Timaru - town in New Zealand's South Island

Timaru is a city of 27,500 people (2018) on the South Island of New Zealand, on the east coast at Caroline Bay. It is a seaport and the second largest city in the Canterbury region, and is about halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin. Caroline Bay has a popular sheltered beach and recreation area.

Understand

• Timaru Visitors Centre, -44.39711°, 171.25601°. 2018-12-31

Get in

By plane

• Richard Pearse Airport (Timaru Airport), -44.302778°, 171.225278°. 2 or 3 flights daily, Air New Zealand, direct from Wellington. Taxi or rental car (preferably pre-arranged) from airport. 2018-12-31

By road

Timaru is on State Highway 1, 157 km, or a two-hour drive, south of Christchurch. Coach services operate from Picton, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Get around

Bus services that connect the suburbs to the city centre. Taxi or rental car are other means of transport for tourists.

See

• Te Ana Maori Rock Art, 2 George Street, Landing Services Building. Personalised and authentic Maori cultural experiences 2016-11-23
• South Canterbury Museum, 4 Perth St, Timaru Central, -44.3972°, 171.2510°, +64 3-687 7212. Tu-F 10AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 1-4:30PM. donation 2018-10-03
• Sacred Heart Basilica (Timaru Basilica), -44.4016°, 171.247°. 2018-12-31
• Washdyke Lagoon, -44.3629°, 171.2505°. Areas surrounding the lagoon are good spots for Birding 2018-12-31
• Timaru Botanic Gardens, -44.4102°, 171.2533°. 2018-12-31
• Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, -44.3920°, 171.2499°. 2018-12-31
• Artwork. The Ferocious "Face of Peace", and the "malconstructed tubular bunk of Joy" which reside below the Piazza, and in front of the earthquake-proof Council offices, respectively. 2018-12-31
• Timaru Shipwreck Memorial, -44.39670°, 171.25175°. 2018-12-31

Do

• Caroline Bay Beach, -44.3877°, 171.2515°. 2018-12-31
• Movie Max Digital Cinemas, cnr Sophia & Canon Sts, info@moviemaxdigital.co.nz. The town's movie theatre complex.
• Mountain biking and cycling – The Timaru area has a number of trails and routes throughout the back country and city.
• Golf - There are a number of golf courses within the area.
• Centennial Park, -44.3953°, 171.2109°. 2018-12-31
• Aigantighe Art Gallery. 2018-12-31
• Otipua Wetland. 2018-12-31
• Caroline Bay Soundshell, -44.3913°, 171.2485°. 2018-12-31
• Theatre Royale, -44.39773°, 171.25505°. Closed for redevelopment in 2020. A Victorian theatre. 2018-12-31
• South Canterbury Rugby Football Union (Alpine Energy Stadium), -44.39676°, 171.22615°. 2018-12-31
• cbay Aquatic Centre, -44.38592°, 171.24327°. 2018-12-31
• Caroline Bay Carnival. 2018-12-31

Buy

• Ballantynes, -44.39361°, 171.25000°. 2018-12-31
• Northtown Shopping Centre, -44.3833°, 171.2369°. 2018-12-31

Eat

• The Oxford, 152 Stafford Street. 2022-07-22
• Zest, 4a Elizabeth Place, -44.39487°, 171.24926°, +64 3 688 8313. 2022-07-22
• Speights Ale House, 2 George Street, -44.39729°, 171.25617°, +64 3 686 6030. Daily 11:30-late. 2022-07-22
• Bay Hill Brewery Bar (Monteiths Bay 54), 54 The Bay Hill, -44.39186°, 171.24730°, +64 3 688 4367. Daily 08:00-late. 2022-07-22
• Sukhothai Thai Restaurant & Bar, 303 Stafford Street, Timaru Central, -44.39361°, 171.25069°, +64 3 688-4843. 2018-12-31

Drink

• The Sail & Anchor, 51 Sophia St, -44.39578°, 171.25128°, +64 3-688 8177. 2018-12-31
• Old Bank, 232 Stafford St, -44.39539°, 171.25230°, +64 3-684 4392. 2018-12-31
• Saikou Teppanyaki & Whisky Bar, -44.39307°, 171.24904°. 2018-12-31

Sleep

• Avenue Motor Lodge, 31 Craigie Ave, Parkside, Timaru, -44.4057°, 171.2477°, +64 3-684 8383. from $165 2018-10-03
• ASURE Ashley Motor Lodge, 95/99 King St, Kensington, Timaru, -44.4123°, 171.2482°, +64 3-688 9939. from $149 2018-10-03
• Aspen on King, -44.4070°, 171.2518°. 2018-10-03
• Grosvenor Hotel, 26 Cains Terrace, Timaru Central, -44.39594°, 171.25452°, +64 3-687 9190. 44-room hotel from $90 2018-10-03
• Bay Viaduct Motor Lodge, 10 Wai-Iti Rd, Maori Hill, Timaru, -44.39100°, 171.24490°, +64 3-686 6338. from $145 2018-10-03
• Glenmark Holiday Park, -44.41716°, 171.23770°. Campgrounds 2018-12-31

Connect

• Timaru Library, -44.39593°, 171.25066°. 2018-12-31

Go next

South to Waimate, Oamaru, Moeraki Boulders and Dunedin. Go inland to Geraldine, Fairlie, Mt Cook, the Southern Lakes (Tekapo, Pukaki, Wanaka and Wakatipu) then down to the adventure capital of the South Island, Queenstown. Head north to Christchurch.

Geraldine, a town on the inland scenic route with a thriving arts and culture community nestled at the foot of soft rolling hills and bisected by the tranquil Waihi River. The pretty main street with its venerable trees, gardens and historic buildings is always bustling with visitors and locals alike.

Peel Forest, a short distance from Geraldine is a small, sparsely inhabited settlement village that is an oasis of beauty and tranquility set amid the dense virgin native forest. A popular recreational area offering many outdoor activities.

Pleasant Point, an ideal place to explore Maori rock art, sample the tastes of the award winning Opihi vineyard, or experience the town’s museum and railway with its fully restored steam locomotives with the world’s only Ford Model T railcar.

Temuka is a small town blessed with several rivers, walkways and an extensive collection of trees creating a green and tranquil haven for campers, sportspeople, travelers and locals.