We are flying into Christchurch at 2:50 Pm, renting a car and will start driving south. We thought of going to Dunedin for 2 nights, but perhaps we should stop at dusk at see the Blue Penguin Colony parade at Oamaru? I think our timing should be perfect, arriving 6:30-7pm. It doesn't make sense to driving another 1.5 hours to Dunedin. The motel scene looks rather grim in Oarmau--any ideas? I found an interesting farmstay called Glen Dendron but it's almost 1/2 south of Oamaru. By the time we find it, we could probably be in Dunedin. Is the Blue Colony worth this detour or is the Penguin Place in Dunedin similiar enough that we don't need to see both?

We spent one night in Oamaru last April - we were headed down south towards Stewart Island. We stopped only because we didn't want to drive any further than Oamaru after our 10 hour flight. Here's an excerpt from my trip report regarding Omarau:

In Christchurch, we picked up our rental car and headed to Oamaru, which took us about four hours with stops.

The drive from Christchurch to Oamaru is not particularly scenic. However, it was a pretty day and the changing leaves made the drive a wee bit more interesting.

Can’t visit Oamaru without seeing the blue penguins, so that’s what we did. Admission to the penguin colony/viewing area was $15 each and we saw 26 penguins. The viewing was interesting, as were the historic building in Oamaru. After a quick dinner, we got settled into our motel and managed to catch up on some much needed sleep – 12 hours worth. Bella Vista Motel - $105 – clean and comfortable, but small.

Hope this helps.

Oamaru is pretty dull. Stop only if you're tired.

I love Penguins, but I wouldn't make them the focus of my lodging plans. You will see plenty at the other place, closer up.

Just got back from the South Island two months ago.

Go to Oamaru and enjoy the penguins at dusk. We loved it and you have to be very careful not to run over any in the carpark on the way out of the Penguin Parade. They don't just arrive ashore at the purposely built colony, they arrive ashore all along the waterfront and cross the roads all around. We were thrilled to see them. 88+ came ashore when we were there. Definitely worthwhile.

If you go to the Penguin Parade during the afternoon to check out where it is etc, make sure you walk through the area and climb up onto the viewing platform to find the 'best seat' to see it all that evening - then follow a path around the cliff and you can see seals. We saw a larger penguin on the beach around the small headland.

We had a campervan so stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park, so I can't comment on accommodation.

For a great meal that is reasonably priced, I heartily recommend The Last Post, a restaurant in the main street. One of the best meals we had in 3 weeks on the South Island.

Oamaru's architecture is also worth a look. For a small town it is spectacular. Just walk up and down the main street and drive through the old part of town on the way to the penguin colony and you will see most of it.

Have a great time. I'm jealous.
Jenny

Thanks for the information. I think we will reserve our room in Dunedin and stop by the penguin on our drive from Christchurch if the timing is right--should be 7-7:30 PM. We would rather wake up in Dunedin and have a full day since that will be our only touring day. Guess we will have to play it by ear. I am glad to know it's worth the effort to try to fit the Blue Colony into the schedule. Is the Colony rather close to the main highway?

The penguin colony is easy to find - just follow the signs. Here's their site:

http://www.penguins.co.nz/