NEW ZEALAND’S ONLY VICTORIAN TOWN

All Contents © 2011 The Oamaru Whitestone Civic  Trust

Victorian Oamaru Passport Tours

(A passport to our heritage)

Daily Walking Tour  

Take a journey through Victorian Oamaru's Historic Precinct with a local guide who will introduce you to this special place.

This one hour tour will suit those with limited time and wishing to browse Victorian Oamaru's attractions.  All adult walkers receive an informative Victorian Oamaru Passport.  

Tours leave from the I-Site, lower Thames Street, at 10.00 am daily during November to April.

No bookings are necessary.

Cost: $10 per adult (children free if accompanied by an adult)

Special Guided Tours

Special guided tours to suit groups can be arranged (with 24 hours notice).  Please book here.

In 1877, when the  Criterion Hotel was built there was one pub for around one in every  350 New Zealanders.  Little wonder there was strong temperance movement at the time as well.  

Interestingly the person who in 1887  took the lead of  the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union was  Kate Sheppard. The Temperance Union was very interested in a number of social reform issues, not just drinking,  including: labour laws, prostitution, public health, sanitation and international peace. As the movement grew in numbers and strength, members of the movement  also focused on suffrage  Due in no small part to the movement  New Zealand women were granted universal suffrage in 1893, which is certainly something to raise your glass to.

The Criterion Hotel

Victorian Oamaru Passport Tours