Making the most of Timaru
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships berth at the town’s water’s edge, a short 5 minute shuttle-bus ride or 500 meter walk from the town center and i-SITE Visitor center.
On New Zealand’s South Island east coast, Timaru occupies South Canterbury between Christchurch and Dunedin. Its hinterland offers a unique range, from Aoraki Mount Cook’s peak to Caroline Bay’s sandy beaches. Definite draw cards distinguishing it from other ports include iconic trips to Mount Cook or Mesopotamia, the Victorian Oamaru experience and rock art. A highlight is Te Ana Ngai Tahu Rock Art center, home to the world’s largest Maori Rock Art collection.
Getting around
Timaru, Canterbury’s second largest city, lies roughly halfway between Christchurch and Dunedin and has everything needed for a pleasant stopover. Caroline Bay provides a safe swimming beach, landscaped piazza and walks, while restaurants and cafés connect it with the main shopping area. Thirsty visitors can tour the local brewery. The excellent city museum contains moa-hunter artefacts and all kinds of whaling relics; its art gallery holds the South Island’s third largest public art collection. Many grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings use local volcanic bluestone.
Nearby places
On the inland scenic route, beautiful Geraldine has a thriving arts and culture community at the foot of gentle rolling hills, divided by the tranquil Waihi River. Visitors and locals always bustle along its pretty main street, lined with venerable trees, gardens and historic buildings.
A short way from Geraldine, Peel Forest is a small, sparsely populated settlement village and an oasis of beauty and tranquility amid dense virgin native forest. This popular recreation area offers numerous outdoor activities.
Pleasant Point is ideal for discovering maori rock art, tasting the award winning Opihi vineyard, or visiting the towns’s museum and railway, whose fully restored steam locomotives accompany the world’s only Ford Model T railcar.
Caroline Bay in Timaru now features a new $3 million playground, believed to be the southern hemisphere’s largest. It gained an accolade by winning the nationally awarded Playspace of the Year award.
Food and shopping
Mon-Fri shopping runs 9am to 5.30pm; Weekends operate 10am to 4pm.
Money
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. A few traders accept foreign currency, especially in tourist destinations. The approximate US-to-NZ dollar conversion is US$1=NZD1.30.
Staying connected
Wi-Fi is free at 4.Timaru Public Library, 3.Coffee Culture Cafe, 2.The Speight’s Ale House and 1.Stafford Street shopping area.