The area surrounding Oamaru offers coastline attractions and plentiful wildlife viewing. Head south toward Dunedin on the Coast Road. This scenic route, accessible by following Wharfe St. to Kakanui Beach Rd., winds along the shore through farms and meets SH1 about 30km south of Oamaru. Only 4km south of Oamaru, Old Bones Backpackers (BBH) , on Beach Rd. by the moa statue. Named for New Zealand’s first archeological dig on the same site, Old Bones may want to make you dig in for a while, too. A total of 16 beds center around a modern kitchen and living room. (☎434 8115; www.oldbones.co.nz. Doubles or twins $60, single $42.50. $2.50 off with BBH. Closed June-Aug. Cash only.) A few kilometers further down the road, you can rest at Coastal Backpackers (BBH) , a couple of bunkhouses on a family farm. Choose from free bikes and bodyboards or take a short walk to the deserted beach to see Hector’s dolphins. The wee pub pours drafts well into the night for all 9 guests. (☎439 5411; www.coastalbackpacker.co.nz. Reception until 8pm unless arranged by phone. Dorms $25; doubles $46. $2 BBH discount. Cash only.) As the scenic drive returns to SH1, take a right and backtrack less than one kilometer to visit the Olive Grove Lodge , New Zealand’s only organic hostel. (☎439 5830; www.olivebranch.co.nz. 4-bed dorms $25, doubles $60; tent sites $12 per person. Book ahead. $3 BBH discount.) After returning to SH1, stop in the hilltop town of Hampden for the award-winning fried blue cod and chips ($6) at Big Ev’s Takeaways , on the highway. Light on the wallet and the waistline, the place has been commended by the Heart Foundation for low-fat frying practices. (☎439 4744. Open Tu-Su 10am-8pm and M on holidays.)
South of Hampden on SH1, the small hamlet of Moeraki and the nearby 60 million-year-old Moeraki Boulders lie about 40km from Oamaru. The stones are spherical, resembling cast-off marbles from a game between giants. Early European visitors to the famed site snatched up the smaller boulders for themselves; only 1-2m high specimens remain for viewing, preferably done at low tide, lest you lose your marbles. To reach the boulders, follow signs from SH1. (20min. beach walk to the boulders; $2). One of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand, Moeraki itself is a sleepy fishing village just south of the boulders. Coastline Tours (see Sights and Outdoor Activities) runs 3hr. tours to the boulders from Oamaru ($35). The Moeraki Village Holiday Park , in town a 45min. walk from the boulders, has immaculate restrooms, tent sites with a nice (if exposed) harbor view, a market with a wine and beer license, and gas. (☎439 4759; moerakivillageholidaypark@xtra.co.nz. Tent sites $11, with power $22; 2-person cabins $40-45.) Heading sound on Lighthouse Rd. brings you to the historic Moeraki lighthouse at Kaitiki Point. Follow trails from the lighthouse to sneak a peek at penguins in a more tranquil setting than Oamaru. The point is also a popular fishing location, with anglers pulling in salmon from surf-cast lines. Shag Point, 11km south of Moeraki Boulders off SH1, is home to colonies of the New Zealand fur seal and Stewart Island shag.
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
Overview