Hotels in Oamaru (South Island, New Zealand)

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220 hotels in Oamaru

    Brydone Hotel Oamaru

    3 Stars

    On-site T Bar Restaurant dining, Historic 1880s architecture and lobby

    See prices from 7 sites
    from  R 1,772

  2. Alpine Motel

    3 Stars

    Short drive to penguin colony, Kitchenette facilities in every unit

    See prices from 5 sites
    from  R 1,423

    Poshtel

    5 Stars

    Uniquely themed boutique guest rooms, Walk to Oamaru historic precinct

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    Oamaru Motor Lodge

    4 Stars

    Personalized assistance from tour desk, Soundproofed units with double glazing

    See prices from 7 sites
    from  R 1,817

    Criterion Boutique Hotel

    2 Stars

    Experience Historic Victorian Architecture, Dine at Onsite Restaurant

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    Coastal Accommodation

    2 Stars

    Ocean views from select rooms, On-site restaurant and kitchen

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  7. ASURE Ambassador Motor Lodge

    4 Stars

    Private Spa Bath Units, Ground Floor Parking Access

    See prices from 5 sites
    from  R 1,529

  8. 289 Midway Motel

    3 Stars

    Seven Minute Walk To Town, Fully Equipped Kitchens In Units

    See prices from 6 sites
    from  R 1,481

  9. Heritage Court Lodge

    4 Stars

    Spacious on-site parking available, Proximity to Oamaru attractions

    See prices from 5 sites
    from  R 1,750

  10. Ascot Oamaru Motel

    3 Stars

    Adjacent Galleon complex entertainment options, Ample on-site vehicle parking

    See prices from 6 sites
    from  R 1,768

  11. Alma Motel

    Proximity to Oamaru town center, Units with full kitchen facilities

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    Empire Hotel Backpackers

    Central historic Oamaru location, Historic lounge with log burner

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    AAA Thames Court Motel

    3 Stars

    Five minute walk to town, Flexible check-in and assistance

    See prices from 5 sites
    from  R 1,805

  14. Northstar Motel

    4 Stars

    On-site restaurant and bar, Access to Oamaru attractions

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  15. Colonial Lodge Motel

    4 Stars

    Convenient parking outside guest rooms, In-room kitchenette for self-catering

    See prices from 6 sites
    from  R 1,620

    The Mews Oamaru

    4 Stars

    In-room spa baths available, Assigned parking at your door

    See prices from 5 sites
    from  R 2,811

  17. Bella Vista Motel Oamaru

    4 Stars

    Visit Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, Access Oamaru town center easily

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  18. Oamaru Backpackers

    1 Stars

    Proximity to Steampunk HQ attractions, Digital self-service check-in system

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  19. The Shepherd's Rest

    Ten-minute drive to Oamaru attractions, Hosted B&B with farm tours

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  20. The Whitestone

    Relax in the private garden, Utilize fully equipped kitchen facilities

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  21. Teschemakers Resort

    4 Stars

    Historic 19th-century boarding school architecture, On-site historic Italian chapel

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  22. Casa Nova House

    5 Stars

    Historic 1861 Oamaru Stone Mansion, On-site 1861 Restaurant Dining

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  23. Oamaru TOP 10 Holiday Park

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  24. Rosies Place

    Private Garden And Patio Access, Secure Bicycle Parking Options

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  25. The Vicarage Boutique Bed and Breakfast Oamaru

    Short walk to Victorian Precinct, Historic garden for guest relaxation

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  26. Federation House

    Coastal views from historic house, Walking distance to penguin preservation

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  27. Century House B & B flatlette

    Dine outdoors with mountain views, Relax in private hot tub

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  28. Oamaru Green Cottage

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  29. Pen-y-bryn Lodge

    Hillside views of Oamaru coast, Victorian rooms with heated floors

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  30. Oamaru Travel Mates House

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    Riverside Haven Lodge & Holiday Park

    3 Stars

    Onsite Spa and Sauna Facilities, Fully Equipped Shared Guest Kitchen

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  32. Moeraki Boulders Motel

    Short walk to local beach, Full kitchen facilities in apartments

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  33. Warm, Spacious And Centrally Located

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  34. The Whitfield

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  35. Beautiful Ocean View From This Lovely Holiday Home

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The prices and availability we receive from booking sites change constantly. This means you may not always find the exact same offer you saw on trivago when you land on the booking site.

Popular hotel categories in Oamaru

Oamaru - Where Kooky and Cool Meet in New Zealand

There’s nowhere else quite like the town of Oamaru, not in New Zealand and probably on the entire planet. A variety of circumstances have created a truly unique place, where old meets new and bohemian spirit rules. Heritage architecture from the Victorian age is remarkably well preserved here, from a time when Oamaru was flush with wealth and ambition, qualities that are now returning to the town. Eccentric art galleries, quirky antique stores, amazing artisan workshops, and boutique hotels have helped regenerate this seaside settlement. That, plus the wonderful natural landscape and wildlife, namely the penguin colonies, have propelled North Otago’s largest town into the spotlight.

Step Back in Time at the Victorian Precinct

Centred around Thames Street, the Victorian Precinct survives from the late 19th century, extravagant buildings built when Oamaru was on the up and up. There was little money here to demolish and rebuild during the 20th century so they stayed, unlike many other places in New Zealand. This has worked in the town’s favour, and now the precinct has transformed itself into a place that blends both past and future with a beatnik flavour. Just strolling around this artsy neighbourhood will keep you entertained for hours, with shops, pubs, cafes, museums and other venues to draw you in. There are also a few hotels nestled within this offbeat area if you really want to immerse yourself in the bizarreness. The North Otago Museum is worth a look if you’re interested in the history of this fascinating town and want to find out more, while the Oamaru Opera House is a fine example of Victorian architecture and regularly hosts events, from theatre and comedy to concerts and ballet.

Explore the Surreal World of Steampunk HQ

It won’t take you long to notice some of the strange outfits worn by the locals here, but to find out exactly what is behind this funky dress code you must visit the Steampunk HQ. Finding it is easy, just keep your eyes peeled for a metallic airship with shark teeth and a futuristic steam train, then you know you’ve arrived! It’s a fascinating museum of sculptures and exhibitions, reflecting the science fiction world of Steampunk, a future where steam power still reigns in a world gone mad. Think the surreal contraptions from the books of Jules Verne, or the Martian machines thought up by H.G. Wells in ‘The War of the Worlds’. Oamaru has grown into New Zealand’s capital of Steampunk, and the Steampunk NZ Festival transforms the town during the first week of June. If you’re planning to visit during this time, make sure you book a hotel room well in advance as the town swells with visitors!

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere!

While Oamaru has become famous for its heritage architecture and bohemian residents, that only makes up half of this town’s story. There’s something else that attracts visitors by the bucket load, and that’s the penguin colonies. You don’t have to wander far from your hotel to see them either, with the arguably more popular little blue penguins easily seen right from the harbour. There’s a grandstand where hundreds of people can sit and gaze at these cute waddling birds, the smallest type of penguin in the world, as they return to the shore each evening. If you take the short trip down to Bushy Beach you could spot an entirely different type of penguin, the yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho in Maori. Native to New Zealand and on the endangered list, they are one of the rarest penguin species on the planet, and possibly one of the most ancient of all penguin species in existence.

Ride the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

To get out of Oamaru and explore the stunning natural scenery of the Waitaki District and beyond, there’s no better option than the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. This mammoth cycle trail connects the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki . Depending on which way you look at it, the trails either starts or finishes in Oamaru, but it doesn’t matter which direction you ride! The first section connects Oamaru to Duntroon, a total of 54 kilometres, along which you’ll follow an old railway line and see the strange limestone formations of Elephant Rocks. The entire trail stretches for over 300 kilometres, which probably means you’ll need the best part of a week to complete it, unless you’re an experienced cycling athlete. Not to worry though, there are plenty of hotels in the towns and villages along the way, so you’ll always be able to find somewhere to stay after a long day riding!

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