How to get to Timaru District

Timaru District, in South Canterbury, is just two hours’ drive from Christchurch – and a direct flight from the country’s capital Wellington.

Bus

You can get here by bus or coach. There are services to and from Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Te Anau.

Check out Intercity Buses here.

Fly

Air New Zealand offers daily direct flights from Timaru to Wellington, and from Auckland, via Wellington. Timaru Airport is about eight kilometres north of Timaru township.

Drive

We’re an easy drive along State Highway 1 from Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. Timaru is also en route to the MacKenzie Country and Aoraki Mt Cook.

Cruise

Explore Timaru District and the Central South Island on a cruise ship.  Timaru District is centrally located on the East Coast of the South Island.  There is so much to see and do here, and we're the closest Port to the Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Guided tours

You can take a customised door to door day tour with Driving Miss Daisy, or Discover Tours and explore the wider region including Tekapo, Mount Cook or Oamaru and Moeraki.

General visitor info

For more information on travelling to and from Timaru District and the best routes to take, get in touch with our friendly Information Centre staff here.