Location: Timaru
Top Things to do in Timaru
The 5 Best Museums in Timaru, South Island
Timaru (English: /ˈtɪməˌruː/; Māori: Te Tihi-o-Maru) is a port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand, located 157 kilometres southwest of Christchurch and about 196 kilometres northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island. The Timaru urban area is home to 29,000 people, and is the largest urban area in South Canterbury, and the second largest in the Canterbury Region overall, after Christchurch. The city is the seat of the Timaru District, which includes the surrounding rural area and the towns of Geraldine, Pleasant Point and Temuka, which combined has a total population of 47,100.
Restaurants in Timaru
1. Kiwi Observatory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Kiwi Observatory is a private observatory. Our observatory has a dome on a sliding roof, allowing us the ability to use different telescopes. Home to a 12 inch and 11 inch telescopes on computer controlled mounts. we also have other telescopes which we use outside depending on the number of visitors. Solar observing of the sun during the day can also be arranged on request, using special H-Alpha solar telescope. We ask for a donation only (details on our website and when booking) which goes to the up keep of the equipment. We look forward to showing you the night sky and providing informative tour.
2. York Street Gallery of Fine Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Located in Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand. This unique gallery is owned by established sculpture artist 'Debbie Templeton-Page'. The gallery is home to an ever changing collection of works by renowned New Zealand artists. The unique style and atmosphere of York Street Gallery of Fine Art is enhanced by the experience and flair of it's owner. The gallery holds a selection of high quality artwork to view and to purchase.
3. Te Ana Maori Rock Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Te Ana provides personalised, authentic Maori cultural experiences based around the rock art art sites created by our ancestors. We offer guided tours of our Māori Rock Art Centre, Te Ana, and guided tours to some of the districts most stunning examples of Māori rock drawings, also known as cave art. We are a Māori owned not-for-profit organisation - 100% of the proceeds of our centre and site tours are used for the management of the rock art sites in the district. By choosing Te Ana you are helping us to protect this unique aspect of our culture for future generations. Kia ora!
Reviewed By HappyNZTraveller21
What an incredible experience ! If you are interested in Maori culture, history, and art this is one of the must-do experiences in the South Island. You can only do it in Timaru. Our guide, Sue was great as she took time to explain the displays in the Te Ana Rock Art Centre and answer everyone's questions. What was equally impressive was her ability to put everything into context both in the past when the rock art was being created and also for current members of Ngai Tahu. My wife loved that Sue was from one of the local runanga and how authentic the experience felt. After the Rock Art Centre, we went out to a significant rock art site which is on private farm land. The rock art was stunning and provoked a lot of discussion between Sue and the visitors including us. The surrounding landscape which is being restored with native plants was equally beautiful. It was a humbling experience to experience such a beautiful and complex art work out in the New Zealand countryside. If you have time, put this trip in your itinerary you won't regret it.
4. South Canterbury Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By SmileyN21 - Waimate, New Zealand
Dioramas, samples you can touch as well as see, drawers of fascinating collections, exhibits you can walk through, multiple Moa skeletons, taxidermied creatures, and it’s all fascinating and there are good information panels. It was a real treat to visit a museum that reminds me of childhood trips to the British Museum in London.
5. Aigantighe Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Aigantighe Art Gallery is the home of art in South Canterbury. Established in 1956, its name is Scottish Gaelic for 'at home' and is pronounced 'egg and tie'. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm, weekends 12-4pm. The sculpture garden is always open. Entry is free.
Reviewed By HeatherC3418 - Oamaru, New Zealand
This gallery is one of my favourites in the South canterbury Waitaki areas. It has modern and old paintings. I love the building the art is housed in, and the grounds are very large and have lots of sculptures. Your children and perhaps a dog can run and let steam of outside, then dog put in your car and children can then behave in the gallery.. I am sure you will enjoy so much, that each time you travel thru Timaru, you will want to call in, and see fresh exhibitions.
