Food and Drink
- Wine Bars
- The Criterion Hotel (heritage bar with local Otago Pinot Noir)
- Street Food Stalls
- Oamaru Farmers' Market (Sundays at the harbor) - various local food stalls
- Popular International Cuisine
- Port House Bar & Grill (European/Fusion) or Cucina (Italian-Latino fusion)
- Best Food Delivery App
- Delivereasy (limited local coverage) or direct phone ordering
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Whitestone Cheese Platters (try the Windsor Blue) at his Excellency's
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tees St Cafe; offers excellent plant-based brunch options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Oamaru Ice Cream Parlour near the Victorian Precinct
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- New World Oamaru or Countdown Oamaru
- E-commerce/Online Store
- TradeMe.co.nz (NZ's version of eBay/Amazon) and Mighty Ape
- Grocery Delivery
- Woolworths (Countdown) Online Delivery ($5-15 delivery fee)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Harbour Street (Victorian Precinct) for craft beer and cozy pubs
- Local Brewery
- Scotts Brewing Co (1 Wansbeck St). Famous for gluten-free and craft beers
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony ($45 NZD for evening viewing)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Steampunk HQ (Tyne St) - futuristic sci-fi art. Entry: $25 NZD
- Historical Sites
- The Victorian Heritage Precinct (limestone architecture from the 1880s)
- Religious Sites
- St. Luke's Anglican Church (built from local Oamaru stone)
- Annual Events
- Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations (held every November)
- Cultural Districts
- The Landing (Harbour St) focused on artisans and traditional crafts
- Theater Venues
- Oamaru Opera House (Thames St) - restored 1907 venue
- Local Markets
- Oamaru Farmers' Market, every Sunday morning at the Waterfront
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at The Penguin Entertainers Club
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the old grain elevators and Steampunk sculptures
- Cooking Classes
- Whitestone Cheese Factory offers guided tours and cheese-making insights
- Art Galleries
- Forrester Gallery (9 Thames Street) housed in a neo-classical bank building
- Historic Buildings
- Waitaki District Council Building and the Grain Store Gallery
- Local Heritage
- Oamaru Whitestone - the city is built almost entirely of light-colored limestone
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Moeraki Boulders (30 mins south) - unique spherical rock formations
- National Parks Nearby
- Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park (2.5 hours drive inland)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Alps 2 Ocean (A2O) Cycle Trail - Oamaru is the finishing point
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cape Wanbrow Lookout - stunning views over the Pacific and the penguin colony
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bushy Beach for yellow-eyed penguin sightings (Hoiho)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permits usually required from Fire and Emergency NZ; beach fires generally discouraged
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- NZ Post & CourierPost (located within Paper Plus on Thames St)
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Concepts (Thames St) for laptop and mobile repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Waitaki Community Recreation Centre
- Language Classes
- English Language Partners Otago (volunteer based services)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Oamaru Public Library (72 Thames St) - free Wi-Fi and quiet zones
- Community Centers
- Oamaru Youth Centre and the North Otago RSA
- Gaming Lounges
- None available; limited to local pub gaming machines (pokies)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The closest casino is Dunedin Casino (115km south)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 NZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000 NZD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 NZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 NZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $252,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 NZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 NZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $320,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 NZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000 NZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 28%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard rate is 33% (less credits)
- Tax System
- New Zealand residency-based; worldwide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39% (for income over $180,000 NZD)
- VAT
- 15% (known as GST in New Zealand)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex rules to prevent tax deferral
- Property Tax
- Yes, paid as Council Rates based on capital value (approx. $2,500 - $4,000 annually)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No stamp duty; however, 'Bright-line test' applies to resale profits (capital gains)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 4-year temporary tax exemption on foreign income for new residents
Essentials
- City
- Oamaru, Waitaki District, Otago, New Zealand
- Population
- Approximately 13,900
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-300 Mbps (Chorus Fiber available throughout the town center)
- Currency & Banking
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 1 NZD ≈ 0.61 USD. 1 USD ≈ 1.64 NZD
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe from all municipal taps
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets (common in NZ/AUS)
- SIM Card
- One NZ, Spark, and 2degrees; available at New World Supermarket (approx. $30 NZD for 5GB)
- Banking for Expats
- ANZ, BNZ, and Westpac on Thames Street; Wise and Revolut are widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Heritage hotels, Airbnbs in the Victorian Precinct, and seaside cottages
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, 'EFTPOS' (card payment) is the standard even for small amounts
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Bookabach (Average $120 - $200 NZD per night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Empire Hotel Backpackers (approx. $35-45 NZD for a dorm bed)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Victorian Precinct (Harbour St) for historic architecture and proximity to penguins
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- South Oamaru or South Hill for quiet residential vibes with ocean views and fiber internet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Business Hive (120 Thames Street). Day pass: $35 NZD; Weekly: $125 NZD
- Best Cafe for Work
- Slightly Foxed (Victorian Precinct) or Steam Cafe (Thames St) – both offer reliable Wi-Fi and good table space
- Networking Events
- Waitaki Business After Hours events (organized by Waitaki District Council/Chamber of Commerce)
- Social Events for Expats
- Oamaru Residents & Newcomers Group; meetups often at Scotts Brewing Co
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Oamaru Taxis (03 434 1234). No Uber or Bolt currently operating in Oamaru
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Vertical Ventures or The Cycle Shop (approx. $50 NZD/day for mountain bikes)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Friendly Bay (waterfront) or Campbell’s Bay (10 mins drive north)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air New Zealand (flights via Timaru or Dunedin airports)
- Top International Airline
- Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar (via Christchurch International Airport, 3 hours drive)
- Highway Access
- State Highway 1 runs directly through the center of Oamaru
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- InterCity Bus Stop (Eden St) for regional bus travel; no passenger rail service
- Public Transport Passes
- No local bus network; reliance on Bee Card for regional travel to Dunedin
- Regional Travel
- InterCity Bus to Dunedin (1.5 hours) or Christchurch (3.5 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Oamaru Hospital (8 Steward Street). Includes 24/7 urgent care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Waitaki Yoga (Thames Highway) - Casual classes approx. $18 NZD
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Waitaki Community Recreation Centre; Snap Fitness Oamaru (approx. $16 NZD/week)
- Laundry Services
- Liquid Self Service Laundromat (227 Thames Street) - approx. $5 per wash