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.
Parkside
While Parkside isn't home to many top sights, South Canterbury Museum and Botanical Gardens are some notable places to visit nearby.
Timaru Port
While visiting Timaru Port, you might make a stop by sights like Caroline Bay Beach and Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.
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 Timaru Lighthouse.
Maori Hill
While visiting Maori Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Timaru Lighthouse and Ashbury Park.
Waimataitai
While visiting Waimataitai, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Dashing Rocks Beach.
Aspen on King Motel
51 King Street Timaru
The price is NZ$160 per night from 6 Dec to 7 Dec
NZ$160
6 Dec - 7 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star 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! (540 reviews)
The room was spacious, clean and well stocked. The staff were very helpful and offered places to see. Would definitely recommend this motel.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2025
ASURE Avenue Motor Lodge
31 Craigie Avenue Timaru
The price is NZ$201 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
NZ$201
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Botanical Gardens and South Canterbury Museum ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (260 reviews)
Room 6 is amazing, well equipped, so much space and very quite
Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025
The Grosvenor
26 Cains Terrace Timaru
The price is NZ$145 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
NZ$145
16 Dec - 17 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Te ...
7.8/10 Good! (799 reviews)
The room and its fixtures were all brand new so while the building looks old with its ancient lift the rooms were very modern which was nice!! As a side note, The town is very sleepy so don’t expect much activity, hustle n bustle after 5 pm and Sundays most shops etc are closed.
Reviewed on 10 Oct 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in their 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! (155 reviews)
We stayed for one night. The owner was really pleasant & helpful with Laundry room. Very clean and comfortable. Good seats for relaxing.
Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025
Seaside Retreat - Stylish, newly renovated oceanside property
Timaru
Stay at this vacation home in Timaru. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Ashbury Park and Timaru Lighthouse are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
Perfect!
House was perfect for our needs, well equipped, great shower and wonderful coffee machine with frother!! ASO nice and warm with just the heat pump on for a bit. Very well situated…we were able to walk into town along the beach walkway.Unsure if we will be back this way but if we are I would happily ...
Reviewed on 10 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.
Popular places to visit
Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
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
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.
South Canterbury Museum
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.
Timaru Public Hospital
If Timaru Public Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Timaru.
Timaru Lighthouse
Learn about the local history of Timaru when you spend time at Timaru Lighthouse.
Ashbury Park
Explore the great outdoors at Ashbury Park, 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
- Timaru Lighthouse
- Ashbury Park
- Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
- Botanical Gardens
- Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
- DB Brewery
- Aigantighe Art Gallery
- Patiti Point
- Caroline Bay Beach
- Jacks Point Surfspot
- Geraldine Observatory
- Geraldine Historical Society Museum
- Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse
- Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve
- Pleasant Valley Daffodils
- Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum
