Hotels in Oamaru (South Island, New Zealand)

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233 hotels in Oamaru

  1. Brydone Hotel Oamaru

    On-site T Bar Restaurant dining
    See prices from 15 sites
    from$141
  2. Poshtel

    Uniquely themed boutique guest rooms
    See prices from 14 sites
    from$175
  3. Oamaru Motor Lodge

    Personalized assistance from tour desk
    See prices from 15 sites
    from$124
  4. Alpine Motel

    Short drive to penguin colony
    See prices from 12 sites
    from$113
  5. ASURE Ambassador Motor Lodge

    Private Spa Bath Units
    See prices from 10 sites
    from$125
  6. Coastal Accommodation

    Ocean views from select rooms
    Select dates to see exact prices
  7. Criterion Boutique Hotel

    Experience Historic Victorian Architecture
    See prices from 7 sites
    from$134
  8. 289 Midway Motel

    Seven Minute Walk To Town
    See prices from 12 sites
    from$126
  9. Heritage Court Lodge

    Spacious on-site parking available
    See prices from 12 sites
    from$162
  10. Alma Motel

    Proximity to Oamaru town center
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$94
  11. Ascot Oamaru Motel

    Adjacent Galleon complex entertainment options
    See prices from 15 sites
    from$142
  12. AAA Thames Court Motel

    Five minute walk to town
    See prices from 15 sites
    from$156
  13. Empire Hotel Backpackers

    Central historic Oamaru location
    Select dates to see exact prices
  14. Colonial Lodge Motel

    Convenient parking outside guest rooms
    See prices from 14 sites
    from$136
  15. Northstar Motel

    On-site restaurant and bar
    See prices from 5 sites
    from$329
  16. The Mews Oamaru

    In-room spa baths available
    See prices from 13 sites
    from$212
  17. Oamaru Backpackers

    Proximity to Steampunk HQ attractions
    See prices from 4 sites
    from$85
  18. Bella Vista Motel Oamaru

    Visit Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
    See prices from 8 sites
    from$194
  19. The Whitestone

    Relax in the private garden
    Select dates to see exact prices
  20. The Shepherd's Rest

    Ten-minute drive to Oamaru attractions
    Select dates to see exact prices
  21. Casa Nova House

    Historic 1861 Oamaru Stone Mansion
    See prices from 9 sites
    from$480
  22. Teschemakers Resort

    Historic 19th-century boarding school architecture
    See prices from 11 sites
    from$186
  23. Oamaru TOP 10 Holiday Park

    Select dates to see exact prices
  24. Rosies Place

    Private Garden And Patio Access
    Select dates to see exact prices
  25. The Vicarage Boutique Bed and Breakfast Oamaru

    Short walk to Victorian Precinct
    Select dates to see exact prices
  26. Federation House

    Coastal views from historic house
    Select dates to see exact prices
  27. Cosy On Till

    Select dates to see exact prices
  28. Century House B & B flatlette

    Dine outdoors with mountain views
    Select dates to see exact prices
  29. Oamaru Travel Mates House

    Select dates to see exact prices
  30. Pen-y-bryn Lodge

    Hillside views of Oamaru coast
    See prices from 12 sites
    from$616
  31. The Whitfield

    Select dates to see exact prices
  32. Riverside Haven Lodge & Holiday Park

    Onsite Spa and Sauna Facilities
    Select dates to see exact prices
  33. Oamaru Green Cottage

    Select dates to see exact prices
  34. Moeraki Boulders Motel

    Short walk to local beach
    Select dates to see exact prices
  35. Beautiful Ocean View From This Lovely Holiday Home

    Select dates to see exact prices

The prices and availability we receive from booking sites change constantly. This means you may not always find the exact same offer you saw on trivago when you land on the booking site.

Oamaru - Where Kooky and Cool Meet in New Zealand

There’s nowhere else quite like the town of Oamaru, not in New Zealand and probably on the entire planet. A variety of circumstances have created a truly unique place, where old meets new and bohemian spirit rules. Heritage architecture from the Victorian age is remarkably well preserved here, from a time when Oamaru was flush with wealth and ambition, qualities that are now returning to the town. Eccentric art galleries, quirky antique stores, amazing artisan workshops, and boutique hotels have helped regenerate this seaside settlement. That, plus the wonderful natural landscape and wildlife, namely the penguin colonies, have propelled North Otago’s largest town into the spotlight.

Step Back in Time at the Victorian Precinct

Centred around Thames Street, the Victorian Precinct survives from the late 19th century, extravagant buildings built when Oamaru was on the up and up. There was little money here to demolish and rebuild during the 20th century so they stayed, unlike many other places in New Zealand. This has worked in the town’s favour, and now the precinct has transformed itself into a place that blends both past and future with a beatnik flavour. Just strolling around this artsy neighbourhood will keep you entertained for hours, with shops, pubs, cafes, museums and other venues to draw you in. There are also a few hotels nestled within this offbeat area if you really want to immerse yourself in the bizarreness. The North Otago Museum is worth a look if you’re interested in the history of this fascinating town and want to find out more, while the Oamaru Opera House is a fine example of Victorian architecture and regularly hosts events, from theatre and comedy to concerts and ballet.

Explore the Surreal World of Steampunk HQ

It won’t take you long to notice some of the strange outfits worn by the locals here, but to find out exactly what is behind this funky dress code you must visit the Steampunk HQ. Finding it is easy, just keep your eyes peeled for a metallic airship with shark teeth and a futuristic steam train, then you know you’ve arrived! It’s a fascinating museum of sculptures and exhibitions, reflecting the science fiction world of Steampunk, a future where steam power still reigns in a world gone mad. Think the surreal contraptions from the books of Jules Verne, or the Martian machines thought up by H.G. Wells in ‘The War of the Worlds’. Oamaru has grown into New Zealand’s capital of Steampunk, and the Steampunk NZ Festival transforms the town during the first week of June. If you’re planning to visit during this time, make sure you book a hotel room well in advance as the town swells with visitors!

Penguins, Penguins, Everywhere!

While Oamaru has become famous for its heritage architecture and bohemian residents, that only makes up half of this town’s story. There’s something else that attracts visitors by the bucket load, and that’s the penguin colonies. You don’t have to wander far from your hotel to see them either, with the arguably more popular little blue penguins easily seen right from the harbour. There’s a grandstand where hundreds of people can sit and gaze at these cute waddling birds, the smallest type of penguin in the world, as they return to the shore each evening. If you take the short trip down to Bushy Beach you could spot an entirely different type of penguin, the yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho in Maori. Native to New Zealand and on the endangered list, they are one of the rarest penguin species on the planet, and possibly one of the most ancient of all penguin species in existence.

Ride the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

To get out of Oamaru and explore the stunning natural scenery of the Waitaki District and beyond, there’s no better option than the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. This mammoth cycle trail connects the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki . Depending on which way you look at it, the trails either starts or finishes in Oamaru, but it doesn’t matter which direction you ride! The first section connects Oamaru to Duntroon, a total of 54 kilometres, along which you’ll follow an old railway line and see the strange limestone formations of Elephant Rocks. The entire trail stretches for over 300 kilometres, which probably means you’ll need the best part of a week to complete it, unless you’re an experienced cycling athlete. Not to worry though, there are plenty of hotels in the towns and villages along the way, so you’ll always be able to find somewhere to stay after a long day riding!

When to book a hotel in Oamaru

  • Cheapest month: August
    $140 per night
  • Yearly typical price
    $175 per night
  • Peak month: January
    $195 per night

Frequently Asked Questions about Oamaru

  • When is the cheapest time to book a hotel in Oamaru?

    August is usually the cheapest month to book a hotel in Oamaru, with typical prices around $140 per night based on 46 price comparisons.

  • When are hotel prices highest in Oamaru?

    Hotel prices in Oamaru are usually highest during January, with typical prices around $195 per night.

  • How much does a hotel in Oamaru cost per night?

    Hotel prices in Oamaru usually range from $119 per night to $256 per night, with typical prices around $175 per night.

  • How do hotel prices in Oamaru change throughout the year?

    Hotel prices in Oamaru are typically lowest in August at around $140 per night, rising to around $195 per night in January.

  • November

    2026

    $182
    $130 — $245
  • December

    2026

    $188
    $146 — $251
  • January

    2027

    $195
    $146 — $256
  • February

    2027

    $175
    $162 — $230
  • March

    2027

    $193
    $130 — $282
  • April

    2027

    $147
    $130 — $229
  • May

    2027

    $168
    $129 — $203
  • June

    2027

    Select dates to see exact prices

  • July

    2027

    Select dates to see exact prices

  • August

    2027

    $140
    $119 — $186
  • September

    2027

    $162
    $158 — $190
  • October

    2027

    Select dates to see exact prices

Frequently Asked Questions about Oamaru

Hotels in Oamaru

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