I have been in Oamaru for work.
Oamaru is the largest town in North Otago, in the South Island, it is the main town in the Waitaki District. It is 80 kilometres south of Timaru and 120 kilometres north of Dunedin.
Many public buildings use as their construction material the local limestone known as Oamaru stone.
Wednesday 16th March 2016
I arrived in Dunedin early this morning, I had a quick look through Dunedin (as I had been there in the past) before heading to Oamaru.
A few photos from Dunedin, it was a cold grey morning when I arrived, not a nice morning for photos.
First up Knox Church, a Presbyterian Church built in the 13th Century
Robert (Robbie) Burns (complete with Seagull!!) with St Paul's Anglican Cathedral in the background
Unfortunately there were a lot of tourists and workmen, hence the vehicles in front of the Station
The workmen were laying down this platform on the station platform, this was for ID Fashion which was starting in a couple of days, this is the longest Catwalk in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a yearly event, and runs the length of the Station, about 500 metres
I then headed to Oamaru, on arriving I checked into my Hotel and because I know you like to see my room here it is.
Pretty big for one person.
Below are some of the magnificent buildings in Oamaru.
The Opera House (Day and Night)
The District Court
The ANZ Bank and The Forrester Gallery
Waitaki District Council Building
Steampunk HQ The Elevator Building
What is Steampunk I hear you ask...well....
Steampunk is a quirky and fun genre of science fiction that features steam-powered technology. It is often set in an alternate, futuristic version of 19th century Victorian England
The Steampunk future is driven by unusual steam powered devices - the 'world gone mad' as Victorian people may have imagined it. Examples are machines like those in the writing of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and in TV shows such as Dr Who.
Oamrau is an ideal setting for Steampunk art and activities given the wonderfully preserved and thriving Victorian buildings
The building was originally called Meeks Grain Elevator and was built in 1883 from designs by Architects Forrester and Lemon for the grain traders and millers J. & T. Meek. Oamaru was at that time a flourishing sea port and bigger than Los Angeles.
The five storey building was the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere at the time. In 1920 the top two storeys were destroyed in a spectacular fire.
Archie the Orangutan
Jenny the Train
Bosca the Gorilla
Other Sculptures
Doomsday Clock II
Constructed by two mysterious engineers, this clock marks down the hours until the end of the Myan Calendar. Strangely it counts in increments of 74 minutes and then restarts.
Maze Gateway
The Portal is a retro-futuristic mirror and lighting installation that features original glowing light sculptures with a theme of skulls and mythology.
The Kaleido Machine
Victorian Precinct
This precinct was the original commercial and business district of Oamaru and served as the focal point for trade through the port of Oamaru. The buildings consisted of large grain and seed warehouses which served the prosperous agricultural sector in the district during the later part of the 19th century. The buildings were built during the period from the 1860s to 1880s and are today New Zealand's most complete streetscape of Victorian commercial buildings. The buildings are constructed of locally quarried limestone. (Where possible I have given the buildings their original names)
Criterion Hotel
Period Costume
Penny Farthing
Tiny Free Library
Grain Store
Delivery Bike
Grain Store
McCarthy's Coal Shop
AMP Society
The Wool Store
Star & Garter
St Luke's Church
Antiques
Harbour Board Building
J & T Meeks
Janet Frame was New Zealand's most distinguished author. In 1990 she was awarded New Zealand's highest civil honour, the Order of New Zealand
Janet Frames House
Friendly Bay Playground (Steampunk Playground)
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| Steampunk Gallery and Cafe |
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| BBQ |
Spinning Wheel
One End of the Flying Fox
The other end of the Flying Fox
Swings
Slide
Phew and my first day is over....
Thursday 17th March 2016
Today I had to work, but after I had finished I went to the Botanic Gardens.
Chinese Garden
Now everybody say Awwww
Yes, I went and saw the cutest Little Blue Penguins
The world's smallest penguin, they stand just over 25cm and weigh around one kilo. They spend much of their time at sea hunting small fish, crustaceans and squid.
Friday 18th March 2016
My last day...I was up early to watch the sunrise, and then it was off to work.
Finished work at 3.00pm and drove back to Dunedin to catch my flight home.
What a busy few days it has been.
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