What to do in Timaru

Activities, attractions and tours

A coastal city with a beach, port, and industrial area.
A pebbled beach with driftwood and a calm sea at sunset.
A white church with a tall steeple and a clock tower, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
A coastal town with a lighthouse, beach, and residential area.
A white church with a tall steeple and a clock tower.

Timaru Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Timaru has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Timaru is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Timaru to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Timaru Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Timaru.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Timaru attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Timaru

Number of things to do
1
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Alpaca Petting Tour; Timaru District: CA $50
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Timaru

Stay near popular Timaru attractions

Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden

9.0/10 (52 reviews)
You can find out about the history of Timaru with a trip to Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden. Visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its bars.
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Where to stay in Timaru

Find the best Timaru areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Timaru
Learn more about Timaru
A coastal city with a beach, a port with ships, and industrial buildings.

Timaru Central

While visiting Timaru Central, you might make a stop by sights like South Canterbury Museum and Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre.

Maori Hill

While visiting Maori Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Ashbury Park and Caroline Bay Beach.
A garden with a fountain, benches, and a statue.
Photo by Paolo Corrales
Open Photo by Paolo Corrales

Timaru Port

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

Seaview

Seaview might not have many top sights, but South Canterbury Museum and Caroline Bay Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
A large church with two domes and a central dome, surrounded by scaffolding.
Photo by Dan Koczur
Open Photo by Dan Koczur

Parkside

While Parkside isn't home to many top sights, South Canterbury Museum and Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre are some notable places to visit nearby.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

Is Timaru worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor adventures and history, there are many interesting things to do in Timaru. Be sure to experience the area's blend of cool attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Timaru?
Once you've checked off key attractions like Caroline Bay Beach and South Canterbury Museum, spend some time experiencing Timaru's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Timaru?
You can't go home without exploring Caroline Bay Beach, rated the top tourist attraction in Timaru.
Is three days enough to stay in Timaru?
Three days in Timaru is plenty of time to visit the city's major attractions. Many travellers stay for two days on average. Caroline Bay Beach, South Canterbury Museum and DB Brewery are top-rated sights. Like to see more? Hang around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots such as Fairlie.
Is Timaru a walkable city?
It depends on what you'd like to do and see in Timaru. Several key attractions, such as Caroline Bay Beach and South Canterbury Museum, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Timaru's best neighbourhoods, Maori Hill is 2 kilometres away from downtown, while Timaru Central is 0.32 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Timaru with kids?
Deciding what to do in Timaru with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're travelling with little ones or teenagers, there are many family-friendly sights to keep them happy here.

What to do in Timaru for adults?
DB Brewery is one of the main things to do in Timaru. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Timaru?
In Timaru, Caroline Bay Beach is an unmissable spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. It's a good way to learn about the best free things to do in Timaru.