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8 Top Otago Must-Do's
1. Ōamaru Victorian Precinct
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The handsome historic buildings of Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct boast shapely facades and grant access to traditional bookbinders, woodworkers and crafters. The general store sells rock confectionary and a vintage steam train chugs to the harbour.
2. Blue Penguin Colony, Ōamaru
Little blue penguins, Ōamaru © Waitaki District Council
Colony Little blue penguins are the world’s smallest penguins, congregating in Ōamaru every night after a full day of fishing. Come dusk, observe them as they waddle up the beach to their nests.
3. Moeraki Boulders
Visit or stay in Moeraki, a small coastal fishing village and home to the famous Moeraki Boulders. A series of huge spherical stones (some reaching two metres high) have assembled on the beach like a giant set of marbles
Moeraki Boulders © Adobe Stock
4. Dunedin Public Art Gallery
An absolutely stunning space that impresses from the foyer. Architecturally beautiful, modern exhibitions change regularly. In the heart of The Octagon
5. Royal Albatross Centre
Take the unique opportunity to see the world’s only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross and watch as adult birds return from sea to feed their chicks.
6. Larnach Castle
New Zealand’s only castle was built in 1871. Overlooking Otago Peninsula, visitors can explore the tower, ballroom and a wealth of antique furnishings. The grounds are a Garden of International Significance and there’s overnight accommodation too. 20-minutes from Dunedin.
Larnach Castle © DunedinNZ
7. Nugget Point
Nuggget Point is found on the Catlins Coast is has one of the country's oldest lighthouses. Rocks eroded by waves resemble gold nuggets and can be seen from the lighthouse, 76 metres above sea level. Look out for fur seals, and between December and February elephant seals, too.
8. Curio Bay
Enjoy a swim or surf, then walk to the Petrified Forest where fossilised trees are embedded in coastal bedrock. For hands-on fun, the immersive Tuma Toka Curioscape indoor centre tells the story of how Curio Bay came to be.
