Discover a unique part of New Zealand from your base in Timaru District, on the east coast of the central South Island.
Timaru activities and attractions - the best things to do in the Timaru District.
Find your style of accommodation here.
The official Timaru District event calendar and portal for event managers.
Take your pick from the best places to eat in Timaru District.
Captain Henry Cain One of Timaru's earliest residents
Timaru has a rich art and cultural scene. Spend some time - explore your options.
A must do when visiting the Timaru District, Te Ana Māori Rock Art provide the only guided tour to see real 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
Phone: 0800 46 83 262
The South Canterbury Museum has a focus on the natural heritage and history of the South Canterbury region of New Zealand - land, life and people. They collect specimens, artifacts, images, documents and information that can be used to explore the region's heritage.
Phone: 03 687 7212
Timaru’s Aigantighe Art Gallery on Wai-iti Road is home to an extensive permanent collection of New Zealand and international art. You can wander through the sculpture garden and head into the gallery to view featured works from its permanent collection or one of the feature exhibitions. The gallery is open every day, except Mondays, and admission is free.
Phone: 03 688 4424
For lovers of vintage machinery a visit here is a must. They have buildings full of unique vintage cars, vintage tractors, vintage farm machinery and plenty of other exhibits.
Phone: 03 688 4452
Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden in Timaru is a must-see for rose lovers. Named after a local nurseryman and author with a passion for growing old varies, the garden was deemed ‘a garden of excellence’ in 2013 by the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Phone: 03 687 7200
Visit the South Island's only dedicated military museum showcasing rare last-of-their-kind vehicles plus large scale displays from Vietnam and Germany.
The Timaru District has the highest number of studied Māori rock art sites in New Zealand. This is due to our many river ways that early Māori used as their roads while travelling throughout the South Island looking for food as well as materials for medicine, clothing and weapons.
The Geraldine Historical Museum focuses on highlighting and showcasing the contribution that organisations and individuals have made to the development of the Geraldine and wider Timaru District. The museum is open 7 days a week, and admission is free.
Phone: 03 693 7028
Brightening and energising Timaru’s streetscape are the motivations behind several unique artworks which have begun appearing on some of the city’s beautiful historic buildings. The Street Art trail explores these works.
Phone: 03 687 2682
This is a must visit if you're in Timaru District on one of their open days. It's been rated as one of New Zealand's best preservation railways, but there's loads more to this attraction than that. They run fully operational steam locomotives – including the 1922 locomotive Ab699 – and a rare replica of a Model T Ford Railcar.
Phone: 03 614 8323
Housed in the historic former Temuka Courthouse. This Museum is home to over 6,000 items recording the history of Temuka, from farming, to industry, family history and social history. NOTE: The Temuka Museum is currently closed for earthquake strengthening.
Discover a vast collection of vintage tractors and old farm machinery, plus a large display of classic and vintage trucks. There are two working traction engines plus numerous steam powered items. Come along and see some of our local agricultural and transport history.