Location: Timaru
Top Things to do in Timaru
What to do and see in Timaru, South Island: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Famlan Farm Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Famlan is an animal farm park that's an Ideal outing for Families, Schools, Preschools, groups and animal lovers of all ages. All of our animals are very friendly most will let you get in with them some will be all over you (especially if you have FOOD) Last entry is at 3.30pm
2. 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.
3. Caroline Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
Reviewed By RoyR605 - Whanganui, New Zealand
Great place for a peaceful walk and you could get to see the little blue penguins.Great place to take the kids for a paddle or swim.
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. Centennial Park
6. 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.
7. Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Raecgal68 - Timaru, New Zealand
Water was clean, hydroslides were a lot of fun and the paddle boats and large inflatable was fun for my nephews to play on. Staff were friendly. Changing rooms were clean.
8. Otipua Wetland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By newzealandlife
Be aware that access is now temporarily, from either the south side of theroad bridge on King street (head east toward the sea.) Or you can walk to the track from the public carpark on Collins St. Go across the large field sea-ward, and follow the gravel walking track.Then, after about 10 mins, cross the timber foot bridge. From here you can go onto beach for a look or carry on across the boardwalk and around the wetland, There are nice places to sit and even a picnic table on the highest part of the track with a great view on the south side of the creek. Its an easy walk with only slight uphill parts.
9. Timaru Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By NAS1954 - Lightwater, United Kingdom
This garden was only 50 metres from our Coastal Ridge apartment and so was a must. For a relatively small garden it packed plenty of variety in. From open spaces, play park, formal garden, aviary, lake and woodland. Most importantly it was peaceful.
