Things To See And Do

Caroline Bay is the most widely known of all the parks in the Timaru District. When speaking to some from outside Canterbury about Timaru they will usually mention Caroline Bay, whereas locals will often refer to it as ‘The Bay’. The beach is sheltered by the harbour breakwater and is the only sandy beach between Oamaru and Banks Peninsula. Whether you’re after a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk or after a game of beach volleyball, Caroline Bay has something for everyone.

Home to a unique collection of old roses, the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden was gifted to the city by internationally celebrated rosarian Trevor Griffiths. In 2013 it was deemed ‘a garden of excellence’ by the World Federation of Rose Societies and has become a major attraction. The garden was designed by Sir Miles Warren and has more than 1200 roses and has a plant from every rose family in the world. This impressive garden is in full bloom from mid November to mid December each year.

Timaru district has a great range of shopping options in The Exhchange – heart of Timaru’s CBD area and the village-like atmosphere of Geraldine. There’s a range of specialty stores offering boutique shopping, through to some of the nation’s best known chain-stores. Couple that with a fantastic range of food makers who pour their hearts and souls into making delicious, wholesome produce, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

Street art has been transforming urban landscapes and communities globally. It energises and inspires, it adds vibrancy to otherwise generic cityscapes. Timaru’s street art project has been undertaken by the locals at the Timaru Civic Trust and Alive Vibrant Timaru. Wander around the Timaru CBD and get your selfie on at these cool sites. Take a street art tour on the Timaru Trails website or download the Timaru Trails app.

The Timaru Botanic Gardens are located on 19 hectares of land in south Timaru and date back to 1864, when the site was first set aside as a public reserve. In 2014, the garden was recognised as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

Explore our stunning coastal tracks, take a short stroll or go for a long bike ride on the Timaru Circuit Trail, the choice is yours!  Bikes can be hired from The Cyclery and Point E-Bikes. Explore Timaru’s fascinating history, art scene, food, walking tracks and more with the free Timaru Trails App.

Find all the walking and biking tracks here.

The Bay Hill looks out over the Caroline Bay area, it’s home to some fabulous eateries where you can enjoy our local cuisine. Insiders recommend heading to the Bay Hill at anytime of the day for refreshments and a bite to eat while taking in the views. Our other hub if you wish to wine and dine in the city is around the historic Landing Services Building (next to the Information Centre) but the main street is also scattered with great places to enjoy multiple cuisines.