Insiders Guide to Geraldine

                          
Discover the charm of Geraldine. Nestled in the heart of the South Island, the town is a hidden gem with stunning landscapes, friendly locals, and a rich history. It’s all here, from its vibrant shopping and arts scene to the scenic beauty of nearby rivers and hills, Geraldine offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you're exploring the boutique shops, hiking nearby trails, or indulging in delicious local treats, it offers the perfect escape.
Food & drink
Experience fantastic local fresh produce at the eateries in Geraldine. Verde is an incredible spot for lunch outdoors in the stunning garden. Using fresh ingredients, their food is delicious with something for everyone there.
Brunch at Verde
Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery is a must do while in town. Stock up on your favourite products in their store, and you must try their tasting stations. Use the free condiments station to make your meal even tastier.
Drink tasting at Barker's Foodstore & Eatery
A local favourite for dinner is Royal India, with moreish authentic curries. It’s the perfect place to take the kids, with a large indoor playground and kids curries on their menu.
The Running Duck is an amazing eatery designed to look and feel like a laid back kiwi batch. They serve outstanding coffee and food at this vibey cafe.
Tastings
Geraldine offers a few places that provide amazing tastings of local produce, which you will not want to miss out on!
If you're a gin lover, then a visit to Humdinger is a must! This gorgeous boutique distillery is something special. The multi-award winning gin is made using the best botanicals sourced from across NZ and the world. Visit their store and do a free gin tasting, learn the beautiful story behind Humdinger, and see the distillery working its magic. Currently located at 3a Talbot Street but in the process of moving opposite the Geraldine Military Museum, opening in January.
Geraldine Cheese Company are a multi-award winning artisan cheese producer, based in Geraldine. Head into their specialty store and taste their incredible range of cheeses, watch the cheesemakers at work in the factory, and grab some cheese and all the extras you need for the perfect cheese board to take away with you.
Cheese tasting at Geraldine Cheese Company
Head out to the outstanding brewery and restaurant located 10 minutes from Geraldine. With a range of beers on tap sit down to a beer tasting platter one afternoon. Enjoy sitting outdoors in the countryside with a delicious meal.
Beer tasting at House of Hop
Walks
From a relaxed riverside stroll, hidden just steps from the bustling town centre, to tracks through native forest, Geraldine has plenty to offer walkers and bikers of all levels.
Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve has extensive walking tracks from the 30 minute Big Tree Walk which is great to take the kids, to the heady heights of Huatakerekere/Little Mt Peel, the climb to its 1,311m summit is a walk of several hours. Other tracks will take you to pristine waterfalls of Emily and Acland Falls, both of which are around an hour’s return. Fern walk is an easy 1 hour 30 minute walk through forest with trees over 1,000 years old.
Huatakerekere/Little Mt Peel
Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve is the last remnant of an extensive forest that once covered the Geraldine area. There are four short walks through the forest which interconnect with roads around the reserve. Geraldine River walk is an easy 30 minute walk along the riverside, keep an eye out for the sculptures as part of the Sculpture Trail.
Emily Falls
Shopping
Discover something special and indulge in some retail therapy. The Timaru District features beautiful, independently owned boutique stores as well as many favourite national chain stores.
The Page & Prose Booksellers is a fantastic bookshop on the main street. Whether you’re looking for Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, New Zealand, Religion, Classics, Poetry, Young Adult or Children’s tales they have everything you need.
Page & Prose Booksellers
McAtamney Gallery and Design Store sells contemporary paintings, vibrant watercolours, historical landscapes, quirky ceramics, gorgeous jewellery, amazing photography and fabulous design wares.
Find beautiful florals and homewares at the Flowers Inc at 34 Talbot Street. A great kitchenware shop is next door, called the Kitchen Cupboard. Discover boutique style kitchen items as well as on-trend specialty items.
Located in one of the oldest buildings in Geraldine, The Cottage Pantry provides all your pantry needs such as herbs, spices and flours. Every room is full of art, giftware and baking supplies. Don’t leave without some handmade chocolates, British sweets and kiwi favourites.
The Cottage Pantry
Another shop to visit while you’re here is Talbot Silver, creating uniquely inspired jewellery using sterling silver, pearls, semi-precious and natural stones. As well as the Garden Centre supplying beautiful plants, tools and all your gardening needs in a boutique store.
Activities
Located in the historic Geraldine Town Hall, the Geraldine Cinema is one of a few left of its type and age in New Zealand. Featuring sofas and armchairs instead of traditional movie theatre seats, you can sit back and enjoy a boutique movie experience.
Experience thrills at Mundell’s Multi Hub with a range of activities. Try out the amazing flight, car or golf simulators, or sing along in the karaoke room.
Mundells Multi Hub
Geraldine has a range of museums to choose from and one that we highly recommend checking out is the Military Museum, the South Island's only dedicated military museum. It showcases rare last-of-their-kind vehicles plus large-scale displays from Vietnam and Germany. Walk around freely and be up close with history, some of the displays are the only left in NZ and the world. The displays aren’t permanent, so you will be able to come in again months down the track and see new displays.
The Vintage Car & Machinery Museum has buildings full of unique vintage cars, vintage tractors, vintage farm machinery and plenty of other exhibits.
Military Museum
Susan Badcock Gallery was established in 2014, and 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 artists. The SBG Shop showcases luxury accessories, quality homewares & ceramics styled to demonstrate the successful incorporation of art in the home.
Look out for the beautiful Street Art designs on buildings scattered around the town. Japanese artist Koryu found himself in Geraldine over lock-down and got busy brightening the town with his amazing artworks. Use the Street Art Trail on the Timaru Trails app here to find them all.
Looking for an adrenaline rush? Abseil, jump and zipline your way through a remote canyon with an experienced guide. If you love water sports and are comfortable with heights, The Big Rock Adventure Canyoning will likely be one of the best things you will ever do!
Big Rock Adventure Canyoning
Accommodation
Geraldine has some lovely boutiques and B&B style accommodation. The Vicarage has six luxury ensuite super king rooms in the centre of Geraldine, in a beautifully renovated, historic building. Boutique accommodation presented with every attention to detail and timeless elegance.
Ngā Whare Mānatu is nestled amongst native plants, with views to the east coast sunrise and the amazing night sky, their vision is to provide you with a relaxing getaway to showcase everything thing that connects us to our whenua.
Ngā Whare Mānatu
Kōtare Boutique Homestay is designed for couples to enjoy a countryside visit in quiet, private, comfort. Kotare is a well-equipped luxury private homestay situated on three meandering hectares on the Geraldine Downs, with a view of The Four Peaks. The house is in a beautiful garden and home orchard full of bird life.
Fiery Peak Eco Lodge is set amidst 12 acres of country glory just 10 minutes from Geraldine. Powered by the sun and supplied by spring-fed water the beautiful open-plan chalet is for couples looking for the chance to disconnect from the stresses of life and reconnect with the beauty of nature.
Fiery Peak Eco Lodge
The Geraldine Top 10 Holiday Park is set among a tranquil park like setting in the heart of Geraldine. Close to the town centre, cafes and shopping, the park offers a wide range of accommodation options including motel units, cabins and camping sites.
Orari Farmyard Holiday Park is 5km from Geraldine. They have a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and need, with the added bonus of an extensive range of animals, a fire pit and playground for the family to enjoy.
Centrally located in Geraldine, ASURE Scenic Route Motor Lodge is a 4 star plus motel. They offer modern, spacious and comfortable units including spa studios, 2-bedroom units and two suites with wheelchair access facilities.