4/5 - Good
Verified traveller
Lovely boardwalk by the beach
Timaru Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Timaru
Where to stay in Timaru
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.
Maori Hill
While visiting Maori Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Caroline Bay Beach.
Waimataitai
While visiting Waimataitai, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Dashing Rocks Beach.
Marchwiel
While Marchwiel may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ashbury Park and Caroline Bay Beach.
Washdyke
4/5(1 area review)
While visiting Washdyke, you might make a stop by sights like Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge and DB Brewery.
Seaview
Though Seaview may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like South Canterbury Museum and Caroline Bay Beach.
Harbour View Motel
8 Evans Street, Maori Hill, Timaru, SOUTH ISLAND
The price is NZ$208 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
NZ$208
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (107 reviews)
"Perfectly fine, great staff, and the room was spot on. Lag time on the TV deciding what it wanted to do was a little annoying, but that’s the only fault I can think of."
Reviewed on 21 Sept 2025
Aspen on King Motel
51 King Street, Timaru
The price is NZ$159 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
NZ$159
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified motel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Botanical Gardens and Patiti ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (535 reviews)
"Spacious. Nice spa"
Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025
Bay Viaduct Motor Lodge
10 Wai-Iti Rd, Maori Hill, Timaru
The price is NZ$225 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
NZ$225
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified motel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (123 reviews)
"The Bay Viaduct is in a great location for a stay in Timaru - close to Caroline Bay and the main shopping street. The bed was very comfortable and the room was large and had all the facilities we needed. The spa bath was lovely but did take a long time to fill. Even though we were close to the main ..."
Reviewed on 18 July 2025
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
38 King Street, Timaru
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (101 reviews)
"Good location for holiday in timaru, close to places we were visiting."
Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025
Blue Dolphin Motel
40 Evans Street, Timaru
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Timaru. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
7.8/10 Good! (153 reviews)
"Budget option for Timaru, friendly host and spacious two-bedroom unit. Odd placement of the only bathroom - an en suite of the main bedroom. Adequate kitchen with plenty of dishes. Showing its age and budget style but fine for an overnight stay."
Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025
Seaside Bungalow Timaru
Timaru District
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Timaru. Enjoy a beach locale, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ashbury Park and Timaru ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
seaview escape
"great beds location and hope to come back"
Reviewed on 28 Jan 2025
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ashbury Park
Explore the great outdoors at Ashbury Park, a lovely green space in Timaru.
Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
Explore the great outdoors at Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, a lovely green space in Timaru.
Reviews of Timaru
4.1
Top destination
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).
- South Canterbury Museum
- Ashbury Park
- Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
- Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
- Timaru Lighthouse
- DB Brewery
- Botanical Gardens
- Aigantighe Art Gallery
- Patiti Point
- Caroline Bay Beach
- Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum
- Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve
- Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse
- Geraldine Observatory
- Jacks Point Surfspot
- Geraldine Historical Society Museum
- Pleasant Valley Daffodils
