It's all here!
It's all here from a wide range of activities and rich culture to delicious food, fabulous shopping and scenic walking trails! It's all here in the Timaru District!
Explore our beautiful coastlines, eat local cuisine and hike our picturesque trails. The Timaru District is centrally located on the East Coast of the South Island. Everything you're looking for is right here!
Experiences
Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, a cultural experience, or an animal encounter, the Timaru District has something to keep the whole family entertained. We’re home to the world’s smallest penguin, the kororā, and the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere, CPlay! Check out the must do adventure activities in our district and Timaru Trails to discover more activities to do in the region.
Art, culture and heritage
The Timaru District has a rich art and culture scene, spend time exploring the history in our wide range of museums. A must do when visiting is the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre and the only guided tour to see real rock art in New Zealand! We have a wide range of art galleries as well as amazing street art and heritage buildings. Take the Arts & Heritage trail on the Timaru Trails app to explore them all.
Eat and drink
The Timaru District has a range of great food places from restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries to ice cream shops. We have fantastic restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in the summer, some with stunning views overlooking Caroline Bay. There are also some awesome places to have a cocktail or two! Try a Food Trail to eat your way around our region, or check out our Eat & Drink page.
Trails
If you enjoy getting active in the outdoors, we’ve got lots of trails to keep you busy. With over 30 walking and cycling trails dotted across the Timaru District, you are sure to find a trail to suit your needs. Discover the crystal coastlines of Timaru city, the lush native bush of Geraldine and Peel Forest or the riverbanks of Temuka and Pleasant Point, view the full list of trails here. Download the Timaru Trails app to see the guided trails while you're out exploring.
Shopping
The Timaru district has a great range of shopping options, from the CBD area in downtown Timaru, to the village-like atmosphere of Geraldine. There is a range of specialty stores offering boutique shopping, through to some of the nation’s best known chain-stores. If you're a foodie there is a fantastic range of food producers that sell wholesome products. If you’re into vintage shopping, we have a Vintage Shopping Trail on Timaru Trails.
Whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends there are plenty of accommodation options. If you are looking for a budget friendly option, check out one of our fantastic holiday parks. If you are after a relaxing and quiet holiday, we have luxury or B&B style accommodation. We have a great range of top hotels and motels available for those looking for something convenient overlooking Caroline Bay.