We are in front of the former Bank of New South Wales, an iconic building designed by the eminent architect Robert Arthur Lawson in 1882.
The bank's first branch opened on Tyne Street in the mid-1870s, in the bustling heart of the port district.
In the early 1880s, it moved to Thames Street, right next to another Lawson masterpiece, the National Bank (1870).
The building combines commercial activities and housing: the ground floor houses the bank, the basement offers additional spaces, and the first floor serves as accommodation for the manager. The Bank of New South Wales remained active here until 1979.
Robert Arthur Lawson, best known for his magnificent churches, created a leading commercial work here, alongside other major constructions like the neighboring Bank of Otago. Today, this building remains a remarkable witness to the economic and architectural boom of Oamaru in the late 19th century.
Today, the Forrester Art Gallery occupies the spectacular neo-classical building constructed in 1884 for the Bank of New South Wales. Acquired by the former Oamaru Borough Council, the building became a gallery in 1983 thanks to the generous bequest of John M. Forrester (1865–1965).
The Forrester Gallery houses a constantly expanding collection, featuring artworks significant to the region. It stands as a true icon of Oamaru's unique white stone historic district, reflecting its rich architectural and cultural heritage.