Yinzer in the Shire

When we first told people we were heading for Oamaru during our holiday we received a lot of unsolicited advice recommending we explore the West coast instead.  Boy, those people don't know what they are missing by passing this awesome little town. Just a short drive from Christchurch and Dunedin (both of which boast airports), Oamaru is known as the Steampunk Capital of New Zealand.  Every year they host both a Steampunk festival and a Victorian fête, in June and November respectively.  We visited over New Years so quite a few shops and attractions were either closed or running on odd schedules, but we still found heaps to during our three days in town. The main draw of this town is the Victorian Precinct which is home to bookbinders, bakers, artists, and unique op shops.  Oamaru wants to be seen as a Victorian town at work and actively encourages these types of businesses to settle within it's borders. The Victorian Precinct is off of the ma...

Christchurch is still infinitely beautiful, even though earthquakes literally and figuratively shook the foundations of this historical town throughout 2010 and 2011. The resiliency of it's people is what makes the city so darn cool. In the midst of the rubble there is beauty, art, and community. In Christchurch there is plenty to do over the course of three days, all for little to no cost. The city is built on a grid and is easy to walk. If your feet get tired, hitch a ride on a historical tram for $20 or take the scenic route and go punting on the Avon river. If you're driving, be aware roads might be closed off for repairs. However, since Christchurch is built on a grid system it is difficult to get lost as long as you have a general idea of which direction you should be headed in. I highly recommend Parkopedia to find car parks with all day parking. You might have to walk a bit farther, but it's worth it. The first day we were down near the museu...