Timaru Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Timaru
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Photo by Mel Fekto
Photo by Mel Fekto

Where to stay in Timaru

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Timaru Central

If you're spending some time in Timaru Central, South Canterbury Museum and Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Timaru Central
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Maori Hill

While visiting Maori Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Caroline Bay Beach.

Maori Hill
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Marchwiel

While Marchwiel may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ashbury Park and Caroline Bay Beach.

Marchwiel
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Parkside

While Parkside isn't home to many top sights, South Canterbury Museum and Botanical Gardens are some notable places to visit nearby.

Parkside
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Timaru Port

While visiting Timaru Port, you might make a stop by sights like Caroline Bay Beach and Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.

Timaru Port
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Seaview

Though Seaview may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like South Canterbury Museum and Caroline Bay Beach.

Seaview
The Grosvenor

The Grosvenor

3 out of 5
26 Cains Terrace, Timaru
The price is AU$131 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$131
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
The Grosvenor
Aspen on King Motel

Aspen on King Motel

4.5 out of 5
51 King Street, Timaru
The price is AU$132 per night from 13 Sept to 14 Sept
AU$132
13 Sept - 14 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified motel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Botanical Gardens and Patiti ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (530 reviews)
"Great water pressure in the shower, comfy bed, everything I needed for a quick 1 night stay. Great sized room, however not very sound proof, could hear people in the room next door."

Reviewed on 21 Aug. 2025

Aspen on King Motel
Aaron Court Motel

Aaron Court Motel

2 out of 5
27 Evans St, Timaru, Canterbury
The price is AU$97 per night from 22 Sept to 23 Sept
AU$97
22 Sept - 23 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Timaru Lighthouse and Aigantighe Art Gallery are located ...
6.8/10 (87 reviews)
Comfortable
"Basic but comfortable. All quite dated but there's room to move and a full fridge / decent sized stove/full oven. Good heating was appreciated. Decent linen and clean beds. Bathroom floor needed a decent mop. Friendly staff. Good value."

Reviewed on 19 Aug. 2025

Aaron Court Motel
See all 66 properties in Timaru
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coastal Ridge Apartments

Coastal Ridge Apartments

3.5 out of 5
38 King Street, Timaru
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Timaru. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
Coastal Ridge Apartments
Blue Dolphin Motel

Blue Dolphin Motel

3.5 out of 5
40 Evans Street, Timaru
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Timaru. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
7.8/10 Good! (149 reviews)
"It was comfortable"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Blue Dolphin Motel
Seaside Retreat - Stylish, newly renovated oceanside property

Seaside Retreat - Stylish, newly renovated oceanside property

Timaru
Stay at this vacation home in Timaru. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Ashbury Park and Timaru Lighthouse are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Perfect!
"House was perfect for our needs, well equipped, great shower and wonderful coffee machine with frother!! ASO nice and warm with just the heat pump on for a bit. Very well situated…we were able to walk into town along the beach walkway.Unsure if we will be back this way but if we are I would happily ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

Seaside Retreat - Stylish, newly renovated oceanside property
See all properties in Timaru
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

4.5/5(16 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Timaru with a visit to Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden. Visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its bars.

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

Caroline Bay Beach

4.5/5(73 reviews)

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Caroline Bay Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Timaru Port.

Caroline Bay Beach

Timaru Public Hospital

4.5/5(3 reviews)

If Timaru Public Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Timaru.

Timaru Public Hospital

South Canterbury Museum

4.5/5(7 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at South Canterbury Museum during your trip to Timaru. Visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its bars.

South Canterbury Museum

Ashbury Park

Explore the great outdoors at Ashbury Park, a lovely green space in Timaru.

Ashbury Park

Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge

Explore the great outdoors at Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, a lovely green space in Timaru.

Washdyke Lagoon Wildlife Refuge