Timaru Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

D Timaru Bay left waterfront pan
D Timaru Bay left waterfront pan
Landscape Scenery of Caroline Bay Beach Timaru, South Island New Zealand; During Morning Time
Adobe
One of the many sights in New Zealand, this rose garden is found in Timaru, a small town in the south island of New zealand

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Where to stay in Timaru

D NZ Timaru Port Cape Pan

Timaru Central

If you're spending some time in Timaru Central, South Canterbury Museum and Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Timaru Central
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Maori Hill

While visiting Maori Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Caroline Bay Beach.

Maori Hill
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Waimataitai

While visiting Waimataitai, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Dashing Rocks Beach.

Waimataitai
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Seaview

Though Seaview may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like South Canterbury Museum and Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.

Seaview
Currently undergoing "strengthening work".

Parkside

While Parkside isn't home to many top sights, South Canterbury Museum and Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden are some notable places to visit nearby.

Parkside
One of the many sights in New Zealand, this rose garden is found in Timaru, a small town in the south island of New zealand

Timaru Port

While visiting Timaru Port, you might make a stop by sights like Caroline Bay Beach and Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.

Timaru Port
Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru

Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru

3.5 out of 5
65-67 Evans Street Timaru
The price is NZ$154 per night from 28 Feb to 1 Mar
NZ$154
28 Feb - 1 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Ashbury Park and Timaru Lighthouse are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (258 reviews)
clean room, friendly staff

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru
Aspen on King Motel

Aspen on King Motel

4.5 out of 5
51 King Street Timaru
The price is NZ$215 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
NZ$215
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Botanical Gardens and Patiti Point are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (564 reviews)
Room was spotless, staff were friendly, perfect for families

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Aspen on King Motel
Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2 out of 5
27 Evans St Timaru Canterbury
The price is NZ$96 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
NZ$96
18 Mar - 19 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Timaru Lighthouse and Aigantighe Art Gallery are located ...
7/10 Good! (114 reviews)
The room. The floor creaked badly. The bench top oven didnt work. Curtains needed attention. Couch was uncomfortable. No milk

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Aaron Court Motel
See all 71 properties in Timaru
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coastal Ridge Apartments

Coastal Ridge Apartments

3.5 out of 5
38 King Street Timaru
Stay at this aparthotel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (103 reviews)
Very friendly staff, clean room, easy parking, good location.

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2026

Coastal Ridge Apartments
Blue Dolphin Motel

Blue Dolphin Motel

3.5 out of 5
40 Evans Street Timaru
Stay at this apartment in Timaru. Enjoy free parking, Wi-Fi (surcharge) and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (162 reviews)
Staff could be a bit more friendly.

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2026

Blue Dolphin Motel
Barnes Street BNB - Enjoy your stay in lovely private unit.

Barnes Street BNB - Enjoy your stay in lovely private unit.

Timaru Canterbury
Stay at this apartment in Timaru. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Botanic Gardens and Aigantighe Art Gallery are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
Overnight stay
The stay was just overnight. The unit was clean and as described on the website. No problems or concerns noted. Thanks

Reviewed on 3 Apr 2025

Barnes Street BNB - Enjoy your stay in lovely private unit.
See all properties in Timaru
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

One of the many sights in New Zealand, this rose garden is found in Timaru, a small town in the south island of New zealand

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

4.5/5(16 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Timaru with a visit to Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden. Visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its bars.

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

Caroline Bay Beach

4.5/5(73 reviews)

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Caroline Bay Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Timaru Port.

Caroline Bay Beach

South Canterbury Museum

4.5/5(7 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at South Canterbury Museum during your trip to Timaru. Visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its bars.

South Canterbury Museum

Timaru Public Hospital

4.5/5(3 reviews)

If Timaru Public Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Timaru.

Timaru Public Hospital

Ashbury Park

Explore the great outdoors at Ashbury Park, a lovely green space in Timaru.

Ashbury Park

Timaru Lighthouse

Learn about the local history of Timaru when you spend time at Timaru Lighthouse.

Timaru Lighthouse

Reviews of Timaru

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
42
5 - Excellent 28%
4 - Good
86
4 - Good 57%
3 - Okay
21
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely boardwalk by the beach

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice town. Good aquatic centre for a swimming competition

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great little town filled with nice people. The Street Food Kitchen is well worth a visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Excellent japanese style bar and eatery for dinner within walking distance.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Not much to see but a quaint little town. Loved the pubs, restaurants & people.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Not a lot to do in timaru for kids, took daughter to flip out but was apparently fully booked? Only a handful of people there!, but we were there for a hockey tournament, so wasn't a big deal, but not a place i would stay otherwise (timaru that is).

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