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.

Maori Hill

While visiting Maori Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Timaru Lighthouse and Ashbury Park.

West End

While West End isn't home to many top sights, Aigantighe Art Gallery and South Canterbury Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

A large church with two domes and a central dome, surrounded by scaffolding.
Photo by Dan Koczur
Open Photo by Dan Koczur

Parkside

While Parkside isn't home to many top sights, South Canterbury Museum and Botanical Gardens are some notable places to visit nearby.

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.

Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru

Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru

3.5 out of 5
65-67 Evans Street Timaru
The price is NZ$144 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
NZ$144
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Ashbury Park and Timaru Lighthouse are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (280 reviews)
"Clean spacious room. Comfortable."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2026

Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru
Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2 out of 5
27 Evans St Timaru Canterbury
The price is NZ$101 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
NZ$101
12 Oct - 13 Oct
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
The Grosvenor

The Grosvenor

3 out of 5
26 Cains Terrace Timaru
The price is NZ$176 per night from 18 Sept to 19 Sept
NZ$176
18 Sept - 19 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very good! (850 reviews)
"large spacious suit room. fluffy white towels. mini fridge that was silent. Brillant shower. Helpful friendly staff. Loved the lift it was like stepping back in time. Bar/restaurant staff were very helpful and fun to be around. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 28 Aug 2026

The Grosvenor
See all 76 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! (110 reviews)
"Very clean and comfortable, easy parking."

Reviewed on 5 Sept 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! (171 reviews)
"Very road noisy, older motel"

Reviewed on 28 Aug 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 Aigantighe Art Gallery and Ashbury Park 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.

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.
See properties

Explore a world of travel with Expedia