Oamaru Public Garden — Attraction in South Island

It’s no secret, I love being outdoors and this very formal park has some grand old trees. It’s such a fluid change from an oriental style embossed tile dragon entry wall to groomed landscape to Victorian style wide open lawn stone carvings, hedging and grand old trees. Best of all, for the keen walker and horticultural enthusiast this public garden adjoins to the community garden where you can see some interesting ideas for guiding water, espellier training fruit, companion planting, and ideas to make you shed or outdoor space fun and functional. If you need help expending little peoples energy, there’s also a vast playground next to toilets and...

The Oamaru Public Gardens are an absolute gem, and the new Chinese garden section is the icing on the cake! The highlight for me was the stunning Chinese dragon mural - the vivid colors and intricate 3D details are breathtaking. You can really appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating this centerpiece of the garden. It's clear a lot of care went into designing this tranquil space. The whole garden is beautifully maintained and the perfect spot for a peaceful stroll. If you're in Oamaru, the public gardens are a must-visit, especially with the wonderful new addition of the Chinese garden and its marvelous...

While visiting OPG, I forgot that I was in a relatively small town. It ideally reflected Oamaru. I adored Oamaru's Thames Street. Walking along this REALLY wide street, I felt as if I were in a 19th Century metropolis replete with banks, library (if you can excuse its "modern" but jarringly incongruous extension), Opera House, Brydone Hotel, Victorian Precinct,... the list can be as long as the names of Queen Victoria's royal descendants who ruled over various European countries. However, all of these monuments seemed rejuvenatedly...