Timaru

Timaru is a city of 28,900 as of June 2023 on the South Island of New Zealand, on the east coast at Caroline Bay. It is a seaport and the second largest city in the Canterbury region, and is about halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin. Caroline Bay has a popular sheltered beach and recreation area.

By road
Timaru is on State Highway 1,, or a two-hour drive, south of Christchurch. Coach services operate from Picton, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Get around
Bus services connect the suburbs to the city centre. Taxi or rental car are other means of transport for tourists.

Oddly, SH 78 in Timaru, is the country's shortest state highway at just a mere 900 metres! Why it exists is still quite a mystery.

Do

 * Mountain biking and cycling – The Timaru area has a number of trails and routes throughout the back country and city.
 * Golf - There are a number of golf courses within the area.
 * Mountain biking and cycling – The Timaru area has a number of trails and routes throughout the back country and city.
 * Golf - There are a number of golf courses within the area.
 * Mountain biking and cycling – The Timaru area has a number of trails and routes throughout the back country and city.
 * Golf - There are a number of golf courses within the area.
 * Mountain biking and cycling – The Timaru area has a number of trails and routes throughout the back country and city.
 * Golf - There are a number of golf courses within the area.

Go next
South to Waimate, Oamaru, Moeraki Boulders and Dunedin. Go inland to Geraldine, Fairlie, Mt Cook, the Southern Lakes (Tekapo, Pukaki, Wanaka and Wakatipu) then down to the adventure capital of the South Island, Queenstown. Head north to Christchurch.

Geraldine, a town on the inland scenic route with a thriving arts and culture community nestled at the foot of soft rolling hills and bisected by the tranquil Waihi River. The pretty main street with its venerable trees, gardens and historic buildings is always bustling with visitors and locals alike.

Peel Forest, a short distance from Geraldine is a small, sparsely inhabited settlement village that is an oasis of beauty and tranquility set amid the dense virgin native forest. A popular recreational area offering many outdoor activities.

Pleasant Point, an ideal place to explore Maori rock art, sample the tastes of the award winning Opihi vineyard, or experience the town’s museum and railway with its fully restored steam locomotives with the world’s only Ford Model T railcar.

Temuka is a small town blessed with several rivers, walkways and an extensive collection of trees creating a green and tranquil haven for campers, sportspeople, travelers and locals.