Crystal Serenity at Sea: Photo courtesy Crystal Cruises

Oamaru takes another important step on its journey to becoming a recognized tourism destination when it hosts guests from the cruise ship Crystal Serenity next Saturday. 

 The visitors are traveling from Port Chalmers to Oamaru on a ‘living history extravaganza’, revolving around the town’s significant colonial past. They’ll take billy tea & scones with the swaggers at historic Totara Estate, before experiencing the dramatic stories of early Oamaru through the eyes of the Living History Players. A traditional Ploughman’s lunch will be served at Loan & Merc, with time on offer to ride a pennyfarthing, taste NZ whisky or shop for traditional hand-crafted items. 

Living History NZ Principal Scott Elliffe says it’s a ground breaking step for tourism in the District. “Tour operators I have spoken with tell me that cruise visitors on shore excursions are keen to experience a real ‘sense of place’. A key part of this is engaging with locals. Of course Oamaru delivers all of this in spades with its stunning Victorian townscape, its focus on bringing ‘heritage alive’ and the community’s willingness to dress in costume and celebrate its past.” 

Julian Barton of Pacific Journeys, the organiser of the visit, sees real possibility for more cruise visits to Oamaru. “Passengers to Dunedin are often on their second or third visit and are looking for new day tour options” he said “And there are real opportunities for visits through the port of Timaru in the next couple of years … and who knows, maybe Oamaru itself in the not too distant future.”   

Scott Elliffe feels Oamaru will become an increasingly attractive option for cruise business as ship sizes increase and Dunedin nears visitor capacity at many attractions. 

 Meanwhile the guests from Crystal Serenity will no doubt enjoy the added attention that comes with being among the first ‘pioneers’.