Travel Distances
- 197km north of Dunedin
- 164km south of Christchurch
- 203km east of Aoraki Mt Cook
- 330km northeast of Queenstown
- 104km to Lake Tekapo
- 84km north of Oamaru
Timaru is situated on the main coastal road between Christchurch and Dunedin.
Glenmark Holiday Park
30 Beaconsfield Road, Timaru, New Zealand
Fishing (sea and river), track walks and horse riding. Rare Maori rock art. DB Brewery tours. Easy walks and cycle paths through the scenic reserve or to the beach, close to camp.
Hotel, TAB, bus stop, beaches, river, cycle paths, wetland area for birdlife, restaurant, service station, mountain bike trails, and cycle jump/stunt park.
Indoor pool, hospital, botanical gardens.
Timaru city shopping centre, movie theatres, cafés and restaurants.
Caroline Bay with its boardwalks and striking piazza overlooking the bay as well as a great selection of restaurants. Take a look at the bustling port where you can drive close to the boats and also do some fishing. There is a selection of 3 golf courses, an outdoor heated pool with a diving pool and slide, children's indoor play area and Patiti Point surfing beach. Visit the famous Aigantighe Art Gallery (pronounced "egg and tie") or visit the museum, rose garden, Sunday market and skate park at the bay. Visit Te Ana, the only museum dedicated to the rare Maori rock art in our region.
Stroll through the Timaru Botanic Gardens, a 210ha reserve bordering Caroline Bay with gardens, duck ponds and an aviary. The garden is noted for its work with rare and endangered species and its rose collections. Timaru district also has beautiful private gardens open for tours during summer.
Timaru's art gallery contains more than 900 works, including a garden of sculptures. The Aigantighe Art Gallery in Wai-iti Road is renowned internationally for its art collection, innovative exhibitions and education programmes. The Aigantighe prides itself on being a friendly, thought-provoking art museum for everyone.
Timaru's new purpose-built aquatic centre offers great family entertainment. CBay caters for all ages including toddlers with a toddler water activity area, spa pool and lazy river, hydro slide and training pools. The complex also has a café and gym.
The excellent museum explores the area's whaling history, with some good examples of scrimshaw (whale bone etchings). There are also local Maori artefacts and a replica of the first aeroplane designed and flown by local farmer and inventor, Richard Pearse.