2 minute read
Timaru Must-Do's
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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Caroline Bay Bird Aviary
Meet some big personalities among brightly coloured budgies, lovebirds, pheasants, parrots and cockatiels.
Central Timaru Historic Walks
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.
Annual Caroline Bay Carnival
Kicking off Boxing Day for a solid two weeks, a bustling carnival commandeers the beachfront, showcasing free concerts, rides and traditional fête games.
Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Museum
Te Ana Māori Rock Art Museum, Timaru © Canterbury Tourism
Observe a significant 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.
Pleasant Point Museum and Railway
A 20-minute drive from central Timaru, look out for ‘steaming days’ when you can ride a restored steam locomotive.
Timaru Botanic Gardens
Packed with ornamental ponds and fragrant roses, this is a dreamy spot to while away the hours. A diverse range of plant life is year-round attractive.
Little Blue Penguins
After a full day of fishing, little blue penguins/kororā return at dusk. Make your way to Caroline Bay around the same time to welcome them home. Tread lightly and observe from afar.
Rockpooling at Dashing Rocks
See crabs, starfish and other sea life amongst the rocks. Accessed via a 30-minute round trip, the walkway affords stunning Caroline Bay views from along the cliff top.
Hector Black’s Lounge Bar
A little known gem full of character. The eclectic décor mixes interesting curious with fun memorabilia. Settle in for cocktails and live music, including a Blues harp player.
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.
Timaru waterfront © Getty Images
