)

    Award-winning empanadas and smoked ribs, Rooms with private balconies

    3.1 km to City center
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    • Popular choice

    AAA Thames Court Motel

    8.7Excellent (1,935 ratings)

    Spacious and immaculate units, Proximity to Oamaru attractions

    0.8 km to City center
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  12. 289 Midway Motel

    7.9Good (1,561 ratings)

    Shared balcony with seating, Proximity to Oamaru's attractions

    0.7 km to City center
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    • Popular choice

    The Mews Oamaru

    9.4Excellent (365 ratings)

    Secure parking and electric car charging, High Qualmark 4.5-star rating

    0.8 km to City center
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    • Popular choice

    Empire Hotel Backpackers

    8.1Very good (1,304 ratings)

    Musical instruments for guest use, Prime location in Victorian Precinct

    0.2 km away from the beach
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  15. Bella Vista Motel Oamaru

    8.0Very good (1,384 ratings)

    Dedicated 24-hour health club, Prime Oamaru town center location

    0.4 km to City center
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  16. Oamaru Backpackers

    9.1Excellent (1,239 ratings)

    Prime location near town and sea, Historical building with unique charm

    0.3 km away from the beach
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  17. THE MEWS Oamaru

    9.1Excellent (1,449 ratings)

    Secure courtyard parking, Rooms with private spa baths

    0.8 km to City center
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  18. Colonial Lodge Motel

    8.4Very good (1,109 ratings)

    Garden views from many rooms, Tour desk for local attractions

    3.3 km to City center
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  19. Teschemakers Resort

    8.8Excellent (418 ratings)

    Historic 19th-century boarding school, Handmade Belgian chocolates on site

    9.7 km to City center
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    • Popular choice

    Coastal Accommodation

    7.9Good (450 ratings)

    Ocean views from select rooms, Private rooms near town centre

    0.7 km away from the beach
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  21. Casa Nova House

    9.8Excellent (118 ratings)

    On-site 1861 traditional restaurant, Unique Emma J Shipley wallpaper designs

    2.7 km to City center
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  22. Oamaru TOP 10 Holiday Park

    8.7Excellent (2,035 ratings)

    Engaging mini-golf course, Proximity to Oamaru attractions

    1.1 km to City center
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  23. The Shepherd's Rest

    9.7Excellent (114 ratings)

    Picturesque mountain views, Proximity to Oamaru attractions

    4.2 km to City center
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  24. Pen-y-bryn Lodge

    9.7Excellent (303 ratings)

    Panoramic sea and mountain views, Luxurious bedding and amenities

    1.5 km to City center
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  25. Rosies Place

    8.8Excellent (202 ratings)

    Homestay with garden views, Bicycle parking available

    0.5 km away from the beach
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  26. The Whitestone

    9.6Excellent (154 ratings)
    0.3 km away from the beach
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    • Popular choice

    Riverside Haven Lodge & Holiday Park

    8.9Excellent (414 ratings)

    Riverside setting on a farm property, Relaxing spa and sauna facilities

    22.3 km to City center
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  28. Federation House

    8.0Very good (737 ratings)

    Panoramic harbor and town views, Rooms with individual character

    0.5 km away from the beach
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  29. The Vicarage Boutique Bed and Breakfast Oamaru

    9.8Excellent (308 ratings)

    Historic Edwardian villa charm, Prime location near Victorian Precinct

    0.2 km to City center
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  30. Moeraki Boulders Motel

    8.7Excellent (602 ratings)

    Outdoor seating areas, Proximity to Moeraki Boulders

    27.9 km to City center
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  31. The Villia

    8.9Excellent (12 ratings)
    0.7 km away from the beach
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  32. Sea Breeze Apartment Kakanui

    9.5Excellent (20 ratings)
    11.5 km to City center
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  33. Beautiful Ocean View From This Lovely Holiday Home

    9.6Excellent (633 ratings)
    11.8 km to City center
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  34. Beachbach16 - Kakanui

    9.1Excellent (64 ratings)
    11.9 km to City center
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  35. The Sun Set Cottage Oamaru

    10Excellent (111 ratings)
    6.1 km to City center
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The prices and availability we receive from booking sites change constantly. This means you may not always find the exact same offer you saw on trivago when you land on the booking site.

Other stays in Oamaru

Oamaru - Where Kooky and Cool Meet in New Zealand

There’s nowhere else quite like the town of Oamaru, not in New Zealand and probably on the entire planet. A variety of circumstances have created a truly unique place, where old meets new and bohemian spirit rules. Heritage architecture from the Victorian age is remarkably well preserved here, from a time when Oamaru was flush with wealth and ambition, qualities that are now returning to the town. Eccentric art galleries, quirky antique stores, amazing artisan workshops, and boutique hotels have helped regenerate this seaside settlement. That, plus the wonderful natural landscape and wildlife, namely the penguin colonies, have propelled North Otago’s largest town into the spotlight.

Step Back in Time at the Victorian Precinct

Centred around Thames Street, the Victorian Precinct survives from the late 19th century, extravagant buildings built when Oamaru was on the up and up. There was little money here to demolish and rebuild during the 20th century so they stayed, unlike many other places in New Zealand. This has worked in the town’s favour, and now the precinct has transformed itself into a place that blends both past and future with a beatnik flavour. Just strolling around this artsy neighbourhood will keep you entertained for hours, with shops, pubs, cafes, museums and other venues to draw you in. There are also a few hotels nestled within this offbeat area if you really want to immerse yourself in the bizarreness. The North Otago Museum is worth a look if you’re interested in the history of this fascinating town and want to find out more, while the Oamaru Opera House is a fine example of Victorian architecture and regularly hosts events, from theatre and comedy to concerts and ballet.

Explore the Surreal World of Steampunk HQ

It won’t take you long to notice some of the strange outfits worn by the locals here, but to find out exactly what is behind this funky dress code you must visit the Steampunk HQ. Finding it is easy, just keep your eyes peeled for a metallic airship with shark teeth and a futuristic steam train, then you know you’ve arrived! It’s a fascinating museum of sculptures and exhibitions, reflecting the science fiction world of Steampunk, a future where steam power still reigns in a world gone mad. Think the surreal contraptions from the books of Jules Verne, or the Martian machines thought up by H.G. Wells in ‘The War of the Worlds’. Oamaru has grown into New Zealand’s capital of Steampunk, and the Steampunk NZ Festival transforms the town during the first week of June. If you’re planning to visit during this time, make sure you book a hotel room well in advance as the town swells with visitors!

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere!

While Oamaru has become famous for its heritage architecture and bohemian residents, that only makes up half of this town’s story. There’s something else that attracts visitors by the bucket load, and that’s the penguin colonies. You don’t have to wander far from your hotel to see them either, with the arguably more popular little blue penguins easily seen right from the harbour. There’s a grandstand where hundreds of people can sit and gaze at these cute waddling birds, the smallest type of penguin in the world, as they return to the shore each evening. If you take the short trip down to Bushy Beach you could spot an entirely different type of penguin, the yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho in Maori. Native to New Zealand and on the endangered list, they are one of the rarest penguin species on the planet, and possibly one of the most ancient of all penguin species in existence.

Ride the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

To get out of Oamaru and explore the stunning natural scenery of the Waitaki District and beyond, there’s no better option than the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. This mammoth cycle trail connects the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki . Depending on which way you look at it, the trails either starts or finishes in Oamaru, but it doesn’t matter which direction you ride! The first section connects Oamaru to Duntroon, a total of 54 kilometres, along which you’ll follow an old railway line and see the strange limestone formations of Elephant Rocks. The entire trail stretches for over 300 kilometres, which probably means you’ll need the best part of a week to complete it, unless you’re an experienced cycling athlete. Not to worry though, there are plenty of hotels in the towns and villages along the way, so you’ll always be able to find somewhere to stay after a long day riding!

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