Things To Do
Fishing (sea and river), track walks and horse riding. Rare Maori rock art. DB Brewery tours. Easy walks and cycle paths through the scenic reserve or to the beach, close to camp.
Within Walking Distance
Hotel, TAB, bus stop, beaches, river, cycle paths, wetland area for birdlife, restaurant, service station, mountain bike trails, and cycle jump/stunt park.
2-minute Drive To
Indoor pool, hospital, botanical gardens.
3-minute Drive To
Timaru city shopping centre, movie theatres, cafés and restaurants.
5-minute Drive To
Caroline Bay with its boardwalks and striking piazza overlooking the bay as well as a great selection of restaurants. Take a look at the bustling port where you can drive close to the boats and also do some fishing. There is a selection of 3 golf courses, an outdoor heated pool with a diving pool and slide, children's indoor play area and Patiti Point surfing beach. Visit the famous Aigantighe Art Gallery (pronounced "egg and tie") or visit the museum, rose garden, Sunday market and skate park at the bay. Visit Te Ana, the only museum dedicated to the rare Maori rock art in our region.
Local Interests Nearby
- Skiing at Fox Peak, Dobson and Roundhill ski fields
- At Pleasant Point you can ride the world's only Ford Model T Railcar, admire the restored steam railway relics in the museum and railway
- Sample wine at Opihi Vineyard, marvel at Raincliff Reserve's limestone Maori rock art
- Drive inland via Upper Waitohi to see the memorial of unsung aviation pioneer Richard Pearse
- Blue penguin colonies (Oamaru and Moeraki)
- Waimate Wallaby Park, feed the tame wallabies
Timaru Gardens
Stroll through the Timaru Botanic Gardens, a 210ha reserve bordering Caroline Bay with gardens, duck ponds and an aviary. The garden is noted for its work with rare and endangered species and its rose collections. Timaru district also has beautiful private gardens open for tours during summer.
Aigantighe Art Gallery
Timaru's art gallery contains more than 900 works, including a garden of sculptures. The Aigantighe Art Gallery in Wai-iti Road is renowned internationally for its art collection, innovative exhibitions and education programmes. The Aigantighe prides itself on being a friendly, thought-provoking art museum for everyone.
South Canterbury Museum
The excellent museum explores the area's whaling history, with some good examples of scrimshaw (whale bone etchings). There are also local Maori artefacts and a replica of the first aeroplane designed and flown by local farmer and inventor, Richard Pearse.
Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre (CBay)
Timaru's purpose-built aquatic centre offers great family entertainment. CBay caters for all ages including toddlers with a toddler water activity area, spa pool and lazy river, hydro slide and training pools. The complex also has a café and gym.
Landing Services Building
The last remaining building of its type in the southern hemisphere, it was built in 1870 from solidified lava (bluestone) and contains relics of Timaru's maritime heritage and also houses an i-SITE Information Centre, Te Ana Maori Rock Art experience, Speights Ale House and a function centre.
Timaru Tourism
For a list of up-to-date activities in the Timaru District please visit the Venture Timaru Tourism website.