Pen-y-bryn Lodge

14/06/2026

We've just published something we're rather proud of — a complete guide to stargazing from Pen-y-bryn, covering every month of the year.

Oamaru's skies are exceptional, and from the top of Holmes Hill we have a largely unobstructed view in every direction. With our 10-inch Dobsonian telescope, guests can explore objects that are simply invisible from the northern hemisphere — Omega Centauri (a ball of 10 million stars), the Jewel Box cluster, the Magellanic Clouds, and the sweeping star fields of the southern Milky Way.

Every image in the guide was photographed from our garden.

The guide lists ten targets for each month of the year, along with a moon phase calendar so you can plan your visit around the darkest skies. There's also a downloadable illustrated PDF version.

You'll find it at the link below — and if you've ever wanted to see the southern sky properly, we'd love to have you stay.

https://www.penybryn.co.nz/activities/stargazing-at-pen-y-bryn-lodge/

13/06/2026

Did you know Oamaru's Victorian Precinct could be NZ's second national historic landmark? There's so much to see and do, you might need some guidance to help plan your stay. We recommend devoting at least two nights to give you time to enjoy it all without rushing around, so here are our suggestions:

✅ Wander your way through the Oamaru Victorian Precinct, one of the world's most intact collections of Victorian-era architecture

✅ Consider a drive up the Waitaki Valley to explore some of our rural areas, with charming towns and several sites of the UNESCO Waitaki Whitestone Global Geopark, the only such park in Australasia

✅ Sample the whiskies of the NZ Whisky Company, the cheeses of Whitestone Cheese, the beers of Scotts Brewing Company and Craftwork, and on Sundays the stalls of the Oamaru Farmers Market

✅ Pop into the galleries and museums that line Oamaru's historic streets

✅ Shop at Oamaru's numerous boutiques, offering unique made-locally gifts, clothes, antiques and other treasures

✅ Enjoy a stop into Riverstone Kitchen for a meal, a castle tour or a visit to their housewares emporium

✅ Come nightfall, watch the Blue Penguins return to their nests, and be sure to look up at our amazing night sky

✅ Take a day trip to Lake Tekapo through the beautiful Mackenzie Country, or down the coast to Palmerston, gateway to Macraes gold mine, one of NZ's largest active gold mining operations

There's more that simply won't fit here, so be sure to download our free guide to the Waitaki District at www.bit.ly/pybnewguide. We've been welcoming guests to Pen-y-bryn for many years and we're still discovering new things to love about this town. If you'd like personalised recommendations for your stay, just send us a message — we're always happy to help plan the perfect visit.

13/06/2026

Winter in Oamaru, where the limestone glows and the puddles do impressions. ❄️These streets were shaped by Forrester & Lemon — the same architects who built Pen-y-bryn in 1889. Wander the Victorian Precinct by day, then come home to the top of the hill: open fire, good wine, dinner sorted.No crowds. Just golden light and the town to yourself.📍 Book your winter escape — link in bio

13/06/2026

Winter in Oamaru: when the limestone glows and the fireplaces earn their keep ❄️
We took a wander through Oamaru's Victorian Precinct this week, and these photos are why we think winter is the town's best-kept secret. Crisp, still days. Low golden light that makes the whitestone buildings glow. And after a little rain, the puddles turn the whole precinct into a mirror — have a look at the last photo and see if you can spot Steampunk HQ hiding in the reflection.
There's a lovely thread of history running through these images for us. Many of these buildings were designed by Forrester & Lemon, the celebrated architects who shaped Victorian Oamaru — and who, in 1889, also built Pen-y-bryn. When you stay with us in winter, you're sleeping inside the same story you wander through by day.
And honestly, winter days here have a rhythm we think our guests love most: a morning exploring the precinct or the galleries, an afternoon at the harbour or watching the penguins come ashore at dusk, then home to the top of the hill — open fire lit, a drink in hand, and dinner on its way.
No crowds, no queues, no waiting for a table. Just Oamaru at its most photogenic, and a warm welcome waiting at the end of the day.
We'd love to see you this winter. Book directly with us at www.penybryn.co.nz — and feel free to message us for tips on planning your visit. The Jameses are full of opinions about the best way to spend a winter weekend here. 😊
📍 Pen-y-bryn Lodge, 41 Towey Street, Oamaru

11/06/2026

It's officially winter here in New Zealand, so we have the fires going and the lodge is nice and cosy. We think this is a great time to visit Oamaru, what about you?

20/05/2026

Air New Zealand have announced three new routes in/out of Christchurch, making it that much easier for our friends in Tokyo, Singapore and Perth to reach the amazing South Island of New Zealand. And a reminder, we're just three hours' drive south of the airport!

The new services are part of a deal with Christchurch Airport to boost the South Island's links.

17/05/2026

This is the time of year when we tend to see long clear nights over Oamaru, so it’s the perfect time to appreciate the wonders of the night sky. If you’re interested in the stars and maybe want to photograph them yourself, plan to come stay with us during the coming winter months and we’ll show you sights like this.

13/05/2026

Here's your first look at the upcoming Netflix miniseries "East of Eden", filmed early last year here in Oamaru and elsewhere in the area and coming to your screens later this year.

04/05/2026

We're enjoying another comet in our evening sky at the moment.

04/05/2026

Join the Time Traveler for a visit to 1881 Ōamaru.