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.

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.

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.

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.

Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2 out of 5
27 Evans St Timaru Canterbury
The price is NZ$101 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
NZ$101
1 Oct - 2 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
Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru

Parklands Motor Lodge Timaru

3.5 out of 5
65-67 Evans Street Timaru
The price is NZ$146 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
NZ$146
1 Oct - 2 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private hot tubs. 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
Anchor Motel

Anchor Motel

2.5 out of 5
42 Evans St Timaru
The price is NZ$111 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$111
7 Sept - 8 Sept
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! (232 reviews)
"The owner is lovely,so welcoming and friendly!"

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2026

Anchor Motel
See all 73 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! (171 reviews)
"Very road noisy, older motel"

Reviewed on 28 Aug 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.
See properties

Explore a world of travel with Expedia