Oamaru - Home of the Little Blue Penguin
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2003
1
18
29
Trip End
Ongoing
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Oamaru,
New Zealand
Thursday, July 26, 2007
It is a town slowly
awakening to the present for the visitor. Not too many years from now I predict
it will probably boast a lot of great reasons to stop here. Some of the more
advanced thinking souls with vision who live in and love Oamaru with its
fabulous historic region of original stone buildings are starting to flex their
collective thoughts and begin a revolution to make this town one of the most
important destinations in New Zealand. It will be a must on the tourist trail
both for international visitor and Kiwi alike.
Some of the new directions
are a horse and carriage ride presenting the rich heritage of the area and an
introduction of the Whitestone Cheese factory.
Another new program that has
been highly spoken about is the "Poltergeist of the
Precinct". A lantern-lit meander in and around the
historic buildings with the
brilliant story-telling of
tour guide Annette. Phone for bookings 021-434-925 for
a very interesting
evening.
A few very good reasons we
know to stop presently is one, the Omru Blue Gallery, one of the finest in New
Zealand and a superior coffee café named aptly the Short Black across the
street at 45 Thames Street. They present
a fabulous Italian blend of coffee introduced to Oamaru by Riccardo and Suzanne
Strinconi after a long coffee making background in Australia we understand. The
food and coffees are served with panache and much pleasantness. A very good
working team of people at this café. If you enjoy quality coffee this is the
place.
For those who enjoy an organic Aribica try the Steam not
too far down the street at 7 Thames Street. Like the coffeehouses of history
they concentrate only on coffee. They encourage you to bring your own food
along to eat but provide delicious
desserts.
Rumour has it a whiskey company is planning to begin a
distillery operation in the
historic portion of town down where Michael O'Brien hangs his sign out advertising his
business as a book binder. Michael is one of the resident folks who
is a delight to visit and have a yarn to just don't get
him started on scotch whiskies
unless you really know what you talking about.
Backing up a bit just
fifteen minutes north of Oamaru on Route One is Riverstone Country. This is a
place that has more "stuff" per foot than anywhere I have ever been in my life.
If you got time to spend this is a place to enjoy rummaging around for hours
looking at the unbelievable amounts of diverse gifts and goodies. It is a
Place not well marked at the
highway so keep your eyes peeled north of the airport
on the west side of the
road. Great fun to visit.
The major reason most
traveler's stop is to have an evening viewing of the little blue penguin
hurrying in from a day's feeding at sea scurrying up the beach to their homes
in the cliff. You get to see the penguins in natural environment without
bothering them. Also the rare yellow-eyed penguin hangs out here. This is where you can really get to see the little blue penguin better than anywhere else in New Zealand.
Highly recommended......................
