Timaru Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A coastal city with a beach, port, and industrial area.
A pebbled beach with driftwood and a calm sea at sunset.
A white church with a tall steeple and a clock tower, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
A coastal town with a lighthouse, beach, and residential area.
A white church with a tall steeple and a clock tower.

Our guide on where to stay in Timaru

Find the best Timaru areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Timaru
Learn more about Timaru
A coastal city with a beach, a port with ships, and industrial buildings.

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.

Waimataitai

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

A garden with a fountain, benches, and a statue.
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Open Photo by Paolo Corrales

Timaru Port

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

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.

Maori Hill

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

Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2 out of 5
27 Evans St Timaru Canterbury
The price is NZ$101 per night from 24 Sept to 25 Sept
NZ$101
24 Sept - 25 Sept
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 ...
6.8/10 (140 reviews)
"At the price point it was probably all that could be expected however for a very little effort they could attend to the shabiness"

Reviewed on 25 June 2026

Aaron Court Motel
Anchor Motel

Anchor Motel

2.5 out of 5
42 Evans St Timaru
The price is NZ$98 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
NZ$98
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very good! (229 reviews)
"Very affordable and just what I needed!"

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2026

Anchor Motel
Aspen on King Motel

Aspen on King Motel

4.5 out of 5
51 King Street Timaru
The price is NZ$190 per night from 19 Sept to 20 Sept
NZ$190
19 Sept - 20 Sept
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 ...
Aspen on King Motel
See all 72 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! (109 reviews)
"One of the bests stays I’ve experienced, ticks all the boxes and then some.. thank you !"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 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! (170 reviews)
"Rooms were clean. Kitchen was equipped. Staff was approachable. Off street parking available."

Reviewed on 8 Apr 2026

Blue Dolphin Motel
‘Jupiter’ Bayview Escape Apartment

‘Jupiter’ Bayview Escape Apartment

Timaru Canterbury Region
Stay at this apartment in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden and Aigantighe Art Gallery ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"The host was very friendly and accommodating! The location was great and the home very comfortable."

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

‘Jupiter’ Bayview Escape Apartment
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.

Stay near popular Timaru attractions

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

9.0/10 (52 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.
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