Timaru sits roughly halfway between the South Island’s two largest cities — Christchurch and Dunedin. It’s a common stopover when driving State Highway 1, but there’s plenty to keep you busy for a day or two if you decide to stay. There are also heaps of places to sleep, eat and drink — we’ll give you all the details in our Timaru Travel Guide!
Getting to Timaru
You’ll pass through Timaru when driving between Christchurch and Dunedin, so you may end up missing it all together if you’re doing the typical South Island tourist trail.
Timaru is only two hours south of Christchurch (2.5 hours north of Dunedin), so you could do it as a day trip if you really wanted to. The drive from Christchurch is pretty boring as far as South Island road trips go so there isn’t a lot to see on the way. The drive from Dunedin is much more interesting, passing by heaps of beaches, walks and small towns. You can also reach Timaru if coming from inland areas such as Lake Tekapo.
Timaru History
There was a long history of Māori settlement in and around Timaru before whalers and sealers arrived in the 1790s. The town raced into the modern age with the creation of its port / artificial harbour in the 1870s. The surrounding area is full of farmland and the port is still a major part of the town’s economy. Famous Timaruvians include Richard Pearce (one of the first people in the world to fly a plane) and Phar Lap, probably New Zealand’s most iconic racehorse.
The Town Centre
The main shopping street of Timaru (Stafford St) is full of elegant old buildings dating back to Timaru’s boom days. It’s a great place to stroll, grab a coffee and do some shopping.
There are also some nice restaurants and plenty of quicker eats on offer. On Sundays there’s a small farmers market. Aside of that area (Stafford St and a few adjoining streets) there isn’t a whole lot to explore outside of Caroline Bay, Timaru’s seaside hotspot.
Caroline Bay
Caroline Bay is more than just a beach. Head inland from the sand and you’ll find parks, playgrounds, art installations, a paddling pool, a skatepark and heaps more.
During the Christmas / New Year period the Caroline Bay Fair takes centre stage — I still remember being terrified while riding “The Hurricane” many years ago.
The beach is great too — definitely one of the better town beaches in the South Island. Watch out for little blue penguins near sunset!
Other Things to Do in Timaru
Most of the best things to do in Timaru are clustered around the town centre and Caroline Bay. Some of these include the Timaru Museum and the Piazza.
Further afield you have the Timaru Botanic Gardens and outside of town there’s Jack’s Point Lighthouse — if you’re keen for a walk in Timaru that’s your best bet.
READ MORE: 14 of the Best Things to Do in Timaru
Nearby Towns and Attractions
There are several small towns a short drive from Timaru. Geraldine is our favourite to visit thanks to the holiday town atmosphere and an awesome café (Barkers — pretty famous in NZ).
Geraldine is the closest town to Peel Forest. Check out the calm forest trails or challenge yourself with a hike up Mount Peel.
Waimate is also an interesting one to visit — you might even see a wallaby! Pleasant Point has an old train that sometimes runs (not much else to do there though) and Temuka is the place to go if you’re looking for ceramics.
Timaru Weather
From what I remember growing up (I left Timaru aged 10) the weather in Timaru is pretty good. It’s not as cold as Dunedin and not as hot as Christchurch in the summer. About as good as you’re going to get in the South Island outside of Nelson/ Marlborough.
Where to Stay
Most of the motels in Timaru are located on the hills above Caroline Bay, a short walk from both the beach and the town centre. Try and find one with a view if you can!
Eating and Drinking
The main eating and drinking spots in Timaru are in the town centre. There are a few at Bay Hill which overlooks Caroline Bay — that’d be my first spot for new visitors to Timaru.
Timaru is also home to the famous U-Bake hot cross buns (voted best in NZ multiple times) and a small, unique tasting pie (May’s Pies). Head to Timaru in September and you can take part in Scoff, a food festival with lots of unique dishes to try. I haven’t been there during Scoff but I have a friend who posts on Facebook about it every year and some of the food looks impressive.
Timaru Itinerary
You can see Timaru’s highlights in a day or two as they’re mostly grouped together in the centre of town. You could stop for a couple of hours and move on, but staying a night could be worth it. A one-night itinerary could see you arrive in Timaru on day one and hang out at Caroline Bay, stroll through the town centre and maybe visit the museum.
On day two you could drive out to Jack’s Point Lighthouse, visit Waimate or Geraldine and, if you’re feeling fit, do the hike up Mount Peel.
Shopping
There are some cute shops on Timaru’s main street and it’s a nice place for a wander. Head to Temuka for ceramics, Geraldine for jams, sauces etc. or check out an art gallery in Timaru.
Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Check out our South Island travel guide!
Jon Algie
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