EVENTS
For a calendar of upcoming events in Oamaru and the surrounding region, visit the Whitestone Waitaki monthly events calendar.
LINKS
Oamaru Steam & Rail Restoration Society
The Penguin Club (Local Music)
Historic Totara Estate
OceanaGold Tours at Macraes - mining, history, fishing
The Janet Frame Trail
...This place is great, it makes you feel at home. We are really
looking forward to seeing the penguins tonight....
Paula & Nienke, The Netherlands
One of the nicest, friendliest, cosiest and cleanest hostels I have ever
been to. Manager very friendly...
Carl & Tom, England
It's a beautiful and peaceful place...
Park Min Silk, Korea
Wow, I enjoyed the five days here! Pretty hostel with nice stuff -
internet, shower - great!
Marianne, Switzerland
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Click the scroll arrows below to take a tour through the local activities available to our guests:
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Little Blue Penguins
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You can view the Yellow Eye Penguins two hours before sunset.
Walk to the Yellow Eye Penguins at Bushy Beach Oamaru
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You've all come to see the penguins, but what about the PENGUIN ENTERTAINERS CLUB?
www.thepenguinclub.co.nz - The Penguin Club
Book a bed at the EMPIRE on a Friday so you can join in a jam session; we are just around the corner.
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Entertainment
The performing arts thrive in Oamaru, with active operatic and repertory societies. Both are known for their high-calibre productions.
The Repertory Theatre -
Whitestone Cheese - factory for award-winning cheeses - "absolutely delicious"
Restaurants, Bars and Cafes:
Japanese
Chinese
Taiwanese
Indian
Turkish
Thai
Supermarkets and Shopping Centre
Oamaru Aquatic Centre - indoor heated swimming pool & spa, $3.50 a swim. A five minute walk from the Empire.
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Arriving by wagon and sailing ship
on horseback or even on foot,
some searched for gold
and some for rich dark earth.
But the treasure they found
was gleaming white stone
and they used it to build a town.
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Join in our regular events
The mid-winter Masquerade Festival - July
The Wine and Food Festival - February
Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations - November
Harvest Home Totara Estate - March
North Otago A&P Show - February
Oamaru Stone Carving Symposium (biannual) - March
Organic Workshop Weekend - April -
These Empire guests are ready for the Masquerade
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Oamaru Steam and Rail
Take a journey back in time,
and enjoy train travel the way
it used to be, with
Oamaru Steam and Rail. -
For the Art Lovers...
Donna Demente
Whisky Art Gallery
Watts Davies
Kathryn Harris-Rhodes
Tony Gallagher
Living Heritage Visual Spectacular
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Shadowy, strange and slightly scary stories of colonial Oamaru. "Ghostly characters come alive" - recommended by the Empire
Twilight Tales
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Janet Frame
One of the world's great writers
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site of New Zealand's first frozen meat export to Great Britain
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Walks
Walk through the town, over the hills and beside
the sea.There are numerous walkways about Oamaru
for all ages and levels of fitness. Ask at the
Empire for a map.
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Just magnificent; too beautiful to miss.
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Sleep at The Empire, go fishing at sunrise.
Bring your catch home and cook it fresh in our kitchen.Boating
Fishing: river & sea
Hunting
Golf
Skiing
Surfing
Jet-boating
Gliding
Horse trekking
Walking & Tramping
Picnicking
Rock Climbing -
Explore the Southern Coast
If you don't have your own car take a tour or get some friends together and hire a car for a day or two. Both Kakanui and All Day Bay are safe swimming beaches.
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Moeraki Fishing Village
Visit the geological wonder of the Moeraki Boulders.
Best seen at low tide - http://metservice.com/marine/tides/oamaru
Sea food to die for.
Internationally reknowned.
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Waianakarua River
Waianakarua River provides swimming, walking tracks and picnicking sites.
Turn left at the signs to Herbert Forest just 1km North from the Mill House.
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Waitaki Valley
Now head up the beautiful Waitaki Valley. See the ancient Elephant Rocks in the stunning landscape near Duntroon. The rocks are a favourite destination for local climbers, and were used as the location for Aslan's Camp in the recent file The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Travel the Vanished World Trail, discover fossils and the unique geological features of the district, then visit the Vanished World Centre at Duntroon.
New Zealand's newest premium wine region - Kurow Winery - Ostler Wine
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Hot Tubs Omarama
Private, chemical-freeView the three amazing hydro dams built across the Waitaki River to provide 'clean' electric power to all of New Zealand, and the wonderful water playgrounds in the resulting lakes.
Cross over the Waitaki River at the Aviemore Dam and return back at Benmore. Beautiful picnic sites.
Looking for some adventure? visit Omarama Airfield.
Bi-plane Flights - GlidingHydro
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And now you've done exploring,
and you're looking for a bed.
Be sure it's at The Empire
that you lay your sleepy head.
