Timaru Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Adobe
Adobe
One of the many sights in New Zealand, this rose garden is found in Timaru, a small town in the south island of New zealand
A rose from a rose garden #nature
Currently undergoing "strengthening work".

Where to stay in Timaru

D NZ Timaru Port Cape Pan

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.

Timaru Central
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Maori Hill

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

Maori Hill
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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.

Marchwiel
One of the many sights in New Zealand, this rose garden is found in Timaru, a small town in the south island of New zealand

Timaru Port

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

Timaru Port
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Waimataitai

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

Waimataitai
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Washdyke

4/5(1 area review)

While visiting Washdyke, you might make a stop by sights like DB Brewery and Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge.

Washdyke
The Grosvenor

The Grosvenor

3 out of 5
26 Cains Terrace Timaru
The price is NZ$170 per night from 31 Jan to 1 Feb
NZ$170
31 Jan - 1 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Timaru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Te Ana Maori ...
7.8/10 Good! (816 reviews)
We were wowed by the entire place .

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

The Grosvenor
Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2 out of 5
27 Evans St Timaru Canterbury
The price is NZ$97 per night from 21 Feb to 22 Feb
NZ$97
21 Feb - 22 Feb
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 ...
7/10 Good! (111 reviews)
Very happy with the room, manager was most welcoming.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 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$153 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
NZ$153
1 Feb - 2 Feb
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (254 reviews)
Clean. Convenient

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Parklands Motor Lodge 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! (103 reviews)
Very friendly staff, clean room, easy parking, good location.

Reviewed on 1 Jan 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! (161 reviews)
Staff could be a bit more friendly.

Reviewed on 1 Jan 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 Botanic Gardens and Aigantighe Art Gallery 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.
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

Reviews of Timaru

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
42
5 - Excellent 28%
4 - Good
86
4 - Good 57%
3 - Okay
21
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely boardwalk by the beach

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).

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