Buggyrobot Gallery
Monday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
TuesdayClosed.
WednesdayClosed.
Thursday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Friday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Saturday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Sunday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Ōamaru may be small, but its charm is mighty. Many unique and independently owned stores make up the town’s character, and Buggyrobot Gallery is one such place. A quirky gallery and workshop in the heart of Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct, it’s a must-visit.
Martin Horspool originally hails from Wales, and for the last 15 years, he has been building metal art and doing watercolour illustrations and paintings - Buggyrobot is his chance to showcase his creations. No two pieces are the same in the gallery, and as you wander around the showroom, each new piece you come across will make you pause and consider it.
The process around creating these artworks is very unique, and Martin is a big proponent of upcycling items he finds and extending their life in a new way. He will often find discarded items from kerbsides or source materials from antique stores, markets and scrap yards. The robot creations on display in the gallery often involve now-extinct devices or machines that are reimagined into characters from Martin’s imagination. And some of his favourite pieces to make are large, wall-mounted taxidermy-style trophy heads, combining antlers with vintage appliances.
A visit to Buggyrobot Gallery will put a smile on your face, and chances are you won’t have experienced anything quite like it before.
Words by Julia Rutherford & Photography by Anna Briggs
Information not correct? Report an error
Location
6a Harbour St, South Hill, Oamaru
Nearby Places
Victoria Lounge and Eatery
Victoria Lounge and Eatery in the heart of Ōamaru is a welcome addition to the burgeoning hospitality scene in this small town brimming with charm and character.
The Vault
The Oamaru Vault launched in August 2024 with a world of products designed to make everyday moments feel that extra bit special, from beauty and homeware to fashion, accessories and cute things for kids.
Bruce's Barber
Located in the heart of the Thames Street shopping district in Ōamaru is the ultimate gentlemen’s grooming experience, Bruce’s Barber.
Cucina
Argentinian, Italian and Spanish flavours meet Kiwi hospitality at Cucina. Owners Yanina and Pablo, moved their family to Ōamaru in 2008, and celebrate the cuisine they grew up with through Waitaki's best ingredients.
Similar Places
Forrester Gallery
One of the best places to get your art fix in the Waitaki region, the Forrester Gallery hosts a rich programme of exciting exhibitions in a historic Ōamaru landmark –...
Steampunk HQ
This epicentre of Steampunk culture comes alive at the Steampunk HQ, where interactive art comes to life in a way that’s fun, antique and futuristic all at once.
Grainstore Gallery
Not quite a gallery or a studio, Grainstore Gallery is an emporium of local artist Donna Demente’s larger than life paintings and sculptures and the ephemera that informs them. Climb up the stairs and be immersed in her creative world.
Crafted
It’s hard not to be inspired by Ōamaru’s rugged coastline and fabled history. The town is home to many talented makers and artists, and at the collective gallery you can explore their work at your own pace.
Featured in
A Boutique Weekend Escape to Ōamaru
Some holidays call for a tent and hiking shoes, and others something a little more cushy – with the promise of a dreamy mattress to plonk onto at the end of the day. With so much romance and history filling every pocket of town, Ōamaru is the perfect destination for those seeking the latter.
Think luxurious accommodation set in charming heritage buildings, enough one-of-a-kind homeware stores to fill a whole day’s itinerary, vibrant art studios and gallery spaces, and a culinary scene that big cities only dream of having. Have we got your attention?
From the best places to stay to shopping, eating and cultural experiences, here’s our Neat Places guide to a boutique weekend escape to Ōamaru. Lean into the town’s Victorian heritage and give yourself permission to live like a royal.
Slow but Spontaneous: Exponential Brewing
