Getting Here

Oamaru is located on the east coast of the South Island, almost midway between Christchurch and Dunedin. It’s also about the same distance from Oamaru to Queenstown as it is from Oamaru to Christchurch. We are in the middle of the best of southern New Zealand.

From Christchurch you can drive south, take a coach, take a shuttle bus or fly into Oamaru. If you are coming south by road, State Highway 1 provides the most direct route but for those with more time, SH72, the inland scenic route, is well worth the extra time…and it’s not much extra.

If you are travelling up the coast from Dunedin, your options are car, coach or shuttle bus. Again SH1 provides the most direct route but coastal detours are well sign posted and provide spectacular views over our extensive coastline on the way. Locals nearly always turn off at the Mill House at Waianakarua and take the coast road through Kakanui back into Oamaru…that’s if you want to see one of the most beautiful strips of coastline in southern New Zealand.

If you are travelling back from Queenstown to Christchurch along SH8, do yourself a favour and turn off at Omarama onto SH83 down the Waitaki Valley. See the magnificent dams and hydro schemes, the lakes, the mighty Waitaki River, farmlands, historic villages and stunning mountain ranges. You will end up on SH1 at Pukeuri Junction. Then turn right for a cup of coffee into Oamaru or head left back to Christchurch along the main highway. Total extra travelling time is just a little more than one hour. That’s all.

  Christchurch to Oamaru

  Dunedin to Oamaru

  Oamaru to Omarama and Mount Cook