This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Oamaru.
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Backpacker Hostels in Oamaru, New Zealand
3 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $12 for a dorm bed.
Oamaru Backpackers
Free Breakfast
Privacy CurtainsDigital NomadsFamily-Friendly HostelOlder travelers (+50)Quiet RestSolo Traveller
"Cozy stay - It was amazing. Friendly staff, clean facilities. Best view of Ocean!" …"…All guests 12 years old and over will be required to provide proof of vaccination status (fully vaccinated or
from $15.53
Family-Friendly HostelSolo TravellerYouth Hostel
"…this hostel got recommended to me and im so happy it did. would recommend to anyone staying in oamaru. I have just finished my trip around the South Island and have to write and congratulate the
from $11.47
Hotels in Oamaru
Beach Lovers Retreat
"…Resident dog, Bonnie, is a delight to be around. Old Bones is not merely a hostel, it is a beautiful home. - Set on spacious grounds by the sea, four kilometers out of Oamaru town itself, Old Bones
from $30.25
Apartments in Oamaru
Explore Oamaru
Discover the best hostels to suit every traveller type.
Get to know Oamaru
Visiting Oamaru is like taking a step -- or two -- back in time. The first thing that strikes you about the city is its beautiful, rather grandiose nineteenth-century architecture. One of the most eye-catching buildings there is the Oamaru Opera House, where local and world-renowned operas, musicals, and other theatre acts are showcased. Be sure to visit it at night, for that's when it is lit up beautifully. For those who are enamoured of such architecture, take a walk down the Victorian Precinct to check out more of these old buildings, which also house shops, cafes, and galleries.
One thing you shouldn't miss out in Oamaru is penguin viewing. Yellow-eyed penguins are native to New Zealand and Oamaru is a good place to see them -- head to Bushy Beach to watch them in their natural habitat. Oamaru is also home to the Blue Penguin Colony -- you can choose to take a tour in the colony either in the day or at night. The best time to visit these tiny and adorable creatures would be between September and February. Alternatively, you might spot them at the beaches emerging from the water if you are lucky!
Other things to do in Oamaru include cheese-tasting at the Whitestone Cheese Factory, dining at Riverstone Kitchen, New Zealand's Restaurant of the Year 2011, and driving to Moeraki to visit the famous Moeraki Boulders, where one of the "Chronicles of Narnia" movies was filmed.
There are several hostels in Oamaru, a couple of which are in the heart of town or around it -- they offer convenience and are a good choice for travelers without their own form of transport. Some are situated further away from town, in more remote areas, surrounded by nature -- these places are harder to access but are great if you have your own transport. Despite being out of the way, they offer peace and tranquility and are places for weary travelers to rest their feet and recharge for the next leg of their journey.
Oamaru Hostel Cheatsheet
Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Oamaru, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels | 3 |
Average dorm price | $30 |
Average private room price | $84 |
Cheapest Hostel in Oamaru | Empire Hotel Backpackers with $23 |
Average rating of all hostels | 8.3 |