South Hill Travel Guide

Oamaru

At the end of the road is a gorgeous beach. After 3PM you are not allowed on it anymore, because the yellow eyed penguins will come back from their fishing activities. You can look at them, although you are quite high up and the penguins are tiny!
At the end of the road is a gorgeous beach. After 3PM you are not allowed on it anymore, because the yellow eyed penguins will come back from their fishing activities. You can look at them, although you are quite high up and the penguins are tiny!
Oamaru which includes boating, a bay or harbour and sailing
Oamaru showing rocky coastline, a bay or harbour and boating
Grainstore Gallery showing heritage architecture

Popular places to visit

In Oamaru there's a little blue penguin colony where you can pay to see a show and learn about the penguins and watch them come in for the night. Penguins in New Zealand are only around at dusk when they swim in from a day at sea for the night.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Explore the great outdoors at Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, a lovely green space in Oamaru. Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru showing rocky coastline, a bay or harbour and boating

Oamaru Harbour

Explore the waterfront in Oamaru with a trip to Oamaru Harbour. Amble around the area's waterfront or experience its museums.

Oamaru Harbour
Oamaru featuring street scenes and heritage architecture

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct in Oamaru. Stroll along the marina or experience the area's museums.

Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct
Oamaru featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

St Lukes Anglican Church

St Lukes Anglican Church is just one of the places to see in Oamaru, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's marina or experience its museums.

St Lukes Anglican Church
Grainstore Gallery showing heritage architecture

Grainstore Gallery

Delve inside the minds of a group of local artists as you explore the curiosities of this fascinating gallery, housed within a former Victorian grain store.

Grainstore Gallery
Oamaru which includes outdoor art

Steampunk HQ

Try out interactive displays, marvel at intricate creations, get lost in a light show or just have some bizarre fun at this art gallery with a difference.

Steampunk HQ

Things to do

Oamaru: Blue Penguin Colony Evening Viewing Ticket

Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket

฿888
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Oamaru: Penguins Evening Viewing Ticket
See all activities in Oamaru

Top hotels in South Hill

Criterion Boutique Hotel

Criterion Boutique Hotel

2 out of 5
3 Tyne St Oamaru Otago Region
The price is ฿1,742 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
฿1,742
฿2,003 total
13 Mar - 14 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Auto Museum and Woolstore Complex are located nearby.
7.2/10 Good! (28 reviews)
Very nice accommodation

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Criterion Boutique Hotel
Oamaru Holiday Homes 28 Ure Street

Oamaru Holiday Homes 28 Ure Street

3.5 out of 5
28 Ure Street Oamaru
Stay at this holiday home in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail and Grainstore Gallery are located ...
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Oamaru Holiday Homes 28 Ure Street
The Nest on Till

The Nest on Till

35 Till Street Oamaru Otago
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Oamaru Gardens and Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail are located nearby.
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The Nest on Till
Penguin Retreat

Penguin Retreat

2.5 out of 5
2 Arun St Oamaru OTA
Stay at this beach apartment in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions NZ Malt Whisky Company and Oamaru Harbour are located ...
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Penguin Retreat
Brydone Hotel Oamaru

Brydone Hotel Oamaru

3.5 out of 5
115 Thames Street Oamaru
The price is ฿2,554 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿2,554
฿2,937 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (588 reviews)
Overall, it was okay, not terrible, but not particularly memorable either. The building has character, but the rooms are starting to feel dated and could do with a refresh. Simple updates would make a big difference. Duvet covers instead of comforters would feel more hygienic and modern, and the ...

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Brydone Hotel Oamaru
Poshtel

Poshtel

5 out of 5
126 Thames Street Oamaru Otago
The price is ฿4,141 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
฿4,141
฿4,762 total
23 Mar - 24 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Oamaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (377 reviews)
Quaint is the word. So different from chain hotels. Beautifully restored old building .witmemmem

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2026

Poshtel
See all 78 properties in South Hill
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around South Hill

This is the front of the Steampunk HQ building. It's a gallery that is totally dedicated to Steampunk. Steampunk is a funky art form that mixes the future with the past. Think victorian era, Jules Verne and time travel. Well worth a visit

Historic Precinct

While visiting Historic Precinct, you might make a stop by sights like Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct and Steampunk HQ.

Historic Precinct
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Holmes Hill

Holmes Hill might not have many top sights, but Oamaru Gardens and Steampunk HQ are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Holmes Hill
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Waiareka Junction

While there might not be top attractions in Waiareka Junction, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Janet Frame House and Steampunk HQ.

Waiareka Junction
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Ardgowan

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Ardgowan and surrounding area, you can visit Janet Frame House and Steampunk HQ.

Ardgowan
North Otago Museum and monument in Oamaru New Zealand

Oamaru North

Oamaru North might not have many top sights, but Whitestone Cheese Factory and Janet Frame House are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Oamaru North
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Weston

When in Weston, you can plan a visit to Janet Frame House and Steampunk HQ, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Weston

South Hill Travel Guide