Oamaru: Delights are set in stone

Think penguins, penny-farthings and cream-coloured stone buildings and only one New Zealand destination truly fits the bill. The proud, stoic North Otago town of Oamaru.
Located just south of the mighty Waitaki River, and an hour north of Dunedin, Oamaru exudes an air of distinction from its stately limestone buildings and manicured gardens to the wide tree-lined streets named after the rivers of Great Britain.
The town's wealth was first derived from refrigerated meat-shipping, which brought great prosperity to Oamaru, and bank-rolled the construction of its glorious collection of historic main street stone buildings.
Like many provincial towns, the 1990s was a bruising period for Oamaru with the closure of many freezing works and rampant unemployment. But the silver lining to this dark cloud was a concerted effort by Oamaruvians to bolster its fortunes by revitalising the town as a premium tourist destination. To cut a long story short, within a decade, Oamaru emerged as not just an attractive stopover for domestic daytrippers, but a top-line tourist magnet with international pulling power.
This is the place to visit to see some of New Zealand's best-preserved historic commercial buildings. Flanking both sides of the leafy main street, Thames St, is a hit parade of stupendous limestone treasures. The Town Hall, Opera House, Post Office and National Bank are the big stars.
At the southern end of the street, the Harbour-Tyne Precinct is home to another sublime cluster of heritage buildings and warehouses, principally built in the colonial period to support the fledgling fishing and cargo port operations.
This delightful labyrinth of cobbled lanes and heritage properties has been lustily revived as a hotbed for antique shops, artist studios, art galleries, cafes, bars and bookshops. Be sure to stop by the Photo Shoppe where you can get an olde-style photo of yourself all dressed in period garb.
Another popular stop is the NZ Malt Whisky Company, housed in a 130 year-old warehouse, and home to barrel-loads of single-malt and blended whisky.
The harbour precinct bustles with thousands of visitors on Sundays, when a steam train whistles its way around the historic area.
Another must-see attraction is the Oamaru Public Garden. Established in 1876, this fabulously manicured green space is nationally acclaimed, and bursts with botanical eye-candy and gorgeous riverside walking tracks. Just lovely.
One of our nation's most-revered novelists, Janet Frame, spent her early years as a writer, living in Oamaru. There's a variety of writer-related landmarks and sights that have been encapsulated into a self-guided walk. Pick up a free map from i-Site.
Another popular excursion is to explore the town's grand old manors and estates, including the storied Totara Estate, which was at the forefront of the pioneering shipment of refrigerated meat.
TOP TIPS
If Victorian-style entertainment, penny-farthing races and old-fashioned garb is right up your alley, time a visit to Oamaru for late November, when the town really lets its hair down with its annual Victorian Heritage celebrations. www.historicoamaru.co.nz
The Oamaru i-Site, at 1 Thames St, is a tourist temple for helpful information and southern hospitality. The staff go out of their way to equip visitors with everything they need. Their website is www.visitoamaru.co.nz