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 Caroline Bay Beach and Timaru Lighthouse.
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 Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.
Washdyke
4/5(1 area review)
While visiting Washdyke, you might make a stop by sights like DB Brewery and Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge.
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.
Bay Viaduct Motor Lodge
10 Wai-Iti Rd, Maori Hill, Timaru
The price is NZ$201 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$201
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden and Aigantighe Art Gallery ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (120 reviews)
"Very well maintained and presented property, ours was a modern large spacious room. Good location. Nothing at all to fault which in itself is often rare these days. Would return without hesitation."
Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025
The Grosvenor
26 Cains Terrace, Timaru
The price is NZ$151 per night from 8 July to 9 July
NZ$151
8 July - 9 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (788 reviews)
"Great location with good parking. Quiet but not far from the main road and shopping streets. Some views depending on your room. Nice character hotel. Bathroom could have been a little better but goof for an older building."
Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025
Aspen on King Motel
51 King Street, Timaru
The price is NZ$166 per night from 4 July to 5 July
NZ$166
4 July - 5 July
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! (527 reviews)
"Room very well equipped and renovated, bathroom cold, didnt use spa bath. Owner very friendly and helpful."
Reviewed on 24 Jun. 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! (97 reviews)
"Fantastic units, easy check-in, just what we needed. Be careful of wet floors in the bathroom, the tiles are very slippery"
Reviewed on 28 Apr. 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! (146 reviews)
Reviewed on 17 May 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 ...
10/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Cosy little home
"Perfect for our group of six (three couples). Nicely renovated older home. Full kitchen (coffee machine!). One bathroom and one separate toilet, so that may be a challenge for some groups. Magnificent shower, great pressure. Lounge with log burner - we made full use of that in this wintery weather, ..."
Reviewed on 17 Jun. 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
- Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
- Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
- DB Brewery
- Timaru Lighthouse
- Botanical Gardens
- Aigantighe Art Gallery
- Patiti Point
- Caroline Bay Beach
- Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse
- Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum
- Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve
- Geraldine Observatory
- Jacks Point Surfspot
- Pleasant Valley Daffodils
- Geraldine Historical Society Museum