7 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey through Timaru
Christchurch to Pleasant Point to Timaru via SH 1 - 2hr 2min, 180km
SIDE TRIP: Timaru to Waimate via SH 1 - 34min, 44.3km
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Lake Clearwater © Canterbury Tourism
Christchurch to Timaru on SH 1 is straight and easy, through wide open rural South Island with views of the Southern Alps for company. It’s serious farming territory with plenty of little towns and settlements along the way, all able to provide refreshments and other reasons to stop.
Rākaia is the first town you’ll come to, about 57km south of Christchurch. Here, you’ll cross the longest bridge in the southern hemisphere. Ashburton is a mature, interesting town. It’s between Rākaia and Rangitata rivers so is an ideal base for fishing and water sports. At Timaru, a detour inland on SH 8 leads to Pleasant Point. It’s just over two hours drive to Pleasant Point from Christchurch. Having enjoyed time there, it’s back on track toward the coast again and onwards to Timaru, only 19km away.
HIGHLIGHTS
ASHBURTON ART GALLERY
This is a vibrant cultural hub well worth taking a break in your journey to spend time at. Located on the first floor of the Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre on SH 1, it is a place for everyone, with regularly changing exhibitions of contemporary art made by local and national artists.
Ashburton Art Gallery & Heritage Centre © Canterbury Tourism
TEMUKA
Originally named ‘te umu kaka’ which translates to ‘long-lasting ovens’, a name that pays homage to the earth ovens Māori people used to cook the local cabbage trees, Temuka is ironically famous these days for its pottery. Friendly locals will welcome you, whether you want to purchase said pottery, fish, visit a fruit winery, play 18 holes or visit the memorial of Richard Pearse, an aviation pioneer.
Temuka Pottery © Temuka Pottery
TE ANA MĀORI ROCK ART CENTRE, TIMARU
In the Landing Services Building on George St, you’ll find eight treasures: Māori rock art, created hundreds of years ago, cut from the Opihi site 100 years ago and now preserved for you to see. Guided tours by Ngāi Tahu, the decendants of those who made the art, reveal the historic and cultural stories behind these extraordinary taonga. There is also an option to take a guided tour from the centre out to Ōpihi where examples of Māori rock art are in situ.
AIGANTIGHE ART GALLERY
Timaru’s public art gallery is one of the best. It has a permanent collection including works by New Zealand master Colin McCahon, Frances Hodgkins and Charles Goldie, and hosts local and national artists in regularly changing exhibitions.
TIMARU’S PENGUINS
These cute little blues, kororā, are international celebrities. They measure just over 25cm tall and weigh around 1kg. You can spy them, from a respectful distance, at Caroline Bay, where they live in rocky places in the Timaru Port area.
Little blue penguins/ kororā, Timaru © Canterbury Tourism
SOUTH CANTERBURY MUSEUM
Dedicated to South Canterbury’s people, places and past, this museum has a delightful eccentricity. A miscellany of invaluable specimens, artefacts, images, and documents chronicle the region’s heritage.
CAROLINE BAY BIRD AVIARY
Visitors flock to see the bright-feathered birds in this Timaru icon. The dome-like structure is home to budgies, lovebirds, pheasants and some parrots and cockatiels with big personalities.
CENTRAL TIMARU HISTORIC WALKS
This is a quick-fire way to get to know Timaru and gets you up close and personal with heritage architecture such as the Landing Service Building used for unloading ships circa 1870, and the famous Grosvenor Hotel redeveloped in 1915 Edwardian Baroque-style.You can complete this in about 30 minutes.
VICTORIA PARK, WAIMATE
A great spot for a picnic, this park has a cycling track, a tennis court, an aviary and a playground that will thrill small family members. There are also camping facilities here if you’ve come to the end of a day on your road trip.
Erewhon Station Valley © Canterbury Tourism
STOP OFF IN ASHBURTON
Perched between the Rākaia and Rangitata rivers, Ashburton is an ideal place to head if you’re into fly fishing. Both rivers are known for salmon and sea-run trout.
There are other sports to enjoy on the rivers, too,such as jetting and kayaking, and lovely walks around the river edges. A walkway along the edge of RĀKAIA GORGE, a three to four hour return trip, takes you past spectacular geological features including river carved terraces.
Inland from Ashburton, MT SOMERS on the eastern edge of the Southern Alps offers some pretty special back country walks and tramps.
LAKE HOOD on the outskirts of Ashburton is a paradise for water enthusiasts.
ASHBURTON itself is a lively, interesting town with high quality shopping, a good range of cafés, restaurants, art galleries and museums. In fact, there are six museums in Ashburton including a vintage railway museum, aviation museum and car museum. Ashburton’s gardens, public and private, are famously spectacular.
Enjoy a local food experience at STAVELEY STORE. Meat is sourced from surrounding farms and the eggs are laid by the cafe’s resident hens.
Lake Camp near Ashburton © Canterbury Tourism
PLEASANT POINT
This lovely, welcoming town is home to the PLEASANT PT MUSEUM AND RAILWAY which has the world’s only Ford Model T railcar, fully operational steam locomotives and regular steaming days when engines pull carriages short haul, the old way.
While you’re in the area, explore the OPIHI RIVER STOP BACK TRACK on foot or on bike. PLEASANT PT DOMAIN on SH 8 is a great place for the kids to run wild across 36 hectares and if you want to spend the night, the domain’s camping ground can host you.
Pleasant Pt steam train © Canterbury Tourism
TIMARAU
A port city, Timaru is the second-largest city in Canterbury. From its super safe swimming spot – Caroline Bay – to its beautiful botanic gardens and Edwardian style setting, you’re bound to like what you see. The town centre, paved and with plenty of gardens, is linked to the beach with a piazza.
Timarau Must-Do's
> South Canterbury Museum
> Aigantighe Art Gallery
> Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre
> Caroline Bay
> Timaru Botanic Gardens
Face of Peace by Margriet Windhausen at Caroline Bay, Timaru © South Canterbury Tourism
Timaru’s history is quite dramatic. Once-upon-a-time, Mt Horrible, a now extinct volcano erupted, and its basalt formed the undulating landscape and iconic harbour of Timaru.
The wider Timaru District has recreation down to a fine art. From spending time with the smallest penguins in the world to finding inspiration at the museum, art gallery and sculpture garden, there’s something for everyone. A highlight on Timaru’s calendar is the annual Caroline Bay Carnival which runs for two weeks from Boxing Day and includes a New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Cityscape, Timaru © Getty Images
SIDE TRIP: Hop into Waimate
Something of a treasure trove in Canterbury’s rolling farmland, Waimate boasts several little-known gems and is well worth detouring 8km off the main road for. Having spied the township’s specialist shops and Edwardian facades, St Patrick’s Catholic Basilica will no doubt command your attention: Italianate- Romanesque in style, it’s quite the standout. Turn another corner and you’ll discover The Waimate Museum and Archives. An equally stylish complex complete with 1879 courthouse, former police station and jail, the museum’s exhibits are both fascinating and extensive.
Waimate Museum © Canterbury Tourism
If you’re lucky enough to visit during December, the Waimate Strawberry Fare celebrates the district’s bountiful berry harvest. Don’t worry if you miss it, simply head to Butlers Fruit Farm & Café for seasonal fruit picking and a café serving fruity refreshments.
Set off on the White Horse Walkway. A medium to high fitness level is required for this spectacular two-hour return tramp. Leading to the iconic White Horse monument, those who put in the graft will be rewarded with magnificent views of Waimate District and the Pacific Ocean.
Wallaby, Waimate © Getty Images
DON'T MISS
Ō TŪ WHAREKAI
This stunning area includes the Ashburton Lakes and part of the upper Rangitata River. It is one of the three sites that make up the national Arawai Kākāriki Wetland Restoration Programme and is unusual in that it is located between mountains. It’s one of the remaining wetlands of its kind in the country and it plays a significant role in supporting wildlife.
Erewhon Station Valley © Canterbury Tourism
Main Image: Farmland near Timaru © Getty Images
