Oamaru is well known for the range of classical buildings which grace the town. With the discovery of a limestone quarry close by, and the general prosperity at the time, the beautiful stone buildings led to the town being known as “The Whitestone City”. Oamaru stone was easily carved and moulded, and the architects and stonemasons of the day created a plethora of the grand old buildings which still survive today. Many of the buildings have been registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust because of their historical significance or value.
The first post office was built in 1864 and is now the oldest surviving public building in Oamaru. The circular openings in the tower were for a clock, which was never installed. These days the old post office lives on as “The Last Post”, a trendy pub and restaurant.
Prohibition was alive and well in 1906 forcing the Criterion Hotel to close when the district went “dry”. It was built in 1877, in the Victorian Italianate style, and the bar finally reopened for business in 1998. The building has now been taken over by the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust, whose aim is to purchase and restore the old town buildings.
This is some fancy grain store – reputed to be the most ornamental grain store in the country. Smith’s Grain Store was built in 1882 and in its heyday could hold 30,000 sacks of grain.
The North Otago Museum is just one of many buildings designed by the team of Forrester and Lemon. Built in 1882, it began its life as the Oamaru Athenaeum (library) and Mechanics Institute. Carved above the main door are the words “Where there are riches there are people, and where there are people, stories flow”.
The beautiful St Lukes Anglican Church looks down from its prominent position. Built in the late 1800s, the spire and chancel was added in 1913.
But Oamaru isn’t just about old buildings, some of the townspeople like to dress up too. Penny Farthing bikes are quite a feature of the town, for those who are brave enough to “give it a go”.
Or how about a bit of steam to liven up the morning? Put $2 in the slot and this monster produces steam, fire roars from the chimney, bells clang, and you could almost swear the engine was alive. But wait to you see who is driving it. This fun “sculpture” is the brainchild of Steampunk. What is Steampunk? It is a melding of past, present and future, a vision of the world if history had taken a different path. Steampunk believe in having serious fun.
Oamaru is an interesting, vibrant city, very proud of its heritage and history. This is the first time we have spent any time here, and enjoyed looking around at all the lovely old buildings. The famous creamy-white Oamaru stone is still produced at the Parkside Quarry.
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