Victorian Heritage

Many of the grand old buildings that are synonymous with Oamaru were built during a period of unprecedented growth in the 1880s-1890s.

The wealth generated by industries and services associated with gold rushes of the early 1860s followed by the production and transportation of grain and wool laid the foundations for a prosperous commercial town.

While leaner and less prosperous times loomed, the innovation, confidence and opulence of the Victorian era left a lasting impression on the town and the wider district.

Today, Oamaru celebrates the optimism and achievements of its Victorian forebears through events, businesses and visitor attractions that encapsulate the spirit of an era long gone but not forgotten.