South Hill

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 showing sailing, a bay or harbour and boating
Oamaru showing rocky coastline, a bay or harbour and sailing
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 sailing

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
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 heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

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
Oamaru showing 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

Top hotels in South Hill

Criterion Boutique Hotel

Criterion Boutique Hotel

2 out of 5
3 Tyne St Oamaru Otago Region
The price is S$79 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
S$79
10 Feb - 11 Feb
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.
6.6/10 (19 reviews)
For a budget hotel, I found myself having the most comfortable sleep in any of the hotels I stayed at in New Zealand! The rooms were super small without TV and en-suite bathroom, but I didn't expect it given this is 1 of only 2 remaining original continuosly ran hotels in the town.

Reviewed on 25 Jan, 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 S$116 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
S$116
9 Mar - 10 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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (584 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 29 Jan, 2026

Brydone Hotel Oamaru
Poshtel

Poshtel

5 out of 5
126 Thames Street Oamaru Otago
The price is S$183 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
S$183
20 Feb - 21 Feb
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (374 reviews)
Room clean, breakfast not available until 8am - a little late to start for a business trip

Reviewed on 5 Feb, 2026

Poshtel
See all 81 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 Steampunk HQ and Oamaru Victorian Heritage Precinct.

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 Whitestone Cheese Factory 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 Steampunk HQ 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 Whitestone Cheese Factory and Steampunk HQ, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Weston

South Hill