Roadside Attractions in Oamaru
2 places worth pulling over for in Oamaru, Otago, with what each one actually is, what it costs and how long to give it.
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru, Otago
Situated in an old stone quarry, this conservation and tourism facility offers visitors a chance to watch the world's smallest penguins return ashore each evening. The colony provides tiered grandstand seating where hundreds of little blue penguins waddle up the bank right past the audience after a day at sea.
The World's Loneliest Bookshop
Oamaru, Otago
Tucked away in the historic Victorian precinct of Oamaru, this diminutive bookshop takes its whimsical name quite seriously, operating out of a tiny, standalone space that invites quiet browsing. It is an unexpected literary nook for travelers wandering the steampunk capital of New Zealand. Visitors can browse a curated selection of secondhand books on an honesty system or simply admire the novelty of its isolated setup.
Planning the stop
1 of 2 are free to visit. Hours and admission come from each attraction's own page, along with parking and directions.
Also worth a stop in Otago
Cardrona Bra Fence
Cardrona, Otago
Originally starting as a mysterious holiday prank in 1999 with just four bras attached to a wire fence, this roadside spectacle has grown into a massive display of thousands of undergarments. Located alongside the Cardrona Valley Road, it has evolved into a whimsical fundraiser that collects thousands of dollars annually for breast cancer charities. Passersby are encouraged to add their own or make a donation, turning a quirky roadside oddity into a unique community tradition.
Puzzling World
Wanaka, Otago
Puzzling World is a whimsical attraction dedicated to the world of optical illusions and puzzles. Visitors can explore the world's first modern Great Maze, tilt their perspective in the bizarre Illusion Rooms, and marvel at the intricate puzzle center. It is a delightfully eccentric stop that challenges your perception of reality.
Moeraki Boulders
Moeraki, Otago
These remarkably spherical and unusually large rock boulders lie scattered along a stretch of Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast. Formed over 60 million years ago through ancient seabed calcite concretions and subsequently exposed by coastal erosion, they weigh several tonnes and measure up to two meters across. Māori legend attributes them to food baskets washed ashore from the legendary canoe Araiteuru after it wrecked nearby.