Queenstown to Oamaru: Hiking, Bouldering, and Penguins
Highlights
Summary
Sweaty but rewarding hikes
Bouldering with nature’s giants
Watching blue penguins return from the sea.
Being transported to another world at Steampunk HQ
Length: 2 days / 1 night
Transport: Self-drive car
Distance: 290 km / 3.5 hours from Queenstown to Oamaru plus stops
Our recent trip to Oamaru was packed with memorable stops that completely exceeded our expectations. Initially a trip that had been solely about seeing the Blue Penguin colony - mostly for the benefit of our penguin obsessed friend, Ciara - became so much more that.
Starting Point: Queenstown
We set off from Queenstown early in the morning with our friends Ciara, Jess, Andy and Tom. We packed up our cars for the weekend and set off north towards Cromwell. We were keen to get to Cromwell early so we could stop for cinnamon buns at ‘The Kitchen Cromwell’ - our favorite coffee and bun stop. The secret must be well and truly out though, as our server (and cinnabun-making extraordinaire!) informed us that the cinnamon buns are typically all sold out by 9am!
After filling ourselves up with sugar, and the car with petrol, we set off on the rest of our journey.
First Stop: Benmore Peninsula Circuit
With a sunny weekend ahead, we definitely did not want to spend the best part of the day in the car and so we decided to make a stop at the Benmore Peninsula for a short hike. The weather was scorching hot, which made for a lovely, slow-going (and a little bit sweaty…) walk. If you're planning to do this one, be sure to bring a hat, plenty of water, and sunscreen, as the route is quite exposed. Despite the heat, we were rewarded with clear skies and panoramic views.
Elephant Rocks: Bouldering and Relaxation
After blasting the air conditioning and chugging down some Fanta from the nearest mini-mart, we continued our journey towards Elephant Rocks. This unique stop is known for its large, weathered, limestone rocks, making it a popular spot for bouldering.
The keen climbers amongst us embraced the challenge and clambered up the rocks, while others chose to relax in the shade and spectate. Safe to say, I was hiding in the shade whilst my braver friends and Sarah sizzled on the rocks. Even for non-climbers, this stop is pretty spectacular. Thousands of boulders litter the flat, grassy plains making it feel rather other-worldly as you wander around.
After a couple hours at Elephant Rocks, we hopped in our cars and continued onto Hampden, a small town just a 30-minute drive from Oamaru, where we would be staying for the night. Our Airbnb was very quirky, filled with eclectic decor - our bedroom walls were fluorescent green! - and a beautiful garden.
After settling in, we were ready for dinner and some local craft beers, so we drove into Oamaru to see what we could find for dinner before going to see the Blue Penguins.
Evening in Oamaru: Brewery and Blue Penguins
For dinner, we headed to a local brewery in Oamaru. It was clearly a hotspot for tourists and locals and was very busy! We were lucky to snag a table inside and enjoyed some great pizza and beer. If you know me, you know that my tipple of choice is usually whatever sour beer is on tap. Craftwork Brewery did not disappoint and I found a new favourite in “The Sour Puss”.
After a satisfying meal, we made our way to the Blue Penguin Colony. We even got to see a few locals along the way which was an unexpected but welcome treat!
While you can chance upon penguins a lot of places for free in Oamaru, we opted to go the Blue Penguin Sanctuary where you are guaranteed to see them return home. Buying a ticket here also goes towards much needed conservation for the little blue guys so we were happy to contribute. You view them from a auditorium style seating area while they return from a day at sea in ‘rafts’ and head home to their wooden houses that have been purpose built by the sanctuary for the colony.
Watching the little blue penguins waddle home was a magical experience, and definitely a highlight of our trip. We weren't able to take any pictures - so as to not disturb the little guys - but we can guarantee, they were very cute!
Exploring Oamaru: Farmers Market and Steampunk HQ
The next day, we drove back into Oamaru to explore. Our first stop was the farmers market, where we tucked into some bacon butties. The market was bustling with local vendors selling fresh produce, handmade goods, and tasty treats.
After breakfast, we spent time wandering through the town, popping into plenty of cute shops selling handmade goods - Jess treated herself to a pair of handmade wool socks from a sweet lady who “reminded her of her Granny”. Oamaru's Victorian style architecture certainly make it a fascinating place to wander around.
Oamaru is actually the “Steampunk capital” of New Zealand, and some say, the world. It has the longest running Steampunk festival in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s architecture boasts a distinctly historic feel with many Victorian-era structures. You can see hints of Steampunk all over, including the children’s playground design, the quirky shops and their owners, and a dedicated museum - ‘Steampunk HQ’. The museum is a must visit spot filled with imaginative (and slightly terrifying) displays that transport you to another world.
I have to say, in comparison to other, more low-key, Kiwi towns, we were pretty blown away by Oamaru. We had only decided to visit due to it’s penguin reputation, but the town itself is a bustling hub of culture. It’s a tiny town with a lot of spirit, and I only wish we had time to come back and experience it during an infamous Steampunk festival weekend!
Return Journey: Castle Cliffs Walk
Reluctantly, we began our journey back to Queenstown. On the way, we made one final stop at Castle Cliffs for a short walk. The cliffs offered dramatic views and a chance to stretch our legs one last time before completing our road trip. The entry is $10 to take a car up the gravel road and operates on an honesty box system (cash or bank transfer)
The cliffs are pretty impressive, and I was actually quite surprised at how closely we were able to explore inside. This is something that comes up time and time again in New Zealand - the trust put in “common sense”, allowing tourists and locals to explore with minimal restrictions. Word of warning: Sarah found the ground quite slippy and nerve-wrecking to explore so if you want to get up close and personal with the cliffs I would recommend some decent shoes.
Final Stop: Cromwell Heritage Precinct
Not quite ready to end our adventure, we decided to make one more stop in Cromwell. The Heritage Precinct is a beautifully restored old town that feels like stepping back in time. If you’re familiar with Arrowtown, just outside of Queenstown, you will have seen some of the preservation of older buildings from the mining hey-day of the area. Cromwell takes this a step further with perfectly preserved architecture that you can explore inside and out. This last-minute addition to our itinerary turned out to be a perfect ending to our trip.
