Oamaru op shop & adventure guide

I ❤️Oamaru

Oamaru, South Island NZ is such a special wee spot, its my home town, living here is like living in a dream.
Not only is Oamaru surrounded by such amazing natural beauty, it is dripping with op shops & treasure stores that will have you drooling.

The town is quaint & quirky & very easy to explore. Down the main end of town is Oamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct - beautiful Oamaru white stone buildings that have been lovingly restored from their heyday in the 1860’s & are used now daily as an amazing arts & crafts hub, vintage & curio stores, a bookbinder, bakeries, breweries & shops that back onto the town beach & harbour.
It’s a pure delight to explore Oamaru.

If you drive towards Dunedin on State Highway 1 you will also run into the Palmerston & Waikouaiti curio stores on the side of the road (blink and you will miss them)
Stopping in both these towns is a must.

Adventure

Oh you are blessed for adventure in & around Oamaru! Its hard to know what to recommend, but Im going to brag about 2 places that are nearby and my personal fav spots. Herbert Forest & Moeraki, both are about a 30min drive south out of Oamaru down the coast.

HERBERT FOREST

This little patch of precious forest here in Herbert is only one of two patches of original forest left between Christchurch & Dunedin, Peel Forest being the other (to my knowledge)
In the 1960s, a small act of bravado saved this forest from the axe, it is one of the last remaining Podocarp forests on the east coast of the South Island, some towering trees here in this tiny patch are over 1000 years old 🌲💛

Ian Davis was a young forester in the 60's and was set to work with poisoning and killing a cross section of Rimu and Podocarp - lucky for everyone, Ian saw the beauty in this forest and instead of obeying the forestry bosses in Dunedin, he went to a local member of parliament who then raised the issue with the minister of forestry - and Herbert Forest was saved - and its a WONDERFUL place to explore. Yay for the power of people, one person can truly make a difference 🙌

MOERAKI

Moeraki is a cute little fishing village about 30mins out of Oamaru & its certainly worth a nosy around. Its super quaint and extra lovely in winter, perched on the edge of Moeraki is Fleur’s Place, an amazing rustic and super hidden but extremely famous restaurant - the main attraction in Moeraki are the Moeraki Boulders.

Also a fabulous spot in Moeraki is the Moeraki Tavern, the views are fabulous, the meals are great and the service is outstanding.

BUSHY BEACH

This ideal little patch of beach right in the heart of town is the perfect spot for a wild beach adventure, a popular spot to sight seals & yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho.

Tune in

Hiring a car? Fully tune into Magic FM 94.4 😘
Its non stop 50’s 60’s & 70’s music!

Oamaru Sunday Market

Oamaru Farmers' Market is open every Sunday between 8.30am and 1pm in Oamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct. Meet the growers, farmers and producers of the best seasonal produce our region has to offer. You'll find a fantastic selection of fruit and vegetables, meat, plants, baking, preserves and enjoy freshly made hot food and coffee.

Eats

For an amazing kid friendly option - with wine & beer & comfy couches, an epic indoor playground, sushi, bric a brac to buy - head to The Harbor Street Collective Cafe in the old precinct.
This place is amazing, can you believe there is also a second hand clothing store upstairs! ZUSCH

DEL MAR EATERY & CUCINA

These sister restaurants are a beautiful addition to our wonderful town, a true family run business with delectable food.
Del Mar is a beach side family cafe/restaurant with great pizza & gelato. It also has a sandpit for the kids.
It is found right on the waterfront with sweeping views of the harbour & town.

Cucina is found in town and is an atmospheric fine dining restaurant. Great for a romantic setting, on point music & cocktails.
Bookings are recommended at both.

2 spots that Id love to recommend, both are either side of Oamaru so not in town, but my goodness, both are SO SO GOOD!
Fleur’s Place
(perfect for a romantic meal)
Riverstone Kitchen
(perfect with kids, amazing food & an amazing playground)
Moeraki Tavern
(good for kids)
bookings are essential

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sleep

I have heard only good things about the Oamaru Top 10 Holiday Park. It is found right by the Oamaru Gardens and is an easy walk into town.
Its kid & pet friendly, even has a spa pool.
Oamaru Top 10

Or for something a bit more romantic you might want to try Poshtel in town.

Oamaru Op Shops
& curio stores

Salvation Army Store
Closes at 1pm on Sat, closed Sundays
255 Thames Street
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Waitaki Trading Post
Open 7 days
166 Thames Street
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Oamaru Charity Shop
Open 7 days
8 Croquet Street
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Vintage Bens Antiques
151 Thames Street
OPEN LATE FRIDAY EVENINGS

St John Op Shop
Closed Sundays
54 Thames Street
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St Vincent de Paul
Closed Sundays
7 Tees Street
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Oasis Antiques
12 Tees Street
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K’s Place for clothing
Check FB page for opening times
25 Awamoa Road
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Waitaki Resource Recovery Park
Open 7 days
42 Chelmer Street
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Red Rooster 2nd Hand
Closed Sundays
142 Thames St
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Found Vintage Oamaru
265 Thames St
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Revamp Clothing
Check FB page for opening times
409 Thames Street
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Second 2 None Clothing
Check FB page for opening times
65 Wharfe Street
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Zushz
Open 7 days
Upstairs of Collective Cafe
Harbour Street
Oamaru

Salvation Army North End
Closed Sundays
356 Thames Highway
DIRECTIONS

Hospice Shop
Closed Sundays & Mondays
343 Thames Hwy Oamaru
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Oamaru Farmers' Market
Every Sunday between 9.30am and 1pm
Oamaru’s historic Victorian Precinct