A visit to Oamaru by cruise ship passengers this Sunday has been described by Scott Elliffe, of Living History New Zealand, as a "ground-breaking step" for the district.
Passengers from Rhapsody of the Seas will travel from Port Chalmers to Oamaru by bus on a "living history extravaganza" which will include visits to the town's historic Harbour-Tyne precinct, the live history show The Great Storm of 1868 and a behind-the-scenes tour at the Oamaru blue penguin colony.
Mr Elliffe had been speaking to cruise excursion operators and they were interested in the concept of "New Zealand heritage alive", he said.
The opportunity to engage with local people and experience New Zealand colonial history was attractive to passengers wanting to gain insight into the place they were visiting.
Rose Martz, of Goway Travel Australia, who is co-ordinating the booking, saw potential for more visits to Oamaru.
"As passengers are often on their second or third visit to Dunedin, they are looking for new day-tour options," she said.
