10 free things to do in the Timaru District
The Timaru District has unforgettable experiences and the best part is, many of them won’t cost a thing. Coastal tracks, street art, penguins, playgrounds and parks, there’s plenty to see and do at your own pace. Check out the top 10 free things to do in the Timaru District.
1. Explore the local street art & heritage buildings
In the heart of Timaru CBD, you’ll find captivating street art and sculptures. Bright, inspiring, and invigorating, embark on the Street Art Trail with the Timaru Trails app to follow the trail and delve into the stories behind each piece.
2. Timaru’s Little Penguins
From November to February, each evening at the southern end of Caroline Bay at Marine Parade, you can witness the world’s smallest penguin coming ashore after a day of fishing. Please note that they typically arrive quite late in the peak of summer, around 9.30 pm.
3. Walk and bike our scenic trails
The Timaru District has over 30 walking and cycling trails. Discover stunning coastlines, wander sandy beaches, hike mountains, walk through lush native bush, find a trail that suits your interests. With trails ranging from 10 minutes to several hours, there is something for all family members and fitness levels.
4. South Canterbury Museum
The South Canterbury Museum highlights the natural and cultural history of the region, exploring its land, life, and people through engaging displays. Collections include local fossils, insects, birds, and marine life, as well as Māori history dating back over 800 years and the impacts of European settlement.
5. Self-guided tour of Māori rock art sites
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. Take a self-guided tour and discover the ancient drawings.
6. Caroline Bay
Located alongside the Timaru CBD, Caroline Bay is a gentle, sandy beach just minutes from the main street. Enjoy easy scenic walks, splash in the ocean, play beach cricket, dig your toes into the sand and view the little penguins in the summer months. Within the Caroline Bay grounds you will find the Southern Hemisphere’s largest playground, New Zealand’s first free outdoor pickleball court, a skate park, mini golf course, paddling pool, bird aviary, rose garden and carnival rides in the summer.
7. Gardens and playgrounds galore
The Timaru District offers a wide range of gardens and recreational spaces, including the beautiful Timaru Botanic Gardens with its delightful flower gardens, Centennial Park with BMX, MTB and pump tracks and Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden at Caroline Bay. Enjoy 38 playgrounds, 3 disc golf courses and 4 mini golf courses around the region.
8. Washdyke Lagoon
9. Aigantighe Art Gallery & Sculpture Garden
Timaru’s Aigantighe Art Gallery is home to an extensive permanent collection of New Zealand and international art. The gallery features diverse exhibitions, a tranquil scultpure garden set among landscaped grounds and a carefully restored heritage house.