Timaru

Timaru is a major port city on the eastern Pacific coast of South Island, New Zealand, an island country in the south western Pacific Ocean.

Local attractions include Te Ana Ngai Tahu Rock Art Centre, South Canterbury Food and Wine Trail and scenic flights.

The Caroline Bay area, located close to the town centre, is popular with visitors, there is a good swimming beach, a maze, and a selection of restaurants and cafes.

Not far from the centre of town is Aigantighe Art Gallery, filled with paintings, exhibitions, and a garden featuring local stone sculptures.

The South Canterbury Museum has a focus on the natural heritage and history of the South Canterbury region.

At the DB Draught Brewery, staff will take you through the brewing process. Also see how beer was delivered in the good old days, with the mighty DB Clydesdales, which graze on the brewery grounds. After the tour enjoy sampling the freshest of today’s brews, then stroll through the well stocked beer gear shop. (Booking essential for tours).

At Timaru Botanic Gardens see collections of Australian plants, conifers and rose species. A border containing the native plants of the Canterbury region is of special note. Endangered plants from around the world can be seen in part of the conservatory complex. Other attractions include a fern house, two ponds with water fowl, a herb garden, formal rose garden and a woodland garden.

Further afield, Geraldine is located 36km north west of Timaru. It has a country village atmosphere and is known as a centre of arts, crafts and plants. Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve on the outskirts of Geraldine is one of the best remnants of lowland native forest in Canterbury, it overlooks the village and has lovely walks, native birds and picnic areas.

Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, standing at 3,724m high. It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island and is a popular tourist destination.

Outdoor activities include river rafting, kayaking, hiking, horse riding and fishing.

Wander along Stafford Street, Timaru's thriving main street, a pleasant, compact shopping area which includes a selection of locally owned fashion stores as well as popular chain stores. Timaru also has two speciality malls - Highfield Village Mall and Northtown Mall. The famous merino wool products make good gifts.

The cuisine of New Zealand is a diverse British-based cuisine, with Mediterranean and Pacific Rim influences. Fresh fish and seafood and the famous New Zealand lamb features highly on most menus. Desserts such as Pavlova and 'hokey pokey' ice cream (vanilla with small pieces of honeycomb toffee) are firm favourites with locals.

Present day Māori cuisine is a mixture of Māori tradition, old-fashioned English cookery, and contemporary dishes. Two dishes regarded as distinctively Māori are the boil-up of pork, potatoes, kumara and dumplings, and pork and puha (sow thistle).

Cruise ships berth on the water’s edge of town, a short 5 minute shuttle bus ride or a 500m walk to town.

A shuttle bus service is provided to take you from the cruise berth to the i-SITE Visitor Centre in the central part of town. Here you will find lots of information, maps, bus timetables and help on planning your stay in Timaru.