Timaru
RIGHT: Timaru waterfront © Getty Images BELOW: Big Rock Canyon © www.bigrockadventures.co.nz
Geraldine
South Canterbury TOP TIP: Download new app, Timaru Trails for a detailed directory of selfguided walks in around Timaru, both central and scenic. Free to download.
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Pleasant Point Museum aru drive and Railway A 20-minute Tim
ake TEkapō Peel ForestLPark Just 24km north of Geraldine, the park features 13 varied trails, a DOC campground and the option to join a horse trekking tour.
Lake PŪKAKI
The Geraldine Observatory Hosted
aki or groups are no A larger than eight people, allowing for a personal experience and lots of time to test the telescope.
Geraldine Farmers’ Market Every Saturday
Timaru
Caroline Bay Beach A large lawn drops down onto the Bay where you’ll find a clean beach good for swimming. It’s also home to a rookery of little blue penguins/ kororā. Take a coastal walk and look out for dolphins and whales. On your return, venture to Bay Hill to a row of eateries.
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from October to April, 9am-12.30pm.
Barker’s Foodstore and Eatery In the grounds
Central Timaru Historic Walks
Lake TEkapō
Annual Caroline Bay Carnival
Kicking off Boxing Day for a solid Waimatetwo weeks, a bustlingLcarnival ake
The Vintage Car and Machinery Museum
There are over 1400 exhibits in here, including the oldest working tractor in New Zealand.
Talbot Forest A fiveminute stroll from Geraldine’s main street leads to four, easy short walks and trees that are well over 800 years old.
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See Map Section - pages 109 to 122
South Canterbury Museum History buffs can gain a rich insight into the region and its people, including the legend of Richard Pearse, the fellow who built an entire aircraft in his shed in 1903.
This is a quick-fire way to get to know Timaru and its abundance of heritage architecture, such as the Theatre Royal and famous Grosvenor Hotel.
Lake ōhau
Aigantighe Art Gallery If you don’t want to amuse the locals with your pronunciation, it’s ‘egg-an-tie’. Exhibitions change regularly and the handsome grounds are dotted with impressive sculptures.
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Caroline Bay Bird Aviary Meet
some big personalities among brightly coloured budgies, lovebirds, pheasants, parrots and cockatiels.
of the former St Mary’s Vicarage, there’s a complimentary tasting station and shelves jostling with the Barker’s range.
Centennial Park Find peaceful, wide open spaces and plenty of room to walk and relax. Enjoy a scrawl of walking trails (dog friendly, too), mountain biking tracks and a purpose-built BMX park.
Geraldine
Mt Cook
MESOPOTAMIA STATION Practically unspoiled in every way, this is one of New Zealand’s oldest high country stations. Admire the terrain by helicopter flight, horse trek or a fully guided walking tour complete with backcountry huts where you can sleep under the stars.
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Museum Observe a significant
PŪKAKI
commandeers the beachfront, showcasing free concerts, rides and traditional fête games.
Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
collection of ancient Māori rock art. Following a one-hour guided tour of the museum, you can follow your guide, in your car, to the Ōpihi rock art sites. Tours run from November-April.
Aoraki
Local rosarian, the late Trevor Griffiths, tended this beach-fronting rose sanctuary. The roses flower from November until July and feature a collection of Old roses, a varietal with a short, flat bloom.
from central Timaru, look out for ‘steaming days’ when you can ride a ldine restoredG steam locomotive. era
Timaru Botanic Gardens Packed with ornamental ponds and fragrant roses, irisliaedreamy spot Fathis to while away the hours. A diverse range of plant life is yearround attractive.
Ek
e T aAfter pōa full Little Blue LakPenguins
day of fishing, little blue penguins/ kororā return at dusk. Make your way to Caroline Bay around the Lake PŪKAKI same time to welcome them home. Tread lightly and observe from afar.
Rockpooling at Dashing Rocks
Aoraki
See crabs, starfish and other sea life amongst the rocks. Accessed via a t Cook 30-minute roundMtrip, the walkway affords stunning Caroline Bay views from along the cliff top.
izel Bar Hector Black’s TwLounge
A little known gem full of character. The eclectic décor mixes interesting curious with fun memorabilia. au music, ke ōh acocktails Settle in L for and live including a Blues harp player.
Waimate See Page 91 for Waimate’s Must-Do’s. Te Ana Māori Rock Art Museum, Timaru © Canterbury Tourism
Mt Cook
DB Draught Brewery Tour DB’s Timaru outpost produces DB Draught, Export Gold and Export 33. Watch how they’re made and then delivered by Clydesdale horses. Afterward, lock lips with a cold pint. Tours take place every day (except Sunday) at 1pm.
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