The old steam crane was built by Stothert and Pitt Ltd, in Bath, England, and two modern cranes were needed to lift it on to a flatbed truck from where it had rested for years near the North Otago Yacht and Power Boat Club.
One crane lifted the main structure while another supported the boom.
The truck then took it around the harbour to the former Friendly Bay carnival site where it was lifted on to an old section of railway track which used to run to Holmes Wharf.
Waitaki District Council property manager Dougall McIntyre said the crane would be the end of a flying fox cable, which linked to a Steampunk elephant with climbing frame, still under construction.
It will be the first piece of equipment at the new destination playground, hopefully in place by the end of the year.
The playground will eventually have equipment and play areas which all ages could relate to, the council setting aside $435,000 for its development.
It has distinct areas for junior play and senior play, an open space for exhibitions and events and a prominent entrance. Walking tracks will link the playgrounds and for security, there will be lighting.
"It's great to be able to re-use what is part of the history of the Oamaru Harbour," Mr McIntyre said about the crane.
At this stage, the crane will be left as it is, but in the future could be restored as a community project.
The playground is part of a council development strategy for the Oamaru harbour area, retaining its "industrial feel" but turning it into a destination and attraction for tourists, complementing the neighbouring historic precinct.
In total, the strategy has $1.3 million allocated to it.
