Your Ultimate Spring Guide to the Timaru District
As the days get longer and the landscape bursts into colour, the Timaru District comes alive. Wander through blooming gardens, explore native bush and coastal trails, meet local wildlife, and eat delicious food.
Start with a morning stroll
Begin your day at Caroline Bay, where the coast is right on the doorstep of the city centre. Grab a coffee from a local cafe and start exploring.
Take a walk along the Caroline Bay boardwalk and wander around the bay, then make your way to the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden. From mid-November to mid-December, the garden bursts into bloom with more than 1,200 roses, alongside beautiful peonies and other seasonal flowers.
Continue along the Dashing Rocks Coastal Walk for panoramic views over Caroline Bay. This easy 2.2km loop takes you past historic Blackett’s Lighthouse, dramatic coastal cliffs and ancient lava flows from Mount Horrible.
Lunch with local flavour
Head into The Exchange, the heart of Timaru’s CBD, and choose from a range of cafes, restaurants and bars. Stop for a relaxed lunch at Curbside Deli, Mrs M’s Cafe, enjoy something from The Oxford, or try one of the city’s other local favourites.
Discover our history and culture
Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s street art, heritage buildings and galleries. The Timaru Heritage Trail takes you through significant collections of Edwardian architecture, while the Street Art Trail helps uncover the city’s street art and stories. Both can be explored through the Timaru Trails app or website.
For something a little different, spend some time at the interactive, state of the art, Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre and learn more about the region’s Māori rock art and cultural heritage.
Have a seaside dinner
Make the most of Timaru’s coastal setting with dinner on the Bay Hill. At Pier 64, sit back with views across Caroline Bay while enjoying seasonal dishes and a drink. The Bay Hill Bar Restaurant is another great option for a relaxed meal overlooking the bay. Saikou serves Asian fusion tapas-style, alongside cocktails and a lively atmosphere.
Relax with a cocktail
Round off the evening at Hector Black’s Lounge Bar. Set inside a characterful heritage building, this quirky lounge is made for settling into a couch with a cocktail, glass of wine or local beer.
Find the little penguins
As dusk falls, make your way back towards Marine Parade and keep an eye out for Timaru’s little penguins/kororā returning from a day at sea. Caroline Bay is home to a colony of the world’s smallest penguin. They come ashore between October and March. Watch quietly from a respectful distance and let them make their way home undisturbed.
Stay close to the coast
After a day exploring Timaru’s coast, gardens and city centre, make yourself at home somewhere close by. Wake up to sea views at Panorama Motor Lodge, stay just steps from Caroline Bay at Harbour View Motel, or unwind at The Sea Breeze.
Wander the Geraldine Sculpture Trail
Spring is a beautiful time to explore the Geraldine Sculpture Trail, which winds through the town, along the Waihi River and through Talbot Forest. The trail is particularly lovely in spring when rhododendrons, cherry blossoms and other flowers are in bloom.
Browse artisan goods
Geraldine is known for its award-winning artisan food producers. Build your own little Geraldine tasting trail, stopping at Geraldine Cheese Company, Bonnie Day Brewery & Taproom, Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery, Humdinger Gin, Hello Gelato, Southbound Specialty Coffee and House of Hop.
Discover Geraldine’s Museums
Geraldine is home to five museums, each offering a different glimpse into the region’s past. Discover local stories at the Geraldine Historical Museum, explore military history at the Geraldine Military Museum, or step back in time with vintage cars, machinery and memorabilia at the Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum, Roger Mahan Heritage Centre and Route 79 Museum.
Lunch in the garden
Verde is a beautiful place to slow down for lunch, with a seasonal, produce-driven menu served in a garden setting surrounded by greenery and blossom trees. Enjoy locally inspired food and drinks at one of the country’s top dining destinations.
Afternoon Walk
Stretch your legs with a wander through Talbot Forest, a peaceful trail of native bush close to Geraldine. Venture further to Peel Forest for the Big Tree Walk, an easy loop through towering native trees, or head to Emily Falls for a short walk through the forest to a picturesque waterfall. Take on Little Mount Peel / Huatekerekere for spectacular views across South Canterbury, or explore the tracks through Kakahu Bush, with mature forest and birdlife.
Dine in Geraldine
Enjoy a delicious meal and a relaxed beer garden at The Village Inn, settle in for Thai flavours at The Greedy Elephant, or warm up with fragrant curries and freshly baked naan at Royal India.
For something a little further out of town, head to House of Hop in Gapes Valley. This funky restaurant and brewery serves classic meals and house-brewed beers in a rural setting, where you can dine outdoors near Highland cows.
Experience a boutique stay
Stay in boutique accommodation surrounded by countryside and stunning views. Fiery Peak Eco Retreat offers a private country escape complete with hot tubs. Ngā Whare Mānatu is nestled amongst native plants and birdsong, with incredible stargazing at night. Kōtare Boutique Homestay offers a peaceful countryside retreat surrounded by gardens and orchards.
Whakahā Peel Forest gives you the chance to stay in a luxurious home surrounded by native bush, river and mountain landscapes. The Vicarage combines beautifully restored heritage with boutique accommodation in the heart of Geraldine.
Start with a morning adventure
Saddle up with Real Kiwi Horse Trekking in Fairlie and explore the South Canterbury landscape on horseback, taking in views of mountains, rivers and the Canterbury Plains. Whether you’re an experienced rider or have never been on a horse before, there are trekking options to suit different abilities.
Or head to Winchester for Alpaca Walks, where you can meet, feed and walk alongside friendly alpacas while enjoying the peaceful rural surroundings.
Take a self-drive Māori rock art adventure
Continue your journey through the countryside and discover some of the Timaru District’s ancient Māori rock art sites. From Geraldine, two of the closest self-drive sites are Three Mile Bush Road and Raincliff/Middle Valley Road, both around 30 minutes away. Find directions and maps here.
Stop for a real fruit ice cream
Make a stop in Pleasant Point at Strawberry Divine for a real fruit ice cream. Their sunny courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy the spring sunshine, with flavours made using fruits such as berries, peach, apricot, rhubarb and black doris plum.
Have a long lunch
Spring calls for a long lunch, and there are plenty of places to settle in and enjoy it. Try globally inspired dishes and cocktails at Street Food Kitchen, share Asian fusion plates at Saikou, settle into The Oxford with great food and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, or enjoy lunch and a local beer at The Speight’s Ale House at Historic Place.
Explore the shops
If you haven’t already explored The Exchange, now is the time. Wander through the CBD’s boutique stores, browse local fashion, gifts, homewares and second hand shops.
Take a scenic coastal trail
Finish your spring escape with one last walk beside the sea. Head south to Tūhawaiki (Jack’s) Point, where the coastal track follows the shoreline past the historic lighthouse and offers sweeping views along the coast. Or follow the South Beach Coastal Track, a flat coastal route that runs along the beach towards the Timaru Port.
