Walked around the town, which is just like any town with a few interesting buildings.  We walked to the Whitestone cheese factory, supposedly the south islands yummiest cheese factory, and watched the ladies cutting the cheese and releasing the whey.  By far the most interesting part of town was down near the harbour.  An old ….

Refrigerated meat shipping made Oamaru prosperous so a big harbour was built here.

A bit of wildlife … and quote ‘ the most famous sign in NZ’, but then we have heard that about other signs…

Obviously I make the sign more famous.

Based on the shipping (and the farming) Oamaru was a very wealthy town and there are lots of imposing limestone buildings, made out of Oamaru limestone (almost white), known as Oamaru stone or Whitestone – presumably where the cheese got its name from.  If you cycle you could take the Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail which links Oamaru to Mt Cook, from here.  Back to the old Victorian quarter which is gradually being done up.  Nice bakery, the best we have found in south island so far, with friendly Dutch baker.  The area down by the docks used to house the stock agents and is now being restored.  Narrow streets (well street) with bookshops – a great one about Antarctica and Arctic exploration and science – although didn’t really see any science books, whisky factory.  Antique shops, stone masons – yes we bought a bit of rock. 

A real honest to goodness wool shipping building

Complete with old car, there are quite a few of them around.  And then the Penguin Club for night-time entertainment – if you don’t want to see the penguins – members only but I’m sure there must be a way to waddle in.