Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre
The Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre in Timaru offers an immersive cultural experience where visitors can learn about the history and significance of Māori rock art from the South Canterbury region. Through interactive exhibits and storytelling the cent…
Central South Island Trail – South Canterbury Portion
This easy track is a great way to see some of the best scenery that the South Island has to offer. The Central South Trail takes you along the countryside from the seaside town of Timaru, through Pleasant Point to Cave via State Highway 8. Bike the…
Pareora River Track
Follow along the banks of the Pareora River to the river dam. Limestone rocks provide drama on the banks and tall trees provide plenty of shade. Start by climbing over the stile on the road indicated by the sign. The track is well trodden but has an…
Mt Nimrod
This track has great views and a waterfall that plummets through a rock arch. From the campground, take the bridge across Nimrod Stream where the loop track takes you on an anti-clockwise circuit of the reserve. Initially it climbs steeply up out of…
White Pine Track
This loop track starts from the campground, crossing a small stream and then gently climbing to a ridge where there are large kaikahikatea and tōtara. The most impressive is a stately tōtara about three metres in diameter. The track then returns via…
Homebush Track
This loop track starts from the campground, crossing a small stream and then gently climbing to a ridge where there are large kaikahikatea and tōtara. The most impressive is a stately tōtara about three metres in diameter. The track then returns via…
Orari Gorge Track
The track initially follows an old bush tramway, which was used to extract logs. Continue straight on through a mosaic of regenerating trees before climbing to an open high point. The return leg is through bush with some extensive stands of kānuka…
Fern Walk
The early part of the track passes through Mills Bush, 16.2 hectares of virgin podocarp forest containing giant lowland tōtara, mataī and kahikatea trees, many of them probably 1000 years old. Their roots are spread across the path.
In 1881 these…
Kahikatea Walk
This track offers flat easy walking, with board walks over wetter areas. Saw pits are a reminder of the fate of most of this forest, with just a remnant of kahikatea swamp forest remaining.
Getting there
From Geraldine town centre, take SH79 n…
Emily Falls
The track starts on the left a little way up the steep Blandswood/Lookout Road. After a steeper section the track forks left down to Rata Stream. Follow the stream down for 100 m then exit right back on to the track. This track crosses another small…
Dennistoun Bush
This is a flat, easy walk through 40 hectares of magnificent ancient forest with huge kahikatea, lowland tōtara and mataī. There is a short side trip to one of the historic saw pits in the area. Also near Brake Road look out for a hollow tōtara stum…
Big Tree Walk
There are large mataī, kahikatea and lowland tōtara along the track, some of which are thought to be 1000 years old. The largest tree, a huge lowland tōtara, is almost three metres across. Look out for the remains of a bush tramway route running alo…
Allans Track
Follow Acland Falls Track from Te Wanahu Flat and turn left onto Allans Track after about 500 metres. Allans Track then joins Deer Spur before dropping steeply to Fern Walk, which can be followed back to the starting point. This track passes through…
Acland Falls
The track climbs steeply and then drops into a small stream. The falls (14 m), a short walk up the stream bed, are named after J B Acland of Mt Peel Station. The sunnier and drier aspect of this northern flank of the park has produced vegetation str…
Kakahu Escarpment Track
From the car park walk 250 metres to the road bridge where the track leads across paddocks to the limestone cliffs. At the foot of the impressive limestone escarpment are large mushroom-like rocks which were eroded around their bases thousands of ye…
Kakahu Bush Track
This track follows the route of a wooden tramway, which over a century ago, brought marble chips from quarries in the gorge to the Hall Road kiln.
Follow the marked farm track around the edge of the bush, crossing a small stream before climbing u…
River Walk
The riverside walk, located right in the heart of Geraldine, winds its way along the Waihi River taking in Rhododendron Dell, magnificent in spring, as well as a small oasis of native bush found adjacent to Todd Park.
While on this trail keep an…
Little Kiwi Trail
Time for bed little kiwi! But where is he? Help mum kiwi find him.
Follow the signs 1 – 10 around the Temuka Domain, starting at the carpark and help track little kiwi down. Enjoy the walk on the way!
Based on the book ‘Time For Bed Little Kiw…
Waitohi Bush
Here you will enjoy unrivalled panoramic views of the district, the abundance of native bird life and the wonderful walks through the native bush. Waitohi Bush features a small campground with a toilet as well as a picnic area with a BBQ and running…
Allan Jones Walkway
Walk through to Torepe Fields which features an off-lead dog exercise area and frisbee golf course. Carry on through Torepe Fields and behind the golf course before returning to Domain Avenue for a stunning walk through the tall gum trees back to th…
Taumatakahu Stream Reserve
Starting at the end of Studholme Street and running through the centre of the township, the walk is an easy, flat track that meanders along the Taumatakahu Stream. Stop to feed the ducks or play on the playgrounds. This track finishes on Shaw Street…
Opihi River Track
Follow along the stopbank of the Opihi River from Temuka through to Pleasant Point. Stop along the way for a picnic, a swim or a fish. Return the same way you came, or arrange for someone to pick you up at Pleasant Point.
Getting there
Access…
Tuhawaiki (Jack’s) Point
This walk follows the coast past the historic (1) Tuhawaiki (Jack’s) Point Lighthouse, and offers spectacular coastal views.
You can walk, run or bike and it’s also dog friendly. Please ensure any dogs are under control as you may see penguins an…
Timaru Botanic Gardens
Wander around Timaru’s stunning Botanic Gardens. There are lots of tracks, you can follow the map or just plot your own course.
Start at the Queen Street entrance and follow the road to the left past the entrance to the Graeme Paterson Conservato…
South Beach Coastal Track
This track has been formed on the edge of a shingle beach. It follows the coast line north towards Timaru harbour and is good for cycling. The sea on one side, where the occasional seal, penguin or surfer adds a touch of life to the view. There is a…
Otipua Wetlands Track
Embark on a journey through the captivating Timaru Otipua Wetlands, wander along the gravel tracks that wind around the four-hectare lake, offering picturesque views.
Marvel at the diverse array of native birdlife that call this wetland sanctuar…
Otipua Creek Track
Start on Coonoor Road, across the road from the Saltwater Creek/Coonoor Road walk. This walk follows Saltwater Creek to link up with the Centennial Park walk.
Paddocks on both sides of the river provide interest with farm animals and aquatic bird…
Dashing Rocks Coastal Walk
Experience the beauty of Timaru’s coastline, enjoying panoramic views over Caroline Bay, wandering over ancient lava flows and examining the rocky cliffs that proved treacherous to early shipping.
Set off on this loop walk from beautiful Caroline…
Claremont Bush Track
A short, but sweet walk, the Claremont Bush track allows you to take your time and enjoy the native bush and bird life. Keep an eye out for bellbirds (korimako), fantails (piwakawaka) and a rare native climbing daisy with bright yellow flowers.
S…
Centennial Park
Centennial Park spans 65 hectares at the edge of the Timaru City limits. In the heart of the park, you’ll find the Centennial Park Lake recreational area. It has ample parking for cars, an expansive sheltered picnic area, BBQs, children’s playground…
Hunting in the Timaru District
Looking to head out on a self guided hunting trip? Check out the local hunting blocks here.
Best surfing breaks in Timaru
Looking to catch some waves? Head here and we’ll have you surfing like a local.
Southern Wide Helicopters
Go on an unforgettable adventure with Southern Wide Helicopters experienced pilots and discover the magical mountain views, coastal sights and incredible wilderness from a birds-eye view.
Timaru: perfect base for winter skiing
With 5 ski fields close the Timaru District, this is the perfect place to base yourself for a winter holiday.
Helicopters South Canterbury
Whether you’re after a scenic flight, a picnic with a view, hunting tranfers or a winter snow landing, Helicopters South Canterbury can cater to your needs.
Fishing Timaru’s rivers and streams
The Timaru District’s backcountry rivers and creeks provide some of the best salmon and trout fishing in New Zealand.
Glendeer Hunting & Fishing Guides
Experience New Zealand’s hunting and fly-fishing at it’s very best with Glendeer Guides, unbelievable heavy antlered red stags, beautiful wild brown and rainbow trout on the fly, magnificent bull tahr of the alpine pastures, all encompassed with New…
Rangitata High Country Hunting
The Rangitata Valley is a world renowned New Zealand hunting destination. Rangitata High Country Hunting have exclusive access to some of the best properties in New Zealand, including Dry Creek Station which is widely regarded to provide the best Ta…
Timaru District Golf Courses
We have plenty of golfing options across the district. Beautifully scenic courses for all levels, including a driving range – perfect for some competitive fun.
Real Kiwi Horse Trekking
Take a ride through some of New Zealand’s most pristine landscapes taking in breathtaking views of the mountains, lakes, glacier fed rivers and Canterbury plain on a bespoke trekking adventure.
The Raptor Experience
Get up close with New Zealand’s raptors in a unique, hands-on experience. Learn about the lives of our native raptor birds, their ways of hunting, what they feed on, dangers to their safety and their cultural significance. For 60 minutes you will en…
Native bats
South Canterbury is home to an important population of critically endangered bats/ pekapeka.
Geraldine Farm Tours
Experience an authentic, intimate and up-close real working New Zealand farm set at Beauly Farm, in the South Canterbury foothills near the historic village of Woodbury. Watch sheep shearing and a working farm dog demonstration. Available for a mini…
Chipmunks
With heaps to keep little minds and bodies entertained, this is the perfect place to tire the kids out, especially if the weather is less than ideal.
Mini Golf
Round up the whole family for a day of competitive fun at one of the district’s mini golf courses.
Disc Golf
A game for the whole family, courses are located in Timaru at Caroline Bay and West End Park, and there is an 18 hole course at Temuka Domain.
Wuhoo Timaru
Timaru District has wonderful environment, and rich heritage and culture to explore. There is so much, it’s hard sometimes to know where to start. You can pop into the South Canterbury Museum and Timaru Visitor Center to pick up your free Wuhoo scav…
Playgrounds
There are 43 council owned playgrounds in Timaru District. They will have you running, swinging rolling and jumping your way around the district’s playgrounds.
Geraldine Cinema
Located in the historic Geraldine Town Hall, the Geraldine Cinema is one of a few left of it’s type and age in New Zealand. Featuring sofas and arm chairs instead of traditional movie theatre seats, you can sit back and enjoy a boutique movie experi…
Movie Max Digital
Playing the latest releases for the whole family, Movie Max Digital is the region’s premier cinema.
Timaru District Outdoor Pools
The Timaru District has four great heated outdoor pools located at Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine and Pleasant Point.
CBay Timaru Aquatic Centre
A modern fitness and leisure centre, with three indoor heated pools, 50m outdoor heated pool (open November to March), two hydroslides, a children’s water play area, rapid river, bombing tower and chillax area (16yrs +) with steam, sauna and spa fac…
Big Rock Adventures
Abseil, jump and zipline your way through this remote canyon with an experienced guide. If you love water sports and are comfortable with heights, this will likely be one of the best things you will ever do!
Alpaca Walks
Meet, feed, and walk alongside friendly alpacas while taking in the peaceful countryside of Winchester, South Canterbury. Ideal for all ages, this hands-on encounter lets you discover each alpaca’s personality, enjoy their calm companionship, and sn…
The Farmyard Holiday Park
This is more than just a holiday park, it’s a farmyard you can visit during the day. They have animals including donkeys, alpacas, llamas, goats, Kune kune pigs, Highland cattle, cows, sheep, Guinea pigs, rabbits, Chickens, possums, peacocks, water…
The Shearers Quarters – Cafe and more
The Shearers Quarters provides a fun visit for the whole family. Enjoy a meal at the cafe, play mini golf, meet the farmyard animals or explore the crazy maze.
Timaru’s little penguins
Timaru’s Caroline Bay is home to a colony of the world’s smallest penguin – the Little Penguin/Kororā. Over the summer months (October – March) view them returning from a day’s fishing along Marine Parade at the southern end of Caroline Bay. It’s wo…
Explore Caroline Bay
A New Zealand Top 10 rated favourite family beach, Caroline Bay is located just minutes from Timaru’ CBD, and is a fantastic place to spend a day with the family.
Merivale Fine Arts Gallery
A wide range of contemporary and historic artworks is for sale and can been sent overseas for buyers. The gallery offers art valuations and a restoration service.
Gallery 329
Run by a collective of artists, this is a not-for-profit gallery, where you’ll find a diverse range of pieces – painting, photography, sculpture, patchwork and ceramics. It is a place where the buying public can invest in locally-made, quality produ…
Paul’s Gallery & Framing
Stocking a wide range of NZ prints and art blocks, Paul’s Gallery also offers custom picture framing.
Art at Seadown
Anne’s landscape paintings and whitestone sculptures are a feature of the gallery, and there are also items of pottery from when Anne and Mike were full-time potters. Their motto is ‘from our hands to yours’.
Timaru Heritage Trail
Timaru’s city centre features one of New Zealand’s most significant collections of Edwardian buildings. The high quality of the architecture reflects times of growth and prosperity in the district’s history. Weave your way through the Timaru CBD and…
CPlay – Timaru’s award winning playground
Set along Timaru’s famous Caroline Bay, you’ll find a special playground designed to capture a child’s imagination. Step into an exciting adventure as you explore a shipwreck, conquer a towering lighthouse slide, interact with the mahika kai-inspire…
The Wetdog Gallery
Set on 5 acres with native bush and singing bell birds, you might just find the perfect gift or a one-off item for the garden or home here. Explore the garden and check out the sculptures, take time out on the seat under the tree and wander along th…
Susan Badcock Gallery
Susan Badcock Gallery exhibits work by three generations of her family – her grandfather Douglas Badcock, father John Badcock, and Susan herself. With a continually changing exhibition calendar they showcase the work of both emerging and established…
York Street Gallery of Fine Art
Full of stunning artworks from notable New Zealand artists including Nigel Brown, Austen Deans, Marilyn Webb, Hamish Allan and plenty more. Owner Debbie Templeton-Page’s sculptures feature throughout Timaru including the Aigantighe Art Gallery, St M…
McAtamney Gallery & Design Store
Located in Geraldine, you’ll find collections from sontemporary artists such as Richard Bolton, Bernadette Parsons, Susanna Izard and Rachel Dewhirst. There are also featured works by Austen Deans, Michel Tuffery, Esther Hope and Margaret Stoddart…
Timaru Botanic Gardens
Timaru Botanic Gardens has an impressive variety of plants and flowers, an aviary, duck pond and playground. Located on 19 hectares of land in south Timaru, it dates back to 1864, when the site was first set aside as a public reserve. In 2014, the g…
Street Art
Take a self-guided tour of the Timaru District’s street art. Expressive murals scale buildings, lay hidden in alleyways and add a bold and bright feel to our towns.
Trevor Griffith’s Rose Garden
Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden in Timaru is a must-see for rose lovers. Named after a local nurseryman and author with a passion for growing old varies, the garden was deemed ‘a garden of excellence’ in 2013 by the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Self drive Māori Rock Art sites
The Timaru District has the highest number of studied Māori rock art sites in New Zealand. This is due to our many river ways that early Māori used as their roads while travelling throughout the South Island looking for food as well as materials for…
South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre
Located at Timaru Airport, visitors can view the collection of aircraft, learn about local aviation heroes, including New Zealand’s first aviator, Richard Pearse, and even sit in the cockpit of the Friendship aircraft.
Route 79 Museum
An eclectic showcase of classic cars, tractors, military vehicles, WWII artillery, memorabilia and more.
Temuka Courthouse Museum
Housed in the historic former Temuka Courthouse, this museum is home to over 6,000 items recording the history of Temuka, from farming, to industry, family history and social history.
Kyle Park Transport Museum
Discover a vast collection of vintage tractors and old farm machinery, plus a large display of classic and vintage trucks. There are two working traction engines plus numerous steam powered items. Come along and see some of our local agricultural…
Pleasant Point Railway Museum
This is a must visit as it’s been rated as one of New Zealand’s best preservation railways, but there’s loads more to this attraction than that. They run fully operational steam locomotives – including the 1922 locomotive Ab699 – and a rare replica…
Geraldine Historical Museum
The Geraldine Historical Museum showcases the contribution that organisations and individuals have made to the development of the Geraldine and wider Timaru District. The museum is open 7 days a week and admission is free.
Roger Mahan Heritage Centre
This museum houses a varied collection of heritage vehicles and machinery displayed in a huge modern 5600 square metre building, known as the Roger Mahan Heritage Centre.
Geraldine Military Museum
Visit the South Island’s only dedicated military museum showcasing rare last-of-their-kind vehicles plus large scale displays from Vietnam and Germany.
Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum
For lovers of vintage machinery, this complex includes buildings full of unique vintage cars, vintage tractors, vintage farm machinery and plenty of other exhibits.
Aigantighe Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden
Timaru’s Aigantighe Art Gallery is home to an extensive permanent collection of New Zealand and international art. You can wander through the sculpture garden and head into the gallery to view featured works from its permanent collection or one of t…
South Canterbury Museum
The South Canterbury Museum has a focus on the natural heritage and history of South Canterbury – land, life and people. They collect specimens, artifacts, images, documents and information that can be used to explore the region’s heritage.
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Tours
Te Ana Māori Rock Art provides the only guided tour to see real rock art in New Zealand. The Te Ana guided tour takes you to a protected rock art site where you will learn the history of the drawings and movement of ancient Māori through the region…
Helicopters South Canterbury
Whether you’re after a scenic flight, a picnic with a view, hunting tranfers or a winter snow landing, Helicopters South Canterbury can cater to your needs.
Alps 2 Ocean 4×4 High Country Station Tours
Experience the beautiful Central South Island from your base in Timaru District. Explore pristine lakes, mountains and fjords, glaciers, rainforest and 4WD through High Country Sheep Stations.
Saltwater Creek Track
A well formed, gravel track mostly on the flat follows the winding Saltwater Creek. Start on King Street beside the bridge and follow the track along the north side of the river.
If you wish to keep going, you can cross Coonoor Rd and walk the Ot…
Caroline Bay Track
A return track from the city to the clifftop, offering great views along Caroline Bay. Starting at the top of the Piazza steps, the trail takes you across the Bay reserve area.
Highlights include The Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, Benvenue Cliffs…
Mundell’s Race Centre
Mundell’s Race Centre is a fully licenced premises offering car, flight and golf simulators as well as a karaoke room.
HOSS (House of Sports Simulation)
Immerse yourself in a virtual realm offering the utmost in immersive and lifelike indoor sporting encounters. HOSS showcases cutting-edge technology in two sporting domains (motorsport and golf), crafting an unparalleled simulated sporting adventure.