Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations
Annual celebration of Oamaru's heritage, set among the Victorian limestone streetscapes and harbour area. A volunteer-run festival, with small-town warmth, music, food, lectures, tours, dances, crafts and heaps of Oamaru creativity.
Ships, Sheep & Grain Walking Tour
Wednesday 13 November 2024
Tour the giant grain machinery in the Meek’s building on Harbour Street, which helped feed the gold miners. Plus, discover sites that tell the story about the Jurassic period, when volcanic activity pushed land out of the sea, now known as Cape Wanbrow.
You’ll explore the history of the breakwater and wharves, where migrants worked, and where livestock, building materials, grain, and frozen meat were exported to the world. We’ll also walk through warehouses that were once the central hub for merchants, bankers, and millers. This fascinating tour is led by conservation and local historian Helen Stead.
Meet at Railway Overhead Bridge opposite Scott’s Brewery
Classical Architecture Walking Tour
Thursday 14 November 2024
Oamaru has many magnificent buildings! Join conservation and local historian Helen Stead for a guided walk to learn about the architectural history of these impressive structures, including the Brydone Hotel, the Opera House, the Town Hall, the Forrester Gallery, and others.
Meet outside the Brydone Hotel on the corner of Wear and Thames Streets
Otago’s first gold strike: the Lindis ‘duffer’ rush of 1861
Thursday 14 November 2024
In March 1861, a road-making party in the Lindis Pass reported finding gold. Hundreds rushed northwards and inland to make their fortunes. But the Lindis field quickly proved a ‘duffer’, enough to make wages but not untold riches. Just months later, however, the Tuapeka rush began and Otago entered a new era of golden prosperity.
Penguin Club
The Troubling Wake of Theodore Knock
Thursday 14 November 2024
Can you and your friends solve this comedic murder mystery - at a wake?!
Professional actors and a ludicrous Victorian plot fill your investigation with gallows-humour, colourful characters and confounding clues! A drink and nibbles on arrival, murdery mayhem and wild accusations are all included in the ticket price. Dress code: as black as the darkest night.
Raise a glass to the late Theodore Knock, travelling pedlar and lovable rogue. When foul play is suspected, mourners are charged with solving the case! Investigate the late Victorian world of moonshine, women’s suffrage, temperance and gold to determine whodunnit!
6pm doors open for drink and nibbles - 6.30pm show starts
Star & Garter
Morning Tea with Mrs B
Friday 15 November 2024
Call into the Masonic Lodge for delicious treats from Mrs Beeton’s kitchen with tea or coffee and a glass of Maderia. Try your hands at Victorian parlour games or simply relax and enjoy a friendly chat with others.
Masonic Lodge
Victorian Garden Party
Friday 15 November 2024
Enjoy the delightful elegance of the ever-popular Victorian Garden Party at the Ōamaru Public Gardens. Partake of light refreshments and entertainment while admiring the costumes.
NOTE: THIS IS A FREE EVENT. YOU CAN SIMPLY TURN UP.
This booking form enables you to pay for refreshments online, which will help us with catering.
Ōamaru Public Gardens
Settler Stories from the Edwin Fox
Friday 15 November 2024
The Edwin Fox, a settler ship still based in Picton, is the last surviving wooden ship that brought immigrants, including gold prospectors, to New Zealand. It transported settlers destined for the Otago provinces.
Museum staff will present Settlers’ stories and share some of the ship’s other adventures in the far south. Keep an eye out for the pop-up display about Ship Medicine, which showcases how various ailments in the 1800s were dealt with on board ships.
Whitestone City
Familiar Faces
Friday 15 November 2024
Kathleen Stringer, historian and archivist, tells stories of struggle, survival, and success, as well as hardship, love, and loss, all drawn from the portraits of 19th-century settlers in the region. Stay for refreshments served after the talk.
Whitestone City
The Gold, the Bad and the Ugly
Saturday 16 November 2024
Dunedin historian and taphophile Gregor Campbell presents stories of murder and greed from the back alleys of local history.
Penguin Club
Victorian Fashion Show
Saturday 16 November 2024
Crinolines, Bustles, and Suits, Oh My!
The fashions of the Victorian Era will evolve before your eyes as elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen take to the catwalk. From crinolines to bustles to the puffiest of puffed sleeves, find out what trends reigned supreme when Victoria was Queen.
Scottish Hall
Tales of the West Coast Gold Rushes
Saturday 16 November 2024
Telling stories of the West Coast gold rushes, in the guise of Richard Seddon, is one of David's many skills; playing the button accordion is another! He worked in the local museum for a decade after a long career in health, and currently volunteers at the local Heritage Park.
Whitestone City
Miner's Hooley
Saturday 16 November 2024
Join us for a night of fun and old-fashioned dancing. Let your hair down and have a knees-up until the midnight hour. Dunedin's Scottish Fiddle Orchestra will provide the music and call the dances to help you romp through the evening. Cash Bar. Victorian dress encouraged, but not required
Scottish Hall
Gold Panning
Sunday 17 November 2024
Otago's future changed forever, when Gabriel Read kicked off the gold rush in 1861! Before long, people from all over the world came to seek their riches in the hills of Central Otago. Now it's your turn! , in the same way that the goldminers did all those years ago.
There will be gold in your pan. Can you successfully get it out?
Sessions are available throughout the day. You can choose your preferred time.
The cost is per pan, so your group can include more than one person.
Outside Housekeepers
Tales of the West Coast Gold Rushes
Sunday 17 November 2024
Telling stories of the West Coast gold rushes, in the guise of Richard Seddon, is one of David's many skills; playing the button accordion is another! He worked in the local museum for a decade after a long career in health, and currently volunteers at the local Heritage Park.
Penguin Club
Headstones and Stories Walking Tours
Sunday 17 November 2024
Join conservation historian Helen Stead for a fascinating wander through Oamaru’s old cemetery grounds.
Laid out in denominational blocks and sections, stories of individuals, family and district endeavour, live on through carved names and dates inscribed into the Oamaru stone.
Oamaru Old Cemetery
Goldfields Gambol – the spirit of Paddy Galvin
Sunday 17 November 2024
Celebrated Irish musician Paddy Galvin played his Uilleann pipes at pubs and dance saloons of the Central Otago goldfields from the early 1860s till his death in 1929.
Michael Parmenter and Kate Grace from Balfolk Aotearoa/NZ follow up last year’s popular Lower Decks Dance with Goldfields Gambol, an eclectic selection of simple group and partner dances from the great kaleidoscope of nationalities represented on the Clutha goldfields.
Round off your celebration of local Victorian Heritage with a spirited polk’n’waltz, led by Michael and Kate and accompanied by awesome musicians Scout White and Jonathan Le Cocq who superbly animated last year’s event.
Scottish Hall
The Gold, the Bad and the Ugly (CANCELLED)
Monday 26 August 2024
Dunedin historian and taphophile Gregor Campbell presents stories of murder and greed from the back alleys of local history.
Penguin Club
Lower Decks Dance $25.00
Sunday 19 November 2023
Last chance to dance! We evoke the atmosphere of 19th century steerage travellers, creating their own entertainment in a rustic setting. Live music, dancing, and light refreshments. 19th century food, dietary preferences cannot be accommodated.
Loan and Mercantile Building
Headstones and Stories Walking Tour $30.00
Sunday 19 November 2023
Conservation historian Helen Stead leads a walk through the old Oamaru Cemetery.
Laid out in denominational blocks and sections, stories of individuals, family and district endeavour, live on through carved names and dates inscribed in stone.
Adults $30.00; School-age children FREE.
Oamaru Cemetery - Greta Street Gates
Janet Frame's Writing in Light of Migration Themes $10.00
Saturday 18 November 2023
Ralph Sherwood reads excerpts from Janet Frame’s writing about her many migrations.
Janet Frame House
Dockside Dance $45.00
Saturday 18 November 2023
AKA Shindig, Ceilidh or knees-up! A night of fun and old-fashioned dancing. The Dunedin Scottish Fiddle Orchestra will provide the music and call the dances to help you romp through the evening. Includes a light supper - 19th century food means dietary preferences may not be accommodated. Liquid refreshments can be purchased (cash bar).
Victorian dress encouraged, but not required.
Loan & Mercantile Building
The Junction Hotel - another year on $25.00
Between Thursday 16 November 2023 and Saturday 18 November 2023
See what's been done in 2023.
Ticket includes refreshments. Proceeds go towards ongoing restoration
Junction Hotel
Mother's Ruin High Tea $50.00
Saturday 18 November 2023
Join us for a high tea, prohibition style! Featuring a long table, attendees can enjoy a shared high tea spread, accompanied by two “not prohibited” gin drinks.
NOTE: This is a 90-minute event. Please arrive by 3:30 for the full experience
Victoria Lounge
Victorian Fashion Parade $5.00
Saturday 18 November 2023
Live models show the evolution of Victorian fashion over most of the 19th century, from working class to high society.
Scottish Hall
Breaking Up the Big Estates Bus Tour $30.00
Saturday 18 November 2023
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE 18 NOVEMBER SESSION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. Another session will be scheduled for some time after 19 November. Please add your name to the Wait List so we can advise you when the next tour becomes available.
Leaving from the Brydone Hotel, this two-hour tour passes by banks, wool & grain stores, up to Cape Wanbrow, looking down over the Harbour & Sumpters Wharf, which was specially built for the frozen meat industry. The tour then continues out to Weston, to Parkside Quarry, and then back through Ardgowan to Ōamaru down Buckley’s Hill.
Noel Crawford, the author of “Antipodean Empire,” will speak about the changes in land use tied within the South Canterbury Region, sharing his own family experiences of farming land in South Canterbury.
Conservation Historian Helen Stead’s own family story covers Devil’s Bridge land, formally owned by her family, and where she lived as a child. Helen also attended Ardgowan School, which is 120 years old this year.
Coach Park, Lower Itchen St at Tyne St
The Junction Hotel is Overtaken by Pteridomania $25.00
Between Thursday 16 November 2023 and Saturday 18 November 2023
Make your own family heirlooms using pressed ferns and flowers to decorate albums, cards, bookmarks and ephemera for journals.
Everything supplied for the class, followed by a Devonshire tea.
Junction Hotel
Garden Party - Refreshments $5.00
Friday 17 November 2023
Tea or coffee and fresh home-baked goods to accompany your stroll in the Gardens.
Please note that baking is based on 19th-century recipes, and dietary preferences cannot be accommodated
Oamaru Public Gardens
Elevenses with Mrs B $10.00
Friday 17 November 2023
Price: $10.00 Victorian-style late morning treats. Featuring tea or coffee and fresh home-baked goods, all taken from the 1861 classic Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management. Accompanied by a glass of Madeira.
Please note that baking is based on original 19th-century recipes. We have gluten-free options, but other dietary preferences may not be accommodated
Early Settlers Hall
Promenade The Precinct $10.00
Between Thursday 16 November 2023 and Friday 17 November 2023
Saunter through Oamaru's Victorian precinct escorted by Lady Rose. Enjoy stories of the many historic buildings, as well as the tales of individuals closely connected to the area
Itchen St at Harbour Street
Oamaru's Classic Architecture Tour $30.00
Thursday 16 November 2023
Join us on a captivating journey with conservation historian Helen Stead as she leads you through Ōamaru’s streetscapes, taking you past its magnificent historic buildings.
Explore both classical and humble structures crafted by artisans and pioneers who discovered delight in the abundant supply of local limestone. This limestone has played a pivotal role in shaping Ōamaru’s history, giving it a distinct and unique character.
Adults $30.00; School-age children FREE.
Wear St Coach Stop, opposite side door to The Brydone Hotel
The Troubling Wake of Theodore Knock $69.00
Wednesday 15 November 2023
A comedic murder mystery for you to solve!
Brydone Hotel
Ships, Sheep and Grain Tour bus/walking tour $30.00
Wednesday 15 November 2023
In the 1840s, Oamaru harbour served as an open roadstead for ships, migrants, livestock, and building materials. Explore the history of the breakwaters and wharves which facilitated the export of grain and frozen meat to the world.
Tour includes a bus to the Lookout over Oamaru Harbour, then a return to the Heritage Precinct to learn about the Ōamaru stone buildings, once the central hub for merchants, bankers, millers and more.
Adults $30.00; School-age children FREE.
Coach Park, Lower Itchen St at Tyne St
Banks & Businesses: Finances & Services for Migrants $20.00
Saturday 11 November 2023
Noel Crawford, the author of “Antipodean Empire,” tells the story of the initial development of the South Island’s East Coast. The New Zealand and Australian Land Company (NZALC) undertook this development, with funding from Scottish banks.
Afterwards, Historian Helen Stead explores Ōamaru’s rapid growth between 1858 and 1878, which transformed it into New Zealand’s 9th largest town. Learn about the wealthy migrants who acquired land. Plus, hear about the excitement of May 1896 when 8000 names were drawn in ballots for 68 land lots from the Ardgowan Estate.
Adults $20.00; School-age children FREE.
Ardgowan School
