Timaru

Seaside City, Timaru

The South Island’s best little seaside city (in our humble opinion). In Timaru city, you can enjoy easy scenic walks, through picturesque Caroline Bay featuring the award-winning CPlay Playground and stunning coastal tracks, or take a wander through the CBD to take in the Edwardian architecture and discover the locally owned specialty boutiques.  We’re home to the most significant collection of ancient Māori rock art in New Zealand, and at dusk can catch a glimpse of the world’s smallest penguin. 

Top 5 things to do in Timaru city
Te Ana Māori Rock Art
A must do when visiting the Timaru District, Te Ana Māori Rock Art is the only guide tour to see Māori rock art in New Zealand! Te Ana provide a guided tour to a protected rock art site where you will learn the history of those specific drawings and movement of ancient Māori through the region. Pair a visit to the site with a walk through their state of the art, interactive centre in the Timaru CBD where you will learn more the history of the region for early Māori settlers as well as the rock art and the work that Ngai Tahu does in the protection and preservation of these sites.

CPlay - NZ’s largest play space
Experience the award-winning CPlay Playground at Caroline Bay, where adventure awaits! Climb aboard a shipwreck, conquer a towering lighthouse slide, explore the mahika kai-inspired play zone, navigate a thrilling floor-is-lava obstacle course, and soar through the air on a 50-meter tandem flying fox—all beneath the watchful eyes of the taniwha. This play area welcomes individuals of all ages, abilities, and sizes, promoting inclusivity in its design

Caroline Bay
Just minutes from the CBD, Caroline Bay is a NZ Top 10 family favourite beach. Safe for swimming and watersports, you can also see Little Blue Penguins/Kororā in the evenings from October to March. 

Within the Caroline Bay reserve you’ll find the world-famous Trevor Griffith’s Rose Garden, a state of the art playground focussing on local history, as well as a bike agility and skate park. During late December and early January, the Caroline Bay Carnival operates attracting visitors from all over the country. 

Shop the main street
Stroll along Stafford Street, in the heart of Timaru's CBD and you'll be treated to a fantastic range of shopping options from locally owned specialty boutiques, to some of the nation's most famous chain-stores.

Look for department stores Ballantynes and Farmers, fashion retailers Preen, Millie Rose Boutique, Soul Surf and Skate and Mac Shaw Menswear, outdoor gear by MacPac and Kathmandu, antique and gift stores and so much more! If vintage is your style, you’ll find a collection of stores featuring treasures of vintage clothing, furniture and brick n brack. 

Do a coastal walk 
Two of the regions most popular walks start from the Timaru CBD. Head to Caroline Bay to start the popular Dashing Rocks Coastal Walk or head south past the port to join the Hector’s Coastal Walk heading out to Tuhawaiki (Jack’s) Point. 

Timaru District Council Telephone: 03 687 7200