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www.exploretainment.comOamaru Blue Penguin Colony
This is Oamaru’s best known attraction and is located along the historic Oamaru Harbour foreshore (walking distance to town). Jason the manager of the Blue Penguin Colony took us on a behind the scenes day tour to view the nesting penguins. The ‘Blue Wing’ is a viewing facility that allows visitors to view the world’s smallest penguins up close and personal in their nest boxes.
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www.exploretainment.comJust like humans some penguins are a little more outgoing then others and will peak their heads out from time to time. Cat and I were very lucky to see a wee little penguin run from his nesting box to under the board walk we were standing on. It’s amazing how they can be so gracious in the water yet so uncoordinated on land.
www.exploretainment.comWe weren’t able to see the night tour during our stay at Oamaru but thankfully Kakanui is only 10 minutes down the road so we were able to see them last night! The night tour is very different to the day tour. As we sat in the outdoor viewing area and listened to the informative commentary about the blue penguins we watched and waited for their arrival.
It was about 8:45pm when the first waddle (group of penguins) arrived. As the birds returned home from their days fishing, they made their way onto the beach, up a stony ramp, and then crossed into the Colony. There was the odd free spirited penguin that would wander away from its waddle and come right up to the fence. Sometimes even braving the mass crowd and crossing onto our side of the fence.
Out of the two tours I would recommend the night tour as you are guaranteed to see the penguins. But why not do both?! Gain an insight into how the penguins spend their days on land. Then go back for the evening viewing to see the birds that have spent their day at sea return home. It is quite cold on the grand stand at night so make sure you wear something warm.
Prices range from $10 for a behind the scenes self-guided tour and $22 for the night viewing. For a combo package (behind the scenes and night viewing) it is $28. If you are more interested in a guided tour throughout the day this will set you back $17.50.
For more information visit their website at: www.penguins.co.nz
Highway House Boutique B&B
www.exploretainment.comAfter a long day of driving and penguin sighting, we arrived at the Highway House at around 5pm. Norman and Stephanie were very excited for our arrival in Oamaru and wasted no time in planning our evening. We were back on the road by 5:45pm participating in twilight tales and history tours. BUT before I get in to that ill tell you a bit about the Highway House Boutique B&B.
Stephanie and Norman acquired the house in the year 2000 and have gone through extensive renovations and refurbishments to achieve the high quality Bed and Breakfast that they offer today. As you walk through a splendid circular front entrance into the property you cannot help but notice the character that Highway House exhibits. After a day of exploring Oamaru it was fabulous to just relax in the English garden, admiring Stephanie’s roses and flowers as I write my blog. In the morning we had a choice of continental or cooked breakfast in the sunny Beethoven Room at the front of the house.
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www.exploretainment.comTheir boutique B&B can accommodate up to 6 guests in three upstairs bedrooms. Our bedroom was very elegant and the bed was particularly comfortable. The bathroom is modern and clean and offers amenities such as a hairdryer, bathrobes and other basics.
Prices start at $120 per night, which includes your cooked and/or continental breakfast in the morning. For more information visit their website: http://www.highwayhouse.co.nz
Secrets of the Old Town
This is definitely a walking tour with a difference and is very entertaining! The tour starts at the information centre and weaves you back in time through the stories of early Oamaru. Thomas Forrester, the architect for more than half of the town’s impressive white stone buildings, Sir George Grey one of New Zealdand’s greatest early politicians, and Dr Garland are just some of the characters we met in this unique experience.
www.exploretainment.comThe 50minute journey offers a storytelling experience where professional actors and guides tell real stories in their real locations. They take you ‘behind the scenes’ as historic characters come alive to reveal the old town’s secrets and treasures.
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www.exploretainment.comThe walking tour leave from the isite at 7pm sharp. Bookings can be made through their website: www.livinghistorynz.com or by phone: 0800 LIVE HISTORY (54834478679).
Twilight Tales Tour
Dressed in a black blouse, trousers and gloves with a bright purple scarf, Annette Knowler our host for the night met us on the corner of the ‘spooky’ Criterion Hotel. Annette is a master storyteller and can depict the most intriguing stories set in the Victorian-era of Oamaru.
www.exploretainment.comThe story stroll begins at twilight and entwines in and around the Whitestone buildings of Oamaru Historic Precinct. As we walk, Annette enthralled us with her detailed knowledge of this town’s past. Her talent bestows her the ability to transform between professional storyteller, Master of the demons and then back to her chatty gentle and petite self.
Past President of the New Zealand Guild of storytellers, Annette writes her own stories, which are based ‘to some degree’ on facts. Our tour concluded in the Criterion Hotel where Annette recounted a story set in room 22 of this very hotel. If things weren’t scary enough, the lights mysteriously went out as she was in the midst of her chilling tale. At first I thought it was all part of the act but soon realised Annette was just as shocked as the rest of us. Later it was brought to our attention that the bar manager of the Criterion Hotel had switched the lights of unaware we were still in the room. PHEWWWW. This eased my nightmares that night- a little.
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www.exploretainment.comIt costs $20 per person and reservations can be made via email: story@ihug.co.nz or by phone: local- 02102749574, international 00642102749574.
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