Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast
Victorian limestone streets, blue penguins and Moeraki’s round boulders on the 120-kilometre run down SH1.
- Distance
- 119 km (74 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 18 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 10
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 6, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 119 km (74 mi) with 10 stops, from Oamaru to Dunedin. About 1 h 18 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Spend the first day in Oamaru, where the Victorian precinct, the Steampunk HQ and the public gardens fit within a walk of each other. The Blue Penguin Colony runs evening tours after dark, so book ahead and plan the day around it. Oamaru has several holiday parks and a motorhome stop, but check council rules before you freedom camp, and carry your self-containment certificate.
Next morning, drive south on SH1 for about 40 kilometres to Hampden and the Moeraki Boulders at Koekohe Beach. Plan to be there near low tide, when more of the boulders are exposed and the walk is easiest. The sealed road then leads to Moeraki village, about 10 minutes away, where Fleur’s Place serves seafood on the wharf. Booking is recommended in summer.
Return to SH1 and continue about 25 kilometres south to the Shag Point turn-off, where seals and shags use the rocks. Keep dogs out and stay back from the animals. Palmerston is the next sizeable town, with a fuel station and cafés, and marks the start of SH85 inland to Central Otago. The highway is wide and sealed, with passing lanes on hills.
The final 55 kilometres from Palmerston to Dunedin cross rolling farmland and drop through Waitati and Blueskin Bay, where the road follows the harbour. Allow about an hour. In the city, the railway station and the Toitū museum lie next to one another; leave a large vehicle in a campsite or the long-vehicle car park rather than on narrow central streets.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Oamaru
New Zealand - 20 km
Oamaru Victorian Precinct
HistoryOamaru, New ZealandA harbourside street of white limestone warehouses and banks from the 1870s and 1880s, now with galleries, a bookshop, a brewery and workshops. Walk it at an easy pace and look inside the old buildings. There is free parking nearby, and weekend markets run in the precinct.
- 30 km
Steampunk HQ
OdditiesOamaru, New ZealandA gallery of gadgets, machines and installations in an old Oamaru building, built around a retro-futuristic theme. Outside there is a playground made of railway parts and metal sculpture. Entry is paid, and the venue is mainly a day-time stop near the Victorian precinct.
- 41 km
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
NatureOamaru, New ZealandA harbour colony where the world’s smallest penguins come ashore at dusk, watched from stands on a paid evening tour. Photography with flash is not allowed, so use no lights. Book ahead in summer, and dress warmly as the evening wind off the sea is cold.
- 535 km
Moeraki Boulders
OdditiesPalmerston, New ZealandLarge, round grey boulders scattered along Koekohe Beach, formed in the seabed mudstone millions of years ago. Walk down from the car park to the beach and visit near low tide for the best view. Do not climb or scratch the boulders.
- 62 km
Fleur’s Place
FoodPalmerston, New ZealandA seafood restaurant on the wharf at Moeraki, built from driftwood and salvaged material and known for blue cod and other local fish. It is popular, so booking ahead is sensible in summer. Fishing boats unload at the wharf next door.
- 714 km
Shag Point / Matakaea
NaturePalmerston, New ZealandA small coastal reserve beside SH1 where fur seals rest on rocks and shore birds nest on the point. A short track leads to viewpoints along the rock platforms. Keep a good distance from the seals and do not approach any animals on the track.
- 89 km
Palmerston
New Zealand - 956 km
Dunedin Railway Station
HistoryDunedin, New ZealandA Flemish Renaissance building of dark basalt and white limestone, opened in 1906, with a mosaic floor and stained glass in the main hall. Entry is free during the day. A farmers’ market runs beside the station on Saturday mornings.
- 101 km
Dunedin
New Zealand
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Oamaru → Palmerston · 63 km · 0 h 41 minOn the way: Oamaru Victorian Precinct, Steampunk HQ, Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, Moeraki Boulders, Fleur’s Place, Shag Point / Matakaea.
- Day 2: Palmerston → Dunedin · 56 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Dunedin Railway Station.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, October and December–January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast?
2-day road trip of about 119 km (74 mi) with 10 stops, from Oamaru to Dunedin. About 1 h 18 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 18 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast start and end?
It starts in Oamaru and ends in Dunedin.
Which states does Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast?
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, October and December–January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
