Entertainment

Otago has a thriving art and music scene so check out Dunedin, Queenstown or Oamaru galleries and museums, which are filled with artistic treasures, many influenced by the strong independent cultural influence that pervades the district. Oamaru is a particularly interesting town, famous for the white limestone that figures prominently in its architecture and is a source of enviable material for local artists.

The historic quarter of Oamaru is well worth a look, featuring an old print book bindery and a historic hotel among its old buildings. And if you are keen on wildlife, Oamaru is home to a colony of blue penguins, easily viewed when they waddle home after a day’s fishing out in the Pacific. The whole region is home to an excellence arts profile. From an expansive collection of community arts organisations to internationally recognised artists, the choice is extensive and varied. There are artists over the entire region who host a remarkable array of art activities. Festivals, events and performances endorsing the arts take place throughout the year, offering an opportunity to enjoy the best of the region’s actors, dancers, musicians and visual artists.

Otago is a destination for the interactive traveller and boasts a pool of talent as diverse as the area itself. The depth and breadth of authentic arts and culture on offer enhances the region’s outdoor activities and extraordinary landscape. Many bars and pubs here have a wonderful selection of live music, ranging from rock, country to traditional.

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